Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Implementing Staff Education To Reduce Stress And Increase Resilience, Samantha Lambert, Mariana Corpus, Sherry Chesak, Susanne M. Cutshall, Diane M. Forsyth, Habibo A. Haji

Nursing DNP Projects

Purpose: Persistent levels of high stress among nurses impact work activities and job performance, leading to burnout, compassion fatigue, lower job satisfaction, high workplace turnover, and diminished quality of patient care (Lin et al., 2018). Nurses who demonstrate resilience are better able to adapt to unexpected events with a positive attitude, self-esteem, and tolerance (Huang et al., 2020). The purpose of this project was to decrease stress levels and improve resilience among nursing staff, utilizing education on holistic stress management and resilience techniques.

Methods: A four-hour mindfulness-based education course was provided to staff members (N=76). Components included an initial two-hour …

Education Effectiveness Of Recognizing Asymptomatic Bacteriuria In A Long-Term Care Facility, Xie Zhonghua, Lisa Ertman, Carole Jenson, Kimberly Langer, Kristi Petersen

Nursing DNP Projects

This article presents the educational effectiveness of recognizing asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) in a long-term care facility using presentations and clinical pathways. Results indicate interventions are effective in identifying ASB but inconclusive of the number of inappropriate UA reductions.

Improving Data Collection And Documentation Within A Post-Hospital Discharge Follow-Up Phone Call Program, Lindsay Horihan, Tasha Flicek

Nursing DNP Projects

Hospital discharge with quality patient education and instruction is paramount for the success of recovery and mitigation of readmission. Identification of gaps within hospital discharge can lead to strategies to improve the discharge process. A project was designed to improve data collection, documentation of discrepancies (gaps/events), and analysis of data relating to patient and process outcomes of a post-discharge follow-up phone call program. Interventions included a newly implemented algorithm to outline a phone call workflow, refine data collection, and evaluate outcomes. Data collection to increase identification of gaps in care from discharge to follow-up aid in improving patient outcomes.

Improving Data Collection And Documentation In A Post-Discharge Follow-Up Phone Call Program, Lindsay Horihan, Tasha Flicek

Nursing DNP Projects

Purpose and Rationale: The purpose of this project is to improve a post-discharge follow-up phone call program by creating evidence-based methods of collecting, documenting, and analyzing data that will provide insight of the program’s impact on patient and process outcomes. There was sufficient evidence to support the use of follow-up phone calls as an effective method to limit hospital readmissions within thirty days of being discharged. The literature also revealed patient and process outcomes to be measured as a final step in the program and to provide data for ongoing process improvement. Practice Change and Implementation Strategies: The current phone …

Improving Outcomes For Sexual Assault Patients In Alignment With Hiv Npep Clinical Guidelines, Maria Dahlke, Rachel Kanz

Nursing DNP Projects

Purpose and Rationale

The purpose of this project is to improve the follow-up care given to adult patients, 18 years and older, who require human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) treatment after a sexual assault. The goal is to determine if organizational alignment with HIV nPEP clinical guidelines through staff education improves medication adherence for adult sexual assault patients. Currently, sexual assault survivors have the lowest medication adherence rate to HIV nPEP among those at risk for HIV.

Synthesis of Evidence

The evidence supports the standardization of care for sexual assault patients' individual needs. Educating health care professionals …

Caring Calls: A Weekly Phone Call Intervention And The Correlation With Loneliness In Rural Dwelling Adults, Abigail Jumbeck, Jennifer Timm, Mieca Valen, Chris Malone

Nursing DNP Projects

Purpose: This pilot study’s aim was to examine the impact of weekly phone calls from interprofessional students on loneliness in rural dwelling adults.

Design: A pretest and posttest quasi-experimental design was utilized.

Setting: The intervention was based in southeastern Minnesota, although the participants could have lived anywhere. Zoom for Healthcare © was utilized, and students were able to make the phone calls from their homes, therefore, no travel was necessary.

Subjects: The subjects were rural dwelling adults (over the age 18 years old).

Intervention: Interprofessional students made weekly social phone calls to rural dwelling adults over ten weeks.

Measures: The …

Developing A Resiliency Bundle For Home Care Nurses, Candace Unger

Nursing DNP Projects

Home care (HC) nurses are experiencing increased stress related to workload, isolation on the job, and COVID-19 restrictions. A literature review found numerous interventions effective in reducing nurse burnout through building resiliency and decreasing moral distress. The purpose of this evidence-based project was to improve resiliency and decrease the risk of burnout in HC nurses through the introduction of a resiliency bundle. Based on the evidence, the following priority interventions for a resiliency bundle were chosen: a) gratitude strategies, b) connecting with co-workers, c) storytelling, and d) resiliency training. Duffy’s Quality-Caring Model and Neal’s Theory of Home Health Nursing Practice …

Implementation Of A Zoom Toolkit For Web-Based, Evidence-Based Health Promotion Programs, Samantha Brown, Julie Shelton

Nursing DNP Projects

This article describes a project to promote the utilization of online evidence-based programs for the self-management of chronic conditions for older adults. The project has been developed based on the findings of a comprehensive review of literature on the outcomes of online health promotion programs for people with chronic health conditions, and on the training needed prior to starting an online course. The project was completed in partnership with WellConnect^®, a non-profit organization facilitating community-based programs that support people in Southeast Minnesota with tools and resources needed to improve individuals’ health and wellbeing.

Interviews with WellConnect^® stakeholders, …

A Bundled Approach To Integrative Care For Peripherally Inserted Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Cannula Insertion Site, Kelly Garaffa, Mickey Amos

Nursing DNP Projects

Purpose and Rationale: This project is designed to translate the collective knowledge and evidence-based interventions surrounding the reduction of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) and use these evidence-based practices to create an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) cannula site bundle. The desired outcome of creating an ECMO cannula-site bundle is increased cannula site integrity, decreased frequency of dressing changes, and minimized risk of cannula-site infections.

Synthesis of Evidence: Currently, there are no clinical practice guidelines for ECMO cannula site care to guide bedside practice. The ELSO Infectious Disease Taskforce recommends implementation of a CLABSI bundle for ECMO site care, but many …

Implementation Of The Centor Score In The Assessment Of Pharyngitis In An Atypical Setting During A Pandemic, Holly C. Wright

Nursing DNP Projects

Pharyngitis is a self-limited illness. Antibiotics are indicated if group A streptococcus (GAS) is present, yet 60% of patients receive a prescription. Implementation of the Centor Score at the time of triage can lead to appropriate collection of a rapid strep test (RST). Centor Scores were completed on adult patients presenting for an RST during the COVID-19 pandemic at a drive-up testing site. All five patients who had an RST had a negative GAS result and did not receive an antibiotic. A Centor Score completed at the time of nursing triage can provide guidance related to antibiotic prescribing for pharyngitis.

Best Practices To Prevent Or Delay Diabetes In Adults With Prediabetes, Aminata Cham

Nursing DNP Projects

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a common disease prevalent in 10.5% of the US population about 34.2 million people and a disproportionate percentage of people of color. An EBP project for people with prediabetes was conducted in a faith-based based setting after institutional review board approval. The purpose of the project was to increase fruits and vegetable intake and increase physical activity in adults with prediabetes. The Chronic Care Model was used to guide the design and implementation of the project. The project was a modified version of the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) in a series of four 2-hour sessions …

Risk Stratification For Acute Heart Failure In The Emergency Department, Danika M. Nelson

Nursing DNP Projects

Background

Heart Failure (HF) is a primary diagnosis for hospital admission in adults from the Emergency Department (ED), but not all patients require hospitalization. Emergency Heart Failure Mortality Risk Grade (EHMRG) is designed to estimate mortality in patients with acute HF in ED settings.

Objectives

To risk-stratify patients with acute HF using EHMRG scores and assess patient safety.

Methods

Retrospective cohort analysis of 304 patients with acute HF presenting to an ED at a large tertiary healthcare center. EHMRG scores were calculated per previous thresholds. Mortality and Major Adverse Cardiac Event (MACE) rates were analyzed.

Results

EHMRG risk group respective …

Advocating For Palliative Care In The Intensive Care Unit: A Nursing Approach, Andrea Kirk, Erin Leach

Nursing DNP Projects

Purpose and Rational

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients often receive aggressive medical treatment with advanced illness or injury, and frequently have unmet palliative care (PC) needs. ICU nurses bear witness to the suffering of their patients and in turn, suffer a disproportionate amount of moral distress. The purpose of this clinical scholarship project is to empower nurses with knowledge and skills to advocate for PC for critically ill patients within the ICU setting at a Midwestern, urban, academic medical center. This will be achieved by providing education to nurses about PC and its utilization in the ICU setting and implementing …

Addressing Psychosocial Outcomes Of Social Isolation In Older Adults, Megan Friesen, Madeline M. Christensen

Nursing DNP Projects

Purpose and Rationale

The aim of the evidence-based practice (EBP) project is to improve psychological outcomes for socially isolated older adults enrolled in a Homebound Program (HP) through the implementation of an EBP intervention. Social isolation has a multitude of negative consequences, including impacting the psychological health (e.g. depression, loneliness, anxiety) of the older adult population.

Synthesis of Evidence

Meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and randomized controlled trials addressing the clinical problem of social isolation were identified. Through critical appraisal of the evidence, physical activity, psychotherapy, and socialization interventions have shown to decrease depression and loneliness in older adults. There were mixed …

Dnp Proposal: Implementing Staff Education To Reduce Stress And Increase Resiliency, Samantha Lambert, Mariana Corpus

Nursing DNP Projects

Problem: Increased stress and decreased resiliency are concerning concepts that continue to be common themes within nursing practice. Stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout among nurses pose a great risk to the health care system, the patients it serves, as well as the nurses. Persistent levels of high stress additionally impact work activities and job performance, leading nurses to experience burnout, compassion fatigue, lower job satisfaction, high workplace turnover, and poor quality of care for patients. Nurses who demonstrate resiliency can adapt to unexpected events with a positive attitude, self-esteem, and tolerance.

Purpose: To decrease stress levels and improve resiliency among …