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Increasing Vaccination Rates In Pregnancy Using A Multifaceted Approach Including Patient Education And Reminder/Recall Interventions, Jas Tiara Mcgee May 2021

Increasing Vaccination Rates In Pregnancy Using A Multifaceted Approach Including Patient Education And Reminder/Recall Interventions, Jas Tiara Mcgee

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Given the global tragedy that this most recent pandemic has caused, more attention has been given to the devastating outcomes that the spread of infectious disease outbreaks can have. Similar to those with comorbid conditions, pregnant women are also extremely vulnerable to infectious diseases, as disease manifestation does not only affect the mother, but the fetus as well. Thus, the prevention of both the influenza virus and pertussis are two major goals when providing care for this population. Preventing both of these disease processes during the intrapartum period helps to ensure optimal wellness for both mother and baby and overall …


Better Together? The Effects Of Shared Medical Appointments On Bmi In Obese Adults, Amanda Larson May 2021

Better Together? The Effects Of Shared Medical Appointments On Bmi In Obese Adults, Amanda Larson

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

The United States (U.S.) is amidst an obesity epidemic, with Indiana ranking as the 15th worst state (Institute of Medicine, 2012; United Health Foundations, 2020). Despite current management strategies, the obesity rate in both the U.S. and Indiana continues to rise (WHO, 2020). Therefore, obesity management must change. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to determine if the addition of shared medical appointments (SMAs) consisting of informational group sessions by specialists and brief individualized meetings with the provider will result in greater reduction of weight and body mass index (BMI) compared to standard care alone in those …


Implementation Of A Cost-Effective Treatment Algorithm For The Management Of Acne Vulgaris In College Students, Cristina Borsilli May 2021

Implementation Of A Cost-Effective Treatment Algorithm For The Management Of Acne Vulgaris In College Students, Cristina Borsilli

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Acne is one of the most common skin disorders in the United States, occuring in over 5.1 million Americans. Of those with acne, 53.8% are adults between the ages of 18 and 44 years old (American Academy of Dermatology [AAD], 2017). Acne can lead to multiple issues such as scarring, poor self-esteem, anxiety, and depression (Zaenglein et al., 2016). Acne can also negatively impact quality of life (Cengiz & Gurel, 2020). The purpose of this evidence-based project was to develop a cost-effective treatment algorithm for the management of acne vulgaris in adult college students. A literature search determined the best …


Education Combined With Reminder Strategies To Improve Cervical Cancer Screening Rates, Christina E. Mclean May 2021

Education Combined With Reminder Strategies To Improve Cervical Cancer Screening Rates, Christina E. Mclean

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women worldwide and a leading cause of death in some countries (Jayasekara, 2020). Approximately 13,800 cases of cervical cancer were diagnosed in the U.S. last year, and about 4,290 women died (American Cancer Society [ACS], 2020). Regular cervical cancer screening (CCS) reduces morbidity and mortality, but screening rates are low in the U.S. and at the project site (ACS. 2020). The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to increase CCS at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with six clinic locations in Northwest Indiana; the primary project site was …


Using Mindfulness To Decrease Stress In College Students, Saska Pavlovic May 2021

Using Mindfulness To Decrease Stress In College Students, Saska Pavlovic

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

The prevalence of stress is increasing in colleges, where students are experiencing anxiety at an alarming rate, with anxiety being the topic most discussed in university counseling centers. The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to determine the effect of mindfulness exercises on college students’ perceived stress. The Stetler Model guided the project development and implementation. The literature search revealed that best practice included mindfulness exercises through a combination of face-to-face instruction and remote online audio meditation for a duration of eight weeks. For this project, 56 undergraduate students (health care-leadership, health-science, and nursing majors) enrolled in a health …


The Effect Of Implementing A Generalized Anxiety Disorder Protocol For Anxiety And Depression Symptoms In The Primary Care Setting, Bailey J. Hinman May 2021

The Effect Of Implementing A Generalized Anxiety Disorder Protocol For Anxiety And Depression Symptoms In The Primary Care Setting, Bailey J. Hinman

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is very prevalent in the United States with 5.7% of citizens affected (National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH], 2017). This number is expected to be even higher because individuals avoid care due to stigma of mental illness (Andrews et al., 2018). GAD can have significant implications such as decreased ability to function, decreased quality of life and increased risk of suicide (Fong, 2018; Lizarondo, 2018). The purpose of this project was to improve outcomes for adult patients with GAD in the primary care setting by improving treatment to follow best practice recommendations. The Johns Hopkins Evidence …


Don't Be Such A Buzzy®Kill: Reducing Pain During Vaccinations In College-Age Students, Katherine Long May 2021

Don't Be Such A Buzzy®Kill: Reducing Pain During Vaccinations In College-Age Students, Katherine Long

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Immunizations play a fundamental role in reducing the occurrence of preventable diseases in the population. Injections related to immunization are the most frequent pain-producing medical procedure implemented worldwide and account for nearly 12 billion injections annually (CDC, 2019; Taddio et al., 2015). These procedures are often perceived as simple but can have a variety of complications including pain. This evidence-based practice project addressed the following PICOT question: In college-aged students receiving immunizations (P), does the Buzzy® device (I) when compared to non-intervention standard of care (C) effectively reduce injection site pain (O) over a 12-week time period (T)? The Buzzy® …


Guided Imagery And Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Pain, Brandy Alicia Kirk May 2021

Guided Imagery And Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Pain, Brandy Alicia Kirk

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

The standard of care in the treatment for women diagnosed with breast cancer includes identification and biopsy of the sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) of the breast (Chaterjee et al., 2017; Kneece, 2017). The process of identifying the SLNs involves radioisotope injections into or near the areola. Because this area is highly sensitive, women report this procedure to be considerably painful. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to determine if the provision of a 5-minute session of guided imagery (GI), as a complementary alternative medicine, prior to SLN injections was effective in mitigating reports of procedural pain. A …


A Tailored Multicomponent Intervention In Primary Care For Survivors Of Adverse Childhood Experiences (Aces), Rebecca L. Peterson May 2021

A Tailored Multicomponent Intervention In Primary Care For Survivors Of Adverse Childhood Experiences (Aces), Rebecca L. Peterson

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) include 10 traumatic events of abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction that occur before 18 years of age. Adverse childhood experiences affect greater than 60% of the population, and approximately one in six individuals affirm that they have experienced four or more types of ACEs. They are associated with negative, long-term health outcomes in adults, including 9 out of the 10 leading causes of death in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d.; Felitti et al., 1998). The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to implement a tailored, multicomponent intervention to mitigate the …


Keeping Primary Care Providers Informed About Detecting Skin Cancer In Young Adults, Riley J. Spears May 2021

Keeping Primary Care Providers Informed About Detecting Skin Cancer In Young Adults, Riley J. Spears

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Skin cancer is a common, life-threatening disease that affects anyone, regardless of age or skin color (American Cancer Society [ACS], 2020). The incidence of melanoma is on the rise for young adults, with an estimated 2,400 new cases for individuals aged 15 to 29 (ACS, 2020). Although skin cancer is highly preventable, clinical guidelines are inconsistent regarding skin cancer screening. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to determine if the implementation of the INternet curriculum FOR Melanoma Early Detection (INFORMED) program would improve primary care providers’ (PCPs’) confidence about skin cancer and the number of completed and …


Overcoming Obesity: Provider Reminders And Education In Pediatrics, Michelle Warren Apr 2021

Overcoming Obesity: Provider Reminders And Education In Pediatrics, Michelle Warren

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

The prevalence of pediatric overweight and obesity is rising globally (Di Cesare et al., 2019) and results in lifelong chronic health problems and an estimated annual healthcare cost of $14.1 billion (Trasande & Chatterjee, 2009). The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to address overweight and obesity in patients between the ages of five and 12 years through the provision of provider reminders, education, and guidelines. Primary outcomes included frequency of diagnosis, frequency of patient referrals, return to see times, and frequency of patient nutrition and activity education while secondary outcomes included patient weight, body mass index (BMI), and …


Efficacy Of Diabetes Self-Management Education Administered Via Telehealth For Adults With Uncontrolled Diabetes, Tanner Free Apr 2021

Efficacy Of Diabetes Self-Management Education Administered Via Telehealth For Adults With Uncontrolled Diabetes, Tanner Free

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Patient’s with a diagnosis of diabetes require significant lifestyle modification and education. The need for patient education has led to the development of diabetes self-management education (DSME) classes. Unfortunately, utilization of DSME classes is only 5% among Medicare beneficiaries and 6.8% among privately insured patients (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2018). The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to implement DSME via telehealth and assist with goal formation to help patients with uncontrolled diabetes achieve glycemic control by increasing access to crucial education. The intervention consisted of bi-weekly calls for a period of 3 months. Participant data were …


The Use Of Automated Text Messaging As An Intervention For Smoking Cessation, Oluwasayo Sinkaiye Apr 2021

The Use Of Automated Text Messaging As An Intervention For Smoking Cessation, Oluwasayo Sinkaiye

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Tobacco smoking is a widespread problem that affects the adult population in the United States (U.S.). In 2018, about 14 of every 100 adults in the USA aged 18 years or older were cigarette smokers (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020). Tobacco smoking is associated with chronic disease conditions that have serious health implications including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (CDC, 2020). The purpose of this evidence-based practice project (EBP) was to determine the effectiveness of an automated text messaging application (SmokefreeTXT) for smoking cessation in a primary care setting for adult cigarette …


A Smartphone Intervention To Reduce Hospital Readmission Rates In Adult Patients Who Have Heart Failure, Jami L. Crisman Apr 2021

A Smartphone Intervention To Reduce Hospital Readmission Rates In Adult Patients Who Have Heart Failure, Jami L. Crisman

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Heart failure (HF) is the leading cause of 30-day hospital readmission, with up to 23.5% of Medicare beneficiaries requiring subsequent admission within 30 days post hospital discharge (CMS, 2020a). Mobile-health applications (MHA), such as smartphone applications, have emerged as cost-effective methods to safely manage chronic disease in the outpatient setting (Inglis et al., 2015). The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to evaluate the impact of a MHA on HF-related 30-day readmission rates. The Iowa Model Revised guided the implementation of the project in a rural, for-profit hospital in Northwest Indiana. An extensive literature search was conducted, and …


Hypertension Management: Improving Medication Adherence Through The Use Of Daily Text Messages, Gaelle Bulabula Apr 2021

Hypertension Management: Improving Medication Adherence Through The Use Of Daily Text Messages, Gaelle Bulabula

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Hypertension (HTN) is the leading cause of hospitalization and is responsible for approximately 50% of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (Al-Noumani, et al., 2018). Uncontrolled HTN can lead to comorbidities including ischemic heart disease, renal disease, or life-threatening arrythmias (World Health Organization [WHO], 2019). The leading cause of HTN is medication non-compliance (Varleta, et al., 2017). The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to determine the effectiveness of daily text messages on antihypertensive medication adherence. A comprehensive review of literature generated ten high-level evidence studies demonstrating that daily text messages near each medication dosing time is best practice for improving …