Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 3 of 3
Full-Text Articles in Diseases
The Effects Of Implementing Best Practice On Clostridium Difficile Infection Treatment, Melissa A. Craig
The Effects Of Implementing Best Practice On Clostridium Difficile Infection Treatment, Melissa A. Craig
Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports
For many years the number of Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) has steadily risen. This common cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea can have variable clinical presentations ranging from mild diarrhea to severe cases complicated by the development of pseudomembranous colitis, electrolyte abnormalities, dehydration, sepsis, and even death. The resistant nature of the spores produced by the bacteria and the emergence of hypervirulent strains have made treatment challenging. Previous studies have demonstrated clinician non-adherence to CDI clinical treatment guidelines may result in poor patient outcomes. This evidence-based practice project was implemented at a 311 bed academic medical center in the Midwest. The project …
The Effect Of Heart Failure Education On Knowledge And Readmission, Sara A. Golden
The Effect Of Heart Failure Education On Knowledge And Readmission, Sara A. Golden
Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports
Heart Failure (HF) is a chronic progressive disease affecting over 5 million individuals with an expected increase in incidence as the population ages (Yehle & Plake, 2010). The costs associated with managing HF continue to increase and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have attempted to identify ways to improve patient management of HF to reduce the revolving door of hospital readmissions and decrease expenditures. According to 2006 data, as many as one fourth of the Medicare beneficiaries discharged from acute care to skilled nursing facilities (SNF) were readmitted to the hospital within 30 days and the majority …
National Institute Of Health Stroke Scale (Nihss) Inter-Rater Reliability And Confidence Among Nihss Certified Nurses: Implementation Of A Standardized Patient Simulation, Kelly J. Trieglaff
National Institute Of Health Stroke Scale (Nihss) Inter-Rater Reliability And Confidence Among Nihss Certified Nurses: Implementation Of A Standardized Patient Simulation, Kelly J. Trieglaff
Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports
The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is the most common stroke assessment used by nurses. Nurses certified on the NIHSS do not consistently demonstrate inter-rater reliability nor are they confident when assessing stroke patients using the tool (Josephson, Hills, Johnston, 2006). This EBP project evaluated a standardized patient simulation for maintaining inter-rater reliability and confidence in NIHSS certified nurses. A literature review showed that a decrease in inter-rater reliability occurs within four weeks to three months of NIHSS certification. A single cohort of intensive care nurses and emergency department nurses used the NIHSS tool in a standardized patient …