Critical Care Commons^™

Improving Knowledge, Confidence, And Competency Among Icu Nurses Concerning The Benefits Of Using The Uk Ventilator Separation Protocol, Brittany Monroe

DNP Projects

Background: The trauma intensive care unit (ICU) at University of Kentucky (UK) Healthcare uses a ventilator separation protocol which provides specific guidelines on the successful weaning of patients from mechanical ventilation. However, many of the nurses are not aware of this protocol as formal education is not included in their orientation or training. This lack of knowledge can lead to risks such as increased patient morbidity, mortality, ICU length of stay, and healthcare-related costs. Research shows that using structured mechanical ventilator weaning tools in the ICU can shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation, which in turn, lowers these associated risks. …

Say No To Drugs: Nonpharmacologic Interventions For Preventing Delirium In Critically Ill Patients Intubated & Sedated In A Pediatric Icu, Jessica C. Ellzey

DNP Projects

Background. Delirium is an acute clinical syndrome that is characterized by features of disrupted arousal, attention, cognition, sleep, and perception. Delirium is a well-documented phenomenon in critical care settings in both adult and pediatric populations, particularly among patients with length of stay greater than or equal to 48 hours. Delirium has multiple adverse effects, including increased mortality rate, prolonged duration of mechanical ventilation, higher reintubation rates, prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) admission, prolonged hospital admission, short- and long-term cognitive impairment, and posttraumatic stress disorder. There are currently no accepted guidelines or FDA approved medications to treat ICU delirium in the …

Medical Device-Related Pressure Injury (Mdrpi) Prevention In The Intensive Care Unit (Icu): An Evidence Based Practice Quality Improvement Project, Sana Shah

DNP Projects

Introduction: All intensive care unit (ICU) patients utilize various medical devices for care and treatment, placing them at high-risk for medical device-related pressure injuries (MDRPIs), which can lead to life-threatening infections, wounds/scars, and consumption of additional time and products to rectify these issues. Lack of appropriate decompression measures and improper bedside handoff report was recognized in the ICU at a hospital in Connecticut (CT).

Method: A literature search using CINAHL, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews was conducted, restricting the search to the period between 2018-2022. The keywords searched were: “pressure injuries,” “adult patients,” “intensive care …

Modified Early Warning Scoring (Mews) Versus Epic Deterioration Index (Edi): Battle Royale For Which Has The Best Patient Outcomes In The Inpatient Setting, Dirk A. Church

DNP Projects

Abstract

Background: The increased workload bedside nurses face today requires new tools to assist with the identification of deteriorating patients during hospitalization. The Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) tool has formed the background of early warning tools. Newer, more complex tools, like Epic’s Deterioration Index (EDI), have been developed to identify patient deterioration earlier. There is lack of evidence in the literature comparing different early warning tools, implementation, and patient outcomes.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to examine models for EWS notification for RRT and patient outcomes between the use of the MEWS and EDI in an adult, …

Effectiveness Of Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Education For Advanced Practice Providers, Nicole Brumfield

DNP Projects

Abstract

Background: Provider shortages and demands for inpatient providers have led to an increase in the utilization of Advanced Practice Providers (APPs). The increased use and specialization of APPs has brought attention to education and skills that have been instituted for other provider types but remains missing from the APP curricula. One such example is point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) education. This technology and skill set have been shown to enhance clinical skills, confidence levels, and provide useful information for the provider to enhance clinical decision making for the patient.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of …

Nurse Driven Enteral Nutrition Protocol For Mechanically Ventilated Patients, Deena Shewekah

DNP Projects

Introduction: Delayed enteral nutrition in critically ill patients increases the risk of complications and poor outcomes. Current evidence-based guidelines recommend initiation of enteral nutrition within 24-48 hours of intensive care unit (ICU) admission. The quality improvement (QI) project aim was to examine whether enteral nutrition was initiated within 24- 48 hours of mechanical ventilation after implementation of QI intervention in order to determine practice change.

Methods: The QI protocol was introduced to the Cardiovascular ICU (CVICU) at UK Chandler Hospital (UKHC) nurses via an education session. A post-education electronic survey identified the nurse’s understanding of the protocol. To identify nursing …

The Effects Of Compassion Fatigue On Burnout Among Inpatient Psychiatric And Intensive Care Unit Nurses, Amita Madan Neidlinger

DNP Projects

PURPOSE: This DNP project is relevant to nurses of the psychiatric and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) setting, as high stress environments may produce higher rates of compassion fatigue and burnout. Investigation of these areas may help illuminate unnecessary healthcare costs that are associated with these phenomena. This DNP project is important to the University of Kentucky’s healthcare system, its patients, and nurses. Increased absenteeism and increased medication errors are positively associated with the prevalence of compassion fatigue and burnout in nurses. Outcomes from this project will allow identification of unnecessary healthcare costs and encourage administrators to focus on reducing nurse …

Evaluation Outcomes Of A Modified Early Warning System For Early Identification Of Sepsis In The Adult Population Requiring Acute Care, Gavin M. Turpin

DNP Projects

Objectives: To examine the use of a Modified Early Warning System (MEWS) for sepsis identification and evaluate its effects on treatment and outcomes for those patients diagnosed with sepsis after admission, during their stay at an acute care facility.

Design: A retrospective chart audit was conducted on the electronic medical records (EMRs) of patients who developed, and were diagnosed with, sepsis post admission. Specifically, a retrospective separate sample pretest posttest design was used to examine the accuracy of the MEWS, differences in outcomes (ICU days, length of hospital stay, qSOFA Score and mortality rates), and treatment initiation time (fluid resuscitation, …

The Association Between High Flow Nasal Cannula Therapy And Intubation In Acute Respiratory Failure Patients, A Single Center Retrospective Analysis, Patrick Nolan

DNP Projects

Background: High flow nasal cannula therapy is becoming a more common therapy in the adult population. Multiple studies have been conducted on the potential benefits of this therapy such as increased patient tolerance of the therapy, improved secretion clearance and the ability for providers to deliver a greater range of FiO2 settings at a wider range of flow rates. With the increasing utility of this therapy, the research for best practices, setting (FiO2 and LPM) and duration of therapy to guide clinicians is lacking.

Aim: 1) Does high flow nasal cannula therapy reduce the need for intubation or re-intubation in …

Evaluating Adherence To The Sepsis Bundle And The Effectiveness Of Best Practice Alerts, Kate M. Burnett

DNP Projects

PURPOSE: To evaluate the adherence to the CMS sepsis recommendations and sepsis bundle used by the study health system before and after the implementation of Best Practice Alerts (BPAs) and assessing the effect of these alerts on patient outcomes.

METHODS: The study was a single-center, process evaluation through a retrospective chart review within a southwest healthcare system. The sample consisted of 73 patients for the pre-implementation period (May 1, 2016-September 7, 2016) and 75 patients for the post-implementation period (September 8, 2016-April 30, 2017).

RESULTS: No major differences were found between the two groups with regard to patient age, ethnicity, …

An Evaluation To The Adherence Of A Sepsis Protocol At A Central Kentucky Community Hospital, Somer K. Robinson

DNP Projects

Background: Sepsis is defined as a “systemic response to an active infectious process in the host” and “represents the systemic inflammatory response to the presence of infection” (American College of Chest Physicians/Society of Critical Care Medicine Consensus Conference, 1992, p.865). In 2008, an estimated 727,000 patients were hospitalized with a diagnosis of sepsis, an increase from 326,000 in 2000, or a 55% increase in prevalence over the eight-year period (Hall, Williams, DeFrances, & Golosinskiy, 2011). Early identification of sepsis with early and effective management strategies has been shown to improve patient outcomes and decrease mortality and prevent organ dysfunction (Levy …