Alcohol Screening In A Pain Clinic To Reduce The Risk Of Overdose And Improve Patient Care And Compliance With Prescription Opioids, Alicia Ellis

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Background: The nationwide opioid crisis is having a significant impact on the U.S. population. Patients may turn to alcohol and opioids for pain relief, which can lead to cancer, alcoholic liver disease, and heart disease. Providers can improve outcomes by screening patients for alcohol use prior to getting an opioid prescription using the Audit-C screening tool.

Purpose: This DNP Project started formal screening for alcohol abuse in a small rural pain clinic with five hundred patients per month.

Methods: During the first visit, patients were triaged by the nurse and screened using the AUDIT-C tool and had a urine …

Implementing Second Person Reporting In Nurse Practitioner Curricula: A Practical Approach To Person-Centered Care, Collette Tattman-Melo

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Nurse handover report inclusive of patient participation has been shown to promote a patient-centered approach to care resulting in increased satisfaction, safety and efficacy. However, a review of the literature suggests the pedagogy of handover report is mainly provided within the “hidden curriculum” of practice, rather than within formal nursing programs. As a result, what constitutes person-centeredness in a handover report is subject to individual interpretation and therefore, practiced inconsistently. Purpose: The project goal was for nurse practitioner students to connect theories of person-centered care (PCC) with practice, specifically by using a tripartite, second-person report (SPR) style. …

Increasing Enrollment Of Cardiac Rehabilitation For Eligible Patients In The Outpatient Setting: A Toolkit, Staci M. Grothues

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. It is responsible for serious cardiac events that can be fatal. When a patient experiences one cardiac event, they are more likely to have a second event. Therefore, secondary prevention programs such as cardiac rehabilitation (CR) have been proven to reduce mortality in these patients and enhance quality of life; however, they are severely underutilized. Purpose: The purpose of this integrative review and DNP project was to educate outpatient providers about the immense value of cardiac rehabilitation to eligible patients and develop a toolkit targeted to help providers recognize eligible …

Improving Diabetes In The Latino Population: A Culturally Sensitive Approach, Veronica M. Green

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Latinos in the United States suffer higher rates of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and need culturally sensitive approaches to diabetes self-management education (DSME).

Purpose: To implement a culturally sensitive DSME program to Latino adults by integrating a community health worker, clinic support, and digital technology.

Methods: This project was implemented over 8 weeks in an internal medicine clinic in El Paso, Texas. It included online DSME group sessions delivered by a community health worker, with primary care support, and key topic reinforcement through text messaging. Concluding hemoglobin A1c levels were drawn and compared with the patient’s baseline hemoglobin A1C …

Educating Primary Care Providers In Dual Diagnosis Disorders Of Mental Health And Substance Use, Sarah Stout

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Purpose: Many adults in the United States suffer from mental health and substance use disorders. Due to personal and structural barriers, care is not always received by those who suffer with a dual diagnosis. Lack of education among primary care healthcare providers is a barrier to dual diagnosis treatment. The aim of this project was to present and summarize evidence to increase the providers knowledge, assessment, and confidence levels in treatment of these disorders. Methods: This project was designed using a quality improvement (QI) approach to increase the knowledge, and confidence of primary care healthcare providers through an educational …

Telehealth Coaching To Improve Exercise Self-Efficacy In Diabetics, Oby C. Ikoro

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Background and Review of Literature: Exercise is essential to the self-management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). The literature reveals that many patients with difficulty in the self-management of exercise improve with coaching. The literature also reveals that an adequate exercise routine results in improved blood glucose control and the prevention of complications.

Purpose: This DNP project aims to demonstrate the positive effect of low-cost telehealth coaching to improve self-efficacy in an exercise regimen for T2DM patients.

Methods: A one-group pretest-posttest design was used in this project. Telephone calls and text messaging were used to coach patients to improve …

Noteaid: A Comprehension Tool To Improve Patient Understanding, Harriette F. Green

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Meaningful use mandates allow patients access to provider notes, however, there remain many barriers including the inability of the patient to understand the notes.

This project surveyed clinicians on the informatics committee of a large tertiary care facility about their thoughts regarding the Noteaid translation system after presenting examples of translated patient notes and education about the meaningful use mandate.

Methods: An online PowerPoint presentation and preintervention survey was distributed, followed by a live educational intervention. The members were emailed a post intervention survey about the effectiveness, likeability, usability, and practicality of the Noteaid software tool to translate …

The Importance Of Understanding Military Culture In Delivering Mental Health Care To Veterans: An Educational Intervention And Toolkit To Inform And Assist Civilian Providers, Ashlee M. Costa

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Background and Review of Literature: United States Veterans are a unique population of individuals who require specialized mental health care. A review of literature revealed the Veteran population is primarily treated by civilian providers in the community who are often unaware of the impact of military culture on Veterans. Since this lack of awareness can be very disruptive to treatment and ultimately to the healing process, there is a need for advocacy related to the cultural ramifications of military service. Purpose: The DNP project goal was to increase civilian provider knowledge of the Veteran’s experience. Method: The …

Development Of A Pediatric Depression Healthcare Toolkit, Maria Theresa Kennedy

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Depression is a debilitating and life-threatening disease that strongly affects youth in the United States. Low socioeconomic populations often have high-risk factors for depression, low health literacy, and poor access to care. Risk factors are amplified for those who identify as gender non-binary or lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ). Psychoeducation can empower youth to be active participants within their treatment.

Purpose: The focus of this project was to evaluate a newly developed healthcare toolkit for pediatric depression in the format of an eBook for mental health professionals.

Methods: An eBook focusing on depression pathology, symptoms and …

Patient And Family Engagement And Empowerment Through Prenatal Education, Nicole Lewis

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Background: United States maternal mortality and morbidity rates continue to rise, and the rates in New Jersey are a public health issue that must be addressed to improve patient outcomes and lower healthcare costs. Current New Jersey mortality rates are 37.3 per 100,000. Access to quality childbirth education classes along with mindfulness training have been linked to better outcomes for both mother and infants and should be made available to all patients despite economic conditions. Purpose: This DNP project addressed these disparities by showing the need for quality prenatal education for all patients and families. Prenatal education and mindfulness …

Parenting Group For Externalizing Youth With Side Benefits For Parents, Diane Johnson

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Background/Purpose: Mental health problems in the form of externalizing behaviors in children continues to climb. The financial burden, along and increased risks of long-term adverse effects, are a critical area that are improved with interventions such as parent management training (PMT). PMT is an evidence-based treatment for disruptive and externalizing child behaviors. Even brief interventions can improve parents’ perceptions of challenging behavior and benefit parental well-being through stress reduction and self-efficacy. Purpose: To provide PMT concepts through a group format and improve parental perceptions of externalizing behaviors and stress reduction. Methods: Provide a six-session parent group with discussion, video, …

Mind Your Mama! Addressing Implicit Bias, Racism, Antiracism, And Reproductive Justice With Healthcare Providers To Improve Maternal Outcomes, Caroline Toby

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Maternal health care providers’ implicit racial biases affect quality of care and have serious repercussions, including significantly increased rates of maternal mortality among Black women. Implicit bias training, particularly involving multipronged approaches stretched over time, is effective at increasing bias awareness and gaining practical skills to prevent bias from impacting patient care. Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to elevate implicit bias awareness and use of evidence-based strategies by resident physicians in order to decrease negative outcomes for Black women receiving maternity care. Methods: An educational intervention was implemented with obstetrics and gynecological residents in a …

An Educational Intervention For New Graduate Nurses To Improve Care For The Hospitalized Patient With Diabetes, Elizabeth Tinios

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Approximately one in three hospitalized patients have a diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) that requires the high-risk medication insulin in order to maintain blood sugar control. The prevalence of insulin-related medication errors leading to hyper- and hypoglycemic reactions persists despite numerous interventions focused on provider prescriptive practice.

Purpose: This project provides evidence-based education to a cohort of new graduate nurses to increase nursing knowledge of safe insulin administration as well as raise awareness of comprehensive diabetes care.

Methods: The Iowa Model Revised guided this project through implementation of a live educational session provided through a video conference …

An Educational Approach For Improving Prediabetes Awareness And Management Among Asian Americans, Sheeba S. Thattil

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: South Asian Americans have a high prevalence of prediabetes due to their dietary habits, physical activity changes, and lifestyle variations. The literature review depicts the evidence that community-based educational programs improve knowledge and lifestyle behaviors to prevent diabetes.

Purpose: This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project focuses on implementing a culturally tailored education approach that helps manage prediabetes by changing their lifestyle behaviors among South Asian immigrants living in Maryland.

Methods: The Health Belief Model (HBM) was used as the theoretical framework. A prediabetes screening test from CDC was used to recruit fourteen participants aged 18-60 from a South …

A Community-Based Education On Cardiovascular Diseases Among Vietnamese Buddhist Nuns, Uyen N. Nguyen

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Background: According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death (31%) worldwide. Out of those cases, 85% are due to heart attack and stroke. Hypertension is among the most modifiable risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases. Since Vietnamese Buddhist nuns have diets high in salt, this makes them at higher risk for hypertension and CVDs.

Purpose: This educational project aims to improve cardiovascular health knowledge among Vietnamese Buddhist nuns in the greater Seattle area by implementing culturally tailored community-based health education programs virtually via phone.

Methods: A community-based educational …

Pediatric To Adult Health Care Transition: A Quality Improvement Project For Primary Care, Nicole B. Jones

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: With advances in pediatric care, the number of patients surviving into adulthood with chronic conditions has drastically increased, intensifying the complexity of the process of transition from pediatric to adult centered health care. Despite expert recommendations, established evidence reveals that overall transition outcomes in patients remain suboptimal.

Purpose: The aim this of this project was to provide pediatric primary care providers (PCPs) with current evidence and professional practice recommendations in regard to systematic approaches for the transition of care to the adult setting.

Methods: This quality improvement (QI) project included the development of a provider toolkit based …

Fostering Resilience In The School-Aged Child, Patricia D. Schneider

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: The world is a challenging and sometimes difficult place to navigate. People are faced with tragedies and adversity. Without supportive people and environments, this can lead to poor outcomes such as physically, socially, and emotionally. Children rely on adults to provide safety, love, and security yet many children do not receive the care they need and deserve. Adversity in children affects their development and reduces their capabilities to deal with stress. For a society to prosper and grow, reducing child adversity is essential. Resilience is a powerful tool that can be fostered and developed in children, so they are …

Chronic Care And Arthritis: A Wrap Around Approach, Kayla Aliengena

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Arthritis is a chronic concern for individuals and providers. It creates significant costs both directly and indirectly. Individuals with a diagnosis of any type of arthritis are more likely to follow a specialist in regard to their chronic, debilitating illness management. Evidence supports some complementary and alternative modalities (for example, diet adjustments, supplements, and exercise) to improve arthritis management in adjunct to the specialists plan of care. Purpose: The purpose of this project was to review current evidence regarding adjunct complementary and alternative modalities (CAM). Results were synthesized to develop educational materials titled “Wrap Around Care/Approach” to improve nursing …