Digital Commons Network^™

Non-Pharmacological Sleep Interventions For Dementia Caregivers: A Systematic Review Of Randomized Controlled Trials, Aisling Smyth, Lambert, Mark Jenkins, Adugnaw Zeleke Alem, Misganaw Gebrie Worku, Sujatha Shanmugasundaram

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Caregivers of people living with dementia frequently report poor sleep. This systematic review describes evidence from randomised controlled trials of non-pharmacological sleep interventions for dementia carers. Methods: A systematic search of major databases was undertaken. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane ROB 2.0 tool. Narrative synthesis followed Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM) guidelines due to substantial heterogeneity. Findings: Eighteen articles were included. Risk of Bias analyses revealed most studies had high overall risk of bias, primarily from selection of reported result bias. Interventions comprised of five categories: sleep-promoting, carer well-being, exercise, technology-based and complementary therapy. High variability between …

Nurses' Experiences Of Pain Management For Patients With Diagnosed Mental Health Conditions: A Systematic Review, Aaron Lapuz Alejandro, Middlewick, Seng Giap Marcus Ang, Rosemary Saunders, Irene Ngune

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: To synthesise the available evidence related to nurses' pain assessment and management practices for patients with diagnosed mental health conditions. Design: Mixed-methods systematic review. Data Sources: Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus and Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection. Methods: Databases search was conducted in March 2024 and updated in June 2025. Methodological quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Data synthesis followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Manual for Evidence Synthesis. Results: Of the 1318 eligible studies identified, 12 met the inclusion criteria. The included studies were methodologically robust overall but frequently neglected nonresponse bias and were predominantly conducted …

Barriers To Mental Healthcare In Rural Agricultural Communities, Monica Salonga

Research Honors

Mental health diagnoses have become increasingly concerning in the United States (US). In 2024, 60 million adults in the United States experienced a mental illness, and over 14 million adults stated they had suicidal thoughts (Reinert et al., 2025). The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports around 4,000 suicide-related deaths in the United States every year (CDC, 2025). One population that suffers from disproportionate rates of suicide is farmers and farm families. Farmers are ranked #4 in the United States regarding suicide rates (Miller & Rudolphi, 2022). Between 2003 and 2018, there were 1,935 suicide-related deaths committed by farmers (Miller …

An Educational Intervention On Mutual Goal Setting For Hospital Nurses: A Mixed-Methods Study, Teresa Jerofke-Owen, Kristi Opper, Joseph Beiler, Maharaj Singh

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background:

Including patients in mutual goal setting is one mechanism to personalize care delivery and improve patient outcomes.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a nurse educational intervention about mutual goal setting on nurse engagement and self-efficacy for goal setting and the nurse/patient experience of goal setting.

Methods:

During this explanatory, sequential mixed-methods study, nurse engagement in goal setting and goal quality was assessed through chart audits 1-month pre-intervention (n = 173) and 1 and 3-months (n = 144, n = 137) post-intervention. Nurse self-efficacy was measured with the Appraisal Inventory Tool. Patient experience …

International Cardiac Advanced Life Support Course: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Analysis, Nilufeur Mckay, Jody Ede, Jessica Stokes-Parish, Adrian Levine, Helen Walthall, Debbie Massey

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Recognising and responding to cardiac surgical deterioration requires a systematic, structured approach that encompasses monitoring, identifying and managing signs and symptoms of post-surgical complications. Cardiac Advanced Life Support (CALS) was originally developed in recognition of this educational requirement and consists of a series of protocols aimed at supporting clinicians’ recognition and response to the deteriorating cardiac surgical patient. Aim: The aim of this analysis was to evaluate participant perceptions of a CALS course using a descriptive online survey. Design: A cross-sectional analysis of post-course online survey responses assessing participant’ perceptions of the CALS course. Results: 331 surveys were returned …

Nurse Practitioner Students' Perceptions Of An Artificial Intelligence Differential Diagnosis Tool: A Pilot Study, Nilufeur Mckay, Peter Palamara, Adam Mccavery, Kaoru Nosaka, Wai Hang Kwok

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess nurse practitioner students' perceptions and engagement with Isabel's artificial intelligence (AI) based differential diagnosis tool to support their decision-making skills during their theoretical and clinical placement training. Design: This pilot study used a cross-sectional design. Methods: Twenty-six nurse practitioner students provided feedback on their use of an AI differential diagnosis tool in both academic and clinical contexts. This survey used the Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire to assess the engagement levels and usability of the AI tool. Additional questions were included to evaluate the usage patterns, adequacy in training and confidence in …

A Case For Qualitatively Driven Mixed Methods In Nursing Research: A Methodological Discussion, Jennifer Hamilton, Cooper, Irene Ngune, Amanda Cole, Richard Bostwick, Debbie Louise Massey

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Mixed methodology continues to grow as a rigorous and respected research design. However, the value of qualitatively driven mixed methods research within nursing is underrepresented. Qualitatively driven mixed methods, where qualitative data dominate meaning-making, have the potential to capture critical experiential elements pertinent to nursing research while supporting empirical rigour. This methodology paper argues for the importance of qualitatively driven mixed methods approaches within nursing research to enable greater understanding of complex phenomenon. Through discussion and case example the role of qualitatively driven mixed methods, including within a sequential explanatory design, are presented. Nurses and midwives are well placed to …

How Does Pre-Registration Child Specific Education Prepare Newly Qualified Nurses’ To Care For Children, Young People, And Their Families? An Empty Narrative Review, Matthew Carey, Edge, Julie Blamires, Mandie Foster, Sarah Neill

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This narrative review investigates the influence of child-specific content within pre-registration nursing programs on newly qualified nurses’ perceptions of preparedness to care for children, young people, and their families. Despite international recognition of the specialised competencies required for pediatric nursing, the proportion and quality of child-focused education across Higher Education Institutions is not clear. The Population, Exposure, Outcome framework provided a comprehensive search strategy applied across eight databases to identify relevant studies that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of 663 records identified, 451 were screened and 25 full texts were assessed for eligibility by two reviewers. No studies met …

Methodological Approaches To Assessing Clinical Reasoning In Simulation-Based Education: An Integrative Review, Dhanya Anand Anil Kumar, Natasya Raja Azlan, Hugh Davies, Debbie L. Massey, Karen Strickland

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aims: Clinical reasoning is a critical skill for nurses, developing progressively through structured education and clinical experience. Simulation-based learning provides nursing students with a safe, immersive environment to develop this skill if it is thoughtfully designed and rigorously implemented. This review addresses a key gap in nursing education research by exploring methodological trends and key elements to consider for developing simulations to assess clinical reasoning in nursing students. Design: An integrative review using Whittemore and Knafl's framework. Data sources: Six databases (CINAHL, PubMed, ScienceDirect, MEDLINE, PsycInfo and Google Scholar) were searched for studies published from 2014 to September 2025. Review …

Nurse Leaders’ Perceptions Of Organisational Policies, Guidelines, And Practices That Enact Children And Young People’S Involvement In Hospitals, Mandie Jane Foster, Julie Blamires, Virginia Jones, Smita Keshoor, Chris Moir, Annette Dickinson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

There is limited literature on nurse leaders’ perceptions of organisational policies, guidelines, and practices that enact children and young people’s (CYP) involvement in hospitals. Nurse leaders within what were the four District Health Board providers of children’s tertiary health services in New Zealand (Auckland, Counties Manukau, Wellington, and Canterbury) were invited to respond to an online survey during November 2022 through to January 2023. The survey was developed by the researchers in accordance with the literature and included 11 open-ended questions. The open-ended questions were analysed iteratively through inductive thematic analysis. Eight out of 24 invited nurse leaders responded to …

Attitudes And Expectations Towards Acupuncture For Primary Dysmenorrhoea: Findings From A Cross-Sectional Survey In Australia, Weiting Liu, Amanda Towell-Barnard, Khui Hung Lee, Timothy Leen Kang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: To describe attitudes towards acupuncture and expectations regarding potential treatment outcomes among women with self-reported primary dysmenorrhoea (PD) residing in Australia. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive online survey was conducted to assess attitudes and treatment expectancy using an adapted version of previously published complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) attitude scale and a validated acupuncture expectancy scale (AES). Data were analysed descriptively, with exploratory analysis conducted to support the interpretation of response patterns. Ethical approval was obtained from the Edith Cowan University Human Research Ethics Committee (2023-04471-LIU) and participants provided electronic informed consent. Results: A total of 247 responses were received. …

Barriers And Facilitators To Providing Women Postpartum Care By Health Care Providers In The First 12 Months After Childbirth: A Systematic Qualitative Meta-Aggregation Review, Maryam Rouhi, Silvana Bettiol, Sarah Prior, Narges Rouhi, Theodora Dedo Azu, Christine Stirling, Lynne Staff, Linda Jones, Antigoni Leftherioti, Patricia Nicholson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Postpartum care is crucial for maternal and infant health but remains inconsistently administered. This systematic qualitative review aimed to synthesize health care providers’ perspectives by exploring the barriers and facilitators experienced by health care providers in administering optimal maternal care during the first 12 months after childbirth. Methods: A systematic qualitative meta-aggregation review was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. Peer-reviewed qualitative studies from January 2010 to April 2024 were retrieved from MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, and Web of Science. Findings were mapped onto the Behavioral Model of Health Services Use. Results: Twenty-three studies were included. Four key themes …

Beyond Coding: Balancing Interpretive Depth And Rigour In Ethnographic Data Analysis, Thi Ngoc Minh Nguyen, Gordana Dermody, Rosemary Saunders, Lisa Whitehead

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: To present a refined approach to analysing ethnographic data that preserves the distinctiveness of ethnography while ensuring it meets contemporary expectations of methodological rigour.

Design: Methodological discussion paper.

Data Sources: The approach draws on established ethnographic scholarship and is guided by Wolcott's framework for transforming qualitative data through three interrelated stages: description, analysis and interpretation. A practical application is illustrated through a focused ethnography exploring how older Vietnam-born Australians understand and manage chronic disease.

Implications for Nursing Practice: Focused ethnography has become increasingly popular in nursing research as it reflects the dual nature of the profession: striving to generate …

Trends And Indications For Cesarean Section In The Origins Birth Cohort, Kristjana Einarsdottir, Lisa Gibson, Sarah Whalan, Jacqueline Davis, Laurence Amy Payette, Ravisha Srinivasjois, Desiree T. Silva

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: Cesarean section (CS) rates have increased substantially in Australia, with particularly high use observed in private maternity care and for pre-labor CS. The aim of the present study was to describe the CS rates and the clinical indications for pre-labor CS in the ORIGINS birth cohort.

Methods: This study analyzed data from the ORIGINS birth cohort, a large birth cohort in Western Australia, including 9473 births occurring at Joondalup Health Campus between 2016 and 2024. Rates of CS and pre-labor CS were compared across study periods (2016–2020 and 2021–2024) and by facility type (public vs. private). Indications for pre-labor …

Effectiveness Of Prophylactic Foam Dressings In The Prevention Of Sacral Pressure Injuries In At-Risk Hospitalised Patients (Eepoc): A Randomised Control Trial, Rachel M. Walker, Wendy Chaboyer, Lukman Thalib, Sharon Latimer, Haitham Tuffaha, Marie Cooke, Brigid M. Gillespie

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Hospital-acquired pressure injuries are a serious patient safety issue with the sacrum the most common location. Silicone foam border dressings are increasingly used in hospitalised patients, yet their clinical and cost-effectiveness in preventing pressure injuries is unclear in some patient cohorts. Objective: To determine the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a silicone foam border dressing in preventing sacral hospital acquired pressure injuries in at-risk medical-surgical patients. Methods: A prospective, multi-site, parallel group, pragmatic, superiority randomised controlled trial was conducted in Southeast Queensland, Australia. Medical-surgical adult patients (≥ 18 years) at-risk of pressure injury were recruited and randomly allocated to either …

Nursing Leadership And Pandemic Preparedness Via Game-Based Learning Simulation: A Narrative Review (Registered Nurses And Undergraduate Nursing Students), Scott James Andrews, Olivia Gallagher, Alecka Miles, Carol Crevacore, Brennen Mills

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Early progression of newly registered nurses into leadership roles is commonplace in clinical settings. Nurses and student nurses can prepare for leadership by gaining exposure through simulation-based learning. A novel and expanding modality are game-based learning (GBL) simulation. Nurse leaders play a crucial role during pandemics, guiding their teams through crises and ensuring effective response strategies. Reviewing the literature to identify the content, structure, and effectiveness of current pandemic preparedness and GBL simulation in nursing education is necessary to identify lessons learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic response to guide workforce preparation for future surge planning. Aim: The aim of …

Optimising Vaginal Microbiome Profiling For Clinical Translation: A Comparative Assessment Of Sample Storage Methods And A Vagina-Specific 16s Rrna Gene Database, Alishum Ali, Jeffrey A. Keelan, Blagica Penova-Veselinovic, Morten E. Allentoft, Michael Bunce, Claus T. Christophersen

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Vaginal microbiome composition has been linked to risk of preterm birth (PTB), a persistent global health challenge. 16S rRNA microbial profiling has identified specific vaginal community state types (CSTs) that have been associated with PTB risk. Diagnostic profiling requires standardised pre-analytical protocols. We evaluated two storage methods and validated a curated, vagina-specific 16S rRNA gene database (VagDB) to enhance annotation. Paired Copan FLOQ swabs from 22 women at high PTB risk were processed for either (a) dry/immediate freezing or (b) Amies-stabilisation/refrigeration. Amplicon sequence variants were generated via 16S rRNA gene (V4) PCR and Illumina sequencing. We assessed diversity, composition, and …

Time To Hang Up The Gloves: A Scoping Review Of Evidence On Non-Sterile Glove Use During Intravenous Antimicrobial Preparation And Administration, Natasya Raja Azlan, Debbie Massey, Lesley Andrew, Amanda Towell-Barnard, Seng Giap Marcus Ang, Carol Crevacore, Martina Costello, Aaron Alejandro, Weiting Liu, Naila Zaman, Peta Anne Zimmerman

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aims: To systematically summarise evidence related to the use of non-sterile gloves when preparing and administering intravenous antimicrobials. Design: Scoping review. Methods: A rigorous scoping review was undertaken following Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) framework and the modified Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses extension for scoping review guidelines (2018). Five databases and grey literature were included in the search. Literature published between 2009 and 2024 was included. Data Sources: Five databases (Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, Scopus and Web of Science) and the grey literature were searched in February 2024. Results: Three studies were included; however, none directly addressed correct …

A Survey Of Nurses’ Knowledge Of Evidence-Based Guidelines For Indwelling Urinary Catheter Care, Linda Coventry, Michelle Gay, Amineh Rashidi, Anke Ebeling, Roshnika Fernando, Christine Hallauer, Manjari Jayarathna, Rashmi Shrestha, Blake Smith, Paige Watkins, Rosemary Saunders

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Urinary tract infections are one of the most common healthcare-associated infections, with catheter-associated urinary tract infections being a significant burden on healthcare systems globally. Aim: To assess nurses’ knowledge of evidence-based indwelling urinary catheter care and explore the barriers and facilitators of evidence-based indwelling catheter care. Design: A cross-sectional survey-based study of nurses in an acute private hospital in Western Australia was conducted from March 2021 to April 2021. Methods: Respondents were recruited using a convenience sampling method. The questionnaire included (1) demographics, knowledge of: (2) indications, (3) catheter care, (4) catheter-associated urinary tract infections prevention, and two open-ended …

Effects Of Immediate Skin-To-Skin Contact In Preterm Infants In High-Resource Settings: A Systematic Review, Victoria Rettedal, Siren Rettedal, Maren Johanne Heilskov Rytter, Linea Grothe Larsen, Frederikke Buskov, Evalotte Mörelius, Katrin Mehler, Karoline Lode-Kolz

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: A landmark trial published in 2021 demonstrated a 25% reduction in neonatal mortality when comparing immediate skin-to-skin contact (iSSC) to conventional care in infants with birthweight 1–1.8 kg in low- and middle-resource settings. New evidence from randomised clinical trials on iSSC in high-resource settings has recently become available. This systematic review aimed to evaluate evidence for immediate/early SSC, defined as initiated within 1 h after birth, versus conventional care in inborn preterm infants in high-resource settings.

Methods: Ten electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL, from 2000 until February 2026, were searched. Randomised clinical trials comparing iSSC to …

Evaluating Training Effectiveness For A Technology-Driven Pain Assessment Application: A Cross-Sectional Study, Rosemary Saunders, Peter Palamara, Seng Giap Marcus Ang, Olivia Gallagher, Michelle Gay, Irene Ngune, Lauren Jenner, Amineh Rashidi, Christopher Etherton-Beer, Jeff Hughes

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: Appropriate pain assessment of adults is critical for effective pain management. Technology-driven tools can contribute to improved pain assessments. Training is vital when integrating new clinical digital tools. Minimal studies have evaluated post-training outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the training provided to clinical staff on the use of a pain assessment application for hospitalized adult patients. Design A cross-sectional study utilizing The Kirkpatrick Model of Training Evaluation.

Methods: Clinical staff (nurses and physiotherapists) on an acute metropolitan hospital orthopedic ward in Western Australia were invited to face-to-face training of PainChek Universal, a pain assessment application …

The Contribution Of Nursing And Midwifery To Achieving The Sustainable Development Goals: A Bibliometric Analysis, David C. Benton, Andrew D. Benton, Kate Buchanan, Gemma Doleman, Karen Strickland, Lisa Whitehead

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Nurses and midwives are central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as the largest regulated sector of the global health workforce and as professions explicitly encouraged by the International Council of Nurses and the World Health Organization to advance the 2030 Agenda. This paper updates a 2016 bibliometric analysis to examine changes in nursing and midwifery scholarly engagement with the SDGs.

Methods: A bibliometric analysis of Scopus, CINAHL Ultimate, and PubMed was undertaken for publications from 2000 to 2025 containing Millennium Development Goal (MDG) or Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) terminology in nursing and midwifery literature. VOSviewer was used …

Bridging Idealism And Reality: Nursing Students’ Perceptions About The Impact On Their Wellbeing From Being A Nurse: A Qualitative Study, Louise M. Allen, Karen Missen, Simon J, Cooper

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Nursing students often enter undergraduate nursing programs with idealistic perceptions of how nursing can impact personal wellbeing. The gap between expectations and clinical realities may hinder progress and contribute to attrition. Aim: To explore nursing students' perceptions of how the nursing profession impacts a nurse's wellbeing. Methods: This descriptive qualitative study, informed by Transformational Learning Theory, involved semi-structured online interviews with 23 nursing students from three Australian universities. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. Results: Students began the program with idealistic views about the physical, emotional and social impacts of nursing. Clinical placements played a key role in …

Experiences Of First-Year Nursing Students Using Community Volunteers As Simulated Participants For Teaching Safe Medication Administration: A Cross-Sectional Survey, Hugh Davies, Lea Aboo, Kristi Nicholls, Martina Costello, Carol Crevacore

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aims: To explore responses of first-year nursing students to simulated participant methodology and the level of difficulty playing the role of patient experienced by community volunteers. Background: Absence of therapeutic relationships between nurse and patient threatens medication safety. Simulation-based learning provides a safe environment for students to practice medication administration. Design: Cross-sectional survey incorporating Mezirow’s transformative learning theory. Methods: First-year Bachelor of Science Nursing students participated in a simulated medication administration scenario supported by volunteers playing the role of patients. A Likert and open-ended post-simulation questionnaire measured students’ perceptions of realism in the performance of simulated participant volunteers. Simulated participant …

Considerations For The Analysis Of Urinary Environmental Chemical Concentrations During Pregnancy, Danielle R. Stevens, Kaleigh Hinton, Katie M. O'Brien, Jessie P. Buckley, Barrett M. Welch, Jason A. Watts, Antonia M. Calafat, Julianne C. Botelho, Elena Sinkovskaya, Ann Przybylska, George Saade, Alfred Abuhamad, Kelly K. Ferguson

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Background:

Pregnancy physiology may impact indicators of hydration, affecting exposure assessment in gestational studies with urinary chemical biomarkers.

Methods:

We aimed to characterize hydration and demonstrate the impact of different methods for standardizing urinary chemical biomarker concentrations on exposure descriptives in the Human Placenta and Phthalates Study (n = 303, 2017-2020), a prospective pregnancy cohort with eight study visits between 12 and 38 weeks of gestation. We assessed trajectories and predictors of hydration using urine flow rate (UFR) and specific gravity (SG). Likewise, we examined trajectories and predictors of mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP), for which concentrations were unstandardized or standardized via …

A Qualitative Analysis Of Counseling And Nurse Practitioner Trainee Experiences Engaging With An Integrated Behavioral Health (Ibh) Training, Alexander M. Fields, Margaret Emerson, Stephanie Burge, Jill R. Reed, Therese L. Mathews Ph.D., Aprn, Bcba-D, Abby L. Bjornsen

Teaching and Supervision in Counseling

Integrated behavioral health (IBH) is recognized as the standard for holistic healthcare, addressing the intersection of mental and physical health. As IBH gains prominence, graduate healthcare programs must equip students with strategies to meet its demands. However, limited research exists on training methods that address diverse professional identities and the unique needs of graduate students. Our novel IBH training incorporates interprofessional education (IPE) through modules and simulations grounded in Bandura’s (2001) social cognitive theory. We explored the experiences of 12 counseling, family nurse practitioner, and psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner students through focus groups. Through interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), we analyzed …

Co-Developing Strategies For Leprosy Management In Malaysia: A Transdisciplinary Research Approach Involving Individuals Affected By Leprosy And Other Stakeholders, Norana Abdul Rahman, Vaikunthan Rajaratnam, Ruth Mh Peters, Marjolein Bm Zweekhorst, Pamela Wright Phd, Ms, Med, Rn, Cen, Karen Morgan, Mohamed Rusli Abdullah

Publications

Despite Malaysia's low leprosy prevalence, new cases continue to emerge in rural and Indigenous communities. National strategies often prioritise elimination and surveillance, while overlooking the needs and challenges of individuals affected by leprosy and those managing their care. This study employed a transdisciplinary research approach, guided by the Dialogue Model, to co-develop context-specific strategies to improve the lives of those affected through participatory engagement with both groups. Conducted across three high-burden states in Peninsular Malaysia, the research involved a desk review and stakeholder mapping, followed by 40 in-depth interviews with affected individuals and other stakeholders. These were complemented by a …

Staff Education To Improve Patient Outcomes Through Bedside Shift Report In A Skilled Nursing Facility, Ngum Avwontom

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract Problem: Inconsistent shift handoff communication in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) contributes to adverse patient outcomes, including medical errors, falls, and pressure ulcers. Bedside shift reports (BSRs) are an evidence-based, patient-centered strategy to mitigate these risks, yet implementation at the project site was inconsistent. Methods: This staff education project implemented a standardized BSR program in a 100-bed SNF over seven weeks. The intervention trained 18 nursing staff (RNs, LPNs, CNAs) on BSR using the Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation (SBAR) communication framework. A pre- and post-test design was used to evaluate the impact on staff knowledge, shift report duration, and patient safety outcomes, including …

For Evidence-Based Suicide Risk Assessment, Monica Molah

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This clinical practice guideline (CPG) project was developed to address a practice gap regarding the lack of systemic approach to suicide assessment in adult patients. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project identified a significant gap in care at a private mental health clinic, which lacked a consistent, evident-based approach to suicide risk assessment. The inconsistency increased the likelihood of under-identifying at risk patients, posing substantial medical-legal and patient safety concerns. The practice-focused question guiding this project was: Does the evidence support the development of a CPG for suicide risk screening that receives an AGREE II quality score by an …

Improving Timely Administration Of Scheduled Short-Acting Insulin In Hospitalized Diabetic Patients, Edward S. Qu

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this quality improvement project was to improve compliance with the administration of scheduled short-acting insulin within 30 minutes of point-of-care blood glucose testing among hospitalized diabetic patients.

Background

This project was implemented in an inpatient hospital unit caring for patients with diabetes who require scheduled short-acting insulin. Internal audit data showed that compliance with administering insulin within 30 minutes of blood glucose testing was approximately 60%, indicating an opportunity to improve workflow and care coordination.

Methodology

The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) quality improvement method was used to guide the project. Baseline data were collected from electronic health record …