Digital Commons Network^™

Effectiveness And Safety Of Intravenous Iron Therapy In Outpatient Obstetrical Clinic For Treatment Of Iron-Deficiency Anemia During Pregnancy, Ellen M. Murrin, Olivia S. Lebeau, Lillian Singer, Mark A. Kassab, Peyton Kalan, Julie Costanzo, Scott A. Sullivan, George L. Maxwell, George R. Saade, Antonio F. Saad

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Background

Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) affects over one-third of pregnant patients globally, contributing to severe maternal morbidity and adverse neonatal outcomes. Oral iron supplementation, while cost-effective, is limited by poor absorption, significant gastrointestinal side effects, and poor adherence. The use of intravenous (IV) iron addresses many of these concerns, including eliminating GI side effects and the need for daily therapy. However, administration of IV iron in pregnant patients is typically restricted to specialized infusion centers or hospitals due to concerns about acute side effects, cost, resource utilization, the need for fetal heart rate monitoring, and extended infusion times.

Methods

This descriptive …

Evidence-Based Best Practices For Diabetes Education And Self-Care In Appalachia: A Literature Review., Angela J Occidental, Inga M Zadvinskis, Jacqueline Hoying

Nursing Articles

INTRODUCTION: The Appalachian Region has a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and associated adverse health outcomes. Although numerous papers report best practices for diabetes care and education, a clinician-friendly, synthesized summary of best practices tailored to Appalachian cultural preferences is lacking.

PURPOSE: This paper uses the Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt evidence-based framework to identify the best practices for T2DM care and education for Appalachian residents.

METHODS: A comprehensive literature search using the databases CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, and PubMed was guided by a PICOT question. Quality appraisals were completed for fifty-two articles; thirty papers were selected to synthesize …

Are You Sure They're A Nurse? Public Perceptions Of Australian School Nursing, Anita Moyes, Brent A. Hayward

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Nurses work in schools in every state and territory of Australia but have limited visibility in the public discourse. Knowledge and perceptions of school nursing work can significantly influence policy, funding, and program implementation, yet public perceptions of nursing work in Australian schools have never been investigated. Aim: The aim of the study was to examine public perceptions of the work of nurses in Australian schools using data collected from a thread on the social media platform Reddit. Study objectives included exploring respondents’ source of knowledge, perceptions of the presence and distribution of school nurses, and understanding of the …

Observing Nursing Assistant Companions Supporting Older Adults In Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study, Rosemary Saunders, Kate Crookes, Tania Leach, Seng Giap Marcus Ang, Caroline Bulsara, Beverly Ewens, Michelle Gay, Karla Seaman, Paige Watkins, Christopher Etherton-Beer, Olivia Gallagher

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Hospital environments may cause or exacerbate behavioural and psychological symptoms of older adults with cognitive impairment. Many hospitals in Australia employ staff as companions to provide constant observation and additional support for those with cognitive impairment and/or at risk of falls; however, little is known about the activities of this role. Aim: To examine the activities of assistant in nursing companions allocated to older patients in hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional study design using an observation tool was conducted at an acute metropolitan hospital in Western Australia. A nonparticipant nurse conducted the observations. Descriptive statistical analysis explored the data and …

Moderate-To-Late Preterm Infants Benefit From The Early Collaborative Intervention: Primary Outcomes Of An Rct, Ulrika Birberg Thornberg, Felix Sebastian Koch, Charlotte Sahlén Helmer, Jonna Tell, Ellinore Nyberg, Thomas Abrahamsson, Evalotte Mörelius

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: This study aimed to determine the longitudinal impact of the EArly Collaborative Intervention (EACI), a three-session early intervention designed to enhance parent-infant interaction, on the developmental outcomes of preterm infants born between 30 + 0 and 35 + 6 weeks of gestation. Methods: This randomised controlled blinded study recruited families in two neonatal intensive care units in Sweden. In this one-year follow-up, 87 infants (standard care = 37, standard care with EACI = 50) were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. The primary study outcomes were cognition, receptive and expressive communication, and fine and gross motor development measured with the …

The Accidental School Nurse: How Australian Registered Nurses Enter School Nursing, Anita Moyes, Susan Karemba

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Australia has a long history of school nursing and a strong orientation to formal educational pathways for nursing specialization. Despite this, pathways for becoming a school nurse are lacking, and how Australian nurses became a school nurse is unclear. The aim of this study was to gain insight into this issue. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 45 Australian school nurses. Data was analyzed using inductive content analysis. Findings identified that Australian school nurses typically became a school nurse by accident, not design. They entered school nursing having already had a long and diverse clinical career and were drawn to school …

Game-Based Learning Contributions To Clinical Leadership In Times Of Resource Scarcity, Scott James Andrews, Olivia Gallagher, Alecka Miles, Carol Crevacore, Jessica Watson, Sean Cashman, Wyatt De Souza, Martin Masek, Julie Boston, Lisa Holmes, Brennen Mills

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Early progression of Registered Nurses into leadership roles is commonplace in clinical settings. Student nurses can prepare for leadership by gaining exposure through simulation-based learning. A novel and expanding modality are Game-based learning (GBL) simulation.

Aim: To understand if a GBL simulation is useful in preparing student nurses for leadership roles during times of resource scarcity, student nurses were asked to evaluate a novel GBL simulation requiring learners to manage patient triage and hospital resources during a pandemic.

Methods: The study design leveraged Kirkpatrick's Training Evaluation Model. Nursing students (n = 74) from one university in Perth, Western Australia, …

Intrapartum Hydration Assessment And Management: A Cross-Sectional Survey Of Australian And New Zealand Maternity Units, Brianne G. Mcintyre, Debbie Massey, Nigel Lee, Lauren Kearney

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Hydration assessment and management during labour play an important role in maternal and newborn outcomes. Studies indicate that clinical practice is inconsistent, with limited consensus evident in clinical guidelines. Current practices in fluid management across public and private maternity units within Australia and New Zealand remain unknown. Respondents highlighted the importance of maternal hydration assessment and management to well-being. However, inconsistencies were noted in the documentation, medication use and adherence to clinical protocols. Aim: Our study aimed to investigate unit-level clinical practice regarding intrapartum hydration assessment and management across Australian and New Zealand private and public hospitals. The scope …

A Brief History Of Antenatal Colostrum Expression, And Where To From Here, Therese A. O’Sullivan, Connie N. Ihlein

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The practice of antenatal colostrum expression (ACE), or the extraction of colostrum from the breasts during pregnancy, has an interesting history and continues to evolve. This narrative review aims to describe how perception and practices of ACE have changed over time, summarise the evidence on ACE in maternal and infant care, and highlight areas for future research. The literature demonstrates that ACE is safe for low-risk women when done from around 36 weeks’ gestation. Women should be reassured that the skill of hand expressing is a valuable tool post-birth, regardless of whether they are able to collect colostrum antenatally or …

The Work Of Midwives: The Socio-Institutional Theory Of The Meaning Of Midwives’ Work-Life Balance, Kate Buchanan, Kate Dawson, Jacqueline Taylor, Sara Bayes

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Globally, midwifery is facing a potential workforce crisis. A significant number of midwives intending to leave the profession often cite burnout as contributing to this decision. While it has been reported that work-life balance is a key element in deciding to stay in midwifery, little is known about what constitutes work-life balance and the barriers to achieving this. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore what work-life balance means to Australian midwives, and to determine its crucial features. Methods: Qualitative Description methodology was used for this study. Data were collected from 31 midwives in Australia working in …

Weight Stigma Amongst Nurses And Nursing Students: A Scoping Review Of Direct And Comparative Evidence, Mahshid Fonoudi, Beverley Ewens, Amanda Towell-Barnard

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: To map both direct and comparative research on weight stigma amongst nurses and nursing students by identifying the extent, range and nature of studies and identify the gaps in this area. Design: Scoping review, following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines. Data Sources: Seven databases including MEDLINE, Web of Science, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library, in addition to Google Scholar and Open Access Theses and Dissertations were systematically searched in August 2023. Methods: Inclusion criteria comprised nurses or nursing students as participants, weight stigma as the concept and any context. After uploading all search results into EndNote …

Evaluating Empathy And Understanding In Caregivers: Pre And Post Dementia Simulation Participation, Lukas Wenz

Research Honors

Abstract Background: The prevalence of dementia is rising globally. Individuals with dementia rely on informal caregivers for long-term support. Research supports that empathy enhances caregiver well-being. Significance: Caregiver burden can lead to burnout, negatively affecting care quality. Enhanced cognitive empathy reduces burnout and improves caregiver relationships. Investigating interventions that enhance caregivers’ empathy is essential. Purpose: This study evaluates the Virtual Dementia Tour® (VDT), an immersive simulation program, in increasing empathy and understanding among dementia caregivers. Methods: A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design was used. Participants were recruited via online advertisements and word of mouth. Participants completed a demographic survey and the Empathy …

Family Members’ Experiences Of Post-Cardiac Surgery Delirium In The Intensive Care Unit: A Narrative Inquiry, Amber Coral Mclean

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Aim: This study explores delirium in the intensive care unit (ICU) following cardiac surgery from the perspective of family members.

Background: Delirium is a common complication affecting 28-52% of people following cardiac surgery in the ICU, which can lead to distress for both the person and their family members. While research has been conducted on clinical outcomes of family involvement in delirium care, there is a lack of understanding of how delirium impacts the family members themselves. This study seeks to provide detailed narrative accounts of families’ experience of witnessing delirium in their loved one following cardiac surgery in the …

The Role Of Game-Based Learning Simulation To Enhance Leadership In Pandemic Preparedness For Nursing Students, Scott James Andrews

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses around the world suffered with the impact of resource scarcity on the provision of quality nursing care to patients. Nursing staff were at higher risk of infection than all other healthcare workers, with working conditions during the pandemic resulting in significant staffing pressures. The challenges faced by staff during the pandemic inevitably influenced the quality and delivery of clinical education, highlighting the need for innovative solutions such as digital learning to address emerging training needs. Further, the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on clinical education has highlighted the benefits of digital learning environments as alternatives to …

The Efficacy Of Physical Activity Or Exercise Among Individuals With Cerebral Palsy: An Umbrella Review Of Systematic Reviews, Majed M. Alhumaid, Faris Yahya I. Asiri, Mohamed A. Said, Justin A. Haegele

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Introduction

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common childhood disability, affecting 1.5-3 per 1000 live births. Physical exercises have been shown to improve muscle and limb outcomes in CP. This systematic review critically appraises existing systematic reviews on the effects of physical activity and exercise on physical, functional, and psychosocial outcomes in individuals with CP compared to those without.

Methods

Using a PICO framework, the question was: In patients with CP, do physical activity and exercise improve muscle- and limb-related outcomes compared to no intervention or usual care? PubMed, Cochrane, ISI Web of Science, and Embase were searched for systematic …

The Effect Of Animal-Assisted Therapy On Prosocial Behavior And Emotional Regulation In Autistic Children With Varying Verbal Abilities: A Pilot Study, Michele Kilmer, Minju Hong, Victor Kwaku Akakpo, Terria Haley, Danielle Randolph, Sarah Huetter, Allison Reichel, Madelyn Bowden

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background The use of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has increased in the pediatric autism population. However, studies detailing differences in human-animal interaction between autistic children and animals along with the longevity of reported outcomes associated with AAT need further exploration. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate these factors. Methods A quantitative research design with convenience sampling was used to categorize pediatric participants into two groups (nonverbal or verbal) based on their verbality. Two human-animal ethogram and two questionnaires were utilized to assess behavior during and apart from AAT sessions. A total of 2,281 interactions and behaviors occurring during …

Increasing Special Pathogen Preparedness At A Frontline Hospital: A Quality Improvement Project, Mckenna Freed, Christa Arguinchona, Barbara Bennett-Wolcott

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

No abstract provided.

Sickle Cell Disease Nursing Education: A Mixed Methods Program Evaluation, Lauren Brooke Clemons

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a common disorder of the hemoglobin and affects more than 100,000 people in the United States and millions worldwide. In response to a drastic lack of available education a group of SCD experts developed the Sickle Cell Boot Camp to Promote Nursing Excellence Train the Trainer. This initiative provided the first opportunity for nurses worldwide to gain knowledge and skills curated by the leading experts in a safe and interactive environment. By adapting the program to a train the trainer modality, education materials are provided to the attendees, and they are encouraged …

Assessing Family Caregiver Readiness For Hospital Discharge Of Patients With Serious Or Life-Limiting Illness Using Electronic Health Record And Self-Reported Data, Joan M. Griffin, Diane E. Holland, Catherine E. Vanderboom, Brystana G. Kaufman, Allison M. Gustavson, Jeanine Ransom, Jay Mandrekar, Ann Marie Dose, Cory Ingram, Zhi Ven Fong, Ellen Wild, Marianne E. Weiss

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Objective

To assess how patient and caregiver factors influence caregiver readiness for hospital discharge in palliative care patients.

Study Setting and Design

This transitional care study uses cross-sectional data from a randomized controlled trial conducted from 2018 to 2023 testing an intervention for caregivers of hospitalized adult patients with a serious or life-limiting illness who received a palliative care consult prior to transitioning out of the hospital.

Data Sources and Analytical Sample

Caregiver readiness was measured with the Family Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale (n = 231). Caregiver demographic, intra- and interpersonal factors were self-reported. Patient demographic, comorbidity score, …

Sex Work Patterns Among Transgender And Gender Diverse People: A Latent Class Analysis, Madeline Stenersen, Anjum Umrani, Irelan Fricke, Jessica L. Zemlak

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Sex work is a diverse profession encompassing a broad range of people, and services. Though overrepresented in sex work communities, transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals are underrepresented in sex work literature. Further, sex work literature continues to underrepresent the heterogeneity evident in the sex work community and the practices that occur within it. The present study utilized data from the 2015 United States Transgender Survey (USTS) to conduct a latent class analysis (LCA) to identify patterns of different types of sex work among TGD adults (N = 2,153) and understand the demographic characteristics associated with engagement in different types …

Resilience As Accusation: A Critical Examination Of Individual Resilience Training For Burnout Mitigation, Jacqueline Christianson, Bonnie Sommers-Olson, Jessica Leiberg, Dana Kaminstein

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Burnout, a syndrome of work-related exhaustion and cynicism, is prevalent among nurses and is associated with workplace stressors. Resilience training programs are a prevalent method of burnout mitigation employed by healthcare institutions that aim to improve or alter how individuals respond to chronic stressors. Through the lens of General Systems Theory, we describe resilience training as a method of individualizing a systemic problem by problematizing a response to chronic stress exposure. Resilience training may furthermore serve as a mechanism which allows subversion of institutional responsibility for nurses’ well-being in the workplace. We describe several suggestions for nurses to resist being …

Rapid Implementation Of Open-Access Pandemic Education For Global Frontline Healthcare Workers, Jacqueline Christianson, Erica Frank, Stacen Keating, Susan Boyer, Miriam Chickering

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background

The recent global pandemic posed extraordinary challenges for healthcare systems. Frontline healthcare workers required focused, immediate, practical, evidence-based instruction on optimal patient care modalities as knowledge evolved around disease management.

Objective

This course was designed to provide knowledge to protect healthcare workers; combat disease spread; and improve patient outcomes.

Methods

A team of global healthcare workers responded by rapidly creating a competency-based online course. To promote transcultural applicability, the course was developed by an international team of more than 45 educators from over 20 countries. Course delivery included a built-in language translation tool, routine updates, and several innovative course …

Health Equity And Children With Medical Complexity/Children And Youth With Special Health Care Needs: A Scoping Review, Elizabeth A. Flasch

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Children with medical complexity (CMC) and children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN), compared with the general population, engage with the health care system at increased rates, at multiple life stages, and for a myriad of reasons (Berry et al., 2015). Operational definitions of CMC and CYSHCN are very limited, with the terms conflated and differentiated across the literature. Because of the lack of standardized definitions and general conflation of the two terms across the literature, CMC and CYSHCN will be used interchangeably for this review. Allshouse et al. (2018) defined CMC as a subset of CYSHCN “as …

Nurse Perspectives On Labor Union Participation Prior To Implementation Of A Collective Bargaining Agreement: A Qualitative Study, Jacqueline Christianson, Bonnie Sommers-Olson, Cathleen Fox, Norah L. Johnson

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background: Patient advocacy is a duty for professional nurses; however, not all nurses are empowered to advocate for meeting patients’ needs. Participation in labor unions may serve as a venue for nurses with limited institutional decision-making authority to advocate for patient needs; however, unionization can be a time-intensive and fraught process.

Purpose: This study examined how nurses participating in a new union in an urban United States hospital described their reasons for participating in a labor union during collective bargaining.

Methods: Content analysis of participant's interviews that took place between January and March 2023, after the nurses voted to unionize …

Factors Associated With Health Decision-Making Autonomy On Own Healthcare Among Tanzanian Women: A 2022–2023 Demographic Health Survey Study, Tausi Seleman Haruna, Henry Ofori Duah, Rebecca Lee

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Women’s health decision-making autonomy is fundamental for the health and well-being of women and their children. It empowers women to make health decisions and exercise their rights and choices surrounding their health. Like most parts of Africa, women’s autonomy in Tanzania remains contentious, with an estimated 19% prevalence of health decision-making autonomy in 2015. Given the impact of women’s health decision-making autonomy on women’s health outcomes and the fact that women’s health decision-making autonomy is an ongoing process affected by advancements in technology, economic growth, and social and cultural shifts, understanding the sociodemographic correlates of women’s autonomy is imperative. …

Evaluating Nurse Conscientious Objection: Application Of A Novel Framework, Maya Zumstein-Shaha, Lucia D. Wocial, Vicki D. Lachman, Norah Louise Johnson, Cynda Hylton Rushton, Pamela J. Grace

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Certain moral beliefs and/or values about what is good or harmful can cause nurses and other healthcare professionals to object to participating in some clinical actions. Such objections are also called conscientious objections. Invocation of a conscientious objection (CO) can produce complexities in patient care and health care delivery and must be mindfully evaluated for its soundness. In this manuscript, a recently developed framework, The Ethical Evaluation of a Nurse’s Conscientious Objection (EENCO), is applied to expose hidden elements and nuances in a proposed or actual CO by nurses or other healthcare professionals, thereby illuminating strategies that can lessen associated …

Implementation Of A Providence Early Assessment Team (Peat), Barbara Nguyen, Crystalyn Beier, Brittny Ross, Patrick Murphy Ccrn

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

No abstract provided.

“Ringleader Who Has No Power”: A Qualitative Study Of Parent Uncertainty During A Nicu Admission Unrelated To Prematurity, Erin Rholl, Steven R. Leuthner, Kathryn J. Malin, Joanne Lagatta, Krisjon R. Olson

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Parents of preterm infants experience stress related to uncertainty which impacts parent health outcomes. Less is known about the experience of parents whose infants are admitted for reasons other than prematurity. In this study we sought to describe (1) the experience of parents whose infants are admitted to a level IV NICU for reasons unrelated to prematurity in relation to uncertainty and (2) the effect of social and structural determinants on parent experience with uncertainty.

Methods

This single center qualitative study utilized interviews, questionnaires, and chart review at 2 time points: 2 weeks after admission and 3 months after …

Critical Care Advanced Practice Providers As Partners In Advancing Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Nursing Knowledge: A Needs Assessment., Mary Seidl, Meghan Roller, Whitney Seul, Laura Rose, Christine A. Schindler

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Critical care advanced practice providers (APPs) are frontline providers in many pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). From 2020 to 2022, there was a significant downward shift in nursing experience level in the PICU at the authors’ institution. APPs may help provide additional in situ education.

Methods

Data were collected using role-specific needs assessment of PICU nursing staff and providers, assessing concept related to knowledge and job stress.

Results

Findings overwhelmingly demonstrated desire for more APP-led education. Overall, 27% of nurse respondents strongly agreed that current knowledge was adequate to provide safe and best care for their patients, and 47% …

Evaluation Of A Quality Cpr Coach Simulation-Based Competency Training: From Learning Outcomes To Patient Outcomes, Katie L. Mcdermott, Kari L. Rajzer-Wakeham, Jennifer M. Andres, Christine A. Schindler

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Variability in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) quality and skill decay result in suboptimal application of CPR, which impacts patient outcomes following an arrest. Quality CPR Coach is a supplementary code team role that provides real time, verbal feedback directly to chest compressors to cognitively offload the team leader and ensure high-quality, goal-directed CPR delivery.

Methods

Design, implementation, and evaluation of a simulation-based Quality CPR Coach competency curriculum. Multi-modal assessment and evaluation methods were used.

Results

Statistically significant increase in confidence, perceived ability to verbalize Coach responsibilities, and knowledge. Participants demonstrated accurate Coach role performance across progressively scaffolded simulated compression event …