Digital Commons Network^™

A Four-Year Longitudinal Study Of Effectiveness Of Evidence-Based Bundle Practices For Preventing Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections In An Academic Health Care Center, May Mei-Sheng Riley

Doctoral Projects

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) significantly contribute to morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, and elevated healthcare costs, underscoring the crucial need for prevention to ensure patient safety. Despite ongoing mitigation efforts, CAUTI prevalence remained a concern in our facility at the time of this study. Catheter insertion and maintenance bundles, a recognized framework utilizing teamwork, collaboration, and focused interventions, were implemented to reduce CAUTIs and improve patient safety. This study evaluated the effectiveness of these bundles in reducing CAUTIs and catheter utilization to identify best practices for enhanced catheter management and care quality.

Staff Education For Infection Control Prevention, Beatrice I. Cesar

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This project was a quality improvement staff education program to address the increase in hospital-acquired infections in the project facility. The hospital administrator identified that staff were overwhelmed and may not be consistently implementing appropriate infection control practices. If infection control practices are not addressed in hospitals system, there would be a much higher rate of hospital-acquired diseases among hospitalized patients and the staff. A staff education program about evidence-based strategies relating to infection control prevention was implemented to increase the nurses’ knowledge about strategies to decrease the spread of infection in the project facility. Eleven registered nurses participated in …

Evidence Based Research Review Of Remote Independent Chemotherapy/Immunotherapy Verification, Katrina Perkins, Hannah Holder, Marie St. Clair

Covenant Nurses Week 2025

No abstract provided.

Improving Blood Culture Contamination Rates In The Emergency Department: An Evidence-Based Quality Improvement Project, Kerri Maciejko

DNP Projects

Background/Significance

Blood culture (BC) contamination in the Emergency Department (ED) leads to false-positive results, unnecessary antibiotic use, prolonged hospital stays, and increased healthcare costs. Contamination rates at the project site ranged from 2.2% to 6.8%, exceeding the hospital goal of <1%. Addressing this issue is critical for accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and optimal resource utilization.

Purpose

The purpose of this project was to reduce BC contamination rates in the ED by implementing a modified BC kit, providing staff education, and conducting real-time blind audits with feedback over three months.

Methods

An evidence review, appraisal, and synthesis using Melnyk and Fineout-Overholt’s EBP process confirmed that BC kits and diversion devices are effective interventions to reduce contamination. …

Impact Of Medication Opioid Use Disorder (Moud) Programs In Emergency Departments, Mechelle A. Zima

Nursing Capstones

The purpose of this paper is to provide a discussion of how a medication opioid use disorder (MOUD) programs integrated into the emergency department (ED) can improve patient’s outcomes compared to standard ED discharges. This study utilized a systematic literature review using PubMed, CINAHL and Google Scholar. The initial literature search identified 594 articles. After applying the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 18 articles were selected. Inclusion criteria included peer reviewed articles that focused on opioid use disorder (OUD) patients treated in the ED with OUD medications while exclusion criteria involved articles with OUD patients treated in ED without OUD …

Impact Of Pandemic-Driven Parental Fear On Childhood Immunization Rates: Examining Attitudes Toward Vaccination During Crisis Periods In Türkiye, Özüm Erkin, İlknur Göl

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effect of parents’ fear of coronavirus on their attitudes towards the vaccination of their children.

Methods: The study was conducted with 2,350 parents who were selected by using the snowball sampling method. The questionnaire included a personal information form, the Public Attitude towards Vaccination Scale – Health Belief Model, and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale.

Results: The scores of the study group from the sub-dimensions of the Public Attitude towards Vaccination Scale Health Belief Model were as follows: 17.39 ± 2.92 perceived susceptibility, 16.74 ± 3.19 perceived severity, 21.10 ± …

Factors Associated With Quality Of Intrapartum Care In Kenya: A Complex Samples Analysis Of The 2022 Kenya Demographic And Health Survey, Lilian Nuwabaine, Earnest Amwiine, Quraish Sserwanja, Joseph Kawuki, Mathius Amperiize, Angella Namulema, Ahmed Sarki, John Baptist Asiimwe

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background

The provision of quality intrapartum care increases women’s utilization of skilled birth attendants in health facilities and improves maternal and newborn health. This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with the quality of intrapartum care using the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS).

Methods

Secondary data from the 2022 KDHS of 11,863 participants, who were selected by multistage stratified sampling, was used. Based on literature and the availability of indicators within the 2022 KDHS, the quality of intrapartum care was operationalized as receiving all the three clinical components of intrapartum care including a mother having a facility-based …

Surgical Smoke Evacuation Quality Improvement Project, Angela Howell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

Abstract

Background: Surgical smoke is a byproduct produced during surgical procedures when high-energy producing devices are used to vaporize tissue. This smoke poses health risk to anyone present in the operating room.

Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project was to educate and minimize the exposure of both staff and patients to the hazardous toxic fumes and vapors produced by energy-generating electrocautery devices.

Methods: The intervention based on the Kim Ball Smoke Evacuation Compliance Model was implemented in a large military hospital with 20 operating rooms and three labor and delivery suites. Implementation included formal education strategies, equipment …

Preventing Errors With Two-Component Pediatric Vaccines, Angela C. Clarke

MSN Student Capstones

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Nurses' Feelings, Stress, Coping, And Motivation In Palestinian Treatment Centers Of Corona, † Wafaa Menawi, Shatha Mari, Ahmad Adel Hanani

An-Najah University Journal for Research - B (Humanities)

Background: Frontline nurses of COVID-19 found themselves in an unfamiliar new disease work environment, fighting to adapt and control the stress while working at covid-19 centers in Palestine. Aim: To investigate the impact of COVID-19 on nurses' feelings, stress, coping, and motivation in COVID-19 Palestinian treatment Centers. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional design was conducted between Mid of July to the end of October 2021 by recruiting a purposive sample of 390 nurses who worked at the Ministry of Health during COVID-19 pandemic treatment centers. The nurses filled out the COVID-19 Health Personnel Questionnaire with Cronbach's Alpha > 0.9. Results: Palestinian frontline …

Culturally Appropriate Mental Health Awareness To Reduce Mental Health Stigmatization And Improve Quality Of Life Among People Of African Descent., Nicoline Frinwie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Assessing Various Methods Of Social Media Use To Combat Vaccine Hesitancy, Jeremy Abe, Janelle Angelo, Emily Martin, Braden Prillwitz

NURS 464: Evidence-Based Nursing Capstone

Science is no stranger to skeptics, and vaccine technology has proven no exception to being immune from detractors since the inception of inoculation (Lanzarotta, 2024). At first, people questioned vaccine safety and efficacy, fearing contraction of disease. Public trust in vaccination gained traction with such successes as the polio vaccine, but the Wakefield article published in 1998 falsely linked the MMR vaccine to autism, arguably launching modern vaccine skepticism (Motta & Stecula, 2021). It was retracted twelve years after publication following refutation by evidence-based research, but not before increasing internet speeds allowed for the dissemination and proliferation of vaccine misinformation. …

Program Evaluation: Family Centered Rounding To Support Communication In Pediatric Care, Kristy M. Schmidt

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Family centered rounding (FCR) is a pediatric evidence-based practice intended to bring healthcare teams, patients, and families together at the bedside in a collaborative approach to care planning. FCR emphasizes communication and shared decision-making between healthcare teams and families, leading to improved patient outcomes. Despite well-documented benefits of FCR, challenges such as inconsistent nursing participation, variability in practices, and workflow disruptions hinder implementation and sustainability of FCR.

Aim: This program evaluation was designed and conducted at an urban pediatric hospital to assess the processes, perceptions, and impact of FCR. The overall quality of FCR and the strengths and barriers …

Duty To Care And Job Turnover Intention In The Post-Pandemic Nursing Workforce, Cathleen A. Lopez

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

Natural and human-made disasters are increasing in number and intensity. In 2020, approximately 688.3 million people required assistance from disaster response personnel. During a disaster or pandemic, nurses must weigh their personal and/or family safety against the ethical code of caring for others. The purpose of this convergent mixed-methods study was to examine duty to care and job turnover intention of registered nurses working in patient-facing roles. A convergent mixed method design was used to address research questions by employing the Nash Duty to Care Scale (NDCS) and the Turnover Intent Scale (TIS-6). Open-ended survey questions were used to explore …

The Lived Experience Of Acute Stroke Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (Aprn) Working In Expanded Roles: A Mixed Methods Study, Terri-Ellen Kiernan

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Introduction. Nurse practitioners have made credible gains through the six decades since inception to cover the growing need for outpatient family care. Nurse practitioners are now working in all aspects of medicine by continuing to fill gaps with healthcare needs that persist due to physician shortages. Stroke neurology is a medical specialty plagued by a shortage of physician specialists in hospital acute care which can limit acute stroke diagnosis and treatment capabilities. Stroke nurse practitioners (SNP) are vascular neurology trained specialists who fill relatively new hospital roles to assume traditionally physician-based responsibilities in an expanded role. This study aims to …

Evidence Based Practice Presentation: Proper Use Of Personal Protective Equipment Protecting Health Care Workers, Bella Batts, Kristine Puckett, Jimena Calderon

Scholars Week

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential in safeguarding healthcare workers from exposure to infectious agents, hazardous substances, and physical risks in clinical environments. PPE includes a variety of items such as gloves, masks, face shields, gowns, and respirators, each designed to provide a barrier between healthcare workers and potentially harmful pathogens or environmental hazards. The use of PPE is particularly crucial in settings where healthcare workers are at heightened risk, such as during the treatment of patients with infectious diseases, surgical procedures, or when handling hazardous materials. The importance of PPE extends beyond individual protection, as it helps reduce the …

Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy In Vulnerable Populations, Suzanne Chenette

Student Scholarly Projects

Vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks and the spread of misinformation on vaccines throughout the United States are growing public health problems. Marginalized and vulnerable communities nationwide have seen a substantial rise in parental vaccine hesitancy that has negatively affected early childhood immunization rates, intensified healthcare disparities, and decreased patient care outcomes. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses primarily work in clinical settings, but these healthcare professionals can reach the public locally and nationally by actively participating in healthcare policy development. The following PICOT question guided the objective of this policy project: In the early childhood population (P), how does the development of a comprehensive …

Educating Staff To Use World Health Organization Hand Hygiene Guidelines To Decrease Health Care-Associated Infection, Edith Kplivi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary The Doctor of Nursing Practice project was a practice-focused initiative to address increased hospital-associated infections (HAIs) in an outpatient mental health facility. Improper hand hygiene significantly contributes to the spread of HAIs, negatively affecting patient outcomes, increasing healthcare costs, and decreasing patient satisfaction. The practice-focused question was: For nursing staff in an outpatient clinic, will education focused on the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on hand hygiene increase knowledge toward the goal of decreasing HAIs? In collaboration with project site leadership, I identified the following gap in practice: Though fundamental hand hygiene practices may be known to healthcare workers, …

Diagnostic Stewardship And The Mitigation Of Treatment Of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria, Raimonda Kathryn Clarke

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Urinalyses and urine cultures are being ordered at the facility of concern without regard to patient history/symptomatology, leading to inappropriate treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) and unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions. The following practice-focused question was developed to address this practice concern: Can an educational program focused on diagnostic stewardship and the mitigation of treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria improve clinician awareness, knowledge, and confidence in identifying and diagnosing asymptomatic bacteriuria in patients over age 65 in the outpatient setting? Thus, the purpose of this doctor of nursing practice (DNP) project was to close the identified knowledge and attitude gap in a moderate-size …

Implementation Of A Cascade Training Model To Enhance Emergency Care Capacity Of Healthcare Workers During The Covid-19 Outbreak In Uganda, Sulaiman Bugosera Wasukira, Carl Trevor Kambugu, Judith S. Nanyondo, Emmanuel Candia, Stephen Emmanuel Aporu, Cliff Asher Aliga

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Introduction

Methods

Emergency Room Utilization Rates Among Unhoused Patients Receiving Care At A Student-Led Free Clinic, Lindsey Torres, Tina Gustin

Graduate Student Government Association Research Conference

Purpose statement: The purpose of this activity is to allow the learner to recognize the impact of a student-led clinic aimed at caring for those living in homelessness by providing accessible primary care and minimizing barriers to reduce avoidable emergency room utilization.

Objectives:

1. At the end of the presentation, learners will be able to discuss and demonstrate knowledge of outcomes related to emergency room visits when student-led clinics are implemented in their region.
2. To identify the most common reasons persons living in homelessness present to the emergency room to expand services in future practice.

Background: Studies have determined that unhoused …

Niaid Workshop Report: Systematic Approaches For Eskape Bacteria Antigen Discovery, Inka Sastalla, Keehwan Kwon, Clayton Huntley, Kimberly A. Taylor Dnp, Rn, Nea-Bc, Cnor, Clssbb, Liliana Brown, Tamika Samuel, Lanling Zou

Publications

On 14-15 November 2023, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) organized a workshop entitled "Systematic Approaches for ESKAPE Bacteria Antigen Discovery". The goal of the workshop was to engage scientists from diverse relevant backgrounds to explore novel technologies that can be harnessed to identify and address current roadblocks impeding advances in antigen and vaccine discoveries for the ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species). The workshop consisted of four sessions that addressed ESKAPE infections, antigen discovery and vaccine efforts, and new technologies including systems immunology and vaccinology approaches. Each …

Integrating Health Education And Scabies Prevention In Correctional Facilities: A Path To Safer Inmate Populations, Bhavandeep Singh

Nursing | Senior Theses

Scabies is a highly transmissible skin infestation that represents a significant public health issue in correctional institutions. Inmates are particularly susceptible to scabies outbreaks due to factors such as high population density, cramped living conditions, limited access to healthcare, and frequent turnover of inmates. Addressing scabies in correctional facilities is vital for protecting inmate well-being, making it essential to explore the most effective ways to tackle this issue. This research aims to determine whether nurse-led educational training sessions for inmates can enhance their knowledge of scabies and effectively reduce its manifestations. This research proposal will use a quantitative-quasi research approach …

The Impact Of Standardized Leadership Rounding On Nursing Satisfaction, Amber N. Vaughn

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

This quality improvement project aimed to address the lack of standardized communication between staff and management within the behavioral health service line, as this contributed to a negative culture. This project explored if implementing standardized leadership rounds would increase nursing staff satisfaction compared non-standardized rounds. This project utilized a pre- and post- intervention survey design, with a survey consisting of 15 questions. Eleven (N=11) nurses participated in the study, completing both the pre- and post- intervention surveys. There was an eight-week period of intervention between the pre- and post- intervention surveys. The pre-intervention survey mean score was 6.4848, while the …

Healing Hands Are Clean Hands, Abigail Bruce Bsn, Rn, Katherine Benalcazar Adsn, Rn, Rosa Crespo Bsn, Rn, Dana Drywa Bsn, Rn, Maris Estevez Bsn, Rn, Erin Helge Bsn, Rn, Bilonda Kalemba Bsn, Rn, Kerryann Meggie Bsn, Rn, Amanda Silver Bsn, Rn, Jasmine Villafane Asn, Rn

Posters

• Our team identified the lack of hand hygiene throughout the department.
• Hand washing is an important part of infection prevention, and not washing hands properly or not at all, increases the rate of infections for our patients.
• Hand washing stations are out of reach or not available at all in certain areas of the emergency department, making it nearly impossible for optimal hand washing.
• Despite our efforts, hand hygiene habits can be improved throughout Bridgeport Hospital.

Decreasing Hospital-Acquired Clostridium Difficile Infections, Angel S. Louder

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Clostridium Difficle Infection (CDI) is a significant healthcare threat due to its ability to be transmitted rapidly in healthcare settings. Patient engagement and participation in infection prevention initiatives at admission will lead to early implementation of isolation precautions, diagnosis of infectious pathogens, and treatment. A quality improvement project was implemented at a south-central Texas acute care hospital to engage alert and oriented adult patients, using a bundled approach to screen for the early detection of CDI within 48 hours of hospital admission, thereby reaching the goal of reducing hospital-acquired CDIs. This initiative improved patient engagement with CDI screening, reducing confirmed …

Improving Knowledge And Confidence Of Family Nurse Practitioners In Offering The Hpv Vaccine, Leni Terano Fisher

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Abstract

Introduction

Despite the recommendations of the United States Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, HPV immunization lags behind other routine vaccines by up to 31%. Although there are many reasons for the low vaccine rate, provider hesitancy and lack of confidence significantly contribute to suboptimal HPV vaccine uptake.

Objectives

This project aimed to utilize evidence-driven interventions to increase family nurse practitioners' (FNPs) knowledge and confidence in offering the HPV vaccine.

Methods

Participants were given pre- and post-questionnaire surveys. The Wilcoxon Rank Test was used to compare, quantify, and measure the results of the eight-week data collection.

Results

The subjects were …

Burnout Among Nurses In The United States, Faheem Ohri

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

Burnout is an exhausted state of the body, mind, and emotions, characterized by feelings of “depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment” resulting from prolonged and continuous occupational stress. Burnout among nurses in the United States (U.S.) is a growing concern with significant implications for healthcare professionals and patient outcomes. Nurse burnout compromises patient safety and workforce stability, but pre-pandemic national correlates remain understudied. This dissertation examined employment settings and demographic correlates of burnout among U.S. nurses using the National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses (NSSRN) secondary datasets. Compared inpatient burnout odds pre-/post-pandemic using national twin surveys. Jackknife complex survey logistic regression …

Implementation Of A Code Sepsis Response Protocol In A Large Emergency Department Increases Rate Of Timely Antibiotic Administration In Patients With Suspected Sepsis, Leah Shults, Kailey Cox, Destiny Kramer, Grace Mariano, Amy Pinkos, Jordan Sanders, Kimberly Patterson

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

No abstract provided.

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.