Digital Commons Network^™

Improving Discharge Education Quality In Urgent Care Settings: A Quality Improvement Project, Brielle N. Patscheider

Master's Theses and Capstones

BACKGROUND:

Effective discharge education is vital for improving patient care by enhancing health outcomes and reducing hospital readmission. When patients receive thorough and personalized discharge instructions, they are better able to manage their health, follow treatment plans, and identify symptoms needing further attention. This not only boosts patient satisfaction and safety but also reduces the strain on healthcare systems by decreasing preventable readmissions.

LOCAL PROBLEM:

Urgent care facilities serve diverse populations with a range of common, non-emergency ailments. The rapid service and walk-in availability often lead to a high volume of patients with diverse and complex medical needs. To eliminate …

A Quality Improvement Initiative To Redefine The Process Of Instrument Decontamination From The Surgical Field In The Operating Room To The Sterile Processing Department., Nicole Dannett Denton

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: The Operating Room (OR) faces a significant challenge with the increasing presence of bioburdens on instruments. Research-based on evidence has demonstrated the critical role of precleaning at the point of care with sterile water in reducing bioburden incidence. While current practices recommend the use of an enzymatic solution post-procedure to spray instruments, it is clear that a more comprehensive approach is needed to effectively manage bioburdens and reduce the risk of Surgical Site Infections (SSI).

Methods: Utilizing the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model to create a Quality Improvement (QI) solution, the project leader recommended using sterile water at the point of …

Improving Patient Handoff In The Emergency Department Microsystem, Alahna V. Kinney-Sandefur

Master's Theses and Capstones

Abstract

Background: Gaps in communication in the patient handoff process have been directly linked to patient safety errors and unwanted patient outcomes. The reviewed literature highlights multiple factors impacting the handoff process and unanimously conclude that a standardized handoff process is necessary in maintaining a high standard of patient safety and a minimization of safety errors.

Methods: This intervention took place in an 86-bed, acute care facility, a level III trauma center macrosystem with implementation of this project taking place in the emergency department and medical/surgical microsystems. Utilizing the Plan, Do, Study, Act framework over a total of eight weeks, …

Improving The Postpartum Depression Discharge Education To Increase Quality And Safety Of Care: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Amanda Lucia

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is the most prevalent psychological condition to affect mothers following childbirth which can have detrimental consequences on the physical and mental health of the mother, child, and spouse (Wang et al., 2021). Globally, postpartum depression affects 17.2% of the world population, and in the United States 1 in 8 women who recently gave birth reported symptoms of PPD, and 1 in 10 women reported experiencing a major depressive episode within a year following delivery (CDC, 2023). Patients’ spouses and family members are in a unique position to identify early manifestations of PPD which can lead to …

Sensory Modulation Training To Reduce Restrictive Interventions On An Acute Inpatient Psychiatric Unit At A Secure Psychiatric State Hospital: A Clinical Nurse Leader Quality Improvement Project, Fionna Norman

Master's Theses and Capstones

Abstract

Background: Symptoms of severe mental illnesses can result in Personal Safety Emergencies (PSE’s) in the acute in-patient psychiatric setting. As part of treatment of PSE’s, restrictive interventions such as seclusion are utilized in current practice to maintain the safety of the patient, peers, staff, and the environment. Evidence-based research has shown restrictive interventions can cause physical and psychological harm to both patients and staff. Reducing restrictive interventions continues to be a priority to create the most therapeutic environment possible. Evidence-based research has shown that sensory modulation is a non-restrictive intervention that can reduce the use of restrictive interventions, decrease …

Improving Quality Of Documentation In Perianesthesia Care Units To Increase Nurse Satisfaction And Patient Safety: A Quality Improvement Project, Anja Novcic

Master's Theses and Capstones

Abstract

Background: Quality documentation in healthcare settings is essential to ensure nurse satisfaction and patient safety. Documentation templates for patient charting should be in a format that follows best practice nursing care and captures all necessary assessments and interventions ordered by providers for patient care. A quality improvement was conducted in a PACU to evaluate the nurse satisfaction with the use of a new and revised documentation template for pain block procedures.

Local Problem: Within the perianesthesia care unit (PACU) of a Same Day Surgery center, a problem was identified regarding the nurse dissatisfaction with the template in place for …

Enhancing Communication Efficiency In An Emergency Department By Employing A Visual Communication System For Lab Results Tracking: A Quality Improvement Project, Julie Burr

Master's Theses and Capstones

Abstract

Background: A Critical Access Hospital in New England faces communication challenges in its Emergency Department, impacting patient flow and safety. The current paper charting system leads to delays and inefficiencies.

Local Problem: The communication gap between ordering laboratory tests and providers reviewing results at the patient’s bedside averages 130 minutes, contributing to delays and potential patient safety issues.

Methods: Using the Plan-Do-Study-Act model, a visual communication system was implemented. Laminated labels indicating pending lab, CT, and radiology reports were affixed to patient folders. Data was collected pre- and post-intervention to measure time from lab order to provider review.

Interventions: …

Implementing Of An Informative Poster To Improve Nurse Job Satisfaction In A Medical Surgical Microsystem: A Quality Improvement Project, Stephanie E. Mahoney

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Nurse job satisfaction is important since the quality of patient care directly depends on the staff and their willingness to continue working. Traditional approaches used in yearly surveys may cover only some aspects that upset nurses, such as workload and training. This project was designed to overcome these limitations by presenting a more extensive and often-used procedure to assess and solve issues regarding the satisfaction level of registered nurses.

Method: In the quality improvement project, data on job satisfaction using the Acute Care Nurses Job Satisfaction Scale (ACNJSS) was collected on job interest, colleague support, recognition, workload, …

Water Quality Considerations In Landscaping, Tom Swenson

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Residential Stormwater ​Management​, Lisa Loosigian

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Marketing Water Friendly Services, Julia Peterson

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

2024 Directory Of Landscape Professionals Trained In Ecological Landscaping For Water Quality Protection, Julia Peterson

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

10 Components Of Vibrant Communities, Extension Community & Economic Development

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

2023 Health & Well-Being Team Highlights, Amy Hollar, Kendra Lewis, Michael C. Young

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

2025 National 4-H Dairy Conference Application, Hannah Majewski

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

North Haverhill Fair 4-H Animal Information Packet - 2024, Extension

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

North Haverhill Fair 4-H Pet Showcase Information Flyer - 2024, Extension

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Acuity-Based Models Of Care: Improving Wait Times And Efficiency In An Outpatient Infusion Center, Jordan Lavallee

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Timeliness is a crucial aspect of high-quality care, yet remains a common issue faced by many outpatient infusion settings leading to patient dissatisfaction and potential negative outcomes.

Local Problem: At a 28-chair community infusion center, results from patient satisfaction surveys as well as chart audits highlighted suboptimal wait times and efficiency. 32% of patients were dissatisfied with wait times ranging from 23 to 40 minutes based on the therapy received.

Methods: A quality improvement project was conducted aiming to decrease the average wait time of patients receiving short therapies while increasing patient satisfaction. After a thorough review of the …

Globe Plant Color Guide - 4 Per Page, Globe U.S. Coordination Office

Phenology

No abstract provided.

Globe Green-Down Data Sheet - Grades 3-6, Globe U.S. Coordination Office

Phenology

No abstract provided.

Water Tent: Investigation Data Sheet Grades K-2, Haley F. Wicklein

Earth Around Us

No abstract provided.

Water Tent: Seasonal Change Follow-Up Grades K-2, Haley F. Wicklein

Earth Around Us

No abstract provided.

Lessons Learned From The Nh Pdg Community School Planning Grants, Nh Preschool Development Grant

Preschool Development Grant

No abstract provided.

New Hampshire's Early Childhood Workforce, Nh Preschool Development Grant

Preschool Development Grant

No abstract provided.

University Of New Hampshire Library Annual Report Fy 2023: Leading Change, University Of New Hampshire Library

Annual Reports and Statistics

No abstract provided.

Strafford County 2023 Annual Report Of The Commissioners, Treasurer, Other County Officers, And The Strafford County Delegation For The Year Ending December 31, 2023, Strafford County Representatives

Strafford County, NH Annual Reports

This is an annual report containing vital statistics for a county in the state of New Hampshire.

Adapting Together: Considerations For Program Development & Collaboration, Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership, New Hampshire Coastal Adaptation Workgroup

PREP Reports & Publications

No abstract provided.

Seagrassnet Monitoring Program 2024 - 2028: Quality Assurance Project Plan, Trevor Mattera, Lara Martin, Nathaniel Gruen, Kalle Matso, David Burdick

PREP Reports & Publications

No abstract provided.

Interpreting For Boris Pilnyak In New York City During 1931, Albert Parry

Faculty Publications

The following text is an excerpt from Albert Parry’s hitherto unpublished memoirs, Ask That Your Way Be Long: An Autobiography. As becomes evident from reading his obituary in the New York Times (May 8, 1992), Professor Parry led a very colorful and highly interesting life. Having escaped from his hometown of Rostov-on-Don in the midst of the Russian Civil War, and then emigrating to the United States in 1921, he proceeded to develop a successful career for himself as a writer and journalist in New York City during the 1920s and early 1930s, before moving to the Midwest to …

Highly Significant Detection Of X-Ray Polarization From The Brightest Accreting Neutron Star Sco X-1, Fabio La Monaca, Alessandro Di Marco, Juri Poutanen, Matteo Bachetti, Sara Elisa Motta, Alessandro Papitto, Maura Pilia, Fei Xie, Stefano Bianchi, Anna Bobrikova, Enrico Costa, Wei Deng, Ming-Yu Ge, Giulia Illiano, Shu-Mei Jia, Henric Krawczynski, Eleonora Veronica Lai, Kuan Liu, Guglielmo Mastroserio, Fabio Muleri, John Rankin, Paolo Soffitta, Alexandra Veledina, Filippo Ambrosino, Melania Del Santo

Faculty Publications

The Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer measured with high significance the X-ray polarization of the brightest Z-source, Sco X-1, resulting in the nominal 2–8 keV energy band in a polarization degree of 1.0% ± 0.2% and a polarization angle of 8° ± 6° at a 90% confidence level. This observation was strictly simultaneous with observations performed by NICER, NuSTAR, and Insight-HXMT, which allowed for a precise characterization of its broadband spectrum from soft to hard X-rays. The source has been observed mainly in its soft state, with short periods of flaring. We also observed low-frequency quasiperiodic oscillations. From a spectropolarimetric analysis, …