Digital Commons Network^™

Electronic Orientation Checklist: Click It To Check It!, Rubie Rose Costales, Tonya Pagor, Fran Majca, Candice Spak

Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference

Background/Introduction:

In 2022, approximately 15,000 Registered nurses and 6,000 Nursing assistants were onboarded utilizing paper checklists across 26 hospitals. The 95 identified checklists required printing multiple pages and was cumbersome for leadership to monitor and access.

Purpose or Objective:

Nursing Education and Professional Development launched an electronic orientation checklist initiative. The checklists transitioned to electronic platform delivering an updated, comprehensive, and collaborative approach to system orientation resources. This provides secure access, guarantees timely check off, offers real-time support to teammates, cost savings and fosters ecological consciousness.

Method:

Electronic checklists were piloted at two sites. Feedback from stakeholders, including executive leadership, …

More Than Numbers – Let’S Talk About Mixed Methods Research, Deborah Gentile

Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference

Introduction: There are multiple approaches to conducting research. Quantitative and qualitative research inform nursing practice, but quantitative research tends to be emphasized. At AAH, most nursing research studies (in excess of 90%) are quantitative in nature even when the research question focuses on the meaning of a phenomenon or experience of a research subject. Meaning and experiences are best elicited using qualitative methods. Using one method to answer a research question is sometimes not enough.

Purpose: This presentation will address the use of mixed methods – involving quantitative and qualitative data – to add value to a study and …

Assessing Internal Travel Nurses Clinical Knowledge: A Modern, Electronic Approach To Staffing Readiness, Nicole Hartmann

Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference

Background/Introduction:

The Advocate Aurora Health Internal Agency needed an efficient way to assess teammates clinical knowledge to rapidly hire nurses into our internal travel pool. Advocate Aurora requires new teammates to complete orientation skills checklists upon hire. These checklists take many hours to complete, and several original checklists could not be retrieved. We also needed a way to assess pre-hire candidates to ensure they were clinically skilled.

Purpose or Objective:

Utilize a validated tool to assess traveler nurse knowledge prior to hire/contract/acceptance to internal agency. The goal of the tool is to efficiently evaluate level of expertise, and immediately transition …

Implementing Clinical Event Debriefing To Improve Patient Care, Colleen Butler

Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference

Background

The Advocate Children’s Hospital Neonatal/Pediatric Transport Team (ACHTT) transports approximately 2,000 neonatal/pediatric patients each year within the Advocate Children’s Hospital and Northshore system. Opportunities have been identified to improve feedback on transports completed. Debriefing is associated with improved outcomes, improved team performance, and provides the opportunity to discuss gaps in clinical knowledge, performance, and behaviors. Debriefing also provides the opportunity for group reflection and examination of teamwork.

Local Problem

No process existed to formally debrief after a transport completed by the ACHTT. The need to create a multidisciplinary clinical debriefing program was identified.

Method

A review of literature was …

Living Up To The Challenge: Preventing Unplanned Extubations In The Nicu, Yorleni Ambrosio, Julie Lombardo, Christina Bourque

Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference

Background

An unplanned extubation is a common adverse event for an intubated neonate that can lead to negative outcomes such as hypoxia, ventilator-associated pneumonia, extended hospital stays, and risk of injury. Prevention is a unique challenge in the NICU population due to small facial anatomy, increased ventilation days, and environmental factors.

Local Problem

A level 3 NICU experienced a total of five UEs in 2022 which equates to a rate of 3.59 per 100 ventilator days compared to a rate of 0 to 1 in previous years.

Method

A team consisting of the NICU APRN, Respiratory Educator and Neonatologists, performed …

High Risk For Readmission Criteria For Wound Care Patients, Carolyn Jacobson

Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference

Background: The most common reported complication of diabetes mellitus is diabetic foot ulcers. Outpatients with diabetic foot wounds are at an increased risk for all cause hospitalization. Moreover, diabetics socioeconomic status has been shown to influence health outcomes associated with disease management.

Local Problem: At a Midwest quaternary medical center, within the outpatient wound clinic and Aurora Limb Preservation Program (ALPP), the 30-day hospital admission percentage for patients with diabetic foot ulcers was elevated in January 2022 (16%) and February 2022 (19%).

Method: A quality improvement project, utilizing A3 methodology, was initiated to proactively address patients’ social determinants …

Improving The Management Of Obstetric Hemorrhage With The Use Of Quantified Blood Loss, Anniece Fisher, Adrienne Arnold, Nikiyia Lozada, Jasmine Carter, Barbara West, Karen Beagles, Mary Ann Neumann

Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference

Background:

Obstetric hemorrhage is one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality, yet it is highly preventable. Blood loss is frequently underestimated, delaying treatments and interventions. Using an objective quantification of blood loss (QBL) helps recognize and treat hemorrhage earlier. This may reduce morbidity and mortality caused by Obstetric Hemorrhage, especially among racial and ethnic minorities who experience a 26.6% higher incidence. Blood loss should be quantified using an objective standardized instrument to avoid subjective human error and implicit bias.

Local Problem:

Estimated blood loss was routinely used in our Obstetric unit whose population is largely women of …

Float Standardization: Creating A Welcoming Environment & Safe Float Experience, Kelsey Tavs

Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference

Background:

Chief Nursing Officer listening sessions revealed unit and float nurse and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) dissatisfaction with floating between inpatient units, Women’s Health, and Emergency Department boarding. Specific improvement interventions included facilitating a welcoming environment, providing tools to provide safe care, and offering a meal break.

Local Problem: RN/CNA Float Experience Pre-Survey – January 2023

• 46% “rarely” or “never” welcomed to the unit by the Charge RN or team
• 76% “rarely or “never” offered a tour or asked if they know where everything is located
• 30% “rarely” or “never” provided the tools and resources to provide safe care
• 51% …

Code For Success: Learn To Impress, Carol Holzer, Martha Summins, Bernenice Arellano, Jexenia Gonzalez

Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference

Background

Quality improvement project to determine if utilizing quick response (QR) codes for the Magnet Outcomes Boards, improves knowledge and confidence for nurses in speaking to The Big Three: nursing sensitive indicators, nursing satisfaction and patient satisfaction. Implementing an innovative strategy to engage frontline nurses with data.

Local Problem

Surveyed frontline nurses showed a gap in knowledge and confidence level in speaking to The Big Three Important for nurses to be well versed regarding data reported because it is the reflection of knowledge, wisdom, as well as understanding of the impact of nursing care within the organization.

Method

A pre …

Shared Governance 101: What You Need To Succeed!, Deanna Shaver, Olivia Due

Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference

Background: Shared governance has evolved over time and focuses on shared decision making between leadership and direct patient care staff. Shared governance is based on the principles of partnership, accountability, ownership, and equity.

Local problem: The shared governance structure and councils have been in place for 30 years at this quaternary medical center, but never formally assessed.

Method: A quality improvement project aimed at assessing effectiveness of the shared governance was conducted. Permission was obtained to utilize the Council Health Survey (CHS), which is intended to evaluate council effectiveness through three subscales: membership, structures, and activities (Hess et al., 2020). …

Using Nursing Judgement To Reduce Postpartum Fall Rates In Patients Recovering From Epidural Analgesia, Bryn Adams, Katherine Martinez, Elise Poelking, Yvonne Renick

Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference

Background: Epidural analgesia is the most common type of anesthetic used for pain relief during labor. By injecting a medication mixture into the lumbar epidural space, a sensory nerve block is created from the umbilicus to the top of the legs, virtually eliminating pain. However, this also produces a motor block, which can be especially pronounced when certain medications, like bupivacaine, are used. Consequently, postpartum patients who are recovering from epidural analgesia are at greater risk for falls when ambulating.

Local problem: In December 2021, a hospital with a high-volume inpatient obstetrics department experienced an epidural medication formulary …

Development And Implementation Of A Nursing Shared Governance Toolkit, Heather Wagner

Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference

Background: NSG is a well-established structure for nurses and leaders to collaboratively work to improve nurse satisfaction, patient experience, and patient outcomes. Development of structures to support NSG may take several years. It requires cultural change, professional commitment, and the acquisition of new skills by both the nursing leaders and clinical nurses.

Local Problem: Nursing shared governance (NSG) at an acute care Midwestern hospital has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and nurse turnover. Nursing engagement and clinical excellence are heavily driven by professional shared governance structures.

Method: The purpose of this project was to develop and implement an …

Simulation Increases Team Members' Skills In A New Healthcare Environment From A Nursing Educator Viewpoint, Rosie Bernard, Grace Walls, Cynthia Malone, Kimberly Galera, Karen Beagles, Linda Ameyaw, Gwenn Cockle, Vada Wiley

Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference

Background:

Healthcare faces the challenge of finding and retaining nurses. Organizations want to ensure that team members are comfortable in the organization so that their skills will be utilized to achieve the mission and vision. Nurses want to feel that they can do the skills needed to give exceptional care. A successful transition to practice will help to improve retention rates. It will help the team members handle demanding situations and high-stress levels when faced with new clinical challenges.

Local Problem:

We identified knowledge gaps in new nurses after orientation. These gaps in nursing practice led to frustration and often …

Cohorting Of Heart Failure Patients With Targeted Nursing Staff Education To Improve Patient Outcomes, Ann Erb

Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference

Background: HF patients need specialized acute care to aid in managing their chronic syndrome and meet hospital targets.

Local Problem: Heart failure patients observed/expected length of stay at a quaternary medical in Quarter 1 2022 was 1.26. Fall outs related to heart failure education documentation occurred for 26 patients at the time of discharge through the end of May 2022.

Method: PDSA method was utilized as the approach to implement a heart failure specialized unit. An interdisciplinary team reviewed admission data, bed capacity, and patient populations served. Based on organization priorities, leadership, and unit culture a medical/cardiac floor was designated …

Promoting Vaginal Birth - A Collaborative Approach, Olga Lazala, Paulina Ibarra

Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference

Background

Over 90% of women whose first birth was by cesarean section will have a cesarean birth with future pregnancies. Cesarean births not only pose significant maternal and fetal risks for the current pregnancy but, for future pregnancies as well. A goal of Healthy People 2030 is to reduce cesarean births of low-risk (full term, singleton, vertex), nulliparous women to 23.6%.

Local Problem

The cesarean section delivery rate for nulliparous, term, singleton pregnancies (NTSV) at a suburban, Level 3 perinatal hospital was reported as a mean of 31.1% for the first 7 months of 2022 with an all-time high cesarean …

“Music Is Considered My Skin-To-Skin With Her”: Music Therapy With Parents And Their Extremely Preterm Infants In The Nicu, Elisabeth Bombell

Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference

Background

There is an emerging body of literature focused on parent-infant bonding and parent identity within music therapy during a NICU stay, and limited research on the use of music therapy experiences with families admitted for extreme prematurity.Within the current literature music therapy is cited as an important tool for connection for families separated prematurely or traumatically at birth. Nursing literature also cites the importance of interventions that support caregiver coping and connection with their baby.

Purpose/Objective

This study aimed to identify the experiences of families admitted to the NICU for extreme prematurity and explore the role music therapy …

How Do Clinical Nurses Implement ‘What Matters To You’ For Hospitalized Older Adults?, Bryn Adams, Katherine Davey, Jennifer Giron, Anna Laurae Kruse, Jennifer Sanders, Jeri Smith, Linda Smith, Murad Taani, Bayan Alqam, Mary Hook, Vida Vizgirda

Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference

Background

The Age Friendly Health System (AFHS) 4Ms framework is designed to be clinically implemented to provide reliable, high-quality age-friendly care to older adults with reduced harm and hospital-associated complications. The 4M concept of ‘What Matters to You’ (WMTY) refers to engaging clinicians in assessing and aligning a patient’s specific health outcome goals and care preferences to ensure patient-centered care. There is limited empirical evidence on the WMTY concept and none describing the implementation and impact when used by clinical nurses in hospital settings.

Purpose

The purpose is to gain an in-depth understanding of the knowledge, perceptions, and experiences of …

The Evolution And Sustainment Of An Internal Agency To Further Reduce Costs, Desiree Bellon, Kari Mleziva

Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference

The Advocate Health (AH) Midwest (MW) Region Internal Agency was developed in the peak of the pandemic in response to the growing volumes of nurses leaving their positions for travel. Teammates leaving (interceptions) or who had left (boomerangs) their positions were offered the opportunity for a travel assignment within the MW Region. Internal agency rates were set at 60% of the current average bill rate for external agency, and in the first year, over $12 million were saved by utilizing internal agency nurses in lieu of external agency. This also resulted in decreased turnover and increased retention of high-performing nurses, …

Optimizing Sitter Use: Enhancing Safety And Cutting Costs, Lauren Gentry, Susan Perusich, Kristie Geil, Rachelle Lancaster

Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference

Background: Innovative nursing practices can reduce hospital sitter usage and costs as a component of a patient-focused safety plan. Sitter use, an evidence-based nursing-driven strategy, effectively decreases falls and injury. This project aimed to improve sitter utilization, documentation, and cost-efficiency by minimizing unneeded use, enhancing policy compliance, and preventing safety incidents. Initially, inpatient managers lacked awareness of direct costs, sitter charges weren't recorded in Epic, and safety concerns for patients and staff existed.

Method: In response to observed inconsistencies in sitter practices and gaps in nursing knowledge, a multidisciplinary workgroup was formed. This group introduced standardized documentation forms, engaged in …

Ay 2023/2024 Fs Meeting Minutes, 2023-11-15, Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Archives

No abstract provided.

Importance Of Geriatrics In Psychiatric Postgraduate Education, Dr Anand R, Dr Kishor M, Dr Murali M R

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Introduction

To assess the importance of Geriatrics in Psychiatric postgraduate education

Methodology

Marks allotted in question papers from Geriatrics in Psychiatry postgraduate examination from a university for a 5-year period was evaluated.

Discussion

1-6% of entire theory evaluation was related to Geriatric mental health topics predominantly on dementia and related disorders.

Catalytic Activity Of Co (Ii)‑Porphyrin Anchored Onto Polymeric Support Of Electrospun Polyacrylonitrile Nanofiber: Synthesis And Efficient Green Oxidation Of Crystal Violet Dye With Hydrogen Peroxide, Elbadawy A. Kamoun, Elbadawy A. Kamoun

Nanotechnology Research Centre

novel method was explored in this study to address water contamination challenges by utilizing nanofiber mat-supported metalloporphyrin materials. Specifically, electrospinning was employed to create various compositions of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) mixed with different concentrations of Co(II) complex of tetrakis-5, 10, 15, 20 (4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin Co(II)TPHPP 1 anchored to chloroacetylated poly (p-hydroxy styrene) CAPS. These resulting nanofiber mat-supported metalloporphyrin materials were comprehensively analyzed using UV, FTIR spectrum, SEM, and TGA thermographs. The study found that the designed nanofibers acted as efficient catalysts for the oxidative breakdown of crystal violet (CV) dye using H2O2 in aqueous solutions. Among these materials, the nanofiber composed of …

The Parthenon, November 15, 2023, Evan Green, Conner Woodruff, Matt Schaffer, Chayce Matheny, Victoria Ware, Shauntelle Thompson, Rafael Alfonso, Scott Price

The Parthenon

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of A Mindfulness Meditation Intervention On Cognitive Test Anxiety And The Academic Performance Of Prelicensure Nursing Students Enrolled In An Associate Degree In Nursing Program, Kathleen Tenrreiro

Dissertations

Fifty to 100% of nursing students have experienced test anxiety. The cognitive form of test anxiety (CTA) leads to significant academic implications for nursing students. The ongoing nursing shortage requires nurse educators to implement evidence-based strategies, such as mindfulness meditation training, to help prelicensure nursing students manage their CTA levels and enhance academic performance.

The purpose of this quantitative study was two-fold: (a) to determine if there was a difference in cognitive test anxiety scores for prelicensure nursing students enrolled in an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program who receive the mindfulness meditation intervention and (b) to determine if there …

Expanding Community Capacity: Empowering Non-Clinical Gatekeepers To Respond To Persons In Suicide Crisis, Michael J. Polacek

Dissertations

Suicide is a leading cause of death and rates continue to rise despite focused efforts by policymakers. A family member, friend, or peer often plays a key role in initially identifying, rescuing, and then supporting ongoing recovery efforts of someone at risk for suicide. Preparation is provided through suicide prevention gatekeeper training such as QPR, yet this partner of direct professional service providers often lacks adequate support to effectively perform gatekeeper behaviors leading to the research question, "Does virtual café support effective gatekeeper behaviors?" The project uses a mixed-method approach to determine if a focused discussion group using The World …

Foster Care Parents Recruitment And Retention Strategies For Behavioral Health Leaders, Alicia Marie Jackson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Lived Experiences Of Spousal Caregivers Of Post-9/11 Combat Veterans, Rebecca Denise Brown-Tuyishimire

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Lived Experiences Of Workplace Stress Among Female Detention Officers, Genevie Lorraine Saucedo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Child Abuse Assessment And Reporting By Social Workers: An Action Research Project, Audra Willsey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Mental Health Stigma, Cultural Barriers, Ethnicity And Treatment Seeking Among College Women, Alandrea Martin, Phd, Lmft

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.