Digital Commons Network^™

Quality Improvement Project: Provider Education On An Evidence-Based Clinical Pathway For Diagnosing Adult Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Oluwadayo B. Adeyemo

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Accurate diagnosis of adult Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) remains challenging in outpatient behavioral health settings, as variations in clinician training, diagnostic tools, and assessment methods can hinder accuracy and delay treatment. At the project site, providers reported low confidence and inconsistent use of standardized tools when evaluating adult ADHD, underscoring a critical need for structured education to improve diagnostic consistency and provider confidence. This quality-improvement (QI) project assessed the impact of an educational intervention on provider knowledge, confidence, and utilization of validated screening tools for adult ADHD. Guided by Donabedian’s Model of Quality Improvement and Lewin’s Change Theory, the project …

Quality Improvement Project: The Impact Of Genetic Testing Education For Mental Health Providers In An Outpatient Clinic, Ifeoma Uzoh-Anigbogu

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Despite growing evidence supporting the use of genetic screening in psychiatric medication management, many mental health providers lack the confidence and knowledge to utilize this tool effectively. This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to enhance provider self-efficacy and increase the utilization of genetic screening through a structured education and training program in an outpatient mental health clinic. The purpose of the project was to determine whether provider education on pharmacogenetic testing improves confidence and screening frequency compared to those who do not receive the intervention. The Donabedian Model guided evaluation of structure, process, and outcome measures, while Rogers’ Diffusion of …

Quality Improvement Project, Communicating With The Dying Patient: A Simulation Experience For Nursing Students, Jason Weger

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Effective communication with patients near the end of life is a crucial yet often underdeveloped skill among nursing students. Previous research highlights a persistent gap in training for end-of-life communication in nursing schools. This quality improvement project implemented a simulation-based educational intervention to improve end-of-life communication skills among first-semester nursing students at a community college in Oklahoma. A needs assessment identified significant gaps in students' readiness for emotionally charged patient interactions. Guided by Prosci’s Change Model and Jeffries Simulation Theory, the project used a faculty-led simulation experience to teach evidence-based communication strategies, including appropriate word choice, therapeutic presence, and active …

Quality Improvement Project: Reducing Hospitalizations In The Long-Term Care Setting, Nenna Nzeocha

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Hospitalizations in the long-term care setting can lead to higher costs incurred by skilled nursing home residents and a poorer quality of life. This quality improvement (QI) project evaluated whether an educational intervention on the Reducing Avoidable Facility Transfers (RAFT) model impacted hospitalization rates in the skilled nursing facility (SNF), while also assessing the confidence level of facility staff on the intervention. The project utilized Lewin’s change theory and the Donabedian model framework and was aimed at developing interventions that impact hospitalizations in the SNF using the RAFT model. A quasi-experimental design was used and consisted of a pre-and-post implementation …

Quality Improvement Project: Improving Nurse Competency In Caring For Patients With Dementia With Behavioral Disturbances In Long-Term Care, Lashunta Jackson

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Dementia-related behavioral and psychological symptoms (BPSD) present major challenges for nurses in long-term care settings, often leading to inconsistent care, staff stress, and safety risks. Evidence-based, person-centered interventions are proven to improve outcomes but are frequently underutilized due to limited staff training. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to improve nursing staff competency in managing residents with dementia and behavioral disturbances through structured, evidence-based education. The problem identified was a lack of dementia-specific knowledge and confidence among nurses, which contributed to suboptimal care and increased behavioral incidents. A quasi-experimental pre-/post-intervention design guided by Knowles’ Adult …

Improving Self-Efficacy Among Clinical Instructors: The Impact Of Communication Education On Handling Lateral Violence, Emma Guidry

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The quality improvement (QI) project aims to determine if clinical instructors perceive changes in self-efficacy in communication skills specific to lateral violence (LV) situations secondary to an educational intervention. Currently, clinical nurse instructors lack education specifically addressing communication strategies to utilize when LV occurs in the clinical setting. Banduras Social Cognitive Theory, Lewin’s Change Theory and the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) were employed as frameworks in the development of this project. Methods used in this quasi-experimental design project include administration of the Self Efficacy to Address Disruptive Behaviors Scale (SADBS) survey to project participants, nursing clinical instructors. The evidence-based practice (EBP) intervention …

Resiliency For Nurse Educators: Incorporating Resiliency Training For Nursing Faculty, Rachael Holder

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Nursing faculty frequently experience high levels of stress, workload demands, and burnout, which can negatively affect teaching effectiveness and retention. Literature supports resilience as a protective factor that enhances well-being and professional sustainability. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to impact resilience levels among full-time undergraduate nursing faculty through a self-paced online resiliency training program. Guided by Pender’s Health Promotion Model and Lewin’s Change Theory, this pre- and post-intervention design used the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10) to assess changes in resilience. Eleven faculty members completed the pre-survey, and two completed the post-survey. The post-survey mean CD-RISC-10 scores …

Quality Improvement Project Implementation Of A Peer Mentoring Program In An Associate-Degree Nursing Program, Heather Baker

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Peer mentoring is recognized as an evidence-based strategy that offers support to students and enhances retention. This project aimed to implement a peer mentoring program based on the Nursing Universal Retention and Success (NURS) model. The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework and Havelock’s Theory of Planned Change guided the implementation process. The goal was to assess the program's impact on first-semester nursing student retention rates and students’ perceptions of success. First-semester nursing students in a traditional associate-degree nursing program volunteered to participate in the peer mentoring program for one semester. At the end of the semester, an anonymous post-survey was distributed to …

Quality Improvement Project: Improving Emergency Medication Administration Safety In An Inpatient Psychiatric Unit, Sandra Anusiem

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Psychiatric emergencies contribute to medication safety issues due to increased stress, inconsistent practices, and communication breakdowns. The problem was high rates of medication errors in psychiatric emergencies due to the lack of a structured, standardized medication management protocol. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project aimed to reduce medication errors in administering emergency medications in an inpatient psychiatric unit by using the Medication Administration Cross-Check (MACC) checklist. The project was completed using a quasi-experimental research design guided by the Donabedian Model of Healthcare Quality and Lewin’s Change Model. Pretest and posttest knowledge, confidence, attitude, and perceptions were obtained …

Human Trafficking Simulation: Educational Tool For Developing Interprofessional Competencies, Kerri Anne Irwin, Kelly D. Caskey

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Introduction: This research is in response to the human trafficking (HT) crisis. HT affects an estimated 30 million people worldwide. Nurses are one of the few constant contacts within the hospital for these isolated victims. HT patients may feel protected under the trusted care of nurses (Morris, 2023). Raker (2023) found that “academic nursing programs represent an ideal environment to deliver human trafficking training to future graduate nurses.” The limited instruction for students led us to create an HT simulation that is being taught in a senior level nursing course.
The purpose of this research is to address the growing …

The Impact Of Infrastructure Construction And Remodeling Of Cities On Its People' Quality Of Life Miraj District-(Madi-Cairo) As A Geological Heritage Area, Ahmed M.E. Hammad

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Rapid urbanization is increasing globally, the urbanization rate expected to rise to more than 66% by 2050. (According to UN estimates) the increasing rates of urbanization in the world means adding 2.5 billion people to the urban population within a short period. Which necessitates increasing the traffic axes and the rest of the networks in terms of lengths and widths within the existing cities, and with the presence of the population during these works - despite their inevitability - the quality of their urban life is affected socially, naturally and economically. the research monitors these effects and the extent of …

Kinship Infrastructure Design: Evaluating Diversity And Resilience In Emergency Response Systems Through Agent-Based Modeling, Fayruz Maysha

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Traditional infrastructure systems are often designed for predictable scenarios, making them vulnerable to disruption when real-world conditions change unexpectedly. This research addresses that limitation by introducing Kinship Infrastructure Design (KID), a bioinspired framework based on the kinship coefficient (Φ). Adapted from studies of genetic relatedness in eusocial insects, the kinship coefficient (Φ) measures similarity and diversity among system components by calculating the degree to which their functional traits—encoded as a synthetic genome—match. This research investigates whether a system design can achieve a “Goldilocks Zone” of functional diversity where systems achieve optimal adaptability and coordination under uncertainty."

Rather than relying on …

The Misunderstood Election Of 1876 And Colorado's Rocky Quest For Statehood, Maxwell D. Rotbart

History Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

On December 8, 1873, Representative Jerome B. Chaffee, the non-voting delegate of the Colorado Territory, submitted a proposal in the House of Representatives to make Colorado the 38th state in the Union. What should have been a routine matter — Colorado had the sizable population and economic stability necessary to achieve statehood — dragged on for more than three years. At stake was the outcome of the 1876 presidential election, in which Colorado’s electoral votes had the potential to — and ultimately did — decide which party would control the Executive Branch into the 1880s.

When historians consider the factors …

Establishing And Maintaining Equitable Leadership Practices In Nursing Education: A Way Forward, Joshua Michael Kies, Kari Mau

Biennial Convention (CONV)

There is currently a lack of diverse leadership in nursing education. This reflects multi-faceted systemic challenges that require innovative and comprehensive interventions. Current academic environments may perpetuate structures that marginalize faculty from underrepresented groups, creating significant barriers to equitable advancement and representation (Christensen, 2023).

The presentation will investigate the foundational principles of leadership development, focusing on transformative approaches that address inequities using recent research. Analyzing current demographic situations, institutional barriers, and perceived professional expectations, the discussion will uncover critical intervention points for long-term, meaningful change (Brown-DeVeaux & Glassman, 2023).

The critical importance of intentional, systemic interventions that move beyond “standardized” …

Establishing Nursing Excellence: A Quality Improvement Approach To Nursing Administration Evaluation Using Frontline Feedback, Meredith Sykora

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

In the increasingly complex environment of nursing education, leadership quality and responsiveness significantly influence workplace culture, faculty satisfaction, professional development, and student outcomes. Despite these realities, many academic nursing programs, including the Division of Nursing at a community college in Arkansas, lack formal structures for bidirectional leadership evaluation. This gap limits frontline faculty’s ability to provide formative feedback to program leaders, weakening shared governance and transparency. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to evaluate leadership effectiveness following the implementation of a structured bidirectional feedback process between nursing faculty and program leaders. Guided by Kouzes and Posner’s Leadership Practices …

Cybersecurity, Resilience And Sustainability: Evaluating The Role Of Public-Private Partnerships, Katarzyna Chojecka

Yearbook of Antitrust and Regulatory Studies

This article explores the role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in enhancing cybersecurity as a component of sustainable and resilient development. It argues that cybersecurity is not only vital for digital transformation and economic growth but also closely aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly through its emphasis on resilient infrastructure. The paper offers a legal and policy-oriented analysis of how PPPs can strengthen cybersecurity capabilities by leveraging the combined resources and expertise of governments, businesses, and civil society. The Polish case is also studied and analysed through “PW Cyber" program which exemplifies a local cybersecurity PPP model. The article …

Reducing Falls In The Acute Care Setting: A Quality Improvement Project, Elorm M. Adzokpa

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Falls remain one of the most common adverse events in acute care settings and are associated with increased morbidity, extended hospital stays, and higher healthcare costs. Orthopedic and trauma patients are particularly vulnerable due to mobility limitations, postoperative recovery, and complex medical conditions. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to reduce inpatient falls on an adult orthopedic and trauma unit by implementing a visual aid to reinforce the 5P fall-prevention framework. A pre–post quality improvement design was used during an eight-week implementation period. The intervention included a standardized fall prevention bundle that reinforced existing Fall TIPS board use …

"Pollution Does Not [Sic] Discriminate": Louisiana V. Epa, Disparate Impact, And The Fight For Environmental Justice In A Hostile Climate, Naomi Brim

Minnesota Law Review Vols. 106:2 onward (2021-present)

Human-induced climate change hurts people. Environmental burdens impact a person’s ability to live freely, in good health, and with loved ones. And in the United States, people in positions of political authority and decision-making—who are predominantly white and high-income—use the legal system to push environmental harms disproportionately onto low-income, Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities. This has occurred for centuries and continues in the present. A basic sense of justice makes the following conclusion easy to reach: skin color, zip code, and pocketbook should not determine whether someone enjoys a clean and healthful environment.

For plaintiffs seeking relief from …

Public Priorities For The Post-War Reconstruction Of Ukraine’S Energy Sector., Olena Savchenko, Vasyl Zhelykh, Khrystyna Kozak, Omar Al-Hafith, Joao Alencastro, Olugbenga Oladinrin, Ademola Adebayo Akinbami

School of Art, Design and Architecture

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has resulted in the large-scale destruction of many cities across the country. Although the war has not yet ended, there will come a time when the conflict concludes, and reconstruction efforts will begin. Global experiences show that the first step in preparing for post-war reconstruction is to assess the level of destruction. Additionally, it is essential to understand people’s needs and priorities. Otherwise, reconstruction activities may fail to address the existing challenges and actual needs of local communities. This study aims to explore post-war reconstruction priorities of Ukrainians, with special focus on the energy sector …

Activation Of Pro-Regenerative Gene Programs In The Mature Central Nervous System, Elizabeth Carlisle Batsel

Dissertations (1934 -)

Spinal cord injury (SCI) affects millions of people worldwide. Damage to the spinal cord disrupts the long-distance axon tracts of central nervous system (CNS) neurons. These axons fail to regenerate, leading to permanent dysfunction. Past work has shown that CNS neurons lose the capacity to elongate their axons as they mature. Conversely, after injury, embryonic and peripheral nervous system (PNS) neurons can elongate axons towards target cells, driven by the growth cone at the growing tip of the axon. Previous research has identified transcription factor (TF) families, such as the SoxC family, that contribute to embryonic and peripheral neurons’ high …

Quality Improvement Project: Educating Nursing Faculty On Medication Administration Labs To Improve Student Competency, Chelsea Pacheco

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Medication administration errors are a leading cause of preventable harm in healthcare. Faculty play a critical role in ensuring nursing students develop the knowledge and confidence to give medications safely. A needs assessment at the project site revealed that only course coordinators were teaching medication administration and dosage calculation, leaving other faculty uncertain about how to teach these skills. This quality improvement project aimed to strengthen faculty confidence and create consistency in first-year instruction through a recorded educational video. Constructivist Learning Theory provided the foundation for active, experience-based learning. Lewin’s Change Theory guided the structured implementation process to support adoption …

Quality Improvement Project: Enhancing Diabetes Management Through Continuous Glucose Monitoring Device Education Among Providers Of Underserved Groups, Shaibu Rashid

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This quality improvement project aimed to enhance diabetes management among underserved populations by increasing provider confidence and utilization of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). Despite CGM being recognized as a standard of care for patients requiring intensive insulin therapy, its adoption in FQHCs remains limited due to provider knowledge gaps, financial barriers, and workflow challenges. Based on Kurt Lewin’s change theory, the project employed a quasi-experimental one-group pretest–posttest design to evaluate the impact of an evidence-based educational intervention among six family practice providers. The intervention included interactive sessions on CGM device use, data …

Teacher Candidates’ Attempts To Implement Anti-Ableist Pedagogy And The Constraints Therein, Benjamin Barnett-Perry

Northwest Journal of Teacher Education

In this qualitative study, I interviewed four special education teacher candidates with a stated interest in enacting anti-ableist pedagogy in their student teaching placements. I drew on Holland et al.’s (1998) figured worlds to examine their attempts to enact anti-ableist pedagogy in their classrooms and their navigation of the hierarchy within their placements. Participants entered their student teaching eager to implement anti-ableist pedagogy. However, their attempts at implementation were often met with pushback from a variety of sources and a new understanding of how much they could actually accomplish from their place at the bottom of the school hierarchy. Findings …

Bridging Boundaries: Integration Of Culturally Relevant Resources, James D. Ware, Evan W. Stokes

Northwest Journal of Teacher Education

This qualitative study examines the impact of culturally relevant resources on student engagement, motivation, and academic achievement in a language arts classroom. Since school curricula are increasingly scrutinized for their ability to reflect the historical and cultural diversity of student populations, this study investigates how integrating culturally relevant pedagogy can enhance learning outcomes. The study explores the student impact of blending culturally relevant teaching materials with traditional educational frameworks to foster a more inclusive and equitable classroom environment. By analyzing student feedback from a writing-intensive English course that utilized culturally relevant resources, the study seeks to provide insights into how …

Internal Control Strategies To Reduce Occupational Fraud In Small Business, Karen Walauskas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Small businesses can be at a heightened risk of occupational fraud if their internal control strategies are not effective. This risk is a major concern for small business owners, who might face financial and operational challenges as a result. Grounded in Cressey’s fraud triangle framework, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore effective internal control strategies to reduce the risk of occupational fraud from occurring. Participants were six small business owners in New England who had developed effective internal controls. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and employee handbooks. Through thematic analysis, four themes emerged, including …

Iso-Detr: A Novel Detection Transformer For Industrial Small Object Detection, Faisal Saeed, Anand Paul

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Effectively detecting and assessing real-time structural and ecological parameters in contemporary manufacturing environments poses significant challenges, particularly in identifying minute objects within product images. The swift evolution of the industrial sector underscores the necessity for intelligent manufacturing environments to uphold stringent product quality standards. However, accelerating production processes at high speeds heightens the risk of defective product outcomes. This research addresses the challenges inherent in small object detection within industrial contexts, proposing an innovative detection transformer model tailored to modern manufacturing environments. The proposed model integrates a feature-enhanced multi-head self-attention block (FEMSA), merging cross-channel communication network and multiple multi-head self-attention …

Emmett Deur - Senior Recital, Emmett Deur

Honors Theses

As a culmination of three and a half years of study in the Irving S. Gilmore School of music, I, Emmett Deur, have put together a senior recital, performing a variety of works on the euphonium. My studies have included experiences within some of Western Michigan University’s top ensembles, including the Western Michigan University Wind Symphony, the University Symphony Orchestra, and the Western Brass Quintet’s Brass for the Holidays Ensemble. In addition to these ensemble experiences, my studies included regular one-on-one applied lessons with applied Tuba/Euphonium faculty members. With a year of lessons with former Tuba/Euphonium instructor, Professor Chance Trottman-Huiet, …

Between The Calm Lake Waters, Adrian Martinez

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Patient-Reported Experience Measures For Person-Centred Care: A Survey For The Development And Psychometric Testing Of A Targeted Measure, The Epcc-14, Ryan Statton, Lena Rosenlund, James Close, Anna Dencker, Helen Lloyd

School of Psychology

Objectives This study aims to develop a robust, targeted measure of patient experiences of person-centred care (PCC), informed by the lived experiences of patients with chronic illness using the psychometric theory of Rasch measurement. Design The Rasch measurement model was used to analyse the psychometric functioning of 57 candidate items and select appropriate items for a targeted measure. Setting Participants were recruited from Prolific.com, having experience of both chronic or long-term illness and first-hand experience of primary or secondary care in the UK healthcare setting and completed a survey containing PCC items and descriptors of healthcare experience. Participants Data from …

Talking Sudep: Gaps, Confidence And Training Needs Among Spanish Epilepsy Professionals, Rohit Shankar

Peninsula Medical School

Objective: Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) is a major cause of epilepsy-related mortality, yetdiscussions about SUDEP in clinical settings remain inconsistent. This study aimed to assess the perspectives,practices, and barriers related to SUDEP counselling for epilepsy professionals in Spain.Methods: A cross-sectional online survey of 17 Likert style questions was disseminated via the Spanish EpilepsySociety between September 2023 and February 2024 to epilepsy professionals in Spain using a nondiscriminatory exponential snowballing technique leading to non-probability sampling. The survey was a validated instrument previously employed in similar international studies. Questions revolved around SUDEPcommunication and counselling. Descriptive and comparative analyses were conducted.Results: …