Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Caring Minds, Uthealth Cizik School Of Nursing

Caring Minds

No abstract provided.

Socio-Spatial And Quality Of Life Themes In Aged Care Architecture: A Qualitative Methods Protocol, Sarah Mcgann, Caroline Bulsara, Holly Farley

Arts Papers and Journal Articles

Aim: To evaluate the connection between residential aged care architecture, the residents’ ability to find home and Quality of Life themes.

Design: This study uses convergent qualitative mixed methods approach across the three phases of the research project to explore the lived experience of residential aged care residents, their family members, and direct care staff.

Methods: The chosen qualitative methodology is based on a constructionist paradigm and uses a combination of observations, photo production and prompted discussions, and architectural visual data collection methods. Funding was approved in March 2018.

Discussion: This research will provide a novel approach to understanding ways …

Selecting A Journal For Your Manuscript: A 4-Step Process, Claire Olivia Sharifi, Robin Buccheri

Gleeson Library Faculty and Staff Research and Scholarship

Background Identifying the most appropriate journal for a manuscript can be challenging for both experienced and novice nurse authors. Several factors should be considered when selecting a journal (e.g., peer-reviewed, target audience, type of manuscripts accepted, type of copyright and publishing model used). Selecting the most appropriate journal can save time for both authors and publishers.

Purpose The purpose of this article is to provide nurses, particularly those new to scholarly publishing, with clear, plain language guidance on the processes and considerations involved in selecting a journal for publication.

Methods A librarian and a nurse educator collaborated to develop an …

Parent Readiness For Hospital Discharge Scale: Psychometrics And Association With Postdischarge Outcomes, Marianne Weiss, Stacee M. Lerret, Rachel Schiffman

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction The purpose of this study is to validate the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale (RHDS) for use with parents of hospitalized children. PedRHDS is a structured tool for a discharge readiness assessment before pediatric discharge. Methods Using combined data from four studies with 417 parents, psychometric testing and item reduction proceeded with principal component analysis for factor structure delineation, Cronbach's alpha for reliability estimation, and regression analysis for predictive validity. Results A 23-item PedRHDS retained the a priori factor structure. Reliability ranged from 0.73 to 0.85 for the 23-item and 10- and 8-item short scales. PedRHDS (all forms) was …

Improving Patient Satisfaction With The Virtual Handoff Process Through The Utilization Of Educational Pamphlets In The Emergency Department, Lynda Michelle Heintz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Boarding patients in the emergency room while waiting to transfer the patient to the proper unit can be harmful to clinical care and have significant financial opportunity costs. At one local hospital it was found that on average patients were being boarded in the emergency room (ED) for approximately 85 minutes waiting to be transferred. Several barriers that caused this delay were found including, delay in room cleaning, nurse staff shortage, and inability to give report to the nurse receiving the patient. In an attempt to combat this delay which may be caused by a difficulty in giving patient report, …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of Student Nurses With Learning Disabilities In The Clinical Learning Environment, Lorna Jean Woodhall

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to record the lived experiences of nursing students with learning disabilities while in the clinical learning environment. Dewey’s theory of education and Knowles’ theory of adult learning were used to ground this study. Their theories provided a foundation to understand how the learning process is affected in nursing students with learning disabilities in the clinical learning environment. The study answered the following research questions: (a) What are the lived experiences of student nurses with learning disabilities in the clinical learning setting? (b) How are nursing students impacted by their learning disability during …

Feasibility And Acceptability Of A Game-Based Symptom-Reporting App For Children With Cancer: Perspectives Of Children And Parents, Lauri Linder, Amy Rose Newman, Kristin Stegenga, Yin-Shun Chiu, Sarah E. Wawrzynski, Heidi Kramer, Charlene Weir, Scott Narus, Roger Altizer

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Children with cancer have difficulty identifying and describing the multiple symptoms they experience during hospitalization and between clinical encounters. Mobile health resources, including apps, are potential solutions to support child-centric symptom reporting. This study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a newly developed game-based symptom-reporting app for school-age children with cancer.

Procedure

Nineteen school-age children (6–12 years of age) receiving treatment for cancer at a COG institution in the Intermountain West of the United States used a game-based symptom-reporting app between clinical visits. Feasibility was evaluated through a summary of actual days of app use and interaction with each …

The Impact Of The Nursing Shortage On The Quality Of Care Of Veterans, Brian Alexander Fainguersch

Honors College Theses

No abstract provided.

Primary Causes And Risk Factors Leading To Nurse Burnout In The Healthcare Field, Alexa D'Angelo

Honors College Theses

Nurse burnout has become a growing issue among hospitals throughout the world. It is a subject that greatly effects both the mental and physical health of current and future nurses going into the field. This study explored the most popular and well-known causes and risk factors of nurse burnout throughout hospitals. Through the use of structured interviews, three participants were chosen with backgrounds in varying specialties. The interviews consisted of ten predetermined questions, with room for the participants to elaborate. Along with the interviews, data was gathered from current, up to date literature on the research topic of nurse burnout. …

Shift Work: Gut Health And Metabolic Disease, Hailey Lane

Senior Honors Theses

The number of people engaged in shift work continues to rise, and with it the research linking shift work to various diseases and conditions. Shift work changes the body’s sleeping patterns and circadian rhythms which has an effect on all parts of the body including the heart, immunity, cancer development, and inflammatory processes. Altered sleeping patterns and circadian rhythms change the composition and anatomy of the gut and microbiome, which in turn affects the development of metabolic diseases. Shift work also changes one’s eating patterns and habits. Altered eating habits similarly changes the composition and anatomy of the gut and …

Improving Cultural Competency Among Healthcare Providers Working With Refugee Patients, Tena Chau

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Increased diversity of the United States population has resulted in the presence of greater disparities in healthcare. One way to address factors contributing to health disparities has been to increase cultural competency in healthcare. Evidence from a review of the literature supports the idea that understanding aspects of cultural competency that are lacking among specific healthcare organizations are helpful to develop programs to address the areas of need. Purpose: The purpose was to complete a quality improvement project to evaluate if an educational intervention based on a specific model would lead to increased level of cultural competence among healthcare …

Improving Alcohol Screening And Brief Intervention In Community Health Settings: Training And Evaluation, Abdonne Mbouadeu

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Excessive alcohol use is responsible for 88,000 deaths in the United States each year. Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention (ASBI) is highly effective for the prevention and treatment of harmful alcohol use in community healthcare settings; however, this intervention is not widely used by healthcare professionals. A structured search of bibliographic databases was conducted to locate evidence-based articles pertaining to barriers to ASBI. Evidence suggests that the lack of knowledge and confidence is responsible for the underutilization of ASBI. Purpose: To assess the impact of ASBI training on nursing staff knowledge, attitude, and confidence and to make ASBI a …

In Beers We Trust: Using Deprescribing Tools To Reduce Inappropriate Polypharmacy In Adults Age ≥ 65, Angelica Ferrazzi

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Adverse drug events (ADEs) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in older adults (age ≥ 65). Polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) are especially prevalent in this population and are a notable contributing risk factor for ADEs. Research demonstrates that comprehensive medication reconciliation that includes evaluation of both the risks and benefits of medications, in conjunction with deprescribing practices, can reduce PIMs; therefore, reducing ADEs.

Purpose: The aim of this quality improvement project was to empower clinicians to deprescribe current medications that are inappropriate, as well as reduce the rate of newly prescribed PIMs among patients age …

Heart Failure: Effective Collaboration And Education To Reduce Preventable Hospitalizations And Readmissions, Iwona Prabucka-Davis

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Background and Review of Literature: Worldwide heart failure (HF) prevalence rates are steadily increasing at a high magnitude. With rates of mortality and morbidity high for those diagnosed with HF, patients are often faced with a poor prognosis. Management of the disease that is in accordance with the most recent recommended guidelines has been shown to reduce exacerbations that require hospitalizations and thereby preserving patient quality of life and life expectancy.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to decrease hospital readmissions for HF exacerbations in the primary care setting through improving practitioner and patient adherence to the current …

Contraceptive Education Module Intervention, Rachel Cox

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background and Review of Literature: Unplanned pregnancy is associated with poor mother and child outcomes physiologically and psychologically. Since contraception is an integral piece of family planning, ensuring that patients have quality information to make an informed decision about their birth control choices is important. Purpose. This intervention sought to increase women’s contraceptive knowledge, correct use of their chosen birth control methods, and the number of women using birth control through the evidence-based interactive computer-based education. Methods: 20 participants were administered a pretest to assess their utilization, correct usage, and knowledge of contraception. Then, participants watched an …

A Resource To Guide Clinicians For Patients With Severe Mental Illness And Anosognosia: Anosognosia Mental Illness Screening And Intervention Strategies (Amiss) Toolkit ©, Jessica Bardina

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: An alarming percentage of individuals with severe mental illness lack insight or awareness of their disorders, a symptom known as anosognosia. Due to the obscurity of the symptom of anosognosia, clinicians may misinterpret patients’ thoughts about their diagnosis as being in denial rather than an extension of their disorder, a lack of insight. Misidentifying or inappropriately addressing this key symptom can lead to poor mental health and psychosocial outcomes.

Purpose: The aim of this Integrative Review (IR) was to garner the best evidence to develop a Toolkit and a presentation to educate clinicians about anosognosia in mental illness, …

Peer Support To Reduce Vicarious Trauma In Mental Health Providers, Alina Kendrick

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Mental health providers working with individuals with trauma and stress are at increased risk for vicarious trauma (VT) and compassion fatigue.

A quality improvement project was implemented with six mental health providers engaged in weekly peer support group sessions lead by the DNP student over a six week timeframe. Topics discussed included education on vicarious trauma, client case vignettes, and mindfulness around the treatment of vicarious trauma. Professional quality of life (ProQOL) and secondary traumatic stress (STSS) assessments were completed prior to the start of the peer group and at the completion of the sixth group.

Analysis of post group …

Evaluation Of The Impact Of A Nurse Practitioner (Np) Residency Program On A Selected New Np Graduate In An Outpatient Clinic In Massachusetts, Ian Penn

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: As the role of nurse practitioners (NPs) evolves and educational approaches to training NPs are modified to accommodate these changes, a gap in adequate training for many newly graduated nurse practitioners exists. Additional post-graduate supervised training is needed to ensure confidence and competence of new providers. Such programs are not currently available at small, outpatient settings in the United States. Purpose: The purpose of this Quality Improvement (QI) DNP project was to evaluate the impact of a newlylaunched primary care nurse practitioner residency program on a selected new NP graduate (hereafter called the ‘resident’) at an independent, outpatient, …

Clinical Assessment Of Pediatric Bipolar Disorder In The Prepubescent Population, Rachel Weitz

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Purpose: Diagnosis of serious mental illness (SMI) in the prepubertal pediatric population is exceedingly challenging. There is ongoing controversy associated with the diagnosis of pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD), largely due to poor clinical consensus surrounding criteria particularly in the youngest cohort. Specificity of symptom identification is invaluable as it relates to available empirical evidence, and wider classification characteristics appear to detract from this precision. The aim of this project is to present the current evidence around the diagnosis of PBD before adolescent onset and to summarize best practice guidelines from an ethical and theoretical perspective (Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Theory of …

Health Literacy Universal Precautions: A Quality Improvement Project To Promote Effective Use Of Clear, Plain Language Communication Within Primary Care, Brittany Canfield

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background/Purpose: Understanding the dynamics involved for patients to truly comprehend their health care needs for optimal self-care management are complex. The ways patients interact within the healthcare system can be stressful, overwhelming, and confusing. Failing to grasp even basic instructions can make patients prone to poor health outcomes. Evidence indicates that 36% of adults in the United States have basic or below basic health literacy levels and only 12% of adults are considered health literate. The purpose of this project was to implement clear, plain language communications, or health literacy universal precautions, within a primary care office. Methods: The DNP …

Food Safety And Risk Of Foodborne Illness At A Food Center Extension: Toolkit For Front-Line Volunteers, Sara Anderson

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Foodborne illness is a serious public health issue. One in six Americans has an episode of foodborne illness each year and over 50,000 are hospitalized. Food distribution centers are instrumental in decreasing food insecurity, however, some of the food donated is expired or may be damaged leading to increased risk of foodborne illness.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to educate front-line volunteers at a local food center regarding food safety.

Methods: A toolkit was developed to teach food safety to the front-line volunteers. Seven classes were given to front-line volunteers including a pre and post intervention …

Kind Communication: An Educational Intervention To Raise Nurse Resident's Awareness Towards Decreasing Implicit Bias Through Effective Communication Strategies, Khadijah Tuitt

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: There is an increasing need for healthcare institutions to become more aware of how provider biases can affect patient outcomes and contribute to health care disparities for Black and other diverse populations. Implicit biases can result in poor patient outcomes and a breakdown in trust between patients and health care providers.

Purpose: To educate nurse residents on the use of the Kinesics, Inclusive, Non-biased and Deliverable KIND, Communications technique to decrease biases during interactions.

Methods: Nurses enrolled in the institutions Nurse Residency program participated in the training session during their monthly educational meeting. Education was provided using …

An Educational Intervention To Improve Healthcare Provider Confidence And Utilization Of The Teach-Back Method When Providing Patient Education On Inhaler Technique, Caitlin Crowley

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Patients with asthma and COPD often do not use prescribed inhalers correctly. This impacts the safety and effectiveness of the medication and potentially leads to increased symptoms, exacerbations, and hospitalizations. Inhaler technique should be assessed regularly; however, many patients do not receive initial education on devices or follow up evaluation to ensure correct use. Many healthcare providers (HCPs) are not properly educated on how to use inhalers, and a correlation exists between poor patient inhaler technique and improper training by HCPs. Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project is to increase HCPs ability and confidence to …

Improving Insomnia With Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy In Patients With Diabetes, Patricia Lunardi

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Managing and treating insomnia in patients with diabetes mellitus requires the examination of current literature of evidence-based research implementing pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. This QI project focused on the implementation of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). Purpose: The purpose of this project was to implement CBT-I in adult patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and examined whether it alleviated their insomnia symptoms using the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) tool. Methods: The study used a one-group pre-test and post-test intervention design; the intervention is a free application, “CBT-i Coach”. 20 participants were invited to participate from an Endocrinology …

Self Management Of Chronic Pain, Carolynn Hastie

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Background and Review of Literature: Deaths related to the misuse of opioids for chronic pain management has increased over several years. Policies have been made to control and monitor prescription opioids and decrease the amount prescribed for patients. However, there has been little education provided to patients regarding self-management strategies to help manage their pain independently or with combination of their medications.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to address this gap in self-management strategies through an evidence-based educational intervention.

Methods: An evidence based educational intervention was provided to selected primary care patients at an urban community …

Application Of The Unified Theory Of Acceptance And Use Of Technology Model To Predict Dental Students' Behavioral Intention To Use Teledentistry, Jafar H. Alabdullah, Bonnie L. Van Lunen, Denise M. Claiborne, Susan J. Daniel, Cherng-Jyh Yen, Tina S. Gustin

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

Abstract

Teledentistry is an innovative technology that can be used to improve access to care and oral health outcomes. Dental students’ intention to use teledentistry after completing dental school has not been investigated.

Purpose

The unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) was used to predict intentions to use teledentistry among 4th-year U.S. dental students. Methods A cross-sectional approach was performed for a 7-week period in Spring 2019. All U.S. dental schools (N = 66) were invited to participate and 16 schools agreed to participate. An anonymous survey link was emailed to academic deans for dissemination to students. …

Health Care Professionals’ Compliance To Tracheal Suctioning Policy At A Tertiary Care Hospital, Rozina Khimani, Fauziya Ali, Salma Amin Rattani, Mohammad Sohail Awan

Department of Surgery

Objective: To assess the compliance of tracheal suctioning practices against the standard guidelines of a tertiary care hospital, with regard to the participants’ professional characteristics.
Methods: Using cross sectional study design, forty health care professionals (HCPs) were assessed twice, using a quantitative structured observational design, for tracheal suctioning practices, in one of the surgical care units of the tertiary care hospital. Tracheal suctioning policy which was used as a tool, its inter-rater reliability was tested and each step showed the Kappa value of 0.65 to 1.000. Data was analyzed using epidata info version 3.5.1 and SPSS version 19.
Results: From …

Glycogen Storage Diseases-Time To Flip The Outdated Diagnostic Approach Centered On Liver Biopsy With The Molecular Testing, Sibtain Ahmed, Bushra Afroze

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

The glycogen storage diseases (GSDs) are a group of inherited metabolic disorders that result from a defect in any one of several enzymes required for either glycogen synthesis or glycogen degradation. The traditional diagnostic approach is based on the invasive hepatic or muscle biopsies, which are neither cost effective nor convenient. Molecular (gene testing) has emerged over the course of past few years as a robust alternative diagnostic tool, which not only confirms the diagnosis of GSDs but also clearly differentiates the types of GSDs allowing the initiation of the type-specific appropriate treatment for the particular type of GSDs. The …