Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Improving Anesthesia Clinicians’ Knowledge And Confidence When Selecting Prophylactic Antimicrobials For Patients On Concomitant Antimicrobial Therapy, Garry Gregson, Emily Shands

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Student Projects

Anesthesia clinicians at Barnes Jewish Hospital (BJH) in Saint Louis, Missouri experienced uncertainty and discomfort when they selected preoperative antibiotics for patients who were already receiving concomitant therapeutic antimicrobials (CTA) unrelated to surgical prophylaxis. Various evidence-based interventions were proposed to address this issue. The first intervention was the addition of pathogens of concern to the surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis (SAP) protocol at BJH. The second intervention was the creation of a reference table that supplemented the revised protocol and allowed clinicians to efficiently determine the pathogens of concern for each surgery. This also included the CTAs efficacy for preventing surgical site …

Comparing The Causal Effects Of Observational Versus Active Roles In High-Fidelity Simulation: A Quantitative Study, Bethany D. Rose

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Among many of the innovative changes in nursing education, high-fidelity simulation is expanding roles and providing students with new perspectives. The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative, posttest only, nonexperimental, between-groups research design study was to determine whether students in active supervisor (observer) roles had an effect on associate degree nursing (ADN) students’ self-perceived knowledge, skills, and attitudes in comparison to students in active participant roles. A convenience sample of second-semester nursing students and third-semester nursing students enrolled in an ADN program in the 2023 academic year was utilized for this study. Participants completed a demographic survey and the Self-Evaluation Scale …

Implementation Of A Protocol To Improve The Intake Assessment And Treatment With Suboxone Among Patients’ Dependent On Opioids On Two Mental Health Crisis Units, Maeghan Dillon

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Abstract

Background: In 2021,106,699 people died from a drug overdose and of these deaths, over 75% were related to illicit or prescription opioids (Centers for Disease Control, 2023). At two in-patient community crisis stabilization units for psychiatric care, many patients have a comorbid diagnosis of a substance use disorder and another mental illness. Treatment with Buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) is associated with decreased opioid overdoses and related deaths; however, Suboxone inductions have not been a part of admission treatment.

Methods: This quality improvement (QI) project initiated a Suboxone protocol for eligible patients on two crisis in-patient stabilization units. The outcomes …

Antimicrobial Resistance And Rational Prescription Practices: Knowledge, Perceptions And Confidence Of Health Profession Interns In Uganda, Shamim Nabidda, Rogers Ssennyonjo, Joseph Atwaru, Andrew Marvin Kanyike, Shiellah Baryayaka, Kennedy Pangholi, Jonans Tusiimire

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is significantly driven by misuse and overuse of antibiotics. Graduate health profession interns often prescribe antimicrobials under minimum supervision.

Objectives

This study explored the knowledge, perceptions and confidence of health profession interns in Uganda regarding AMR and rational prescription practices.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional survey employing quantitative techniques carried out between October and November 2022 at six tertiary hospitals in Uganda. Health profession interns including doctors, nurses, midwives and pharmacists were recruited as study participants. Data were collected using online Kobo toolbox software. Data analysis was performed using STATA (StataCorp) version 16. Bivariate analysis and …

Dnp Final Report: Preventing Critical Care Nurse Burnout: An Evidence Based Approach To Raising Awareness, Trendalyn S. King

DNP Final Reports

Burnout has affected nurses nationally and globally for decades. Burnout in nurses is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and lack of feelings of personal accomplishment. Consequences of burnout include physical and emotional suffering in nurses, poorer patient outcomes, and lost revenue and increased cost in healthcare organizations. Burnout is prevalent in many healthcare settings, but 81% of critical care nurses have reported severe symptoms of burnout, Because of the high risk of burnout in critical care nurses, raising awareness about burnout and its prevention in those nurses was imperative. The following PICOT question guided the search for evidence to support …

Educational Intervention To Increase Confidence And Knowledge Of Pediatric Nurses Caring For Pediatric Mental Health Patients, Alexa M. Wroblewski, Allyson Neal, Janie R. Holmes

Graduate Publications and Other Selected Works - Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Background: Given the rise in the mental health crisis, there is an increase of non-psychiatric nurses caring for pediatric mental health patients. This crisis leads nurses to experience feelings of doubt, hopelessness, stress, and insecurities in caring for this population. These feelings, combined with a lack of support and training, create a powerlessness loop of care. Local problem: In a Pediatric ICU, there is a lack of training and resources available to the nurses caring for pediatric mental health patients. Despite the lack of training, 35% of total admissions in 2020 were pediatric patients experiencing an acute mental health crisis. …

Unit Knowledge And Practice Of Emergency Nursing Interventions At A Tertiary Public Cardiac Health Center In Uganda, Harriet Namukwaya, Cliff Asher Aliga, Grace Nakate, Judith Mutyabule

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background: Research suggests that many of the millions of deaths and long-term disabilities resulting from acute cardiovascular events and other emergency conditions are preventable if effective emergency care services were readily available. Effective emergency care requires trained and competent staff, including registered nurses. Most educational pathways do not adequately prepare nurses to deliver sensitive health care services for those with acute illness and injury. This includes Uganda, where few capacity-building initiatives have targeted emergency nursing care delivery, leading to knowledge and practice gaps.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess emergency nursing knowledge and clinical practice at a tertiary …

Dnp Final Report: Education Impacting Delirium Knowledge And Recognition, Lynn A. Cox

DNP Final Reports

Background: Delirium is a disturbance of consciousness with an acute onset that varies from hours to days. Patients with delirium have a risk of increased length of stay, increased mortality, morbidity, and long-term cognitive effects. Therefore, the following PICOT question arises: In registered nurses in the acute care setting (P), how does education on use of the CAM (Confusion Assessment Method) tool (I) compared to those units not receiving education (C) affect recognition of delirium (O1) and use of the CAM tool (O2) over 6 weeks? (T)

Purpose: The evidence-based practice project described nurse education and pilot implementation using the …

Educating Healthcare Professionals To Identify And Care For Victims Of Human Trafficking, Kathleen L. Messman, Allyson Neal

Graduate Publications and Other Selected Works - Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Background: Health Care Professionals (HCPs) report a need for education, training, and appropriate healthcare guidelines to identify and treat those affected by human trafficking. Approximately 88% of survivors report having been in contact with an HCPs while being trafficked without the knowledge or intervention of an HCP. Population: 16 staff from a Federally Qualified Health Center in rural in East Tennessee, including medical and dental staff, mental health counselors and receptionists attending onsite training. Methods: A pretest-posttest-4 week follow up posttest design was utilized to determine whether an educational intervention increased knowledge and confidence in HCPs. A modified PROTECT Provider …

Knowledge And Practices Regarding Standard Precautions For Infection Control Among Nurses Working At A Public, Tertiary Care Hospital Islamabad, Pakistan, Samina Yasmeen, Tazeen Saeed Ali, Wardah Khalid, Zohra Kurji, Shair Muhammad Hazara, Shahzad Bashir

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Introduction: To protect patients and healthcare providers from healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), standard precautions have been promoted universally. Nurses are the forefront force in patient care; therefore, evidence-based and up to date knowledge and practices can play a vital role in helping nurses apply standard precautions (SPs).
Methods: The analytical cross-sectional study design was used. Through purposive sampling, the data were collected from 320 nurses, via, a self-administered questionnaire, from April to May 2017, from a public tertiary level hospital in Islamabad. The validity and reliability of each section was established. Mean and standard deviation were computed for continuous variables’ whereas; …

Knowledge, Attitude And Practices Of Pregnant Women Related To Covid-19 Infection: A Cross-Sectional Survey In Seven Countries From The Global Network For Women's And Children's Health, Farnaz Naqvi, Seemab Naqvi, Sk Masum Billah, Sarah Saleem, Elizabeth Fogleman, Nalini Peres Da-Silva, Lester Figueroa, Manolo Mazariegos, Ana L. Garces, Sana Yousaf

Community Health Sciences

Objective: We sought to understand knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding COVID-19 in pregnant women in seven low and middle-income countries (LMIC).
Design: Population-based prospective, observational study.
Settings: Study sites in DRC, Kenya, Zambia, Bangladesh, India (two sites), Pakistan and Guatemala.
Population and sample: Pregnant women in the Global Network's Maternal and Neonatal Health Registry (MNHR).
Methods: A KAP questionnaire was administered in face-to-face interviews with pregnant women from September 2020 through October 2021 in the MNHR.
Main outcome measures: KAP regarding COVID-19 during pregnancy.
Results: In all, 25 260 women completed the survey. Overall, 56.8% of women named ≥3 …

Bridging Mental Healthcare, Kristin L. White

MSN Capstone Projects

Nurses have an important role in the care given to mental health patients presenting to the emergency department (ED). Without expectations or encouragement toward growth or continued education, the quality of care and the therapeutic ability for care are crippled, as evidenced by nurses' knowledge/competency deficits and negative attitudes. Through ongoing/continued education, the cultivation of a therapeutic culture toward patients that present to the ED for mental health complaints could result. Additionally, these improvements in care, in turn, could promote not only the closure of gaps that exist for quality mental healthcare but may also lead to an increase in …

Knowledge About Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Machine Usage Among Nurses At A Tertiary Hospital In Tanzania, Wilson Paulo Lomnyack, Tumbwene Mwansisya, Stewart Mbelwa, Kahabi Isangula, Zephania Saitabau Abraham

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Introduction: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) provides an air pressure that maintains the patency of the airway in patients with a variety of breathing problems. Nurses provide the hour to hour management of patients who require CPAP. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of nurses about CPAP machine usage at the tertiary hospital in Tanzania which serves the largest number of patients who require CPAP.

Method: A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out from March to June 2019 at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) and Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) where 149 nurses who consented …

Evaluating The Impact Of An Educational Program On The Healthcare Providers Knowledge On Depression And Screening Among Adolescents And Young Adults, Albert Peprah

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

No abstract provided.

Reducing Pressure Injuries In The Intensive Care Setting: Nursing Knowledge And Best Practices Approach, Michelle Harvey

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: For many health care organizations, pressure injury (PI) prevention strategies have become a priority focus to improve patient outcomes and associated costs.

Problem: A rural community hospital located in the Eastern U.S. experienced an increase in hospital acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs), predominantly in the intensive care unit (ICU). In 2018, 17.4% of HAPIs occurred in the ICU.

Approach: Implementation of a Quality Improvement project in an adult ICU, providing education and on-going learning activities to nursing staff, and applying a standardized plan of care “bundle” for prevention interventions.

Outcomes: The approach resulted in improved documentation of flotation of heels, …

Male Partners' Knowledge And Practices Of Antenatal Care In District Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study, Muhammad Younas, Yasmin Parpio, Tazeen Saeed Ali, Safia Awan

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Background & aim: Active participation of men in antenatal care and their considerable knowledge about this issue is resulted in favorable pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practices of male partners regarding antenatal care (ANC) and their associated factors in district Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan (KPK).
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 married men residing in district Swat KPK, Pakistan in 2015 who were selected by convenience sampling. The data were collected by valid and reliable self-structured questionnaire and were completed by participants. The data were analyzed with STATA (version 11) using descriptive and …

Development And Psychometric Properties Of A Prostate Cancer Knowledge Scale For African American Men, Otis L. Owens, Abbas Tavakoli Drph, Theda Rose, Nikki R. Wooten

Faculty Publications

African American men have the highest prostate cancer-related mortality nationally. In response to this disparity, targeted interventions are emerging to enhance African American men's prostate cancer (PrCA) knowledge to ensure they are equipped to make informed decisions about PrCA screening with health-care providers. African American men's PrCA knowledge has been measured inconsistently over time with limited psychometric evidence. The factor structure of this construct in African American men is relatively unknown. This study describes the development and psychometric evaluation of an 18-item Prostate Cancer Knowledge Scale among 352 African American men. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted using weighted least …

Does Family Communication Matter? Exploring Knowledge Of Breast Cancer Genetics In Cancer Families, Deborah O. Himes Phd, Aprn-Bc, Sarah H. Davis, Jane H. Lassetter, Neil E. Peterson, Margaret F. Clayton, Wendy Birmingham Phd, Anita Y. Kinney

Faculty Publications

Knowledge of breast cancer genetics is critical for those at increased hereditary risk who must make decisions about breast cancer screening options. This descriptive study explored theory-based relationships among cognitive and emotional variables related to knowledge of breast cancer genetics in cancer families. Participants included first-degree relatives of women with breast cancer who had received genetic counseling and testing. Study participants themselves did not have breast cancer and had not received genetic counseling or testing. Data were collected by telephone interviews and surveys. Variables analyzed included numeracy, health literacy, cancer-related distress, age, education, and the reported amount of information shared …

The Impact Of Simulation On Knowledge And Performance Gain Regarding Diabetic Patient Care, Aimee A. Woda, Jamie Hansen, Kristina Dreifuerst, Polly Anderson, Theresa Marie Hardy, Mauricio Garnier-Villarreal

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background

It is essential that nurses be prepared to provide quality care for patients with diabetes, a common condition today. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a high-fidelity simulation on traditional prelicensure nursing students' knowledge and performance related to care of the diabetic patient.

Methods

This multisite, multimeasure study used a purposive, quasiexperimental [sic] pretest-posttest design.

Results

Simulation positively impacted performance change scores. Pretest scores were positively associated with simulation scores and posttest scores.

Conclusions

The findings from this study support the use of high-fidelity simulation to improve care of the diabetic patient.

Reasons For Delay In Seeking Treatment Among Women With Obstetric Fistula In Tanzania: A Qualitative Study, Mary Lyimo, Idda H. Mosha

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background: Obstetric fistula is among the serious and distressing maternal morbidities in Tanzania. Obstetric fistula is a childbirth-related injury caused by prolonged and obstructed labor which has a devastating impact on affected women and their families. The aim of this study was to explore reasons why women with obstetric fistula admitted to the Comprehensive Community- Based Rehabilitation in Tanzania (CCBRT) hospital delayed seeking fistula treatment.

Methods: This exploratory study incorporated qualitative approach. In-depth interviews were used to collect data from 18 women with obstetric fistula admitted to CCBRT hospital. The interviews were conducted in Kiswahili and lasted for 40–45 min. …

Young Women’S Knowledge About Fertility And Their Fertility Health Risk Factors, Qiyan Mu, Lisa Hanson, James B. Hoelzle, Richard Fehring

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Objective

To explore the relationships among young women’s demographic characteristics, their self-perceived and actual knowledge about fertility, and their fertility health risk factors.

Design

A quantitative, cross-sectional study.

Setting

Online survey.

Participants

Young women between the ages of 18 and 24 years (N = 342).

Methods

We used an online survey to collect data from young women regarding their demographic characteristics, their self-perceived and actual knowledge about fertility, and their fertility health risk factors. We used multiple linear regression to explore the relationships among these factors.

Results

Participants were mainly White, had some form of college education, and used …

Nurse Practitioner Knowledge, Attitudes, And Beliefs When Caring For Transgender People, Catherine Paradiso, Robin M. Lally

Publications and Research

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore Nurse Practitioner (NP) knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs when working with transgender people and to inform about Practitioner education needs.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was used to explore (NP) experiences. Focused semistructured interviews were conducted in 2016 with 11 (N = 11) NPs in the northeastern United States who represent various years of experience and encounters with transgender patients. The interviews explored NP knowledge attitudes and beliefs when caring for transgender patients and described their overall experiences in rendering care in the clinical setting. The interviews were professionally transcribed and analyzed …

Generalist Versus Specialist Nurses' Knowledge, Attitudes, And Behavioral Intentions Toward Promoting Pulmonary Rehabilitation For Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Cross-Sectional Correlational Study, Su-Er Guo, Hsueh-Chen Shen, Chizimuzo T. C. Okoli, Yen-Chi Liao, Kuen-Daw Tsai, Ming-Shian Lin, Hsin-Tien Hsu

Nursing Faculty Publications

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is an effective strategy to manage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), though its utilization rate is low. One reason for this low utilization rate is that nurses do not provide COPD patients with enough health education to increase the patient's motivation for PR participation. This study examined knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intention toward PR promotion. The study also investigated the correlates of behavioral intentions to promote PR among pulmonary nurses.

A cross-sectional correlational design was used. Overall, 284 nurses (all women) from chest medicine and general internal medicine wards in 3 hospitals within Midwest Taiwan were recruited. …

Using An Educational Session To Improve The Knowledge, Confidence, And Beliefs About Psychopharmacology For Behavioral Health Clinicians, Sharon Bennett

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Psychiatric illness is unpredictable, has spasmodic tendencies, and represents one of the most reported types of disabilities in the United States. Behavioral health clinicians are front line respondents and considered a major ally to providers by supporting medication management recommendations and referring new patients for medication management. Basic evidence-based psychopharmacology improves behavioral health clinicians’ knowledge, however, is inadequate in curricula, and many undergraduate and graduate programs lack one dedicated psychopharmacology class. This abbreviated knowledge contributes to inadequate referrals for treatment and poor confidence in supporting the practitioners’ medication recommendations.

Method: This project examined behavioral health clinicians’ knowledge, confidence, and …

Hiv Knowledge, Attitudes, And Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Women From Trinidad, Rosemarie Graczkowski

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Currently, the Caribbean has the second highest new cases of HIV infection, only after Sub-Saharan Africa. Women are becoming disproportionally more at risk for HIV/AIDS, mainly through heterosexual contact. The purpose of this dissertation study was to evaluate HIV knowledge, attitudes, and sexual risk behaviors among Trinidadian women. A sample of 113 participants was recruited for this study. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Purnell Model of Cultural Competence were used to guide this study. Data were gathered using the HIV Knowledge Questionnaire (HIV-KQ-18), Condom Attitude Scale (CAS), Safe Sex Behavior Questionnaire (SSBQ), and a demographic questionnaire. Data were …

Knowledge And Attitudes Of Orthopedic Nurses Regarding Pain Management, Matthew Neumann

Doctoral Dissertations and Scholarly Projects

Nurses are at the forefront in the care of patient pain management; however, many nurses do not possess the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for best pain management outcomes. Adequate pain management education is often infrequent in academic settings and in post-graduate health care environments. That shortcoming suggests a need to improve pain management education as advocated by The Joint Commission and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The purpose of this study is to measure 20 nurses’ knowledge and attitudes regarding pain and pain management while working in an orthopedic setting. It was an evidence-based practice project utilizing …

Relationships Between Activation Level, Knowledge, Self-Efficacy, And Self-Management Behavior In Heart Failure Patients Discharged From Rural Hospitals., Van Do, Lufei Young, Sue Barnason, Hoang Tran

Journal Articles: College of Nursing

Non-adherence to self-management guidelines accounted for 50% of hospital readmissions in heart failure patients. Evidence showed that patient activation affects self-management behaviors in populations living with chronic conditions. The purpose of this study was to describe patient activation level and its relationship with knowledge, self-efficacy and self-management behaviors in heart failure patients discharged from rural hospitals. Our study populations were recruited from two hospitals in rural areas of Nebraska. We found that two-thirds of the participants reported low activation levels (e.g., taking no action to manage their heart failure condition). In addition, low patient activation levels were associated with inadequate …

African American And Afro-Caribbean American Men’S Prostate Health Knowledge And Beliefs, Cora Yoose

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Approximately one in every seven American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. Men of African descent have higher incidence and mortality rates than others. Prostate cancer screening is important because the five-year survival rate is only 31% post-metastasis. The purpose of this study was to assess the likelihood of action for and factors influencing choice regarding prostate screenings. It was also to determine if a relationship existed between ethnicity (African American and Afro-Caribbean American men) and knowledge of prostate health, self-efficacy, perceived barriers to and belief regarding prostate screening. Data collection methods included a focus group …

Telehealth Tool, Heidi A. Mennenga, Laurie Johansen, Becka Foerster, Lori Hendrickx

College of Nursing Faculty Publications

This tool examines current knowledge regarding telehealth.

Rural Characteristics Tool, Heidi A. Mennenga, Laurie Johansen, Becka Foerster, Lori Hendrickx

College of Nursing Faculty Publications

This tool examines current knowledge and confidence in teaching rural characteristics.