Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Formalized Diabetes Education In A Safety-Net Clinic, Haley N. Wanic

Doctoral Dissertations

Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus in a Hispanic population can be helped through a quality improvement project focused on progressive verbal and written diabetes self-management education (DSME) Purpose of this article is to review the background, an organizational assessment, a literature review, results of the quality improvement project that took place at a safety-net clinic in the Midwest. This project included four patients and data was analyzed through descriptive statistics. Results include improved hemoglobin (Hg) A1c, minimal workflow adjustments for providers, completed microalbumins, and written education given to patients. In conclusion, the quality improvement project showed positive trends in outcome measures over …

Development Of A Point-Of-Care Ultrasonography Workflow Within A Rural Clinic, Lauren Myers

Culminating Experience Projects

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Healthcare has revolutionized with advancements in ultrasound technology. Among these advancements and the increasing availability of imaging modalities is point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) technology.

Problem: While POCUS has gained considerable ground in primary care, infrastructure to support its utility is deficient. The purpose of this project was to design, pilot, and evaluate a POCUS workflow to facilitate technology utilization and increase access to care.

Methods: Program development and evaluation involves the design, implementation, and evaluation of an evidence-based workflow for POCUS technology. The project was intended to address the needs of individuals in a rural setting. Participants …

Improving Patient Portal Enrollment Through Education And Technology At Rural Family Practice, Kelsey Crampton

Doctoral Dissertations

Background: Patient portals are available through many healthcare offices. They offer the opportunity to improve patient engagement and quality of patient care, but few patients enroll. At a small rural primary care office, less than 20% of the patients were enrolled in the patient portal.

Objective: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to address the barriers reported by patients at this clinic and determine whether changes in portal enrollment volume occurred. Reported barriers included a lack of knowledge about the portal and difficulties with the sign-up process.

Methods: Over three months, strategies included the development of a …

Reducing Delirium And Functional Decline In Hospitalized Older Adults: Pre-Implementation Of Cocare Help, Thomas D. Finn, Autumn Baldwin, Elizabeth Hill

Doctoral Dissertations

Background: Delirium is a change in consciousness characterized by rapid onset and fluctuating attention, causing impairment in the ability to process and recall information, occurring in 30% of hospitalized older adults. Delirium can increase falls, length-of-stay, mortality, and cost. The CoCare Hospital Elder Life Program® (HELP) is an evidence-based bundle of interventions targeting cognitive impairment, sleep deprivation, immobility, visual/hearing impairment, and dehydration, embedding geriatric principles in care to prevent delirium.

Objectives: To further analyze the pre-implementation of the HELP in order to optimize success of program administration.

Methods: Mixed methods were used to collect retrospective/prospective data (interviews (N=25], surveys [N=25], …