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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences
When Disaster Strikes: A Training Intervention To Improve Nurses' Confidence And Preparedness For The Surge, Nichole M. Weber
When Disaster Strikes: A Training Intervention To Improve Nurses' Confidence And Preparedness For The Surge, Nichole M. Weber
Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports
There has been an exponential rise in mass casualty incidents (MCI) internationally. These human induced and naturally occurring events have affected over 4.6 billion people, and are not discriminatory to region or community (World Health Organization, 2011). Governing bodies require training and education, but nurses continue to report suboptimal competence and self-reported readiness, and a need for standardized, evidence-based training remains. The purpose if this evidence-based practice project is to authenticate current research supporting implementation of competency-based education, to improve nurses’ self- perceived preparedness and confidence in their ability to respond to MCI. The project results can be utilized for …
Nursing Assignments Based On Patient Acuity: The Road To Nursing Job Satisfaction, Kristina Tomic
Nursing Assignments Based On Patient Acuity: The Road To Nursing Job Satisfaction, Kristina Tomic
Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports
Challenges in the healthcare industry, including nursing shortages and low nursing retention, have resulted in nurses’ job dissatisfaction. Improving work environment and workload can lead to improved and equitable nursing shift assignments, which may improve nursing job satisfaction. The purpose of this EBP project was to (a) implement a patient acuity tool in the hospital unit, (b) assess its effectiveness in appropriating nursing shift assignments, and (c) evaluate its effect on nursing job satisfaction. The Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) Model was used as a guide to facilitate the transition of the best evidence into practice. As suggested within the evidence, …
The Effect Of Bundled Interventions On Prevention Of Hospital Acquired Clostridium Difficile Infection, Kaitlin Kendys
The Effect Of Bundled Interventions On Prevention Of Hospital Acquired Clostridium Difficile Infection, Kaitlin Kendys
Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports
Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) rates have steadily increased in hospitalized patients due to the change in epidemiology. Approximately 13 of every 1,000 inpatients are either infected or colonized with C. difficile (CDC, 2013). CDI rates continue to rise due to the hyper-virulent strain of C. difficile and length of therapy needed to treat CDI. The average cost for a single inpatient CDI is more than $35,000, and the estimated annual cost burden for the healthcare system exceeds $3 billion (Walsh, 2012). The purpose of this evidence-based project (EBP) was to reduce hospital-acquired CDI rates over a 3-month period-oftime from November …
Combating Workplace Violence: An Evidence Based Initiative, Diana L. Giordano
Combating Workplace Violence: An Evidence Based Initiative, Diana L. Giordano
Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports
Patient/visitor violence against healthcare (HC) employees is a type of workplace violence (WPV) and considered a dangerous hazard within HC occupations (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015). Lack of recognition of the true incidence and underreporting of WPV may contribute to a false sense of security within a HC facility (HCF). Therefore, fully addressing the problem may be met with administrative resistance, resulting in poor employee perceptions of support and commitment for a zero-violence environment. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the HCF’s online incident reports, security request calls, and data from a previously deployed WPV employee survey. The emergency department …
Implementation Of A Standardized Handoff During Transition Of Care From The Emergency Department To The Intensive Care Unit, Melinda Abbring
Implementation Of A Standardized Handoff During Transition Of Care From The Emergency Department To The Intensive Care Unit, Melinda Abbring
Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports
Patient safety and nursing communication are crucial to the nursing handoff during transition of care from the emergency department (ED) to the intensive care unit (ICU). The Institute of Medicine published To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System (1999) and Crossing the Quality Chasm (2001) highlighting ED handoffs as a safety measure. In 2006, the Joint Commission recognized handoffs with the National Patient Safety Goal 2E. The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to determine if implementation of a standardized handoff would improve nursing communication and patient safety during transition of care from the ED to the …
Implementation Of A Multifactorial Fall Prevention Protocol, Laura Wilkerson
Implementation Of A Multifactorial Fall Prevention Protocol, Laura Wilkerson
Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports
According to the Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare (2016), moderate to severe injuries from falls on average add 6.3 days to a hospital stay and cost approximately $14,056 per patient hospitalization. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to implement a multifactorial approach to identify patients at risk for falls on admission to the orthopedic/neurosurgical unit and provide individualized interventions necessary to prevent falls. The Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice and Orlando’s Nursing Process Discipline facilitated the implementation of this project. A total of 45 staff members on the unit were educated on the multifactorial fall protocol …
Improving Nursing Attitudes Toward Suicide Prevention In The Emergency Department: The Implementation Of An Adolescent Suicide Risk Screening Tool, Julie A. Simpson
Improving Nursing Attitudes Toward Suicide Prevention In The Emergency Department: The Implementation Of An Adolescent Suicide Risk Screening Tool, Julie A. Simpson
Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports
The Center for Disease Control ranked suicide as the second leading cause of death for American adolescents (2015). This crisis of adolescent suicide warrants evaluation and improvement of current suicide prevention practices. The Emergency Department (ED) offers 24-hour services and may be the only organized healthcare for utilized by some individuals. Nurses are the front-line provider of care in the ED and this role offers opportunity to identify an adolescent with increased suicide risk. The purpose of this EBP project is to evaluate nursing attitudes toward suicide prevention by implementing the best practice screening tool for adolescent suicide risk assessment. …
Impact Of Emergency Department Sepsis Policy, Lynette Rayman
Impact Of Emergency Department Sepsis Policy, Lynette Rayman
Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports
Sepsis is a serious concern of key healthcare stakeholders due to high incidence, mortality, and cost. The objectives of this evidence-based project were to 1) identify potential sepsis patients early during the emergency department (ED) triage process and 2) implement Sepsis Order Sets. Kotter’s change model and the Stetler model of evidence-based practice guided this project. An extensive literature search was undertaken to find best practice evidence regarding care of sepsis patients. Recommended care includes a protocolized format utilizing a screening tool and point of care lactate levels for early identification of sepsis, and early treatment with antibiotics and fluid …
Implementation Of A Nursing Workload Tool To Reduce Nurse Burnout, Nicole K. Greives
Implementation Of A Nursing Workload Tool To Reduce Nurse Burnout, Nicole K. Greives
Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports
Nursing burnout and workload is a complicated issue with far-reaching effects. Nursing burnout and inappropriate nursing workload have been linked to increased risk of urinary tract infection, respiratory infections, decreased patient satisfaction, decreased quality and safety of care, and increased mortality. The purpose of the project was to decrease nursing burnout on a Medical Progressive Care Unit (MPCU) by moving patients with high workloads and medical instability to a higher level of care. Within this project, Rosabeth Kanter’s Theory of Structural Power was used for the theoretical framework, and the Stetler Model guided the implementation. The intervention consisted of a …
The Effects Of Implementing Best Practices On 30-Day Readmission Rates In Adults Following Cabg Surgery, Linda Elaine Kline
The Effects Of Implementing Best Practices On 30-Day Readmission Rates In Adults Following Cabg Surgery, Linda Elaine Kline
Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports
Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is one of the most frequent and expensive cardiac surgical procedures in the U.S. today. Complications from CABG surgery are one of the top causes of 30-day hospital readmissions. Readmissions after CABG surgery are often preventable and add to health care costs. Recent government legislation mandates penalties for hospitals with excess readmission rates. The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to determine if implementation of best practice recommendations effected 30-day readmission rates following CABG surgery. A critical appraisal of the literature was conducted to identify best practice recommendations. The Iowa model and Lewin’s …
The Effect Of Education On Compassion Fatigue As Experienced By Staff Nurses, Kathryn L. Zehr
The Effect Of Education On Compassion Fatigue As Experienced By Staff Nurses, Kathryn L. Zehr
Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports
Historically, nursing has been perceived as a highly rewarding profession. Yet, due to the increasing complexity of today’s healthcare, nurses are faced with greater challenges in their work environments. Registered nurses who work in tertiary care settings are exposed to disturbing patient situations including trauma, death, abuse, or chronic disease. Joinson (1992) described this experience as compassion fatigue and symptoms include headaches, short attention span, or fatigue. A review of literature has identified that nurses should be educated about risk factors and coping strategies to combat compassion fatigue. Guided by the Model for Evidence-Based Practice Change and Jean Watson’s Theory …
The Effect Of Heart Failure Education On Reducing Readmissions, Mayola Lara Villarruel
The Effect Of Heart Failure Education On Reducing Readmissions, Mayola Lara Villarruel
Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports
Management of heart failure is a significant financial challenge for the health care industry, costing approximately $33.2 billion annually. Common reasons for preventable heart failure readmissions include inadequate discharge education and lack of self-care and health management activities. Education at discharge is a vital component of improving heart failure outcomes. Following a review of the literature, high quality evidence supports that heart failure education should focus on medication adherence, sodium and fluid restriction, daily weights, activity tolerance, identification of deteriorating signs and symptoms of heart failure, and smoking cessation. The purpose of this EBP project was to reduce heart failure …
Impacting The Tdap Acceptance Rate Among Postpartum Women, Amie Burns-Scharnke
Impacting The Tdap Acceptance Rate Among Postpartum Women, Amie Burns-Scharnke
Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports
Pertussis, also known as Whooping Cough, is a contagious disease that affects children more than adults, especially children under the age of 12 months. In the United States in 2009, there were more than 16,000 cases of pertussis in infants less than 6 month of age (National Network for Immunizations and Information, 2011). At a local Midwestern community hospital, a revised Tdap policy that consisted of an education component and standardization of when the vaccine was administered was implemented to increase the acceptance rate of Tdap vaccines among postpartum mothers due to their significantly low Tdap acceptance rate. The purpose …
The Effects Of A Violence Assessment Checklist On The Incidence Of Violence For Emergency Department Nurses, Sarah Knapp
The Effects Of A Violence Assessment Checklist On The Incidence Of Violence For Emergency Department Nurses, Sarah Knapp
Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports
Workplace violence (WV) is commonplace in American culture, and nurses working in emergency departments (ED) are not immune to its effects. Violence against emergency department nurses is prominent in current nursing literature, and a cause for major concern. Regrettably there is no consistent tool being used to assess for potential patient violence specific to the emergency department. Current assessment tools have been developed and are commonly used in the mental health arena. This evidence-based practice project concentrated on answering the clinical question of whether or not a violence risk assessment checklist reduced the incidence of violence and increased perception of …
Optimizing Atraumatic Emergency Care In Child Sexual Abuse, Kristen A. Morris
Optimizing Atraumatic Emergency Care In Child Sexual Abuse, Kristen A. Morris
Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports
Child sexual abuse has been identified as a common problem. According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, in 2010 it was estimated that child victims of sexual abuse accounted for 9.2% (69,368) of the 573,794 children under the age of 12 years who were the victims of maltreatment. The emergency department (ED) is often the point of entry into the healthcare system for child sexual abuse victims, which adds to the resource burden of this department nationwide. The purpose of this evidence-based project was to develop a best-practice screening tool for medical providers to guide the …
The Effect Of Obtaining Chest Pain Center Accreditation On The Compliance With Current Practice Standards, Lisa Stephenson
The Effect Of Obtaining Chest Pain Center Accreditation On The Compliance With Current Practice Standards, Lisa Stephenson
Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports
The Society of Chest Pain Centers (SCPC) has created a holistic model focused on providing best care to acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. The SCPC uses the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines to define best practice for treating ACS patients. The objective of this evidence-based practice project was to obtain SCPC accreditation at a rural hospital in Northwest Indiana and improve adherence with the ACC/AHA standards of care. In the literature, eighteen articles were reviewed and found to be level II or higher using Polit & Beck’s hierarchy of evidence. The literature review revealed that hospitals demonstrated …