Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Improving Bone Density Screening Rates In Patients At Risk For Falls Using Chart Screening And Protocol Orders, Lona Winnegan

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

PURPOSE: This quality improvement project’s purpose was to identify those at risk for low bone density from a clinic’s population of positive fall risk screenings, to encourage bone density screening and identify those who would benefit from bone health optimization.

BACKGROUND: Spine fractures result in serious morbidity and mortality. The type of treatment options available for spine fractures and the timing of intervention is affected by the patient’s bone density.

METHODOLOGY: The aim was for patients diagnosed with spine fractures and degenerative spine conditions to be screened for osteoporosis/osteopenia according to screening recommendation standards. The goals were to maintain …

Virtual Hospital Follow-Up: Effects On 30-Day Readmission And Patient Satisfaction, Lidia Wiersum, Karen Valiyev, Kristin Wisegarver, Lucas Hopkins

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

No abstract provided.

“I’Ll Be There For You”: F·R·I·E·N·D·S And Spirituality May Impact Intent To Stay, Danell Stengem, Alison Smock, Ashley Doherty, Dana Kopp, Karen Colorafi, Teresa Rangel

Social Work

No abstract provided.

Empowering Staff Wellbeing: A Team-Based Qi Initiative, Rebecca Lauren Smith, Elizabeth Morse, David Phillippi

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Project Title: Empowering Staff Wellbeing: A Team-Based QI Initiative

Keywords: Burnout, wellbeing, DNP, primary care, QI methodology

Background and Rationale: The consequences of burnout in healthcare are alarming: worse patient outcomes, lack of continuity of care, higher turnover, and increased cost to employers. Many studies of burnout and wellbeing of clinicians focus on larger institutions such as hospitals and Federally Qualified Health Centers. Over the past several years, burnout has been discussed among our small, eight-person clinician team working in a small, non-profit primary care clinic. Yet, there has been no formal assessment of the level of burnout among …

Monitoring Weight Loss Management And Patient Satisfaction By Utilization Of Phone-Based Check-Ins: An Evidence-Based Quality Improvement Project, Katie O’Neill

DNP Projects

Background

Obesity is one of the fastest growing public health issues across the nation. Obesity is a critical factor in prevention of obesity-related non-communicable diseases (OR-NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension and coronary artery disease. The increase in obesity creates a global burden on chronic disease prevention for future healthcare systems. With the increasing popularity of Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1’s) being prescribed, the level of provider communication should be evaluated and encouraged for successful weight management outcomes.

Project Goals

1.) Implement a phone call to patients on a GLP-1 to provide education on healthy lifestyle habits from October 2024 to December 2024. …

Program Evaluation: Family Centered Rounding To Support Communication In Pediatric Care, Kristy M. Schmidt

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Family centered rounding (FCR) is a pediatric evidence-based practice intended to bring healthcare teams, patients, and families together at the bedside in a collaborative approach to care planning. FCR emphasizes communication and shared decision-making between healthcare teams and families, leading to improved patient outcomes. Despite well-documented benefits of FCR, challenges such as inconsistent nursing participation, variability in practices, and workflow disruptions hinder implementation and sustainability of FCR.

Aim: This program evaluation was designed and conducted at an urban pediatric hospital to assess the processes, perceptions, and impact of FCR. The overall quality of FCR and the strengths and barriers …

Traumatic Brain Injury Prevention Through Helmet Safety Education For Parents And Free Helmets For Elementary-Aged School Children, Kelli E. Camp

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Problem Description: Head injuries from bicycle accidents are a leading cause of emergency visits among elementary-aged children, particularly in rural areas (Safe Kids Worldwide, 2017). Helmets significantly reduce traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) up to 88% (Field Neurosciences Institute, n.d.). However, low-income families, especially in rural areas, often lack access to helmets and safety education, resulting in lower helmet use and higher injury rates. These challenges are amplified in communities facing high traffic injury rates, limited access to safety resources, and economic constraints (Gilna et al., 2022; World Health Organization, 2023).

Setting: This project took place in Othello, WA (pop. 8,915), …

Implementing Nutrition Education For Patient’S Being Initiated In Semaglutide: Quality Improvement Project, Liliane Colbert

DNP Projects

Significance and Background: The nutrition literacy assessment instrument (NLit) and healthy eating habits assessment, are underutilized tools, as components in providing nutrition education for patients in primary care. There is a lack of knowledge of their availability, thus leading to missed opportunities to provide a more targeted approach to improve nutrition literacy. In the primary care setting, no formal approach is utilized in providing nutrition education to patients being seen for medical weight-loss management. Another element missing from the current process, is a tool that medical providers can utilize, to understand a patient’s baseline nutrition literacy and eating habits. Thus, …

Fighting Falls On An Inpatient Cardiovascular Unit: A Quality Improvement Project, Alice Lam

DNP Projects

Background

Patient falls are amongst the most preventable yet costly accidents that occur in an inpatient setting. Research has shown that falls are the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries and hip fractures, which can be detrimental, especially to the aging population. Furthermore, inpatient falls pose a major financial burden on all hospital institutions worldwide. Interventions that have proved to decrease fall rates involve a combination of patient and staff education, proper footwear and accessibility to walking aids, and ensuring that alarms are active and audible, and the patient beds are in lowest position. Therefore, a combination approach to …

Improving The Experience Of Self-Injection In Medical Weight Loss Patients Prescribed Glp-1 Agonists: A Quality Improvement Project, Maegan Wing

DNP Projects

Background/Introduction: Obesity is a chronic disease linked to numerous health complications. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists, including Semaglutide, Liraglutide, Dulaglutide, and Tirzepatide, are effective in weight management but require self-injection. Many patients experience barriers such as needle fear, technique difficulties, and anxiety, leading to early medication discontinuation. Data indicates that only 46.3% of patients continue GLP-1 therapy after 180 days, with adherence rates as low as 27.2% (Gleason et al., 2024). Addressing these barriers through structured provider-led self-injection training is essential to improve adherence, enhance patient outcomes, and reduce healthcare costs. Currently, at this DNP project site, there is a …

Reducing The Use Of Opioids In Post-Operative Pain Management: A Pilot Patient Education Quality Improvement Project, Nia Greene

DNP Projects

Background

The opioid crisis highlights the urgent need for safer postoperative pain management. Many patients lack knowledge about proper opioid use, associated risks, and alternative options, increasing the risk of misuse. This pilot quality improvement project aimed to evaluate the impact of preoperative patient education on opioid knowledge and use at a high-volume orthopedic practice in the Northeast.

Project Goals

The primary goals were to assess the feasibility of implementing a full-scale quality improvement initiative, reduce postoperative opioid use, and enhance patient understanding of opioid therapy, including safe use and alternative pain management strategies.

Methods

Using the Iowa Model of …

Monitoring Opioid-Use-Disorder Treatment Adherence Using Smartwatch Gesture Recognition, Andrew Smith, Kuba Jerzmanowski, Phyllis Raynor Phd, Aprn, Pmhnp-Bc, Cynthia F. Corbett Phd, Rn, Faan, Homayoun Valafar

Publications

The opioid epidemic in the United States has significantly impacted pregnant women with opioid use disorder (OUD), leading to increased health and social complications. This study explores the feasibility of using machine learning algorithms with consumer-grade smartwatches to identify medication-taking gestures. The research specifically focuses on treatments for OUD, investigating methadone and buprenorphine taking gestures. Participants (n = 16, all female university students) simulated medication-taking gestures in a controlled lab environment over two weeks, with data collected via Ticwatch E and E3 smartwatches running custom ASPIRE software. The study employed a RegNet-style 1D ResNet model to analyze gesture data, achieving …

Standardizing Heart Failure Discharges: Reducing 30-Day Readmission Rates, Angela Keziah

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Problem Statement: Patients readmitted with heart failure (HF) suffer increased mortality, reduced quality of life, and heightened medical expenses, though most readmissions are preventable with a consistent HF discharge regimen.

Purpose: To determine if a consistent HF discharge regimen using an evidence-based HF discharge checklist tool, including standardized HF education and a scheduled follow-up appointment with their cardiologist within 7-10 days post-discharge, impacted HF 30-day readmission rates.

Methods: An evidence-based HF discharge checklist tool was placed on participants’ charts on the Progressive Care Unit (PCU) and utilized by the PCU nurses to standardize HF discharges.

Inclusion Criteria: The study included …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of A Behavioral Emergency Response Team In An Emergency Department, Kim Jai

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Problem Statement: The increasing incidence of occupational workplace violence (OWPV) in hospitals, especially in emergency departments (EDs), has become a significant concern in the United States. Given the increasing risk of the occurrence of workplace violence (OWPV) from patients and family members, hospitals have instituted the Behavioral Emergency Response Team (BERT) protocol, comprising trained staff members with expertise in acute psychiatric disorders and de-escalation techniques for managing assaultive behaviors.

Purpose: Evaluate a Behavioral Emergency Response Team (BERT) protocol implemented in an emergency department and make recommendations for improvement.

Methods: Using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Logic Model, this …

Intramuscular Injection Guideline Revisions Are Needed Based On Body Mass Index, Needle Length, Sex, And Skin To Muscle Depth, Pamela Strohfus

Boise State University Publications and Presentations

Background: Medications and vaccines are delivered via intramuscular injection throughout the world to improve health and to prevent or treat illness. Intramuscular injections are an essential nursing and pharmacist skill which includes choosing an appropriate injection site and selecting needle lengths and gages based on weight and muscle mass. Scientific evidence suggests changes in current practice and national guidelines to fully reach medication and vaccine efficacy.

Results: There is a direct relationship between medication/vaccine efficacy and health outcomes. The variance in weight provides vital information on the needle length and site of injection. Body mass index, age, sex, and skin …

Dnp Final Report: An Evidence-Based Initiative To Improve Bowel Preparation Quality For Colonoscopy, Jennifer L. Gassett

DNP Final Reports

Good colonic bowel preparation (CBP) is an important component of colonoscopy but is often inadequate. Improving CBP can help increase detection of precancerous polyps, prevent procedures from being canceled or repeated, and decrease medical expenses. A quality improvement project was implemented to increase adequate CBP rates at an ambulatory surgery center specializing in endoscopy. Several factors correlate with suboptimal CBP, but the practice question focused on patient education. The PICOT question guiding evidence synthesis was posed: In adult patients preparing for outpatient colonoscopy, how do revised instructions with visual aids compared to written instructions affect CBP adequacy and patient satisfaction? …

Dnp Final Report: Stress Less, Teach More: A Stress Reduction Initiative Utilizing A Mindfulness-Based Approach For Nursing Faculty, Jewelle Johnetta Welleh

DNP Final Reports

This paper explores the pervasive issue of stress among nursing faculty, particularly within the context of the Central Texas two-year college. Analyzing the nature, causes, and effects of stress experienced by nursing educators, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project emphasizes the important elements contributing to this phenomenon, including workload, administrative duties, and the most recent difficulties brought on by the COVID-19 epidemic. The initiative emphasizes the need for efficient stress management strategies to improve faculty well-being and job satisfaction by utilizing internal and external evidence. The DNP Scholarly project aims to reduce stress levels among nursing faculty by implementing …

Exploring Resilience In Nursing Education, Kylie P. Newsom

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the feasibility of integrating resilience education into nursing curricula. It evaluates the effects of the Registered Nurse Personal Resilience Enhancement Plan (RN-P.R.E.P.) on resilience and professional quality of life. An integrative review synthesized literature on educational interventions to enhance resilience among health science students, focusing on techniques and targeted internal protective factors. The multi-method study included a pilot implementation of the RN-P.R.E.P. intervention, collecting quantitative data from pre-/post-participant surveys and qualitative interviews with nursing faculty and administrators.

The integrative review followed Whitemore and Knafl's five-step methodology, guided by the PRISMA reporting guidelines. Interventions were analyzed using the …

Integrating Workplace Violence Prevention Into Nursing Curriculum: Preparing Future Nurses For Safer Practice ​, Noah Briere, Sarah Kegerreis, Molly Lasyone, Savannah Orris

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Nurses are under attack. 80% of nurses have experienced some form of workplace violence (WPV), which is seen as “part of the job.” Unfortunately, the agency responsible for protecting nurses, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), only offers voluntary guidelines. We have determined that nursing students are the best group to educate about WPV prevention in healthcare. Including this teaching to fit within their pre-clinical requirements, only needing one faculty to teach with an average salary of $80k, to further help set what should be foundational skills. By adding WPV de-escalation techniques and adequately preparing students prior to graduation. …

How Does Racial Bias Impact The Perceptions Of Black Women Regarding Maternal Care?, Tanner K. Braddy

Honors College Theses

Between 1999–2002 and 2018–2021, the maternal mortality rate in the United States increased by 144% from 9.65 to 23.6 deaths per 100,000 live births. Although women of all races are affected by maternal mortality yearly, it is especially prevalent in black women. In the United States, black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than non-black women. Despite advanced medical technology and ongoing research, black women are continuing to die because of pregnancy at an alarming rate. Many studies suggest that discrimination and implicit bias - defined as subconscious feelings, attitudes, prejudices, and stereotypes an individual …

Using Musical Interventions As A Non-Pharmacological Strategy To Improve Chronic Pain Levels And Satisfaction Among Patients With Sickle Cell Disease, Fredeline Metellus

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Background

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a chronic, inherited blood disorder characterized by severe pain episodes that are often poorly managed with standard pharmacological treatments. In response to patient dissatisfaction with pain control and the desire for holistic alternatives, this quality improvement project explored music therapy as a non-pharmacological pain management strategy.

Purpose

The primary aim was to reduce chronic pain by at least 20% and improve patient satisfaction with pain management among adults with SCD using a structured musical intervention.

Methodology

This project was implemented at a comprehensive outpatient SCD clinic using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model. Five adult patients …

Navigating Excellence: A Comprehensive Program Evaluation Of An Academic Clinical Nurse Educator Pilot Course, Rachel Marquart, Jennifer Sternberg, Kathryn Dambrino, David Phillippi, Jessica Savage, Tammy Legge

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Project title: Navigating Excellence: A Comprehensive Program Evaluation of an Academic Clinical Nurse Educator Pilot Course

Background and Rationale: Clinical instructors play a key role in nursing education, yet clinical instructors have varying degrees of formal preparation for the role. These inconsistencies affect student outcomes and instructors’ ability to effectively teach, mentor, and evaluate students. To address this, Belmont University developed the Academic Clinical Nurse Educator Program online course. This project conducted a comprehensive program evaluation to assess its effectiveness.

Aim: This project evaluated the effectiveness, success, and sustainability of an online Clinical Nurse Educator and Preceptor course designed to …

Enhancing Well- Being In Individuals With Special Needs: The Power Of Music Therapy, Nicole Love Lazaro

Nursing | Student Research Posters

No abstract provided.

Optimizing Pelvic Health: Evaluating The Efficacy Of Prenatal Strength And Resistance Training Combined With Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises In Reducing Pelvic Organ Prolapse Risk, Samantha Requilman

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is the descent of pelvic organs—such as the bladder, rectum, or uterus—into the vaginal canal, causing symptoms like discomfort, incontinence, and pain. Beyond physical effects, postpartum women may also experience anxiety, decreased self-confidence, and fear of symptom progression. Research by O’Boyle et al. (2002) highlights that POP studies have focused more on treatment than prevention and suggests that while pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFME) are supported as effective preventive strategies, POP remains prevalent in pregnancy. There are limited research studies on the effectiveness of prenatal resistance training in the prevention of pelvic dysfunctions and this study …

The Sound Of Survival: The Effect Of Personalized Music Selection On Cpr Performance And Anxiety Levels, Carmin A. Dotario

Nursing | Student Research Posters

No abstract provided.

Advanced Screening For Intimate Partner Violence To Prevent Adverse Pregnancy And Maternal Outcomes, Emilia R. Valdez

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Background: Intimate Partner Violence experienced by pregnant individuals contributes to adverse pregnancy outcomes and maternal health. A mother’s exposure to Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) can affect their ability to carry a healthy pregnancy to term (38 – 40 weeks gestational age) and places them at risk for comorbidities including; Preterm birth, Intrauterine Growth Restriction, Low Birth Weight/ Small for Gestational Age, Premature Rupture of Membranes and Miscarriage. The incidence of IPV screening is not accessible to all pregnant individuals due to healthcare providers lack of education, time constraints in the workplace, bias and discomfort towards IPV. The implementation of …

The Impact Of Automated Text Messaging System Education On The Self-Efficacy Of Medical Office Staff, Jim S. Jorgensen

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Abstract

Inadequate patient bowel preparation is a leading cause of canceled or repeated colonoscopies, negatively impacting both outcomes and healthcare costs. While automated text messaging systems have improved patient adherence in other clinical areas, they remain underutilized by endoscopy staff due to low self-efficacy. This quality improvement project aimed to evaluate the effect of structured education on the self-efficacy of endoscopy nursing staff in using an automated text messaging system for outpatient colonoscopy preparation at a rural VA Medical Center (VAMC). Guided by Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory and using the Plan-Do-Study-Act model, this project implemented a one-day, hands-on training session …

The Effects Of An Onboarding Checklist On Nursing Faculty Satisfaction, Taressa W. Poole

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Nurse educators play an integral part in combating the nursing shortage. Transitioning clinical nurses to the academic setting can be challenging because experienced clinical nurses often enter the academic setting as novice nurse educators. A literature review suggested that the lack of structured onboarding programs contributes to the satisfaction, retention, and professional development of nurse educators. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aims to improve new nurse faculty onboarding by implementing a checklist to structure the onboarding process at the DNP project site. The process change project assesses the effects of a checklist on faculty satisfaction with the onboarding …

Provider Burnout Related To Patient Satisfaction, Sherita A. Lee

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Provider burnout is a critical issue in healthcare, often intensified by increasing demands to meet patient satisfaction benchmarks. This quality improvement project aimed to examine whether a structured stress reduction program could reduce provider burnout and positively influence patient satisfaction scores in a small outpatient clinic. Guided by the PICOT question—In the clinic setting (P), does the implementation of a stress reduction program for providers (I), compared to no intervention (C), lead to improved patient satisfaction scores (O) over a six-week period (T)? —the project used a pre- and post-intervention design. The intervention included mandatory provider breaks, communication training, and …

Duty To Care And Job Turnover Intention In The Post-Pandemic Nursing Workforce, Cathleen A. Lopez

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

Natural and human-made disasters are increasing in number and intensity. In 2020, approximately 688.3 million people required assistance from disaster response personnel. During a disaster or pandemic, nurses must weigh their personal and/or family safety against the ethical code of caring for others. The purpose of this convergent mixed-methods study was to examine duty to care and job turnover intention of registered nurses working in patient-facing roles. A convergent mixed method design was used to address research questions by employing the Nash Duty to Care Scale (NDCS) and the Turnover Intent Scale (TIS-6). Open-ended survey questions were used to explore …