Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Reducing Readmission (And Mortality) For Older Patients & Survivors Of Life-Threatening Conditions: A Study Using The Staarr Protocol, Akhenaten Amun

Symposium of Student Scholars

Readmission rates for patients admitted for heart failure, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, a myocardial infarction, a hip or knee arthroplasty, or coronary artery bypass surgery tend to have high readmission and mortality rates within 30 days of their discharge from a hospital. Starting in October 2012, the Healthcare Reimbursement Reduction Program enforced penalties on Medicare reimbursements for hospitals with readmission rates, for patients with the conditions above, were higher than averages based on facilities with similar characteristics and patient populations. Teach-back and verify (Klingbeil & Gibson, 2018), interdisciplinary teams that engage in patient care and support (Reiter-Palmon et al., …

Botulism Toxin And Its Affects On Spasticity, Paige Nicholas

Symposium of Student Scholars

Abstract

Spasticity is a symptom associated with spinal cord injury patients that is caused from an influx in excitatory and inhibitory signals controlling muscles and reflexes generating a pattern of spasms in a period of time. When not treated properly adverse effects include: contractures, respiratory arrest, pain, paralysis and decrease in efficiency of nursing and therapeutic care. Interventions including medications (i.e. baclofen, dantrolene, gabapentin), physical therapy, surgery and orthotic devices are used to decrease spasticity however show minimal effect, short duration and multiple side effects. These side effects include dizziness, weakness, confusion, headaches, nausea and constipation. Recent research has shown …

Do Automated Reposition And Alert Systems Reduce The Development Of Pressure Ulcer?, Adanech Jones

Symposium of Student Scholars

Abstract

Do Automated Reposition and Alert systems reduce the development of Pressure Ulcer?

Each year more than 2.5 million people in the USA develop pressure ulcers, which are painful skin lesions that increase the risk for serious infection in patients. In some cases, pressure ulcers, if left untreated can lead to death. In the USA, hospital acquired pressure injury costs (HAPI) has a possibility to exceed $26.8 billion. About 59% of these costs are disproportionately attributable to a small rate of Stages 3 and 4 full-thickness wounds, which occupy clinician time and resources. PUs occurs when bedridden or wheelchair bound …

Lowering Utis In Sci, Jennifer Walter

Symposium of Student Scholars

Lowering UTI Rates In SCI

Addressing UTI in spinal cord injury patients is significant because the high occurrence of UTIs adversely affects both the patient and health care organizations. Studies show that neurogenic bladder is common in SCI patients which results in increased retention of urine and rates of bacteria. This calls for continuous intermittent catheterizations, increasing risk of infection and compromising health of the patient. Studies found UTIs lead to greater hospitalization lengths, costs, and waste. The purpose of this project is to lower UTI rates by identifying bacteria in urine daily, thus treating UTI sooner. Urine cultures are …

Shortening Wait-Times In The Emergency Department, Laura Clark

Symposium of Student Scholars

Many Americans visit the Emergency Department (ED) every day for a variety of reasons. Some are extreme emergencies while others could be handled by a primary care provider (PCP). However, the EDs throughout the United States and other countries throughout the world are consistently known for their extended wait-times. Evidence has shown the average ED wait-time is about 145 minutes, being significantly longer in other states. In a state of emergency, 145 minutes could mean life or death. Shortening wait-times in the ED is crucial to saving lives, efficiently utilizing staff members, and satisfying patient needs. In this project, various …

Pressure Injury Bundles Vs Routine Pressure Injury Care, Which Will Reduce More Pressure?, Kristina Bennett

Symposium of Student Scholars

Pressure injuries are one of the most major challenges confronted in hospitals today – which can compromise a patient’s well-being, extend a patient's hospital admission, and can potentially contribute to disability or mortality. The prevention of pressure injuries is significant in delivering high-quality healthcare to patients; however, the prevention plan for pressure injury applications has been suboptimal as it causes a delay in medication delivery for nurses. The forms of care that are often used by healthcare professionals to improve HAPIs (hospital-acquired pressure injuries) are pressure preventative bundles – which are a set of evidence-based practices that are implemented reliably …

Subepidermal Moisture Measurement: Preventing Pressure Injury In Acute Clinical Settings, Allen Neese, Natalie Embry

Scholars Week

No abstract provided.

Using Design Science Research To Create A Virtual Environment For Nursing Students, Benjamin Botha, Lizette De Wet

African Conference on Information Systems and Technology

This paper aims to provide insight into the design science research approach followed during a transdisciplinary research study between computer scientists and professional nurses. The researchers used a design science research approach to create a virtual environment where nursing students could practice managing a patient with a foreign object in the right lung. The virtual environment underwent multiple changes as it progressed through the different cycles of design science research. Within these cycles, namely the relevance, design, and rigor cycle, various iterations of each of the cycles took place. Presented in this paper the design science approach followed will be …

Ensuring Safety During Behavioral Health Emergencies In Emergency Rooms, Allison Logue

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Problem: Psychiatric patient emergencies and behavioral outbursts are increasingly present in nonmental health units. With the associated increase in complexity and acuity of mental health emergency room visits, there is an associated increase in risk that they will become agitated, posing a risk to themselves and others. The yelling, manipulating, physical outbursts, and verbal or physical threats that can be associated with this patient population increases the risk of injury for staff and patients.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to determine if the implementation of a behavioral health/aggressive patient bundle will decrease the number of staff injuries by …

Non-Pharmacological Interventions For Fatigue In Lung Cancer Patients, Sydney Robey, Micah Stewart, Melody Trickett

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Abstract

Introduction & Background: One of the most common and debilitating side effects of cancer is fatigue. Fatigue is a general feeling of tiredness or weakness that can greatly impact a patient’s quality of life. It can have a profound impact on a patient’s ability to perform day to day activities and cause emotional distress leading to anxiety and depression. In recent years, there has been an increase in research to look at the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions on improving cancer patients’ fatigue.

Purpose Statement: The purpose of our research is to look at the effectiveness of different types of …

Implementing Systematic Sexual Orientation And Gender Identity (Sogi Data) Collection At An Inpatient Hospital Located In The Southern Region Of The United States, Shawn Malugin

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Purpose

LGBTQ patients experience marginalization and discrimination when seeking healthcare in the Southern Region of the United States. As a result, they experience negative healthcare outcomes. Collecting sexual orientation/gender identity (SOGI data) is vital in decreasing health disparities and improving hospitalized LGBTQ patients’ quality of care. Providers cannot adequately assess health risk factors or deliver culturally competent care without SOGI data knowledge.

Aims

The aim is to collect SOGI data during intake to implement a standard of care to promote LGBTQ health outcomes and decrease marginalization.

Processes

To understand how to provide high-quality care to LGBTQ patients, providers receive instruction …

Incorporation Of National Safety Standards For Oral Chemotherapy Patient Education At An Ambulatory Cancer Center: A Quality Improvement Project, Danielle Giles

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Abstract

Purpose: An evaluation of the oral chemotherapy patient education process at one ambulatory cancer center identified a deficit in documentation in the electronic medical record (EMR) of many recommendations from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) chemotherapy administration and safety standards. Aims: The aim of this quality improvement project is to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of two newly developed templates into the EMR at one ambulatory cancer center. Process: The project will evaluate effectiveness by comparing the frequency in documentation of 16 key elements pre and post implementation …

Nursing Staff Shortage And Patient Outcomes, Amber Scogin

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Introduction and Background: A widespread issue that is affecting patients and nurses alike is the ongoing prevalence of registered nurse shortages in the field of healthcare. This obstacle has jeopardized exceptional patient care for many years and research suggests there is a need for interventions to combat the growing shortage.

Purpose Statement: This research aimed to investigate how the lack of acceptable nursing staff levels affected patients’ quality of care, safety, and outcomes in various healthcare settings. It also emphasizes the need for interventions that would focus on the supply and retention of nursing staff in order to combat the …

Implementing A Flipped Classroom Approach In An Online Medical-Surgical Nursing Course, Ellen Schoen

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Background: According to Park, et. al. (2021) a flipped classroom consists of pre-class activities that expose students to the subject matter, in-class activities that promote interaction between classmates, learners and instructors and post-class activities that help solidify information. This method of education is thought to be more effective at promoting clinical judgement than traditional lecture-based classrooms. Delivery of course content through virtual meetings can also allow for additional flexibility in students’ schedules, while still allowing for engagement with classmates and promoting students’ engagement in their learning and motivations to learn (Philips & O’Flaherty, 2019).

The nation-wide restrictions on 2020-2021 academic …

I'Ll Just Weight On The Lord: Spirituality And Health Behaviors In Obese African American Women, Andrea S. Poynter, Florence M. Weierbach, Deborah L. Slawson, Jean Hemphill, Georgita T. Washington

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Obesity is one of the fastest growing health concerns impacting all racial, ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic groups in the United States of America. More than one-third of the U.S. adult population is classified as being obese (Obesity Society, 2021). Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in all races and genders within the US with African American women comprising a majority of those impacted by this chronic health condition. Obesity rates are well documented within the literature but what is lacking is the role spirituality may play in obese African American women and their health behaviors. The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological …

I'Ll Just Weight On The Lord: Spirituality And Health Behaviors In Obese African American Women, Andrea S. Poynter, Florence Weierbach, Deborah Slawson, Jean Hemphill, Georgita T. Washington

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Obesity is one of the fastest growing health concerns impacting all racial, ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic groups in the United States of America. More than one-third of the U.S. adult population is classified as being obese (Obesity Society, 2021). Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in all races and genders within the US with African American women comprising a majority of those impacted by this chronic health condition. Obesity rates are well documented within the literature but what is lacking is the role spirituality may play in obese African American women and their health behaviors. The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological …

Decreasing Alarm Fatigue Through Alarm Management Training, Leah Davis, Brittany Fleming

Scholars Week

Alarm fatigue is a notable problem in the hospital setting. Alarm fatigue can decrease nurse response time and desensitize nurses to alarms. When this occurs, patient outcomes begin to be negatively affected. To combat this, we researched multiple articles on alarm fatigue and alarm management programs. These programs would be implemented and nurses would learn how to troubleshoot alarm equipment, how to recognize alarm fatigue, how to prevent alarm fatigue, and many more. Based on research articles, alarm management programs decrease alarm fatigue in nurses and the amount of alarms.

Implementing Hourly Rounding, Kalyn Grice, Emma Durham

Scholars Week

It has been long known that nurses can be stretched thin during their 12 hour shifts. Whether they are running around passing medications, completing orders, or performing nursing interventions the world of nursing is always go, go, go. With this mindset and culture some patients who require less tasks and care may be overlooked and not seen for a few hours during a shift. This can lead to negative patient outcomes and safety problems. Throughout the day patient’s require assistance to meet many different needs, many of them being activities of daily living, like using the restroom, changing positions, brushing …