Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Development And Implementation Of A Resource Nurse In The Float Pool: A Review Of The Literature And A Pilot Study Plan, Crystal M. Wiley

Interprofessional Research and Innovations Council

The Development and Implementation of a Resource Nurse in the Float Pool: A review of the Literature and a Pilot Study Plan.

Crystal M Wiley, BSN, RN, CMSRN

Background/Literature: It is pivotal that resources are available at the point of care allowing excellence in nursing care and exceptional outcomes. Currently, the staff have multiple resources to help with ethical dilemmas, patients who are unstable, and research. Discussion with leadership revealed a need for a support to busy units with a few newly hired staff and an interest in a resource nurse program to address these concerns and areas for improvement. …

Improvement Of Chf Patients’ Fluid Restriction Education Through Self-Efficacy, Johanna Ruckey, William Fyler

Interprofessional Research and Innovations Council

Improvement of CHF patients’ fluid restriction education through self-efficacy

Johanna Ruckey RN and William Fyler BSN

Background: Dietary discretion through limited salt and fluid intake is an important aspect of heart failure (HF) management. Keeping accurate account of fluid intake has shown itself to be a difficult task, as both staff and patients often fail to do so on a fairly regular basis. Although staff are aware of a patient's fluid restrictions, there is a deficit in the patient's role in tracking their own intake. Patients often express confusion and frustration regarding their daily fluid intake, but also lack …

Did You Wash Your Hands?, Kelley Coyne

Interprofessional Research and Innovations Council

Did You Wash Your Hands?

Kelley Coyne, RN, OPD Maine Medical Center

Introduction: While there is great focus and education regarding the importance of hand hygiene among healthcare workers there appears to be less focus and education on the importance of patient’s hand hygiene. My observation, as a healthcare provider in pediatrics, is that patient’s compliance with hand hygiene is rare and it appears that there is a need to educate patients on the importance of hand hygiene. Hand Hygiene has the highest efficacy and is a cost effective measure for preventing infection. Researchers in London estimate that if everyone …

Patient Throughput Time In The Emergency Department: Can Obtaining Blood Specimens In A Pre-Hospital Setting Increase Timeliness?, Arielle Rancourt

Interprofessional Research and Innovations Council

Patient Throughput Time in the Emergency Department:

Can Obtaining Blood Specimens in a Pre-hospital Setting Increase Timeliness?

Arielle Rancourt RN

Abstract

The Emergency Department (ED) at Mid Coast Hospital currently follows a practice in obtaining blood specimens in-hospital by emergency department staff; this is done despite the ability of pre-hospital personnel to obtain specimens at the time of intravenous catheter insertions. Our current practice may not be the most effective and timely method. Studies showed that there was no increase in hemolysis of blood specimens drawn by Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and that laboratory results were received quicker when blood …

Does Medication Safety And Diversion Education Improve Medication Securement Practices In Scu Compared To Current Practice?, Natasha R. Stankiewicz

Interprofessional Research and Innovations Council

Does medication safety and diversion education improve medication securement practices in SCU compared to current practice?

Abstract

Natasha R. Stankiewicz, MS, RN, NE-BC, CCRN-CMC

This safety quality improvement project began as newly hired SCU2 team members saw an opportunity to improve our medication safety practices and culture. The convenience of having certain medications directly available at bedside was priority. There was a lack of awareness and interest in securing medications within the department. However, the risk to our patients, families, visitors and colleagues when medications are left out, available and unsecured was apparent to new staff and others. Prior to …