Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Do Premature Babies Who Are Fed Thickened Liquids, Versus Those Fed Standard Feeds, Transition More Quickly To Full Oral Feeds? A Review Of Current Research And Evidence Based Practice, Donna J. Bisbee

Interprofessional Research and Innovations Council

Do Premature Babies who are fed Thickened Liquids, versus those fed standard feeds, transition more quickly to full oral feeds?

A Review of Current Research and Evidence Based Practice

Donna J. Bisbee, MA CCC-SLP, Speech Language Pathologist, MMC,

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine October, 2017

Background/literature : Babies born prematurely (prior to 37 weeks gestational age) experience a greater percentage of medical complications than full term babies. Chronic lung disease and gastro-esophageal reflux are particularly prevalent in this population and can contribute to delays and difficulties in learning to orally feed. Inability to efficiently and safely feed orally frequently contributes to …

Can Creating A Behavioral Task Force On The Medical And Surgical Floor Increase Staff Satisfaction Rates?, Amy Lee

Interprofessional Research and Innovations Council

Can creating a Behavioral Task Force on the medical and surgical floor increase staff satisfaction rates?

Amy Lee, RN

Abstract

Background. The medical and surgical units within Maine Medical Center have seen an influx of patients with behavioral disturbances. Staff voice concerns regarding lack of knowledge and lack of support while treating patients with a medical condition and dual diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder with behavioral disturbances.

Purpose (PICOT). In adult patients on R5 with behavioral disturbances, how does the implementation of a Behavioral Task Force compared to the current practice affect staff knowledge and satisfaction?

Method. This quality improvement …

Evidence Based Nutritional Management Of Adult Patients With Severe Burns, Ashley Lazarz, Samantha Waller

Interprofessional Research and Innovations Council

Clinical Scholars Abstract 2017

Title: Evidence based nutritional management of adult patients with severe burns.

Presenters: Ashley Lazarz RD, LD and Samantha Waller MS, RD, LD

Background/Literature: It is estimated that more than 2 million people suffer burns in the United States annually, resulting in approximately 3400 deaths. Burns cause pathological alterations in nearly every system of the body and changes in both metabolism and immunity in the burned patient contribute to adverse outcomes. (1) Hyper-metabolism leads to severe catabolism and loss of lean body mass in the severely burned patient making nutrition intervention critical. (2) Literature indicates that enteral …

Is Trucking Along Enough? An Exploration Of Mid-Career Nurses’ Satisfaction, Heather Docherty

Interprofessional Research and Innovations Council

Is trucking along enough? An exploration of mid-career nurses’ satisfaction

Heather Docherty RN, BSN, BA, MA, CMRSN

Background: The topic of nursing retention and satisfaction has been the focus of much research; many studies have focused on the experience of novice nurses. This project focuses on exploring the factors that influence the job satisfaction of nurses who are “mid-career” in a sample of hospital’s medical surgical units. The approach to this work is informed by the theoretical work of Benner’s model of novice to expert as well Maslow’s work on hierarchy of needs.

Literature Review: A literature search was conducted …

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

Interprofessional Research and Innovations Council

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 our education, the accepted practice of unsecured medications was rampant: medications were left drawn up or exposed, setting in various open areas at bedside …

Development Of A Traumatic Brain Injury (Tbi) Order Set At Maine Medical Center, Sarah Bockian, Emily Esslinger, Martha Weatherhead

Interprofessional Research and Innovations Council

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when an external force causes brain dysfunction. TBI management in the critical care setting focuses on treating the initial, or primary brain injury, as well as secondary injuries, caused by hypoxia, hypotension, and swelling. Due to the lack of consensus within the literature, in addition to numerous attending and resident physicians at Maine Medical Center (MMC), variability in care often occurs. Nursing staff within the neuro-intensive care unit at MMC noticed this variability, and approached leadership within the surgical-trauma service to create an order set focused on TBI management.

Purpose: In the TBI population, …

Statistical Forecasting Models Used To Predict Daily Patient Volumes In The Emergency Department: A Proposal For A Systematic Review, Jon White

Interprofessional Research and Innovations Council

Background: The existing and projected worldwide shortage of nurses requires numerous distinct solutions to prevent a healthcare crisis. Proposed solutions typically address the situation from different angles, including identifying ways to add new nurses to the workforce, or finding new ways to work with limited resources. This review examines the efficacy of forecasting demand in one area of the hospital, understanding the potential of its uses for short-term resource balancing and projection of need.

This systematic review will provide a current synopsis of the research published since the fall of 2007, expanding on Wargon and colleagues’ A systematic review of …

Can Creating A Behavioral Task Force On The Medical And Surgical Floor Increase Staff Satisfaction Rates?, Amy Lee

Interprofessional Research and Innovations Council

Abstract

Background. The medical and surgical units within Maine Medical Center have seen an influx of patients with behavioral disturbances. Staff voice concerns regarding lack of knowledge and lack of support while treating patients with a medical condition and dual diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder with behavioral disturbances.

Purpose (PICOT). In adult patients on R5 with behavioral disturbances, how does the implementation of a Behavioral Task Force compared to the current practice affect staff knowledge and satisfaction?

Method. This quality improvement study began in May 2017 and is on-going. In May, a pre-implementation survey was given to all nurses and …

What Are The Barriers And Facilitators To Nurses’ Utilization Of A Nurse Driven Protocol (Ndp) For Indwelling Urinary Catheter (Iuc) Removal?, Brenda Clark

Interprofessional Research and Innovations Council

What are the barriers and facilitators to Nurses’ utilization of a Nurse Driven Protocol (NDP) for Indwelling Urinary Catheter (IUC) removal?

By Brenda Clark, BSN, RN, CMSRN

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are recognized as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients; 80% of UTIs are related to using indwelling urinary catheters.

Reducing these infections is recognized as a National Patient Safety Goal (NPSG) by the Joint Commission; the American Nurses Association (ANA) has classified catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) as one of the nurse-sensitive indicators that reflect the quality of nursing care. Centers for Medicare …

Development Of A Traumatic Brain Injury (Tbi) Order Set At Maine Medical Center, Sarah Bockian, Emily Esslinger, Martha Weatherhead

Interprofessional Research and Innovations Council

Development of a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Order Set at Maine Medical Center

Sarah Bockian, RN, SCRN

Emily Esslinger, RN

Martha Weatherhead, RN

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when an external force causes brain dysfunction. TBI management in the critical care setting focuses on treating the initial, or primary brain injury, as well as secondary injuries, caused by hypoxia, hypotension, and swelling. Due to the lack of consensus within the literature, in addition to numerous attending and resident physicians at Maine Medical Center (MMC), variability in care often occurs. Nursing staff within the neuro-intensive care unit at MMC noticed …

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 …