Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Local Anesthesia Before Intravenous Cannula Insertion: Recommendations For Registered Nurses In Practice, Vera Campbell-Jones

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Administering local anesthetics, such as intradermal, should become standard practice for RNs in pretreatments for pain control prior to intravenous insertion. Peripheral venous cannulation has provoked the most fear and anxiety in adult patients about everyday practice in hospitals. Adult patients often state that this procedure causes considerable discomfort. Local anesthesia for cannulation is usually not offered to adult patients who are on general medical units. Evidence has indicated inconsistency in the use of pain management strategies during these procedures. The researcher’s goal in this project was to educate RNs about the intradermal pretreatment procedure, provide education on the …

The Impact Of Direct Nursing On Patient Engagement To Improve Medication Adherence, Shelley Moore

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the impact of direct nursing care on patient engagement and medication adherence within the practice setting of specialty pharmacy. It investigated the problem statement, “Among patients with specialty pharmacy dispensed medications, will direct interaction with nurses impact patient engagement and improve medication adherence?” Patient engagement in healthcare is a growing area of knowledge for the effectiveness of care. The research uncovered patient engagement as a predictor of improved medication adherence through effective direct nursing involvement. Methods to measure engagement were the utilization of the ACE™ Altarum Consumer Engagement (ACE) Measure™. By using a proven, researched tool to …

Chronic Kidney Disease: The Need To Increase Nurse Practitioner Awareness, Juan Hernandez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become a major issue in the United States. Individuals with chronic disease such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or hyperlipidemia are at higher risk of CKD. Risk factors include family history, age, obesity, and smoking. Kidney function decreases with age and other related conditions. It is critical to increase awareness, education, and prevention of CKD to advanced practice nurses. Nurse practitioners encounter and have the responsibility to be able to identify and manage patients in their primary practice. To address this issue, a sample of nurse practitioners in a local community health center was surveyed …

The Nurse As The Facilitator Of Patients' Narration: An Educational Intervention, Petra Stockman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

More than one million resident patients live and receive care at certified long-term facilities in the United States, many of whom suffer from depressive symptoms and anxiety. Prior research recommended storytelling as a vibrant nursing intervention to assist long-term care residents in overcoming challenges and emotional pain. However, nurses frequently lack knowledge of successful planning and implementation of narrative reminiscence. This scholarly project was designed to increase nursing competence and confidence in using storytelling as a clinical tool to improve mental health in long-term care, using a quasi-experimental, nonrandomized pretest, intervention, and posttest study design. A convenience sample of 10 …

Std Education Among African American Women: An Educational Improvement Initiative, Marqueta V. Abraham

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research reveals there is a knowledge gap facing African American women regarding sexual health education, specifically sexually transmitted diseases. The Sexually Transmitted Disease Knowledge Questionnaire (STD-KQ) was used to assess participants’ knowledge and attitudes regarding sexually transmitted diseases. The STD-KQ self-assessment was administered to African American women and utilized to develop a 45-minute education seminar to bridge the knowledge gap. After an education seminar was held, a posttest was administered to test the women’s knowledge and to determine their level of awareness. Using a paired-samples t test, the researcher found an overall increase in awareness of the types of sexually …

Examining Opportunities To Increase Flu Vaccine Uptake On College Campuses Through Pharmacy Partnerships, Kristi Hargrave

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to examine a university health clinic’s influenza vaccination program in a suburban city in a western U.S. state, and to explore the effects of partnering with a local pharmacy to overcome billing issues. A program evaluation was conducted to identify the potential barrier of cost for students. The health clinic was not set up to bill private health insurance for students; therefore, if students wanted to get a flu shot, they had to pay out of pocket for it. A pilot program was created in conjunction with the program director, partnering with the local …

Comprehensive Staff Education And Implementation Of A Checklist Tool To Increase Staff Adherence To Pitocin Titration Protocols, Tara N. Cassell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This quality improvement project was designed to increase staff adherence to an existing Pitocin titration protocol used in a labor and delivery unit at a community hospital. In the current U.S. health care climate, safe patient care is paramount and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices identified Pitocin as a high-alert medication. Evidence-based practice recommends the use of a titration protocol to guide proper use of Pitocin. Prior research has shown improvements in patient outcomes when facilities implement Pitocin titration protocols, with staff adherence key to the successful implementation of evidence-based titration protocols, which may be improved with the use …

Use Of A Communication Tool To Improve The Perception Of Continuity Of Care, Annette Lotz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Inadequate or incorrect communication during transfer from skilled nursing facilities leads to misunderstandings about patient care needs, jeopardizes patients’ trust in the health care system, and leads to poor clinical outcomes. Due to gaps in communication from one health care setting to another, it was essential to determine if a patient-centered discharge tool would improve patients’ perception of continuity of care. The purpose of the study was to implement a patient-centered tool that would help improve the information needed at the time of discharge from a skilled nursing facility. Roy’s Adaptation Model supports the relevance of effective communication in the …

Developing Resilience Training For The Healthcare Employee In A Rural Medical Center, Sandra E. Gothard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the clinical setting and in their personal lives, health professionals are confronted with many stressors that impact their time and the clarity of their role. Stressors are emotional, moral, or spiritual in nature as a result of exposure to suffering and death. There are often occupational stressors, such as reduced social support, excessive workload, or a prolonged misalignment among personal needs, individual values, and the work role. As a result of these challenges, health care employees need to create coping skills when stressors and demands become hindrances to personal well-being and their professional ability to care for others. Developing …

The Efficacy Of An Educational Intervention To Improve Low Influenza Vaccination Rates Among Federal Health Care Workers, Cynthia Berfect-Shelby

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Influenza is a preventable communicable illness that has a significant impact on people of all ages. In 2018 it was estimated that 80,000 people died of influenza-related illnesses. Infants and elderly people are among the most vulnerable populations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Healthy People 2020 recommend that health care facilities have a 90% vaccination rate. Despite the recommendations and a mandatory directive, many facilities within the Veterans Health Administration struggle to reach influenza vaccination rates above 60%. Pender’s health promotion model was used as the theoretical framework to explore the reasons why health care workers refuse …

Analysis Of Tobacco Use Vital Sign Assessment, Latonya King

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There is a massive problem of tobacco-related cancer outcomes in patients that are affected by race and ethnicity. Although this is a known disparity, there continues to be a gap in care for asking patients if they use tobacco and in advising and assisting them in making a quit attempt. Health information technology requirements and meaningful use regulations require the utilization of systematic electronic documentation. In order to improve and support tobacco use screening, systematic tobacco use assessment and documentation are essential. There is a widespread belief that adding screening for tobacco use to the vital sign assessment will lead …

A Meta-Analytic Review Of Cognitive Functioning In Negative And Positive Symptoms Of Schizophrenia, Tiffany Forsythe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to conduct two meta-analytic reviews examining cognitive functioning and schizophrenia. The first review examined the literature comparing the cognitive functioning of schizophrenic patients to healthy controls. A second review examined the cognitive functioning within schizophrenic patients, examining the differences between individuals with primarily positive symptomatology and those with primarily negative symptomatology. The first meta-analysis included 19 studies which assessed 861 schizophrenic patients and 858 healthy volunteers overall. The second meta-analysis included 10 studies comparing the cognitive functioning of 1,263 schizophrenics across positive and negative symptoms. Results of the first review indicated that healthy controls …

An Exploration Of Factors Of Lgbt Cultural Competency Among Prospective Healthcare Professionals, Heather Isbell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Literature suggests there is a relationship between cultural competency and health outcomes as well as a perceived fear of discrimination LGBT individuals face when attempting to receive healthcare services. The aim of this study is to assess the level of LGBT CC (cultural competency) among prospective professionals who are expected to provide health care services and to explore factors that affect those attributes. Multiple linear regressions were conducted to test the effect of the following factors of LGBT CC: postsecondary experience, relations with LGBT individuals, and religion using a sample of 57 different healthcare students in a faith-based university during …

Power Shift Within A Couple’S Journey Through Addiction, Carly Brack Marketto

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Addiction is a rapidly growing problem for many couples, but most treatment plans focus solely on the individual with a substance abuse diagnosis rather than taking a systemic approach. Investigating the power dynamics of couples who have been through addiction and recovery could assist future treatment plans to include underlying factors in relationships instead of only addressing symptoms of the problem. This grounded theory research study strives to understand the power shift within couples when one partner goes from being in active addiction to being sober for one year or more. Power is viewed through the four aspects that Knudson-Martin …

The Influence Of Premarital Counseling On Marital Satisfaction For African-American Couples, Christian Brown

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many factors influence marital satisfaction (Ayub, 2010). Some couples prepare themselves with premarital counseling and try to help increase the likelihood of marital satisfaction. When looking at African-American couples, should researchers assume that some African-American couples take premarital education to increase their marital satisfaction? Prior literature has stated that premarital counseling has decreased marital discord and increased marital satisfaction (Parker, 2007). This study will be a qualitative study using a phenomenological design. The researcher collected data from seven participants. Once the interviews were completed, the researcher was able to analyze the data by identifying common themes as well as capturing …

Enmeshment In Military Families, Alexus Hamilton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While most research regarding enmeshment has been decidedly negative, researchers analyzing diverse cultures have found that enmeshment can act as a healthy tool for family members. This thesis examines the limits of healthy enmeshment and focuses on military families. It strives to answer whether enmeshment can be a tool utilized to keep the family safely together. This thesis combines narrative and grounded analysis to determine that military families can experience variations of enmeshment that can be healthy and safe.

Faculty Socialization Of Graduate Students’ Attitudes And Perceptions Toward The Irb, Elisa Jolls

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Graduate student mistrust and fear of the institutional review board (IRB) is an issue that is commonly encountered at academic institutions. Research has shown that students emulate and are vulnerable to assuming the norms of faculty, which is supported by research that shows that students who have difficult relationships with the IRB often have faculty mentors who also have difficult relationships with the IRB. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how novice researchers’ perceptions of the IRB changed through their research submission and IRB interactions required during the IRB approval process, as well as to identify …

Occupational Therapy Students’ Perceived Value Of Simulated Learning Experiences, Donna J. Walls, Tina S. Fletcher, Diane P. Brown

Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.