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Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

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Develop An Education Program Related To Evidence-Based Strategies Nurses Can Use To Decrease Medication Errors In A Nursing Home, Ann N. Akwaraonwu Nov 2024

Develop An Education Program Related To Evidence-Based Strategies Nurses Can Use To Decrease Medication Errors In A Nursing Home, Ann N. Akwaraonwu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

These medication errors have posed an immense threat to patient safety, regulatory compliance, and staff confidence in healthcare. Therefore, the improved understanding of nursing staff and reduction in medication error rates required targeted education of nursing staff, thus the basis upon which this quality improvement project was implemented at a nursing home facility located in the Northeastern United States. This evidence-based intervention was developed from feedback that indicated a gap in knowledge on best practices related to the administration of medication among nursing staff. These were eight in number: registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants, who had …


Executive Summary: Quality Improvement Initiative Personalized Interdisciplinary Fall Prevention Plan And Fall Rates At An Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital, Kayla Jackson Nov 2024

Executive Summary: Quality Improvement Initiative Personalized Interdisciplinary Fall Prevention Plan And Fall Rates At An Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital, Kayla Jackson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite ongoing fall prevention strategies, falls continue to be a concern across healthcare organizations. There has been an identified increase in the fall rate at an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) in the southeastern United States. An interprofessional and collaborative approach to fall prevention has been found to lead to a decrease in falls with injury and an increase in the culture of safety. This doctor of nursing practice (DNP) project involved an evaluation of a quality improvement (QI) initiative of a personalized interdisciplinary fall prevention plan at a rehabilitation hospital located in the southeastern region of the United States. The …


Identification And Treatment Of Ipv/Nonfatal Strangulation By First Responders, Mary L. Turner Nov 2024

Identification And Treatment Of Ipv/Nonfatal Strangulation By First Responders, Mary L. Turner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Ineffective and inconsistent education focusing on domestic violence (DV)/intimate partner violence (IPV)/nonfatal strangulation identification and treatments results in first responders’ failure to move patients to a higher level of care, resulting in possible delayed complications. The purpose of the Doctor of Nursing practice (DNP) project was to determine if an educational program increased first responders’ knowledge and improved treatment of DV/IPV/nonfatal strangulation patients. Roger’s diffusion of innovation theory provided the framework throughout the educational process. The Physician Readiness to Manage Intimate Partner Violence Survey (PREMIS) tool was utilized to score the participants’ knowledge prior to and after the education. The …


Executive Summary: Quality Improvement Initiative Implementing Fixed Water Dispensers In An Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital, Elycia Victoria Hernandez Nov 2024

Executive Summary: Quality Improvement Initiative Implementing Fixed Water Dispensers In An Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital, Elycia Victoria Hernandez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The current hydration system using water pitchers was outdated and inefficient, leading to potential risks of contamination, inconsistent hydration, and increased staff workload in this inpatient psychiatric facility. Psychiatric patients may struggle to access adequate hydration due to cognitive or behavioral limitations. Addressing this gap is essential for improving patient care, enhancing operational efficiency, and ensuring consistent access to clean water. This DNP scholarly project was an evaluation of an interprofessional team-based quality initiative to replace traditional water pitchers with fixed water dispensers in an acute inpatient psychiatric facility. The primary practice-focused question was: Will an interprofessional team reach consensus …


Staff Education To Enhance Nurses’ Knowledge In Managing Alcohol Withdrawal, Nodeen Nicoal Glen Nov 2024

Staff Education To Enhance Nurses’ Knowledge In Managing Alcohol Withdrawal, Nodeen Nicoal Glen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary Summary This DNP clinical practice staff education was developed to address the lack of nursing knowledge, and skills needed to assess and manage alcohol withdrawal effectively in an observation unit. Ineffective assessment and management of patients’ withdrawal symptoms may result in deterioration of their condition and require further aggressive treatment. The project aimed to educate nurses on evidence-based strategies for assessing and managing alcohol withdrawal using an evidence-based assessment tool. Sixteen nurses participated in the program to increase their understanding of alcohol withdrawal and the use of the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS). They completed a pretest before participating in …


Socioecological Factors Influencing The Anticipated Medical Help-Seeking Time For Breast Cancer Among Women In Togo, A Sub-Saharan Country, Komi Blewussi Aheto Nov 2024

Socioecological Factors Influencing The Anticipated Medical Help-Seeking Time For Breast Cancer Among Women In Togo, A Sub-Saharan Country, Komi Blewussi Aheto

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Breast cancer remains a leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The burden of the disease in the region is partly attributed to delayed health-seeking, resulting in advanced disease presentation, delayed diagnosis, poor outcomes, and low survival. This quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the socioecological factors that influence the anticipated medical health-seeking time for women in SSA experiencing breast cancer symptoms. The socioecological model (SEM) theoretical framework guided this study. A questionnaire was used to collect data from randomly selected (N = 343) women aged 18 years and older with no personal or familial history of breast …


Educating Mental Healthcare Staff On Using The Phq-9 In Telehealth, Anoopa M. Jacob Nov 2024

Educating Mental Healthcare Staff On Using The Phq-9 In Telehealth, Anoopa M. Jacob

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

I developed a quality improvement staff educational program aimed at addressing the inconsistent use of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) at the project facility, which could adversely affect the quality and continuity of patient care. The need for the program was prompted by the increasing use of telehealth services and the necessity for consistent mental health evaluation tools. I aimed to educate mental health staff about evidence-based practices using the PHQ-9 in telehealth to enhance the quality of care for patients with depression in remote settings. Analytical methods included administering pre- and postintervention tests to measure changes in staff knowledge …


Failure To Rescue Black And Brown Maternity Patients, Dorothy Marie Glisson Nov 2024

Failure To Rescue Black And Brown Maternity Patients, Dorothy Marie Glisson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Reducing maternal mortality rates is one of the leading health indicators in the nation. Pregnant and postpartum Black mothers make up a disproportionate number of maternal deaths. Many result from failure to rescue (FTR), defined as the inability to prevent a death from a disease, illness, or complication. Over 700 women die daily from preventable causes related to pregnancy. Black patients are attributable to almost 40% of maternity mortality rates and represent over 50% of pregnancy-related deaths due to complications. Black women are more likely to die during pregnancy or after pregnancy, with heart disease causing almost half of pregnancy-related …


Understanding The Demographic And Health Factors Associated With The Incidence Of Stroke In Jamaica, Zandy Elliott Nov 2024

Understanding The Demographic And Health Factors Associated With The Incidence Of Stroke In Jamaica, Zandy Elliott

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Stroke, the leading cause of death and disability worldwide, is a significant public health issue in Jamaica, affecting individuals, families, and the healthcare system. This study identified demographic and health factors associated with stroke, enabling medical professionals to better understand high-risk factors and implement preventative care strategies in Jamaica—filling a significant gap in public health knowledge. The quantitative cross-sectional study examined Jamaican demographics, health, and stroke rates. Secondary data from the Office of the Consultant Neurologist (OCN) from 2000-2023 was integrated into the Social Ecological Model (SEM). The study included 291 stroke patients aged 18 and older, excluding those under …


Staff Education To Nurses Of Five Departments Performing Point-Of-Use Treatment, Natalia G. Nunez Oct 2024

Staff Education To Nurses Of Five Departments Performing Point-Of-Use Treatment, Natalia G. Nunez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Staff Education to Nurses of Five Departments Performing Point-of-Use Treatment by Natalia G. Nunez MPH, Walden University, 2019 BS, Florida International University, 2011 Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice Walden University November 2024 Point-of-use treatment (POU) treatment is the first step of sterilization, and it is critical for staff performing this process to undergo proper education and training as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Performing proper POU treatment reduces the risk of infections in patients and extends the life of the instruments and devices. A …


Moving Teamwork Into Teaming: Evaluating A Team-Based Model Of Nursing Care, Katie Lynn Maloney Oct 2024

Moving Teamwork Into Teaming: Evaluating A Team-Based Model Of Nursing Care, Katie Lynn Maloney

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nursing practice faces staffing shortages, complex patient care, and a need to develop creative ways to fill staffing holes within the acute care clinical setting (Beckett et al., 2021). A hospital in New Hampshire, United States implemented a team-based nursing care model on a geriatric psychiatric unit in January 2023. The model has been in place for 18 months. The focus of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement (QI) evaluation project was to determine if implementing the team-based nursing model of care improved patient outcomes such as falls, restraint use, and hospital-acquired pressure injuries and reduced the number …


Strategies To Reduce Meditation Errors Hospitals, Elizabeth Davies Oct 2024

Strategies To Reduce Meditation Errors Hospitals, Elizabeth Davies

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Each year, nearly 100,000 patients in the United States die as a result of medication errors. Medication errors are a concern to hospital leaders, resulting in increased expenses, extended hospital stays, and patient harm. Grounded in the Lean Six Sigma quality model, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore the strategies three hospital managers in one hospital system in the eastern United States used to reduce medication errors. Data were collected through semistructered interviews, archival hospital documents, and analyzed using Yin's 5-step approach. The findings revealed key themes, including prioritizing staff training, building a safety culture, …


Home And Community-Based Case Manager Job Satisfaction During The Covid-19 Public Health Emergency, Timothy Frederick Conroy Oct 2024

Home And Community-Based Case Manager Job Satisfaction During The Covid-19 Public Health Emergency, Timothy Frederick Conroy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is limited information on the impact on Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) case managers’ job satisfaction as COVID-19 policies altered the way their jobs were performed. Many HCBS case managers in the United States experience high levels of turnover and burnout, resulting in difficulty maintaining appropriate service levels. Public health emergency (PHE) policies used to limit exposure of high-risk community-based individuals to COVID-19 resulted in various adjustments to traditional job responsibilities. The purpose of this research was to qualitatively study the impact of HCBS policy changes on the job satisfaction of HCBS case managers prior to and throughout the …


Executive Summary: Clinical Practice Guideline Obstetrics Diabetes Management, Carole N. Louis Oct 2024

Executive Summary: Clinical Practice Guideline Obstetrics Diabetes Management, Carole N. Louis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary A clinical practice guideline (CPG) was developed because the perinatal department lacked standardized management of pregestational and gestational diabetes. The practice issue is relevant since managing maternal glucose ranges during pregnancy mitigates adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. The practice-focused question asks, “What are the best practices to manage diabetes in the intrapartum and postpartum settings?” The project was designed to develop an evidence-based protocol to provide standardized management for nurses and providers. Most studies in the literature search were quantitative sources with either A or B overall quality ratings. Based on the evidence, the intrapartum target maternal glucose range …


Staff Education To Use The Mental Health Risk Assessment Tool, Nkeiruka Okwuoma Okonkwo Oct 2024

Staff Education To Use The Mental Health Risk Assessment Tool, Nkeiruka Okwuoma Okonkwo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Suicide/self-harm continues to be one of the most common sentinel events that could result in significant harm or death especially among mental health patients (Mills et al., 2020). Environmental hazards seem to be the primary contributing factor in patient suicide and self-harm cases. Thus, patient suicide remains a safety concern, especially in mental health facilities. It is important that nurses have the knowledge to prevent, identify, assess, and respond appropriately whenever they encounter patients at risk for suicide/self-harm. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) staff education project focused on educating staff on how to use the Mental Health Environmental Risk …


Universal Suicide Screening In Outpatient Primary Care And Specialty Care, Tamaria Featherlin Oct 2024

Universal Suicide Screening In Outpatient Primary Care And Specialty Care, Tamaria Featherlin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Native Americans are disproportionately affected by suicide, with mortality rates that are 2.5 higher than White and non-Hispanic Americans. Nursing staff in an Indian Health Service (IHS) outpatient and specialty care clinic inconsistently assess for suicide risk before outpatient and specialty clinic appointments due to sporadic use of screening tools and lack of confidence to ask patients suicide risk screening questions. The purpose of this staff education project was to determine if interactive education of outpatient nursing providers regarding universal screening for suicide risk using the Ask Suicide Screening Questions (ASQ) for patients who are 8 to 11. Patient Safety …


The Application Of Therapeutic Communication Between Staff And Patients, Aloysius Mokom Tamufor Oct 2024

The Application Of Therapeutic Communication Between Staff And Patients, Aloysius Mokom Tamufor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The practice problem identified was the limited use of therapeutic communication among staff at the project site facility, which was attributed to low knowledge. The purpose of the project was to improve nurses’ knowledge of and intent to use therapeutic communication when interacting with patients with mental health disorders. The question that guided the project was: Does staff education about therapeutic communication improve nurses’ knowledge of and intent to use it when interacting with patients? A sample of 20 healthcare staff, which included advanced practice registered nurses and registered nurses who practiced in a mental health facility completed the education …


Inclusiveness Of English As A Second Language Nursing Students In The Academic Setting, Bahgat Youwakeem Oct 2024

Inclusiveness Of English As A Second Language Nursing Students In The Academic Setting, Bahgat Youwakeem

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study explored the perceptions of English as a Second Language (ESL) nursing students regarding inclusiveness in nursing programs in the southern United States. The problem addressed is the limited research on how ESL nursing students perceive inclusiveness in academic environments, particularly in the Southern States, where diversity is increasing. Previous studies have focused on the general challenges faced by ESL students, but few have examined their specific perceptions of inclusivity in nursing programs. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study, guided by Whannell and Whannell’s identity theory, was to gain insights into ESL nursing students' lived experiences of inclusiveness. …


Staff Education Project For Adult Icu Nurses, Hani Ayyad Oct 2024

Staff Education Project For Adult Icu Nurses, Hani Ayyad

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This staff education project is a crucial initiative designed to enhance nursing knowledge and skills in the care of central lines. Its overarching goal is to reduce the incidence of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) in a teaching hospital. Given that CLABSIs are a major concern in Intensive Care Units (ICUs), due to higher morbidity, mortality, and healthcare expenditures, this project is very important. My goal was to fill these gaps by providing a comprehensive staff education program addressing this critical issue. The evidence-based practice question (EBP) guiding this Doctor of Nursing Project (DNP) project was: Does the Staff Education …


Lived Experiences Of Low-Income African American Burn Survivors In Greater Washington, Dc, Angela White Oct 2024

Lived Experiences Of Low-Income African American Burn Survivors In Greater Washington, Dc, Angela White

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Burn injuries are wounds that affect the skin and other organic tissue, categorized according to the mechanism of injury and brought on by heat, electricity, chemicals, fire, or flames. In the United States, researchers have shown that race and other healthcare inequalities lead to increased burn injuries among African Americans but have yet to explore their lived experiences after sustaining these injuries. This phenomenological study explored perceptions and understanding of the manifestation of burn injuries of seven African American burn survivors. Participants were recruited in health services public waiting areas, community storefronts, mailers, and on Facebook. Data were collected via …


Pneumonia Pathway’S Effectiveness In Decreasing Length Of Stay In An Acute Care, Marie Carline Hollant Oct 2024

Pneumonia Pathway’S Effectiveness In Decreasing Length Of Stay In An Acute Care, Marie Carline Hollant

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) can be detrimental to patient outcomes. One major challenge affecting care for CAP is hospital length of stay (HLOS), which is associated with multiple factors, mainly comorbid conditions. One way to improve the efficiency of CAP hospital care is the implementation of pneumonia clinical pathways to ensure effectiveness in application of pneumonia treatment and care. This project evaluated the effectiveness of using pneumonia pathways by evaluating HLOS before and after the health care staff in the project site implemented pneumonia pathways. Use of the pneumonia pathways in the project site started in 2021, but there had not …


Impact Of Drinking Water And Sanitation Facilities On Child Mortality In Sierra Leone, Christie Ben-Carew Oct 2024

Impact Of Drinking Water And Sanitation Facilities On Child Mortality In Sierra Leone, Christie Ben-Carew

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are viewed as key contributors to the high rates of under-5 child deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. In one of the countries in the region, Sierra Leone, there was an absence of studies on the potential impacts of WASH on child mortality. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine how variables related to access to toilet facilities and safe drinking water in rural and urban areas of Sierra Leone impact child mortality. Secondary data from the United Nations Children's Fund 2017 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (N = 18,006) were analyzed as part of this …


The Lived Experiences Of Work Related Violence Against Public Health Professionals During Covid-19 Pandemic, Cynthia Howell Oct 2024

The Lived Experiences Of Work Related Violence Against Public Health Professionals During Covid-19 Pandemic, Cynthia Howell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Work-related violence (WRV) against public health professionals is increasingly prevalent worldwide but received much greater attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. This qualitative study addressed a gap in the literature by exploring public health professionals' experiences with WRV threats, what factors contributed to their vulnerability, and the severity of these threats during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2023. Rogers' (1975) Protection Motivation Theory was the conceptual framework for phenomenological study. Twelve public health professionals, both male and female, including epidemiologists, nurses, physicians, researchers/scientists, and community health workers, who actively worked during the COVID-19 pandemic and were residents of New York …


Examining The Relationship Between Employment And Health Status Among Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd) In The United States, Winifred Beckles Oct 2024

Examining The Relationship Between Employment And Health Status Among Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd) In The United States, Winifred Beckles

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), characterized by challenges in social communication and repetitive behaviors, is a developmental disability that impacts over five million adults in the United States. Despite the significant amount of research literature on the association between health and employment in the general population, there remains a gap in research on the relationship between health and employment in adults with autism. Utilizing the Social Ecological Model (SEM) framework, this study examined whether there is a relationship between employment, current living status, non-paid activities, United States Census regions, type of health insurance, and health status when controlling for age, race, …


Black Women’S Perceptions Of Perinatal Healthcare In New York City Community Health Centers, Asiyah Franklin Oct 2024

Black Women’S Perceptions Of Perinatal Healthcare In New York City Community Health Centers, Asiyah Franklin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of Black women who have received perinatal care in New York City (NYC) community health centers and the perceived impact on their maternal health behaviors and outcomes. Although maternal health care delivery and outcomes among Black women have been explored in research, socially and economically disenfranchised Black women in NYC who rely on community health centers for perinatal care have not been included in this research. This study involved addressing the lack of knowledge of Black women’s experiences with perinatal care in NYC’s community health system and consisted of …


Abstract Education On Agency For Healthcare Research And Quality Ideal For Health Ministry, Francesse Charles-Cherelus Oct 2024

Abstract Education On Agency For Healthcare Research And Quality Ideal For Health Ministry, Francesse Charles-Cherelus

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Education on Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality IDEAL for Health Ministry by Francesse Charles-Cherelus MS, Walden University, 2020 BS, Clayton State University, 2018 Project in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice Walden University November 2024 The problem addressed in this project was lack of access to community resources for care of patients with behavioral or mental health conditions. Without adequate resources, patients are at risk for rehospitalization. The purpose of the doctoral project was to develop a staff education program for health ministry staff and evaluate effectiveness to increase staff confidence in …


Staff Education To Improve Medication Compliance In Older Patients In Home Settings, Chika Ugoala Okwonna Oct 2024

Staff Education To Improve Medication Compliance In Older Patients In Home Settings, Chika Ugoala Okwonna

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was a staff education intervention intended to improve medication adherence at a long-term care facility. The practice gap identified was that staff lacked current evidence-based knowledge in medication compliance. The project addressed whether educating staff on medication compliance would increase knowledge. The purpose of this project was to increase knowledge with the overall goal to improve patient outcomes. Planning strategies included undertaking a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) assessment of the organization’s readiness. The project involved creating and implementing an in-person 60-minute presentation. Eighteen nursing staff voluntarily participated in the education intervention, …


Racial Bias In The Treatment Decision Of Breast Cancer In African American And Caucasian Women, Hayaat Mariette Amara Oct 2024

Racial Bias In The Treatment Decision Of Breast Cancer In African American And Caucasian Women, Hayaat Mariette Amara

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Breast cancer stands as a formidable health challenge in the United States, ranking as the most prevalent and deadly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death among women. Of particular concern is the disproportionate impact on African American women, who experience elevated mortality rates compared to other demographic groups. This quantitative study, grounded in critical race theory, investigated whether there is an association between race as well as comorbidity score and first-course treatment plans for breast cancer among women in the State of Georgia, United States, adjusting for the stage of breast cancer, age, and household income. …


Marijuana Legalization And Opioid Use Disorder In Ontario, Canada, From 2015 To 2021, Luke Ome Agada Oct 2024

Marijuana Legalization And Opioid Use Disorder In Ontario, Canada, From 2015 To 2021, Luke Ome Agada

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study examined the trends in opioid-related hospitalizations and deaths in Ontario, Canada, from 2015, to 2021, with a particular focus on the periods before and after cannabis legalization. The social problem addressed was the ongoing opioid crisis, exacerbated by rising opioid-related health issues. Grounded in the harm reduction theory, this research explored whether cannabis legalization could serve as a substitute to mitigate opioid use disorder. Data were extracted from the Discharge Database, Emergency Department Database, National Ambulatory Care Reporting System, and Hospital Morbidity Database. Analysis using the generalized estimation equation (GEE) method revealed a significant increase in opioid-related hospitalizations, …


Factors Affecting The Quality Of Reporting Dispensing Errors Among Pharmacists, Kelley Latrece Lavallais Oct 2024

Factors Affecting The Quality Of Reporting Dispensing Errors Among Pharmacists, Kelley Latrece Lavallais

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Medication dispensing errors, which are the inconsistency between the dispensing of medication to the patient against the prescribed medication, continue to be a public health challenge. Many studies have been conducted to examine their causes, including burnout, illegible handwriting, workload, and interruptions. There have also been studies on the types of medication dispensing errors. This study focused on the reporting of errors. The purpose of this quantitative study involving secondary data analysis was to examine the factors affecting the quality of reporting dispensing errors among pharmacists and the seriousness of the adverse events. The social-ecological model served as the theoretical …