Quality Improvement Commons^™

Assessing The Effectiveness Of A Rapid Response Training Course, Nasima Mehraban, Caroline Brooke, Vivek Punjabi, Veeranna Vibhuti

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Introduction: Rapid response teams are crucial in healthcare settings for managing clinical emergencies. To enhance the preparedness of interns in handling such situations, we developed a rapid response training course. This study aimed to evaluate the course's effectiveness by examining changes in residents' self-reported confidence levels before and after completing the training. Methods: A group of interns participated in five simulated rapid response scenarios. Before the training, participants rated their confidence level on a scale from 1 (not confident in running a rapid response) to 10 (very confident). Following the training, they reassessed their confidence level. Pre- and post-training ratings …

Improving Communication And Follow Up For Incidental Findings From Panscan Imaging, Makenzie Morrissey, Kristen Payne, Randall Rittmann, Chris Robert, Joseph Lim, Danielle Pigneri

North Texas Research Forum 2025

OBJECTIVE: Incidental findings in medical imaging pose a significant challenge in healthcare due to the potential for missed follow-ups, which can lead to adverse outcomes for patients. These findings, which are unrelated to the primary purpose of the imaging study, are increasingly common due to advances in imaging technology and its widespread use. The consequences of missed follow-ups can be severe. For instance, the rate of malignancy in incidental pulmonary nodule id about 5% and follow up fails in 30-70% of cases. This means for every 120 CT chest scans ordered, 1 lung cancer is missed (McWilliams et al., 2013). …

Assessment Of Patient Satisfaction Through The Introduction Of A Post-Procedure Pamphlet In An Outpatient Clinic, Mohammad Rashik, James Aston, Sajid Surve

North Texas Research Forum 2025

This quality improvement project aimed to create a patient pamphlet for the Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) clinic at the University of North Texas Health Science Center. The pamphlet provides important post-procedure information for patients who undergo treatments like joint injections, platelet-rich plasma therapy, prolotherapy, hydrodissection, botulinum toxin injection, and nerve blocks. These procedures can lead to potential side effects, some of which patients may not be aware of. To address this, the pamphlet includes information on common symptoms, their causes, recommended next steps, and guidance on when to contact the OMM clinic or visit the Emergency Department. The pamphlet was …

Optimization Of Venous Thromboembolism (Vte) Prophylaxis In Pregnancy And The Postpartum Period, Sereena Jivraj, Isabella Sciacca, Sherrie Dixon, Timothy Kremer

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolisms (PE) continues to be a leading cause of maternal mortality (MM) in the United States. VTE accounts for roughly 9-10% of all maternal deaths. Other countries have adopted anticoagulation protocols to reduce MM rates, but the US has yet to follow suit. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST), and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) all vary in their guidelines for thromboembolism prophylaxis. Patients who deliver by Cesarean section (C-section) have higher incidences of MM due …

Bridging Knowledge And Practice: Exploring The Medical City Arlington Internal Medicine Handbook, Laura Montoya, Evangelista Ezenduka, Shivani Agarwal, Mike Nguyen, Fatima Safi, Nikhil Madhav, Dallin Beus, George Yeung, Hayan Kundi

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Internal medicine residents face a wide range of challenging medical conditions during their training and need to be equipped with both the knowledge and flexibility to handle whatever comes their way. As part of a collaborative initiative, we present the Medical City Arlington Internal Medicine Handbook, a practical resource built by residents, for residents. This handbook brings together practical insights, evidence-based practices, and specialized clinical expertise, all with the goal of enhancing the diagnostic and treatment skills of internal medicine practitioners. It covers a broad spectrum of conditions, from common ailments to rare and complex diseases, and provides in-depth management …

Under-Utilization Of Non-Selective Beta-Blocker In Patients With Clinically Significant Portal Hypertension & Esophageal Varices, Sohaib Ahmed, Ana Moraga, Syed Usman Mumtaz, Varun Mehta, Boran Mao, Juan Pablo Meruvia, Amar Mandalia, Shamol Williams

North Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Clinical Outcomes And 30-Day Readmission Following Heart Failure Hospitalization In Patients Previously Treated For Obesity With Glp-1 Agonist Versus Bariatric Surgery, Nameer Ascandar, Bobby Malik, Waqas Qureshi, Aysu Erdemir, Eduardo J. Lazaro, Olu Oyesanmi, Sabry Omar, Robert J. Subbiondo, Michael Schandorf-Lartey

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Pre And Post-Distribution Outcomes Of The Intern Guidebook, Joyce Smith, Sam Mellits

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Breaking The Blockade: A Retrospective Analysis Of Pediatricconstipation In Hospitalized Patients, Yenamala Reddy, Jaicy Pottokaran, Eric K. Shaw, Aimee Behnke, Jean B. Wiggins, Lauren Hebert, Norman Taylor Parks

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Rx On The Rocks: Prescribing Solutions For Alcohol Use Disorder, Arisa Gonzalez, Laura Botero, Adlin Lawrence, Kenneth Jimenez, Eric Chen, Richard Henriquez, Shamol Williams

North Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Streamlining Stroke Care: Optimizing In-House Stroke Alert Order Set Utilization, Drashti Desai, Joshua Shultz, Yu Ya Nway, Hasib Ibne-Rasa

North Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Improving Patients’ Postpartum Contraception Plans And Access To Postpartum Contraception, Rebecca Johnson, Timothy Kremer, Nicole Tenzel

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Introduction: ACOG recommends prenatal discussions with patients regarding their lifetime reproductive plans and postpartum contraception. Up to 40% of patients are not seen for postpartum visits and this rate is highest amongst populations with limited resources (ACOG Practice Bulletin: Optimizing Postpartum Care). By having consistent documentation amongst our clinic providers we aim to maximize patient education and choice in their postpartum contraception. Methods: The providers at our clinic were educated on where to document postpartum contraception discussions on the obstetric flow sheet under the “problems” tab. Providers were to document the discussion even if the patient declined postpartum contraception. Every …

Has The Elimination Of Mandatory Buprenorphine X-Waiver Increased Presciptions Of This Medication Upon Discharge From The Hospital?, Kendall Moore, Robyn Meadows, Robyn Hoelle, Matthew Calestino

North Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Development Of A Continous Renal Replacement Therapy Protocol For A Midsize Community Hospital, Srinidhi Shyamkumar, Eric Riha, Crystal Ike, Rachel Wright, D Villareal, Justin Shanks, Damon Cao

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Real Time Non-Targeted Renal Biopsy Adequacy Evaluation: A Successful Quality Improvement Activity, Astrid Sacasa, Susana Ferra

East Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

Introduction. Adequate renal biopsies are essential for the diagnosis and treatment of medical renal disease. This process requires a sufficient number of glomeruli for light microscopy, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy evaluation. On-site microscopic evaluation of kidney biopsy specimens significantly improves sample adequacy and the ability to render a diagnosis, with studies showing a much higher rate of inadequate samples when on-site evaluation is absent. Inadequate biopsies can have a significant negative impact on patient care including delay of adequate diagnoses, worsening of the patients’ condition and complications, and increasing costs due to the need for repeat biopsies. A real time …

Quality Improvement Project To Increase Compliance With Standard 5.8: A Community Hospital Institutional Experience., Robert Bender, Nicole Sant 'Elia, Susana Ferra

East Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

Background: The Commission on Cancer (CoC) was established by the American College of Surgeons in 1922. In 2020, they launched the Cancer Surgery Standards Program that introduced six operative standards. Standard 5.8 requires curative intent lung resections to include sampling from at least 1 hilar, and at least 3 mediastinal lymph node stations.

Goal: To increase our institution’s compliance with CoC standard 5.8 to greater than 80% overall adherence.

Method: Included in the study were patients undergoing curative intent lung resection for lung cancer. A protocol, including a documentation paper worksheet with metric requirements, was implemented in February 2024. Monthly …

Enhancing Patient Safety: The Role Of Interdisciplinary Teams In Reducing Blood Culture Contamination, Austin Patrick Eisenberg, Fady M. Awad, Brian Watson, Mohammed Faris

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Blood cultures are vital to diagnostic workups among many hospitalized patients, providing valuable information about bloodstream infections (BSIs), which cause roughly 250 000 deaths annually between North America and Europe. Despite advances in health care, blood culture contamination remains a substantial problem, with deleterious effects on patient mortality, patient and hospital costs, and microbial resistance. This article reviews the repercussions of blood culture contamination on the health care system and delineates evidence-based strategies to decrease contamination rates.

Methods

To reduce blood culture contamination rates, our health care facility undertook a quality improvement initiative. A task force was created, consisting …

Learning From Health Care Counselors’ Perspectives On Health Care Worker Distress: A Qualitative Analysis, Nancy Downs, Judy Davidson, Angela Haddad, Sidney Zisook

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Health care provider stress and emotional distress were well documented long before the COVID-19 pandemic, and there is growing data suggesting these have increased in response to the pandemic. The goal of this study was to take advantage of the unique experiences of licensed mental health (MH) clinicians working with health care trainees and clinicians before and during the pandemic to identify how this crisis affected both ongoing as well as new sources of stress. The Healer Education, Assessment and Referral Program (HEAR) provides MH screening, support, and MH referrals to ~19 000 health care students, trainees, staff, and …

Improving Hospital Discharge Follow Up At Summerville And Trident Medical Centers, Radhika Mohan, Sanket Patel, Deepa Nuthalapati, Michael Smith, Valerie Sinkler, Dennis Besong, Pooja Paunikar

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

Identity: Inpatient Dialogue And Engagement With Nurses To Improve Team Dynamics, Anna Maria Abi Nehme, Ashley Becker, Raheeq Mohamedsaleh, Shin Zaw, Vigneshwar K. Ramasamy, Raj Shah, Victoria Odeleye, Jorge Restrepo, Ashwini Komarla

North Florida Division GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

Implementation Of Common Emergency Department Procedure Checklists To Improve Resident Provider Efficiency Background, Abigail Alorda, Alexa Ragusa, Natalie Diers, Taylor Cesarz, Shayne Gue, Latha Ganti

North Florida Division GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

A Guide To Pediatric Wellness Through Utilization Of Dragon Commands, Prasad Munusamy, Parisa Biazar, Jacob Trimble, Anthony Shadiack

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

Improvement For Cerclage Placement In Relation To Cervical Length In Patients Undergoing Cerclage Placement At Memorial Health And Relationship With Preterm Birth, J Elise Abernathy, Anthony Royek, A Tanner Fincher, Sai Nagula, Alyssa Moffitt, Abby Unger, Cullen Smith, Eric K. Shaw

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

Lai Delivery Qi: Improving Compliance And Time To Treatment, Esteban Garcia, Cody Teleki, Jennifer Lee, Zachary Robinson

Continental, MidAmerica, & Mountain Divisions GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

The Pit Crew Card Game: A Novel Gamifications Exercise To Improve Ems Performance In Critical Care Scenarios, Danielle Dicesare, Bridget Scheveck, Jeffrey Adams, Maria Tassone, Vanessa I. Diaz-Cruz, Christine Van Dillen, Latha Ganti, Shayne Gue, Ayanna Walker

North Florida Division GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

Quality Improvement: A1c Control And Phq-9 Scores In Adults With Diabetes Type 2, Kenoviah Heron, Julia Fashner

East Florida Division GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

Increased Confidence And Knowledge Of Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics In Nursing, Improving The Timeliness To Intervention, Barbara Gracious, Marc Macaluso, Haryashpal Bhullar

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

Improving Depression Screening In Primary Care By Implementing A Systematic Annual Screening Protocol: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Trang Nguyen, Ian Whitaker, Danny Tran, Aidan Lum Kong, Nan Crossley

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

Early Implementation Of Chf Orders And Physician Education​, Qazi Haider, Tapannita Padhi, Hunter Thornberg, Barry Brown, Alexandra Villacres, Justin Roy P. Sanchez, Ashley Henderson

North Texas GME Research Forum 2024

Each year, 700,000 patients are hospitalized with acute decompensated congestive heart failure. In order to effectively treat these patients, they require delicate management of volume status. Measuring volume status incorporates the following components: recording strict inputs and outputs of urine/fluids, recording daily standing weights and fluid restriction. This project focused on recording daily weights as a measure of accurate volume status and how that affected length of hospital stay. Data will be gathered by patient chart review including patient's admitted from Jan 2023 -Jan 2024 at Medical City Weatherford admitted with a primary/admitting diagnosis of congestive heart failure. Using PDSA …

Increasing Online Reviews And New Patients In Clinic With Qr Codes, Tristan Fun, Danielle Ford

North Texas GME Research Forum 2024

Introduction: Patient census at the Medical City Internal Medicine Grand Prairie clinic has been lower comparatively to other HCA Healthcare clinics. Although the cause can be multifaceted, the clinic’s online presence (e.g. Google Maps) is minimal. One initial issue with the clinic’s online presence was the lack of reviews on the Google page for the clinic. One way to increase online reviews is to provide Quick Response (QR) codes in the clinic for patients to scan on their smartphone. The goal of this project is to increase the number of Google reviews for the clinic through QR codes to at …