Nursing Commons^™

Education Of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Prevention In Adult Intensive Care Patients, Carlin Morgan

Scholars Week

The purpose of this project was to improve knowledge related to evidence-based ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) preventative measures that decrease the prevalence of VAP in adult patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). An educational presentation was provided to twelve critical care nurses at a 349-bed hospital in western Kentucky. A pretest was obtained to measure the nurse’s knowledge prior to the presentation. A PowerPoint and pamphlet containing VAP prevention techniques were presented to the twelve critical care nurses during each meeting. A posttest was then administered after the presentation to measure the efficacy of the educational presentation. The mean of …

Enhancing The Safety Of Medication Administration: The Synergistic Role Of Closed Loop Electronic Medication Management And Iv Medication Administration, Kelly Goetz, Angela Schoenung, Lauren Daugherty, Kaitlyn Hornsby

Posters-at-the-Capitol

The high acuity of patients in the ICU results in numerous medications being administered, increasing the risk of medication errors. The purpose of this project is to investigate the impact of integrating consistent closed loop electronic medication management (CLEMM) to decrease medication errors in the ICU for bedside nurses who use electronic health records (EHRs). The project type is a comprehensive literature review, with studies that included a single prospective cohort study, case report, single non-randomized trial, quasi experimental study, single cross-sectional studies, and systematic reviews. The importance of this project is to address the break in the loop of …

Implementation Of An Artificial Airway Communication Tool, Grace Thacker, Macy Damron

Scholars Week

This evidence based practice research project evaluated the use of communication tools for patients with artificial airways in the hospital setting. It was determined through clinical experiences and article research that no standard communication tool has been recommended for this patient population. Moreover, research has suggested that patient satisfaction has improved with the use of new communication methods. Given the lack of a solution to this issue, we have suggested the implementation of a new hospital policy concerning the use of a communication tool. This communication tool is an eight and a half by eleven laminated piece of paper that …

Why Bladder Training Prior To Foley Catheter Removal Is Not Best Practice, Emily Winstead, Sydny Tucker

Scholars Week

Several studies have been completed on bladder training prior to foley catheter removal via intermittent clamping. While this practice initially appears to be beneficial to patient care, the studies we have researched all found the practice to be insignificant or not indicated for patient care. As we researched, we were able to compile evidence from multiple sources that support bladder training prior to catheter removal is not best practice. After compiling those results, we were able to gather a better understanding of the reasons this practice is not indicated and what risks it will pose to patients. In conclusion, we …

Decreasing Alarm Fatigue Through Alarm Management Training, Leah Davis, Brittany Fleming

Scholars Week

Alarm fatigue is a notable problem in the hospital setting. Alarm fatigue can decrease nurse response time and desensitize nurses to alarms. When this occurs, patient outcomes begin to be negatively affected. To combat this, we researched multiple articles on alarm fatigue and alarm management programs. These programs would be implemented and nurses would learn how to troubleshoot alarm equipment, how to recognize alarm fatigue, how to prevent alarm fatigue, and many more. Based on research articles, alarm management programs decrease alarm fatigue in nurses and the amount of alarms.

Too Loud: A Project For Sound Reduction In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Peyton Cadwell, Amy Krazl

Scholars Week

Sound levels in any intensive care unit environment are significantly higher than the recommended volume. The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is included in this aggregate that frequently exceeds advised levels. There are consequences associated with increased sound, such as slower language development and behavior issues. Not only are babies subjected to physiological effects, but there is potential for psychological detriment as well, such as behavioral issues (Bremmer, 2003). Many solutions for this issue have been proposed, including lowering phone volumes, putting rubber shoes on furniture and switching audio alarms to visual alarms. One specific intervention that may reduce the …

Minimizing Musculoskeletal Injury Risk In Health Care Professionals With Education On Safe Patient Handling, Aubrey Graves

Honors College Theses

Introduction: Nursing is a high-risk occupation for musculoskeletal injuries due to the strenuous activity of patient handling. These tasks include, assisting a patient in bed, moving a patient from the bed to a wheelchair, and assisting with walking. These work-related tasks can create a large amount of stress on the body, especially the back if proper technique is not utilized and/or if excessive loads are applied. The purpose of this study is to examine if teaching proper body mechanics and the dangers of not performing the tasks properly is an effective way of reducing musculoskeletal injuries.

Methods: The NUR 202 …

Preventing Ventilator Associated Pneumonia, Ally Samuel, Anna Grace Terry

Scholars Week

Ventilator Associated Pneumonia is a serious infection in the lungs that affects individuals who are being mechanically ventilated. These patients, who are already critically ill, have decreased defense mechanisms that allow pathogens such as bacteria to invade the sterile respiratory tract (Cooper, 2021). Many of the risk factors for the development of VAP may be preventable, and it is up to the ICU nurses, who care for these mechanically ventilated patients, to play a role in the implementation of certain guidelines and/or bundles that may help with the prevention of ventilator associated pneumonia ( Aysegul et al., 2020). Although ventilator …

Using Non-Pharmacological Interventions To Promote Sleep In The Intensive Care Unit, Regan Kull

Scholars Week

When patients are in critical condition in the ICU, sleep is not prioritized among all of the patients’ other issues. The lack of sleep may result in a decreased immune system and neurocognitive changes producing delirium, potentially increasing the length of stay, and increasing morbidity, especially in older adults and those who have been in the ICU for a long period of time. The purpose of this review of literature is to examine evidence which studied the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions on sleep quality of patients in the ICU. Among the evidence for this project, it was found that the …

Utilization Of Music Therapy In The Icu Setting, Danielle York

Scholars Week

This topic was selected in the hopes of bringing awareness to music therapy and the positive benefits it can have on patients and their pain in a high stress environment. The evidence shows that music therapy can have a positive effect on patient outcomes and is a cost-effective measure that hospitals can easily implement. The education needed to implement this intervention would be geared toward patients that nurses could present to them upon pain report. The evidence proves that this is an efficient way to control patient pain and allow for a more relaxing environment.

KEYWORDS: Music, therapy, pain, education, …

Chlorhexidine: The Fight To End Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia, Jeremy Gaspari

Scholars Week

There is a major problem that affects patient outcomes in the hospital setting. This problem is ventilator-associated pneumonia. Ventilator-associated pneumonia is the second most nosocomial infection in critical care patients. A new policy is needed to ensure that interventions are being done to decrease the risk of patients getting ventilator-associated pneumonia. Ventilator-associated pneumonia also has a high risk of mortality. If interventions are being done, the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia and mortality will decrease. Prophylactic oral care with chlorhexidine solution is show through evidence to decrease the risk of both ventilator-associated pneumonia and mortality rates. The use of ventilator bundles …

The Efficacy Of Mechanical Compression Devices In Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Emma A. French

Scholars Week

This project examines the ability of mechanical compression devices, such as the popular LUCAS device, to produce the desired outcomes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) when compared to manual chest compression performed by a CPR certified individual. For the purpose of this project, desired outcomes include correct compression rate and depth according to American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines, return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in the patient, long term survival of patients who achieve ROSC, and prevention of serious physical damage related to chest compressions. Data from multiple research studies comparing outcomes of mechanical compression devices and manual chest compression was reviewed …

Nursing Compliance With Vap Bundle, Taylor Meadows

Scholars Week

It has been proposed that by initiating the highest percentages of nursing compliance, overall patient outcomes will improve along with a decrease in the number of ventilator-associated events (VAEs). The aim of the study is to appraise the association between nursing compliance with a ventilator bundle and a successful decline in the number of events of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in the intensive care unit (ICU). The study also provides evidence-based direction on the best nursing practices essential to reducing the rates of VAP. Objectives include expanding the awareness of critical care staff on prevention and compliance and to improve teamwork …

Improving Tissue Integrity In Intensive Care Unit Patients, Stacie L. Hearell

Scholars Week

Throughout clinical experiences in western Kentucky intensive care units, it has been observed that critically ill patients are not receiving fully implemented skin care practice according to hospital and company policy. Patients are not turned completely to one side or the other due to size, mechanical intubation, and other medical devices that may be intimidating to staff. Alderen et al., (2011) states that “in mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients, pressure ulcer risk is high and may result in negative patient outcomes and increased healthcare costs.” Gallant, Morin, St-Germain, and Dallaire (2010) state that “In practice, pressure ulcers are indicators of …

Preventing Sepsis Mortality, Karli Tabers

Scholars Week

This research project explores recent evidence based research on preventing sepsis mortality in inpatient units. Sepsis mortality is an increasing problem in the state of Kentucky and demands immediate intervention. At Baptist Health Paducah, 44 deaths were related to sepsis in a 5-month period. Most deaths related to sepsis can be prevented. This research looks at how these deaths can be prevented and how nurses must change their practice to avoid further mortality from sepsis. This paper includes a literature review of recent research proving that sepsis mortality can be prevented by focusing on discharge teaching to all patients, implementing …