Nursing Commons^™

Health Literacy In Acute Care Benchmark Study, Micah Duke

MSN Capstone Projects

Poor health literacy levels directly correlate to poor patient discharge adherence and to an increase in repeat emergency department visits and healthcare costs. In addition, poor health literacy levels are directly correlated to a decrease in patient health outcomes. Studies clearly demonstrate that determining patient health literacy levels can be used to develop appropriate discharge instructions and education that will improve patient adherence and health outcomes, thus reducing emergency department readmissions and healthcare costs.

The purpose of this benchmark project is to implement procedures for consistently obtaining patient health literacy levels, along with language preferences, using the HLS-SF12 and to …

Patient Controlled Fluid Restriction Monitoring, Christina Tindel

MSN Capstone Projects

Patients are often placed under non-pharmacologic orders such as fluid restrictions during their hospital stay. The following article will discuss a plan to implement a change to have patients take a more active role in their plan of care by being the main ones to monitor their fluid intake.

Impact Of Universal Disinfectant Cap Implementation On Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infections, Katreena Collette Merrill, Sharon Sumner, Lorraine Linford, Carrie Taylor, Christopher Macintosh

Faculty Publications

Background: Central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) result in increased length of stay, cost, and patient morbidity and mortality. One CLABSI prevention method is disinfection of intravenous access points. The literature suggests that placing disinfectant caps over needleless connectors decreases CLABSI risk.

Methods: A quasi-experimental intervention study was conducted in a >430-bed trauma I center. In addition to an existing standard central line bundle, a new intervention consisting of a luer-lock disinfectant cap with 70% alcohol was implemented in all intravenous (IV) needleless connectors on patients with peripheral and central lines. Compliance to the disinfectant cap was monitored weekly. A generalized …

Minimizing Pain During Childhood Vaccination Injections: Improving Adherence To Vaccination Schedules, Lacey M. Eden, Janelle L. B. Macintosh, Karlen E. Luthy, Renea L. Beckstrand

Faculty Publications

Pain experienced in childhood can lead to long-term and psychologically detrimental effects. Unfortunately, the most common pain experienced in childhood is caused by vaccinations and may lead to non-adherence to the recommended vaccination schedule. As a result, it is the health care provider's responsibility to take measures to reduce vaccination pain; however, there are a plethora of pain relieving interventions during immunizations and it is unclear which interventions are most cost efficient, timely, and effective. Studies have been conducted to investigate the efficacy of different pain management interventions during vaccinations. This review evaluates various pain relieving interventions and provide health …