Nursing Commons^™

Reducing Operating Room Turnover Times, Marivic Z. Paraz-Lee

Master's Projects and Capstones

Background

The operating room (OR) in an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) is what generates income for an organization, but it can also be costly if it’s improperly managed. The purpose of this project is to decrease OR turnover time (TOT) in order to increase OR efficiency, patient and staff satisfaction, as well as be cost effective. As defined by Gottschalk et al. (2016), OR turnover time is “the duration of time from a patient exiting the OR to the time the succeeding patient enters the OR” (p. 489).

Methods

The method utilized for this project is gathering weekly average TOT …

Decreasing Cost In The Gi Endoscopy Suite By Utilizing Best Sedation Practices, Casey Brianne Mancini

Doctoral Projects

Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in the United States (Mandel, Tanner, Lichtenstein, Metz, Katzka, Ginsberg, & Kochman, 2008; Siegel, DeSantis, & Jemal, 2014). Because this lethal disease claims lives of many people every year, more patients are undergoing screening colonoscopies, which have greatly aided in decreasing the number of colorectal cancer deaths (Siegel et al., 2014). The most common form of sedation for colonoscopies is moderate sedation with a benzodiazepine and an opioid (Cohen, Hightower, Wood, Miller, & Aisenberg, 2004; Lera dos Santos, et. al., 2013). However, sedation by anesthesia providers using propofol is becoming more …

Implementing Evidence Based Practices For Preventing Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device (Cied) Infection And The Role Of Post-Operative Oral Antibiotics, Ingrid Mitchell

Doctoral Projects

Cardiac pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) are standard therapy for patients with a bradyarrhythmia, tachyarrhythmia or heart failure (HF) with a left bundle branch block (LBBB) (Wilkoff, et al., 2008). Millions of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) have been implanted worldwide and this clinical practice has improved the quality of life for millions (Epstein, DiMarco, & Ellenbogen, 2008). With the increase of implants there has been an increase in the infection rates (Klug et al., 2007). Research studies have evaluated pre-procedure, during procedure and after procedure risk and protocols. Studies have also evaluated operative factors, procedural related factors, intravenous …

An Experience Of Practitioners Navigating The Role Of Patient/Caregiver, Susan M. Shaw, Rain Lamdin

Patient Experience Journal

This journey involved one of us having (repeat) intraspinal surgery in a country far from home but of a similar culture and with the same first language. The carer travelled across the world to be present during the hospital stay. We kept a journal during our admission, and following discharge realised there were significant differences between how we had documented our experience and the record presented in the clinical notes. The particular examples we present illustrate the relationships, rules and issues that we navigated. We share our experience in the form of moments from our journal, some of them alongside …

Scheduling, Heather Ann Paine 2481430

Student Scholar Showcase

Problem:

Self scheduling via paper sign-up sheets can lead to missed staffing needs for the Operating Room. Paper scheduling lacks the ability to run quick analysis of staffing needs as well as ensure each shift is staffed properly.

Evidence:

Electronic scheduling will improve scheduling efficiency, cost savings, as well as improve moral and staff engagement.

Strategy:

This project will use design and plan, do, study, and act to implement and evaluate project. This project is being conducted take place at Lynchburg General Hospital Operating Room with the current five members of the cardiothoracic team as a pilot, based on post …

Application Of The Patient Checklist Tool In Anesthesia Handoffs, Theresa Durley

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Accurate and essential communication is required during the transfer of patient care from one health care provider to another. Communication errors during the handoff process have been identified as contributing factors in sentinel events. There is a plethora of literature supporting a standardized transfer of care process as well as several accepted handoff communication tools for the various units within a healthcare institution. However, in the anesthesia domain, there is currently only one protocol specifically created for the transfer of patient care between certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). The PATIENT protocol, created by Dr. Suzanne M. Wright, CRNA, PhD (2013) …

A Retrospective Analysis Of Surgeon Estimated Time And Actual Operative Time To Develop An Efficient Operating Room Scheduling System, Pearly T. Brown, Dnp, Rn, Cnor

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Problem: Surgical departments account for sizable budgets in hospitals. To ensure efficiency, optimal processes need to be maintained. The current practice for posting a surgical case is using surgeon estimated times (SETs), which only includes the reporting points of component 2 (C2) “incision” to “dressing.”

Objective: To analyze if there was a significant difference in minutes between actual operative times (AOT) and SET in patients undergoing outpatient general laparoscopic and inpatient orthopedic total joint surgery.

Methods: The facility is a level one trauma teaching center, with 371 beds, and a yearly surgical volume of 17,000 cases. This retrospective …

Effects Of A Comprehensive Bariatric Program Implementation On 30-Day Readmission And 30-Day Er/Infusion Clinic Visit Rates Due To Dehydration, Azra Kukic, Dnp, Rn, Cbn, Acm

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Program accreditation requires adherence to MBSAQIP standards to assist patient in making needed changes to his/her diet and lifestyle. However, literature provides conflicting information regarding the value of a comprehensive bariatric program accreditation and its effects on 30-day readmission and 30-day ER/infusion clinic visit due to dehydration development.

Objectives: To examine the effects of implementing a comprehensive bariatric surgical program on 30-day readmission rates, and 30-day emergency room (ER) and infusion clinic visit rates due to dehydration for bariatric surgical patients.

Methods: Our study was a retrospective separate sample pre-post intervention chart review. The data were collected before and …

Efficacy Of Continuous Passive Motion After Total Knee Arthroplasty In Veteran Patients, Jaimee Riza B. Hare

Doctoral Projects

Since the early 1980s, continuous passive motion has been used as adjunct therapy in patients’ rehabilitation following total knee arthroplasty. Although existing literature challenged the benefits of continuous passive motion claiming it had no added short-term or long-term benefits after knee arthroplasty (Boese et al., 2014; Chen et al., 2012; Herbold et al., 2014; Leach et al., 2006; Maniar et al., 2012), the existing literature is difficult to generalize and apply to the veteran population at San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center. This study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of continuous passive motion in helping veteran patients at San …

Staffing – Baby Boomers To Millenniums, Finding The Balance, Margaret Macmahon Mba, Bsn, Rn, Cnor, Cssm, Jillian Laudenslager Bsn, Rn, Cnor

Patient Care Services / Nursing

No abstract provided.

Quality Leadership Academy: Cauti Reduction Project, Melissa Fradette

Nursing Posters

Plan:

In the fiscal years of 2014 and 2015, 31 out of 66 (47%) catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) were acquired in patients with neurological diagnoses. This led to increased costs, decreased reimbursement, and hospital-acquired condition penalties. A thorough review of CAUTIs revealed 15 of the 31 (48%) were attributed to insertion practices; infections were acquired within 6 days of urinary catheter insertion. Eleven of the 15 (73%) were inserted in the operating room (OR).

Realizing Improved Patient Care Through Human-Centered Design In The Operating Room, Volume 3-4, Clemson Center For Health Facilities Design & Testing

Center for Health Facilities Design and Testing

This 4-year grant from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality supports the development of a learning lab focused on designing a safer, more ergonomic operating room. Sponsor: Agency for Healthcare Research Quality Project period: 9/1/15 to 8/31/19 Project Description: The overarching goal of the learning lab titled, “Realizing Improved Patient Care through Human-Centered Design in the Operating Room (RIPCHD.OR) is to develop an evidence-based framework and methodology for the design and operation of operating rooms such that it impacts improved perioperative outcomes including surgical site infections, surgical errors and staff injuries.

Telephone Follow-Up To Reduce The Readmission Rate In Gynecologic Oncology Surgery Patients, Karla Kenyon Fernandez

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Unplanned hospital readmissions are commonly viewed as a marker of poor quality care and result in increased costs for both healthcare institutions and patients. Factors associated with readmission for gynecological oncology patients can be related to the radical surgical interventions required for the management of their disease, as well as complex comorbidity profiles, surgical complexity, cancer stage, and perioperative complications. The purpose of this study was to explore and examine the impact of nursing-led telephone follow up on the reduction of the readmission rate in gynecologic oncology abdominal surgery patients following initial discharge post-operatively. A cross-sectional research study was used …

Adult Qdts, Chinese, Marianne E. Weiss, Binghua Wang

Quality of Discharge Teaching Scale

The Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale, Quality of Discharge Teaching Scale, and Post-Discharge Coping Difficulty Scale were developed by Dr. Marianne Weiss to measure nurse-sensitive discharge care processes and patient outcomes. Three versions of the scales were developed concurrently for different patient populations – Adult medical-surgical patients, Parents of hospitalized children, and Postpartum Patient mothers (see Weiss & Piacentine, 2006, Weiss et al., 2007, and Bobay et al., 2018 for description of the development and initial testing). Additional scales and information about translation rights are located at Marquette Nursing.

PERMISSION TO USE

The Readiness for Discharge Scale, Quality of Discharge …

Retention And Attrition In Bariatric Surgery Research: A Qualitative Study, William F. Gourash

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Problem: Longitudinal bariatric surgical research studies often lack information on retention and attrition of study participants and the strategies utilized to optimize these. The potential for attrition bias with adverse effects on validity, reliability, and generalizability increases over time. The many factors potentially affecting retention and attrition in research, have been under studied.

Purpose: The purpose was to explore factors affecting research participation of bariatric surgical patients who are subjects in the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (LABS) study. The research questions explored research participants’ perceptions, motivations, and attitudes concerning participation in the study, specifically participation in annual in-person visits …

Pre-Implementation Of A Fontan Post-Operative Clinical Pathway: Summary Of 2016 Pdsa Cycles, Sarah M. Lagergren, Bryan Beaven, Suma Goudar, Megan Jensen

Posters

Background/Introduction: Post-operative hospitalization for the Fontan procedure tends to have an extended hospital length of stay (LOS). From 2013-2014, the average LOS at Children’s Mercy for the Fontan procedure is 14 days, whereas the U.S. national reported average is 11 days. Post-operative management of this patient population is often caregiver dependent. It has been theorized that developing a more standardized post-operative management regimen tailored specifically toward the unique physiology of Fontan patients may be able to improve outcomes and decrease LOS.

Methods: A review of literature was performed and revealed three pediatric institutions have published their post-operative Fontan care guidelines. …

Factors Influencing Preference For Surgical Choice Among Women With Early Stage Breast Cancer, Susan G. Yackzan

Theses and Dissertations--Nursing

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States with over 60% of cases diagnosed as early stage disease. For those women without prohibiting clinical or cosmetic concerns, a choice between breast-conserving surgery and mastectomy can be made. Either choice confers equivalent survival. The decision-making process also involves consideration of recurrence risk as well as management of the unaffected, contralateral breast for both future surveillance and risk reduction. In recent years, increasing rates of mastectomy with contralateral prophylactic mastectomy have been reported among women with unilateral, early stage breast cancer. If eligible for a choice among …

Evaluation Of An Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (Eras) Pathway In Two Hospitals, Jennifer A. Janes

DNP Projects

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathway utilized at two Norton Healthcare facilities for colorectal and gynecological surgeries. The specific aim is to examine the impact on patient outcomes, clinical effectiveness, and costs.

METHODS: This was a multi-center, pre-post implementation retrospective study of the impact of ERAS pathways on colorectal surgery patients at Norton Audubon Hospital (NAH) and gynecological surgery patients at Norton Women’s and Children's Hospital (NWCH). The sample included 399 patients including patients from both hospitals, pre- and post-ERAS.

RESULTS: The ERAS pathway lead to a significant reduction in …

Improving Pain Reassessment And Documentation Through Nurse Education, Reina Batto

Master's Projects and Capstones

The aim of the CNL Internship Project is to improve quality of patient care and pain management through improved pain reassessment and documentation. The project is to be implemented in the surgical unit of a community hospital in the California Bay Area. The unit has a maximum capacity of 38 beds and is staffed by 47 RNs and 4 LVNs. A nurse survey was conducted to assess the needs of the staff and the unit, and an education plan was created for the unit. Educational materials, including: highlighted academic articles, posters, handouts, and small posted reminders at nurse computers were …

Improving Preadmission Testing Nurses' Knowledge Of Aortic Stenosis And Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement, Alberta Lynn Canale

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

The purpose of this Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) project was to reduce gaps in nursing knowledge through staff education. Guided by the CNL theme of educator and information manager, the goals were to increase PreAdmission Testing (PAT) nurses’ knowledge of severe/critical aortic stenosis (AS), transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure and patient selection, and satisfaction with knowledge by 10%. Rapid growth of the TAVR program has contributed to a gap in nursing knowledge leading to inconsistent patient care and education. An educational program was developed and spread through a series of Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles. Pre- and post- implementation surveys were …

The Effects Of Preoperative Education On Readmission Rates For Total Joint Arthroplasties, Michele Gobble

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Background: Primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are two of the most successful procedures performed in orthopedics. The demand for these procedures is estimated to grow 174% for THAs and 673% for TKAs by 2030, which will have a valued bill of almost $50 billion for Medicare. The bundled payment plan is a way to reduce costs for these procedures, where an estimated 35% of the bill is related to post-discharge care (Schaeffer et al., 2015, p. 723).

Review of the Literature: In 2015, this healthcare reform began including readmission penalties for patients readmitted within 30 …

In The Postoperative Cardiothoracic Surgical Patient Being Mechanically Ventilated, Is There A Difference In Outcomes When Comparing Sedation With Dexmedetomidine Versus Propofol?, Benjamin Heinrich Riebesel

Doctoral Projects

Patients undergoing a cardiothoracic operation typically require mechanical ventilation in the postoperative phase. Each year approximately 395,000 of these operations are performed in the United States alone. As many as 10% of these patients require reoperation within the first few hours of recovery due to complications (Barash & Cullen, 2013). This comprehensive review of the literature was performed to determine whether postoperative sedation with dexmedetomidine leads to better patient outcomes than sedation with propofol. Inclusion criteria included publications written in the English language, articles available in full text, articles written within the last 10 years, and publications with a focus …

Parturient Safety: Proper Positioning Education Prior To Neuraxial Anesthesia, Christina Joy Young

Doctoral Projects

In the United States, 61% of parturient patients elect neuraxial anesthesia for labor pain (Koyyalamudi et al., 2016). The incidence of postdural puncture headache is estimated up to 81% following accidental dural puncture-especially in pregnant women receiving elective epidurals (Ragab & Facharzt, 2014). Although the combined rates of complications for spinal and epidural anesthesia are low (2.78%) (American Society Anesthesiologists, 2014), patient safety is extremely important and should be addressed by the overall healthcare system. The purpose of this project assessed a willingness to change which focused on the CRNAs incorporation of proper positioning education prior to neuraxial anesthesia into …

The Effects Of Tranexamic Acid On Mortality Rate In Trauma Patients Compared To Trauma Patients With No Tranexamic Acid Treatment, Bradley Earl Tolar

Doctoral Projects

Traumatic injury is the leading cause of death for many age groups. Traumatic accidents caused over 130,000 deaths in the United States in 2014. This DNP project studied the effects of Tranexamic acid on mortality rate in trauma patients. After the completion of a needs assessment at a local level II trauma center, a literature review was performed. The literature showed a decrease in mortality rate when patients were administered Tranexamic acid within 3 hours of injury with statistically significant statistics. Also, the data from the literature showed no correlation between vascular occlusive events and Tranexamic acid use in trauma …

Adoption Of Perioperative Lidocaine Infusion For The Reduction Of Postoperative Pain, Brandon Scott Figueiredo

Doctoral Projects

Laparoscopic capability provides numerous benefits to patients requiring abdominal surgical procedures. However, the use of these techniques has presented the anesthesia provider with a unique set of challenges in terms of perioperative management and postoperative pain reduction. No standardized method has existed to reduce postoperative pain and improve recovery following these procedures. There were three primary goals of this project. The first goal was to conduct a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to determine the benefit of the use of intravenous lidocaine infusions to reduce postoperative pain in laparoscopic abdominal surgery. Twelve articles were included in the meta-analysis that pertained …

Fentanyl Administration On Emergence From Surgery And Post Anesthesia Care Unit Discharge Times And Pain Scores, Andrew Ernst Wetzel

Doctoral Projects

Problem: Pain has been historically mismanaged potentially leading to a host of negative physiological consequences. Today’s dynamic health care reform offers an opportunity to increase satisfaction with care. Utilizing the PICO question, in adults undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy over a 12 month period, does medication with fentanyl during emergence versus not medicating during emergence reduce the need for pain medications and discharge times? Evidence/Background: Two national studies surveyed patient perception of pain management following surgery. The first, conducted by Apfelbaum et.al (2003) showed that 80% of patients experienced acute pain after surgery with 86% rating that pain as moderate …

Use Of A Handoff Communication Tool Between Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Anesthesiologists, And Post Anesthesia Care Unit Nurses, Rachel Louise Johnson

Doctoral Projects

Ineffective communication in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) is considered to have incidences of increased error, mortality, morbidity, which leads to decrease patient outcomes and quality of care. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to introduce a structured, standardized, and consistent handoff tool to Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA), Anesthesiologists, and Post Anesthesia Care Unit Nurses (PACU) that may result in favorable perception of usage. Without a structured handoff tool, the organization risks the occurrence of increasing errors when the message is not transmitted effectively and efficiently every time. Distractions leave the handoff susceptible to a breakdown during the …

Noise: Its Impact In The Operating Room, Brennon Wesley Sloan

Doctoral Projects

Orthopedic and neurologic cases routinely reach noise levels exceeding 120 decibels (Katz, 2014). Modern equipment and monitors used by anesthesia personnel only reach 85 decibels (Katz, 2014). These monitors can go undetected during peak noise levels creating a serious safety concern for patients that could lead to patient injury or death (Gawande, Zinner, Studdert, & Brennan, 2003). A clinical question was developed to determine if the education of noise levels in the operating room affects change in practice. For operating room managers and staff, does education of noise levels in the operating room compared to no education initiate a change …

Reducing Hypotension In Elective Cesarean Section Patients With Administration Of Ondansetron Prior To Spinal Anesthesia: A Retrospective Chart Analysis, Linsey Erin Phipps

Doctoral Projects

The birth of a child is one of the most memorable moments in a woman’s life, and many women undergo an elective cesarean section, requiring spinal anesthesia. At this time, the patient and the unborn child’s well-being become the anesthetist’s main focus. The ultimate goal of anesthesia providers is to provide the safest care to the patient. Spinal anesthesia has many benefits, but has a common side effect of hypotension, which can also result in nausea. Hypotension, dangerous to mother and child, is often treated with vasopressors, but can also cause nausea, which is treated by the administration of ondansetron. …

Optimizing Anesthesia Providers’ Timing Of Administration Of Dexamethasone For The Prevention Of Post-Operative Nausea And Vomiting: Translating Clinical Guidelines Into Practice, Tanner Young Mixon

Doctoral Projects

Research has shown that post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a significant contributing factor to extended recovery times and unwanted hospital admissions following ambulatory surgery. The purpose of this DNP project was to assess current practice regarding administration of dexamethasone for the prevention of PONV, provide information based on best practice guidelines, and assess willingness to change practice based on the guidelines set forth by the Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia (SAMBA). Administration of dexamethasone is aimed at decreasing the incidence of PONV, optimizing PACU times, and increasing patient satisfaction regarding perioperative care.

An electronic presentation and survey were emailed to …