Nursing Commons^™

The Relationship Between Early Discharge Planning And Length Of Stay, Kandiss Hearn

MSN Capstone Projects

Discharge planning (DCP) and early discharge intervention has proven to have a direct effect on reducing hospital length of stay (LOS), reducing readmissions, reducing patient morbidity, improving patient satisfaction and possibly reducing patient healthcare cost. This proposal specifically addresses hospital length of stay but with research it was found that early DCP also has the potential to improve outcomes in several areas adjacent to both the patient aspect and business aspect of health care. The proposed question is as follows: In adult hospitalized patients (P), how does discharge planning within the first 24 hours of admission (I) compared to late …

Increased Discharge Compliance Through Mental Health Follow-Up, Robert H. Kirby

MSN Capstone Projects

Emergency departments are being strained to their breaking points as a result of the recent COVID pandemic. These departments are in need of programs that can help to reduce stress on not only limited budgets but also reduce the strain on their overwhelmed staff. One such strain on emergency departments and their limited resources is the readmittance of mental health patients as a result of non-compliance of the discharge instructions. The change project looks to address whether following up 10 days post discharge can increase discharge instruction compliance and ultimately reduce readmissions. The aim of the project is through the …

Promoting Recognition And Rescue: Human Trafficking Screening, Erin E. Pittman

MSN Capstone Projects

The exploitation of human beings is a serious public health concern (Centers for Disease Control [CDC] 2018). The United States Department of Justice (2018) defines human trafficking as an act of coercing a person’s labor services or commercial sex acts. Family Nurse Practitioners play a significant role in the identification of victims, especially those practicing in emergency departments. A majority of healthcare providers have yet to establish a standardized screening tool and there is little evidence regarding the impact these screening tools have in recognizing victims of human trafficking (Emergency Nurses Association, 2018). This alarming information brings about the clinical …

Decreasing Bias And Improving Education On Non-Invasive Colorectal Screening Methods, Sara H. Hughes

MSN Capstone Projects

It is estimated that in 2020, nearly 148,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 53,200 Americans will die from colorectal cancer (Siegel et al., 2020). One- half of all cases and deaths are due to modifiable risk factors such as diet and smoking and it has been shown that early screening and detection can greatly decrease the morbidity and mortality of colorectal cancer yet colorectal cancer related deaths still ranks among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the United States and the world. Early detection of colorectal cancer is crucial to reducing mortality and although this is …

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.

Dnp Final Report: Diabetic Foot Care In Hispanic Females With Type Ii Diabetes: An Evidence-Based Quality Improvement Initiative, Barbara Chapman

DNP Final Reports

Diabetes affects 30.5 million people in the United States at an annual cost of approximately 245 billion dollars. 176 billion dollars are spent on debilitating often life threatening complications affecting the heart, kidney, eye, and nervous system. Over 69 billion dollars are spent on reduced workforce productivity. Approximately 9.9% of the United States population has diabetes, the diabetic population in Texas is 11.4% and in Collin County population is 10.2%. Hispanic populations are at a higher risk of developing diabetes at approximately 12.2% nationally.

Peripheral neuropathy commonly occurs in the lower extremities of diabetic patients increasing risks of foot complications …

Improving Caregiver Health Literacy Of Pediatric Febrile Illness: A Patient Care Initiative, Rebecca T. Shipley

DNP Final Reports

Background: Pediatric fever, though typically harmless and incredibly common, can cause substantial fear and anxiety for caregivers unfamiliar with how to manage or treat this condition at home. Studies evaluating pediatric emergency department (ED) rates have repeatedly found fever to be a leading reason for clinical evaluation. Local EDs record percentages as high as 40% of pediatric patients seek evaluation primarily for fever. Purpose: Provide educational resources for high-risk populations to reference at home regarding fever so that avoidable ED visits decreased and caregiver knowledge of fever improved. Methods: An educational program was implemented at a pediatric primary care clinic …

Continuous Glucose Monitors To Decrease Hypoglycemia, Sara B. Woodcock

MSN Capstone Projects

Diabetes is a disease that affects millions of people from children to older adults. There is no cure, although it can be managed to prevent complications. Education of student nurses is where they are born and raised to become nurses who save and change lives. Teaching student nurses in depth about diabetes as a disease and the treatments that best fit their specific needs is where educating patients begins. Learning about a secondary option for blood glucose checks can make all the difference for several patients. Multiple finger sticks daily has been the leading way to check blood sugar for …

Emergency Department Homeless And At Risk Homeless Screening Benchmark Study, Emily Mulder

MSN Capstone Projects

Individuals experiencing homelessness drastically overutilize emergency department (ED) services compared to non-homeless individuals (Ku et al., 2014). Many unhoused individuals have serious medical and psychosocial needs, which are chronic in nature, and become exacerbated due to poor management while living on the streets (Ku et al., 2014). The health needs of such individuals would be best managed through primary care continuity. However, care coordination becomes complex when a patient does not have a physical address or knowledge of available community resources (Mitchell, León, Byrne, Lin, & Bharel, 2017). By understanding the unique barriers that homeless and at risk homeless patients …

Prevent The Preventable: Children With Hypertension Due To High-Sodium Diets., Shana M. Cobb

MSN Capstone Projects

Heart disease in the United States is the number one cause of death and costs $317 billion annually (Centers for Disease Control, [CDCa], 2018). Heart disease is usually considered an adult disease, but today we are finding that more children are developing symptoms of high blood pressure and sodium consumption is the link (Webb, 2017). Health care spending for hypertension is at an all-time high and is expected to triple over the next 20 years (Bussenius, Zeck, Williams, & Haynes-Ferere, 2018). The American Heart Association (AHA) states if sodium consumption was decreased to around 1,500 milligrams (mg) a day, blood …

Community Cooking Course To Combat Nutritional Knowledge Deficit, Heather R. Bohman

MSN Capstone Projects

More than two-thirds of American adults and almost one-third of American children are overweight or obese. Not only are the statistics alarming, the cost of obesity is staggering. Obesity robs an individual of their quality of life and costs the U.S. healthcare system an estimated $147 billion a year in obesity-related illness (Finkelstein, Trogdon, Cohen, & Dietz, 2009). The need to find solutions to improve the health of Americans is clear and communities are called to respond. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2018) recommends partnership with local agencies to promote obesity prevention initiatives and create a healthier …

The Influence Of End Of Life Education On Stress, Anxiety, And Attitude Of The Healthcare Profession Student, Chiquesha Davis

DNP Final Reports

Providing comfort and support to the dying patient is a significant part of the dying process. When soothing a patient, who is dying, the goal is to prevent or relieve suffering as much as possible. Respecting the patient's health and quality of life goals and decisions is essential. Healthcare profession students can experience multiple levels of anxiety, stress, and a negative attitude while taking care of the dying patient. The implementation of a successful intervention is at the cornerstone of helping reduce stress, anxiety, and attitude change in healthcare profession students. The application can also have a positive impact on …