Nursing Commons^™

The Impact Of An Electronic Handoff Tool On Transfer Times From The Emergency Department To The Observation Unit, Lorie Fosbenner

West Chester University Doctoral Projects

This quality improvement project was implemented to assess the impact a standardized handoff tool has on transfer times from the Emergency Department (ED) to the Observation Unit (OU). Literature has shown that the longer a patient is in the incorrect level of care; they are at increased risk of poor outcomes. The use of a standardized handoff tool has a positive impact on patient outcomes. The electronic Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation (eSBAR) Tool was implemented to assess the impact on transfer times from the ED to the OU. Data was collected for six weeks’ pre-implementation and 11-weeks post-implementation to …

Impact Of An Aprn Directed Workflow Change On Outpatient Palliative Care Referral Acceptance Rates, Stefanie Rashti

West Chester University Doctoral Projects

Abstract

Patients diagnosed with an advanced disease or serious illness often experience a variety of distressing symptoms that can negatively impact their functional status and quality of life. Outpatient palliative care is a medical specialty that often requires a referral from a primary care or specialty care provider who has identified a need for specialized pain and symptom management, psychosocial or caregiver distress, end-of-life care management, or goals of care discussions. Despite notable effectiveness in the provision of palliative care for patients with advanced disease and serious illness, barriers exist that prevent patients from accepting palliative care referrals even after …

Anticoagulation Adherence In Atrial Fibrillation Patients With A Scheduled Cardioversion, Caitlin Naimo

West Chester University Doctoral Projects

Atrial fibrillation is a chronic disease managed through rate control, rhythm control, and anticoagulation. Anticoagulation compliance must be verified when a patient needs a cardioversion to convert to normal sinus rhythm. If a patient has missed a dose within the last four weeks, a Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) is required to confirm that a clot has not formed in the heart. Medication noncompliance plagues the healthcare industry, costing millions of preventable healthcare dollars. The literature review shows that educational and behavioral interventions effectively increased medication compliance. Educational material was created, and a verified medication compliance survey was utilized to evaluate anticoagulation …

The Effect Of Patient Reminders On Patient Engagement With Digital Preoperative Education, Christine Reger

West Chester University Doctoral Projects

Preoperative education improves surgical outcomes (Burgess et al., 2019). The current standard of care for patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery is verbal preoperative education at the office visit supplemented with printed material. Utilizing digital education customized to the surgical procedure is an effective way to improve patient knowledge, engagement, satisfaction, and health outcomes and should be integrated into healthcare guidelines (Golinelli et al., 2020). Our healthcare institution partnered with Independence Health’s Quil to provide patients with access to digital tools for education and preparation, with a goal for patients to have a better experience before and after surgical procedures and …

Effect Of Telemonitoring And As Needed Patient Support On Pap Adherence, Saoirse Owens

West Chester University Doctoral Projects

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an increasingly recognized condition affecting patient health and public welfare. While positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy has remained the preferred treatment for OSA since 1981, PAP therapy adherence rates have also remained stubbornly suboptimal. Measures for improving PAP therapy adherence have been under constant study, and current literature demonstrates telemonitoring interventions to be promising. Furthermore, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) suggests that telemonitoring interventions be integrated into standard practice to support patients as they initiate and acclimate to PAP therapy. This quality improvement project examined the effect of interval PAP data telemonitoring and …