Nursing Commons^™

From Birth To Better Health: Educating Mothers With Gestational Diabetes On Breastfeeding Benefits And Glucose Management, Jesse A. Soria Jr, Sarah Smith, Audrey Nolan Smith, Keeley Kosier

ELMSN E-Portfolio. A collection of Scholarly and Creative Works

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increases a mother's risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) later in life and can affect an infant's future health. Breastfeeding can help improve a mother's blood sugar control and may lower her future risk of diabetes, but many mothers with GDM do not know about these benefits. This quality improvement (QI) project evaluated a standardized education program on breastfeeding and diabetes prevention for postpartum mothers with GDM at the Family Birthing Center at St. Joseph's Medical Center (SJMC) in Stockton, California. The intervention included a 10- to 15-minute education session and an evidence-based educational …

Improving Mobility Awareness And Jh-Amp Tool Utilization On A Cardiac Care Unit, Courtney Joe, Clarissa Chaires, Jocelyn Martin, Eunice Sanchez

ELMSN E-Portfolio. A collection of Scholarly and Creative Works

The quality improvement project evaluated the impact of staff education and a unit-wide mobility awareness campaign on the use of the Johns Hopkins Activity and Mobility Promotion tools and patient mobilization in a 48-bed Cardiac Care Unit (CCU). The project involved registered nurses, nursing assistants, unit leaders, and adult cardiac patients represented by aggregate mobility data. A preliminary survey completed by 42 CCU staff members, CCU Partnership Council focus group, meetings with clinical nurse specialists, and a baseline unit audit identified inconsistent mobility practices, uncertainty regarding Johns Hopkins Highest Level of Mobility tool, and limited completion of in-room mobility signs. …

Mind Over Scrubs – A Peer-Led Anxiety Reduction Program, Nhi T. Tran, Angelica Dirige, Adeleke Fashola

ELMSN E-Portfolio. A collection of Scholarly and Creative Works

Nursing students experience elevated anxiety during the transition into accelerated programs, which can negatively affect academic performance, well-being, and retention. This quality improvement project evaluated Mind Over Scrubs, a peer-led anxiety reduction program for incoming Entry-Level Master of Science in Nursing students at the University of the Pacific, consisting of four 45-minute sessions on evidence-based coping strategies. Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 surveys were administered at baseline, before and after each session, and at two- and four-week follow-ups; Wilcoxon signed-rank tests evaluated matched changes. Thirty-one of 62 enrolled students (50%) attended at least one session. Post-session scores fell below individual baselines for …

Know Your Birth, Jasmine Mckelvey, Reagan L. Hunt, Michaela M. David

ELMSN E-Portfolio. A collection of Scholarly and Creative Works

Maternal mortality remains a significant public health concern in rural Kenya because of limited healthcare resources, inadequate emergency obstetric training, and barriers to accessing timely, high-quality maternal care. This quality improvement project evaluated the implementation of the Know Your Birth educational intervention, a culturally responsive, simulation-based training program designed to improve healthcare providers' knowledge, confidence, and competency in evidence-based maternal and newborn care. The project was conducted at Sega Dispensary in Sega, Siaya County, Kenya, and included 26 healthcare staff members. Guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework, participants completed a brief educational presentation followed by three interactive skills stations focused on …

​​Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injury Prevention In The Sutter Sacramento Cardiac Care Unit ​Qi Proposal, Angelina Lucido, Amy Roderick, Karly Link

ELMSN E-Portfolio. A collection of Scholarly and Creative Works

Background: Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) remain a significant source of preventable patient harm despite established prevention protocols. In the Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) at Sutter Medical Center Sacramento, inconsistent patient education and limited patient engagement were identified as potential contributors to ongoing HAPI occurrence. This quality improvement (QI) project evaluated whether implementing structured, individualized patient education could strengthen existing pressure injury prevention efforts.

Methods: A seven-week QI project was conducted in the CCU using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework. The intervention consisted of nurse-led, individualized pressure injury prevention (PIP) education supported by a standardized patient handout tailored to each patient's risk …

Reducing Falls In The Cardiac Care Unit: An Improvement Project, Andrea Otero, Aryanna Campa, Nia Butac

ELMSN E-Portfolio. A collection of Scholarly and Creative Works

Abstract

Background: Patient falls persist as a leading cause of preventable harm in hospitals, particularly among cardiac care patients who are at increased risk because of medication effects and mobility limitations. Despite existing fall `prevention measures in the Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento, 43 falls occurred, highlighting the need for improved patient education and consistent staff communication.

Purpose: This quality improvement project evaluated the effectiveness of implementing a standardized fall prevention communication script to reduce the average monthly fall rate in the CCU from 3.583 to fewer than 2 falls per month.

Methods: Using the Plan-Do-Study-Act …

Improving Clostridioides Difficile Prevention Practices Through Standardized Stool Collection And Hand Hygiene, Dunya Khateeb, Laura Martin, Jessica Zhang

ELMSN E-Portfolio. A collection of Scholarly and Creative Works

Healthcare-associated Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infections increase patient morbidity, length of stay, and healthcare costs (Simor, 2010). Our quality improvement project seeks to reduce C. diff infection rates and enhance prevention practices on the Med-Acute Unit at Sutter Medical Center Sacramento (SMCS) by utilizing the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework. Interventions will be implemented between March 2026 and July 2026. The project examined whether introducing a standardized stool collection tote and improving hand hygiene compliance would reduce C. diff infection rates. Participants included all nursing staff on the unit. Data is being collected through observational hand hygiene audits, collaboration with the SMCS …

Improving Knowledge Of Obesity-Related Risks And Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors In Adolescents, Tehroop Notra, Samreet Kaur, Karina Heredia

ELMSN E-Portfolio. A collection of Scholarly and Creative Works

This quality improvement project evaluated the effectiveness of a school-based educational intervention aimed at improving ninth-grade students’ knowledge and understanding of obesity prevention, nutrition, and physical activity. Adolescent obesity remains a significant public health concern, showcasing the need for early, evidence-based education. A total of 57 students participated in the two classroom sessions. Of these students, 49 completed the pre-intervention survey, and 48 completed the post-intervention survey. The intervention included an interactive presentation, group discussions, and educational materials. Student knowledge was assessed using a six-item survey administered before and after the session. The results demonstrated improvements across multiple knowledge areas, …

Tiny Hearts, Big Questions: Navigating Research And Clinical Trials In Pediatric Cardiology, Madison Dollar, Monica Ganaden, Gracie Gilbert, Mena Mohamedaman, Bellina Osei, Savine Valenzuela, Zachary Xayaphanh

2025

No abstract provided.

Standardizing Neurological Assessments, Delaney Miller, Hannah Dorsey, Lauren Sulzen, Olivia Garrett, Patricia Rios, Sukhmanpareet Kaur

2025

No abstract provided.

Snap Into Better Pediatric Neuro Assessments, Irene Chacko, Nayelli Fuentes, Annie Mazon Kellejian, Claire Ring, Ibrahim Shaikh

2025

No abstract provided.

Safe Steps: Protecting Pediatric Patients From Pivie's, Nya Saturley, Mikayla Cruz, Edlira Hoxha, Chelsea Valdez-Martinez, Evan Niimi, David Estrada Gonzalez, Michael Seeger

2025

No abstract provided.

Pit Stop: Improving Resuscitation Efforts Within A Level Iv Nicu, Sierra Pharr, Kendall Shaw, Hannah Biscardi

2025

No abstract provided.

Necessity Of In-Line Intravenous Air Filters: Yes, No, We Don't Know?, Andrea De Paula, Gabriele Herridge, Kiley Tillery, Loretta Medina, Madeline Bryant

2025

No abstract provided.

More Than A Diagnosis: Supporting Kids And Families Through Sdoh Awareness, Sara Cronin, Alejandra Ortiz

2025

No abstract provided.

Let Us Get To Know You, Libby Pearl, Abigail Rubio, Anna Wiot, Elizabeth Richmond, Jocelyn Jasso, Nayeli Barajas, Maliha Rahman

2025

No abstract provided.

Gastrostomy Tube Stabilization Device, Nicole Yoo, Aliya Ali, Iqra Amer, Valentin Troncoso-Trevino, Gina Martini, Priscila Hernandez, Jessica Lopez

2025

No abstract provided.

From Pocket To Patient: Improving Disinfection Of Personal Clinical Items, Angel Lewechi, Brenda Pleitez, Courtney Sims, Emily Zarco, Katia Aguirre

2025

No abstract provided.

Fixing What You Cannot Xray: Mental Health Crisis In The Pediatric Emergency Department, Juliana Castaneda, Miriam Hancock, Ashlyn Holt, Nina Petersen, Jillian Vo

2025

No abstract provided.

Enhancing Patient Safety: The Impact Of Ehr Modifications On Medication Administration, Ellie Foral, Sarah Kiser, Regine Collier, Courtney Schleder, Cynthia Gamino, Morgan Garrison, Samantha Higdon, Bao Khuat

2025

No abstract provided.

Different Minds, Same Great Care: Effects Of Specialized Care Plans On Patient Satisfaction, Danielle Castillo, Sarah Aguilar

2025

No abstract provided.

Influence Of Dietary Protein On Levodopa Effectiveness, Meghan Decker Rn

Nurse Residency

In adult patients with Parkinson's disease how does carbidopa-levodopa administration with protein vs without protein impact levodopa absorption and patient signs and symptoms?

Improving Patient And Staff Safety During Intrahospital Transport: Implementation Of A Nurse-Driven Checklist, Leah D. Kvintus Rn, Bsn

Nurse Residency

In hospitalized adult patients requiring intrahospital transport, how does the implementation of a standardized nurse-driven transport checklist and structured, facility-wide transport safety protocols compared to current practice without standardization affect patient and staff safety outcomes, including patient falls, safety incidents, and staff injuries or workflow disruption?

Why 4:1 Matters: Addressing Nurse Burnout, Alexandria Ranalletti Bsn Rn, Cecelia Greenleaf Bsn, Rn, Savannah Sheen Bsn, Rn

Nurse Residency

For nurses on medical-surgical floors, how does implementing a 4:1 nurse-to-patient staffing ratio compared to 5:1 or 6:1 staffing ratios impact nurse burnout?

Ultrasound-Guided Iv Placement In Difficult Access Patients, Hilary P. Babb Bsn, Rn

Nurse Residency

In hospitalized adult patients with difficult intravenous access, how does ultrasound-guided peripheral IV catheter insertion compared with traditional landmark/palpation techniques affect first-attempt success and catheter failure rates during hospitalization?

Enhancing Colonoscopy Effectiveness: The Impact Of Split Dose Bowel Preparation, Samantha Balestrieri Bsn, Rn

Nurse Residency

In patients undergoing screening colonoscopies, does a split-dose bowel preparation regimen, compared with a standard single-dose regimen, result in improved colonic visualization and adenoma detection?

Optimizing Nursing Management Of Alcohol Withdrawal In The Emergency Department: A Comparison Of Benzodiazepines And Phenobarbital, Brook Kulis Bsn, Rn

Nurse Residency

In adult patients presenting to the emergency department with alcohol withdrawal syndrome, how does phenobarbital treatment compared with benzodiazepine-based treatment protocols affect emergency department and hospital length of stay, medication requirements, rates of hospital readmission, and overall patient outcomes?

Improving Patient Outcomes Through Nurse-Led Care Coordination, Anna Berry Rn

Nurse Residency

In patients admitted to the hospital, how does nurse-led care coordination compared to none, or patient reliance alone, impact better patient outcomes, better medication management and reduce hospital readmissions?

Reducing Caregiver Burden In Hospice Care, Aubrey Martin Bsn, Rn

Nurse Residency

In family caregivers of adult hospice patient’s, does a nurse-led support program, compared with usual hospice education, reduce caregiver burden?

Comparing Intraosseous (Io) Access To Intravenous (Iv) Access, Isabella Ouellette Rn, Charlyn Achola Rn, Catherine Marcoullier Rn

Nurse Residency

In adult patients experiencing cardiac arrest, how does intraosseous access compared to intravenous access affect time to medication administration and return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) during resuscitation?