Nursing Commons^™

Reducing Blood Culture Contamination In The Emergency Department: A Multi-Method Quality Improvement Projec, Daryn Brauner, Marlene Schmidt, Nikki Campbell, Keri Bill, April Alfano

Abstracts

Blood cultures are a diagnostic tool used to determine the presence of bacteremia. Blood culture contamination (BCC) can lead to inappropriate use of antibiotics, increased length of stay, and increased healthcare costs. Many hospitals should have benchmarked BCC rates of <3%. However, BCC rates or false positives are known to be highest in emergency departments and there has been limited research on integrating multi-method approaches to reduce BCC rates. Purpose: The aim of this quality improvement project was to reduce the monthly percentage of BCC in an academic emergency department through implementation of a robust multi-method intervention targeting nurses and patient care technicians who perform phlebotomy for blood cultures.

The intervention was implemented in four approaches beginning in June 2022: Focused Education, Dashboard Utilization, Campaign Initiatives, and Improvement to RN Workflow. Focused education consisted of numerous electronic and in-person trainings. Dashboard utilization involved consistently updating staff of real time metrics of BCC. Campaign Initiatives involved increased hand hygiene prior to BCC draws. Finally, workflow for RNs were improved by …

Research Makes A Difference: Changing Post Surgical Vital Signs, Elizabeth Plante, Sadie Seezs, Jennifer Burris, Tiffany Omann-Bidinger

Nursing Posters

Research Question:

Are reduced frequency of vital signs as effective in identifying patient deterioration in postoperative adult orthopedic and spine patients after a post anesthesia care unit stay with transfer to orthopedic and neuroscience spine units when compared to current practice?

Conclusions/Implications:

• Changing the frequency of post operative vital signs provides the same quality, not directly affecting an increased risk of death.
• Reduction in number of times vital signs needed completion, saving time for nurses to complete other duties.
• System wide change to routine post operative vital signs for floor level patients was implemented.
• Recommend future research for obstetric and …

Eye Code Protocol, Christina Anderson Md, Maiya Dietz, Kelsey Bade, Mallory Mondloch

Nursing Posters

Purpose of EYE CODE:

• Retinal artery occlusion (RAO) is a rare but detrimental adverse effect of cosmetic facial filler injections.
• Requires prompt treatment and reversal to avoid patient blindness.
• EYE CODE is a new protocol in place to avoid this complication.
• Assist staff during a high stress event. •Improve patient safety & staff confidence. Way to receive continuing education credits through the clinic.

Code Blue Debriefing, Micaela Herbst-Bialke

Nursing Posters

Situation and Assessment:

Opportunities to improve code blue events have been identified by comments received on code blue critiques and results from a survey completed by 120 code blue team members.

Background:

As referenced by the American Heart Association along with Get with the Guidelines, post code debriefing is a key element to promote continuous quality improvement in patient care. Post-event debriefings are a foundational behavior of high performing teams in improving individual and team performance.

What's The Plan? Give Me The Patient's Story, Holly Kockler, Amber Guzman

Nursing Posters

Plan:

The aim for this project was to improve staff satisfaction with care planning and bring the patient's plan of care to the forefront for all staff.

Key Drivers:

• Care Plan notes were difficult for care team to understand how the patient was progressing towards their goals.
• Care Plan lacked the ability to tell the patient's story and represent the interdisciplinary plan of care.

Gamification: Integrating Into The Perioperative Environment, Tammy Filippi, Nicole Helgeson, Jennifer Salzer, Courtney Van Vickle

Nursing Posters

What is Gamification?

• Using game attributes in a non-game context.
• Including game elements such as points, prizes, leaderboards, etc.
• Goal is education rather than entertainment.

Why Gamification?

• Increase staff engagement.
• Optimizes the learners' outcomes.
• Research has shown no negative outcomes.
• Improved learning behaviors and attitudes towards learning.

Progression Of Care/Discharge Delay Panel, Jennifer Burris, Jennifer Salzer, Leann Volkers

Nursing Posters

Plan:

• To reduce the number of patients with a length of stay (LOS) greater than or equal to 26 days by 25% (from 199 to 150).
• to reduce the average patient days for patients with a length of stay greater than or equal to 26 days by 25% (from 39.7 to 30).

Nurse's Knowledge On Mind Diet For Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease, Audrey Marie Rafols

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Adults with Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease (EOAD), is the less common form of the neurodegenerative disease of Alzheimer's Disease (AD), where EOAD is found in adults younger than 65 years old (Alzheimer's Association, 2024). Characterized by a decline of memory, cognitive decline, loss of ability to perform daily tasks involving mobility and communication, EOAD does not have one significant cause. A combination of risk factors are genetics and lifestyle factors such as heart disease, history of stroke, and high blood pressure are associated with increasing the risk of EOAD (National Institute of Aging, 2024).

Since there is no cure for …

Clinical Breast Exam Training Using Tactually Accurate Computer Simulation Among Healthcare Providers In Ghana, Dannica Callies, Danielle Schievelbein, Cynthia Elverson, Judith Osae-Larbi

College of Nursing Faculty Publications

Background: The incidence and prevalence of breast cancer continue to grow each year in sub-Saharan Africa. With limited access to diagnostic testing in this resource-limited area, clinical breast exams are a priority. Di- versity in clinical breast exam skills contributes to misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis of breast cancer. Computer-based simulation improves clinical breast exam skills and has the potential to improve patient outcomes.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of tactually accurate computer simulation on partici- pants’ clinical breast exam competence, confidence, and intent to perform clinical breast exams in their practice.
Methods: This was a retrospective study …

Er Staff & Burnout: Interventions For Stress Management, Sara Elizabeth Kerbow

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Nursing is one of the most difficult professions, not only physically exhausting but the mental and emotional toll can create havoc for the person’s life (Scala & Drummond, 2016). This DNP project, “Reset”, was founded on the concept of nursing burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary trauma causing overwhelming stress related to the emergency room nurse and staff. The purpose of this project was to show how a 15-minute mental health reset can play an essential role in stress reduction. By using complementary health modalities such as lavender essential oil with diffuser, visual imagery, and massage while listening to soft calming …

Medication Reconciliation: Preventing Harm To The Senior Living Population, Charles (Chuck) Jennings

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This project was designed to address the risk of medication errors occurring when geriatric adults return to a senior living setting following an acute care stay. In addition to a primary care physician (PCP), the health care of geriatric adults is often managed by medical specialists and subspecialists. The engagement of multiple providers poses significant communication challenges, as these providers often work in separate offices and are limited in their information sharing. Consequently, following a hospital discharge, reconciling medication orders amongst all providers can be challenging. This challenge is further complicated, as PCPs oftentimes do not interface with the specialists …

Promoting Parental Comfort To Facilitate Conversations On Adolescent Sexual Health And Behaviors, Angelina Jolie Banes, Lauren Liddell

Nursing | Senior Theses

This thesis proposal will investigate the impact of a comprehensive digital sexual health education program on the comfort levels of parents and teens when discussing sensitive topics such as pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The research is guided by Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory, which emphasizes the need to assess and address individuals’ self-care deficits, including the ability to engage in safe and informed sexual behaviors. The research design is a quantitative, quasi-experimental study with a one-group pre and post-test design. The sample consists of 50 parents and 50 teens from Marin County, who will participate in an online …

Furry Friends & Brighter Futures: Enhancing The Life Skills Of Toddlers With Autism Through Animal Assisted Therapy, Abigail Rosales Tolentino

Nursing | Senior Theses

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) encompasses a broad spectrum of challenges that impact social interaction, communication, and behavior. While Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) stands as a common therapeutic approach, there is a growing recognition of the need for personalized interventions. Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) emerges as a promising avenue for enhancing social interactions. This study focuses on the utilization of dogs in AAT for toddlers aged 12 to 36 months with confirmed ASD diagnoses. The experimental group will undergo a combined intervention involving standard ABA therapy alongside weekly AAT sessions, whereas the control group will receive standard ABA therapy alone. Pre- …

Icu Nurse Mental Health: Telehealth Versus In-Person Therapy Effectiveness, Ariel Mach

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background Nurses working within high-stress specialties, such as Intensive Care Units (ICUs), often face a lack of resources aimed at supporting their mental health. The expectation for the nurses is to independently manage their psychological well-being based on their knowledge and educational background. However, many times it is difficult to manage persistent stress, anxiety, or depression and this could adversely affect the quality of patient care and eventually lead to burnout. Telehealth therapy has become more readily available and used since the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to two forms of treatment delivery. Currently, there is limited research on the effectiveness of …

Pediatric Vaccination Adherence: Enhancing Compliance Among First-Generation Asian American Parents, Katelyn Leong

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Vaccine adherence in the pediatric population refers to receiving vaccines as per the recommended schedule, which significantly reduces vaccine-preventable diseases and enhances community immunity. Vaccine hesitancy, driven by concerns such as safety, misinformation, or cultural beliefs can affect adherence. National coverage of state-mandated vaccines among kindergarteners declined from 95% to around 93% between 2019 and 2022, varying across different vaccines. Objective: This research proposal’s focus is to determine if an educational intervention targeting first-generation Asian Americans, who have adopted their immigrant parents' misinformation about vaccines, will effectively increase vaccination rates among their children. The study aims to assess the …

The Impact Of Nursing Education On The Implementation Of Kangaroo Care: Neurodevelopment Outcomes In Preterm Infants, Giana Usac

Nursing | Senior Theses

Preterm birth poses a significant risk to the normal trajectory of brain development, particularly in the cortex, which is responsible for higher cognitive functions, motor control, and socio-emotional processing. However, Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) has emerged as an important early intervention capable of improving neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm newborns. This quantitative research proposal aims to assess the influence of nurse education on KMC practices, identifying pivotal periods in infancy when KMC has the most significant impact on neurodevelopment outcomes in preterm infants. The literature critique focuses on the efficacy of nursing education, the optimization of KMC regarding duration and frequency, …

Religious Influences Upon Blood Transfusion Therapy: Best Practices For Nursing Care During Ethical Dilemmas Regarding Treatment Refusal Among Jehovah’S Witnesses, Abigail Aranda, Leonard Tabas

Nursing | Senior Theses

Blood transfusion therapy is a vital medical intervention that can be life-saving in numerous clinical scenarios. However, the ethical dilemmas that surround this procedure become evident when religious beliefs begin to interfere with healthcare decisions, specifically those of Jehovah’s Witnesses. This proposal discusses the best practices for nursing care during these dilemmas involving blood transfusion therapy with a direct focus on the Jehovah’s Witness community and pediatric patients whose parents affiliate with these beliefs. These practices incorporate a comprehensive approach to patient care, which employs collaborative decision-making between patients, their families, and healthcare professionals as well as open communication and …

The Effects Of Adverse Childhood Experiences And Racism On The Risk For Poor Birth Outcomes In Women Of Color, Audrey Hermosura

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, are traumatic challenges experienced before the age of 18. These adversities have lifelong effects on physiologic and mental health. A relationship has been made between the number of ACEs and occurrences of poor birth outcomes. The toxic stress that accumulates from ACEs compounded by racism increases the risk for poor birth outcomes in women of color. Understanding the importance of screening for these events can mitigate the negative effects on women’s health during and after gestation. Purpose: This current paper, in addition to a literature review, proposes a research design to validate the feasibility …

Standardizing The Discharge Process To Reduce Copd Readmission Rates, Kristine Doligosa

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Background: Frequent acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) can lead to unfavorable patient outcomes and costly readmissions. Inadequate patient support during discharge and an inconsistent discharge process are factors contributing to high readmissions in this population.

Purpose: This quality improvement project aimed to reduce COPD-related hospital readmissions by standardizing the discharge process for patients admitted with AECOPD and identify patient risk factors for readmission.

Methods: Following a quantitative and quasi-experimental design, this project standardized the discharge process for patients admitted with AECOPD using the Re-Engineered Discharge Toolkit components and a discharge care bundle. The project was …

Satisfaction And Absenteeism To Lectures:Cross-Sectionnel Study Of Dental Students, Manal El Hijazi, Soundouss Soulami, Ihsane Benyahya

Health Sciences

Introduction: Lectures are still the main pedagogical tool in universities. The aim of this study was to evaluate student satisfaction with lectures and to analyze the factors behind student absenteeism.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among dental student by a voluntary, anonymous self-administered questionnaire with open and closed question. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS version 25 and the Chi2 test was used to compare percentages, with a significance level of p

The Supervisors Are Carrying The Bag: The Nurses' Emergency Council, Settlement Houses, And The 1918 Influenza Pandemic In New York City, Eric C. Cimino

History and Political Science: Faculty Publications

This article examines the combined efforts of the Nurses’ Emergency Council (NEC), settlement houses, and the Department of Health during the 1918 Influenza Pandemic in New York City. To coordinate public health nursing, the NEC united the settlements and municipal agencies into an umbrella organization that was chaired by Lillian Wald of the Henry Street Settlement. Together, the NEC and the Health Department recruited a corps of nurses to treat influenza patients, primarily in their homes. Historical accounts of the 1918 Pandemic often emphasize the incompetence of American cities in dealing with influenza’s spread. New York’s Health Commissioner Royal Copeland, …

An Internet Mantram Repetition Program To Promote Well-Being In Breast Cancer Survivors: A Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial, Jennifer M. Hulett, An-Lin Cheng, Jill E. Bormann, Allison B. Anbari, Jane M. Armer, Brooke M. Hartman, B. Ann Bettencourt, Leeanne B. Sherwin, Edie L. Sperling, Natsayakarn Narkthong, Carol Reinero, Hans Rindt, Kathy Schreiber, Lindsay L. Peterson, Emily L. Albright

School of Nursing and Health Science: Faculty Scholarship

Introduction: The primary objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of a 6-week internet-delivered Mantram Repetition Program (MRP) for women recently treated for breast cancer. A secondary objective explored changes in perceived stress, psycho-spiritual measures, and cytokines in the treatment group compared to a waitlist. Methods: A feasibility study (ORBIT model Phase IIa) with a randomized controlled trial pilot was conducted. Eligible women recently treated for breast cancer were randomized to the treatment group (n = 14) or a waitlist group (n = 12) and participated for 12 weeks. During weeks 1-6, the treatment group received the MRP …

Life Satisfaction Among Diverse Participants, Razel Bacuetes Milo, Maria Luisa Ramira, Nicole Martínez

School of Nursing and Health Science: Faculty Scholarship

Introduction:

Methods:

Results:

Implementation Of The Stop The Bleed Program At A Local Park District, Emily J. Minerva

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Background: Fifty percent of people who suffer from an acute bleeding event die before arriving to the hospital due to lack of receiving care in a timely manner.

Local Problem: Increased emergency response times could prove fatal to someone experiencing a large bleed, highlighting the need for increased emergency preparedness in the community.

Methodology: This implementation pilot project utilized quantitative tools (pre- and post-multiple-choice test and Likert scales) and a qualitative narrative approach (inductive content analysis).

Interventions: A certified Stop the Bleed instructor provided Stop the Bleed education with an animated presentation, hands-on skills training session, and a …

Improving Utilization Of Nonpharmacological Interventions In Adult Oncology Patients, Alison Keck

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Background: Anxiety is one of the most prevalent symptoms oncology patients experience and clinical guidelines support the use of nonpharmacological interventions (NPI) as a primary method for managing anxiety.

Local Problem: At a suburban, community hospital, a nurse perception survey revealed staff were “always” offering medications 69% of the time but NPIs were “never” used anywhere between 38-81% of the time. In a sampling of patients, only 33% recalled they had used NPIs. A Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) tool revealed that 69% of patients had higher than average levels of anxiety on the unit.

Methods: This quality …

Full Plate Living-Teaching Kitchen: A Sustainable Approach To Employee Health, Amy M. Daniel

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Abstract

Insufficient fiber intake is a key contributor to diet-related chronic diseases (DRCD) such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. This evidence-based health promotion program evaluated integrating a teaching kitchen with the Full Plate Living Plan (FPL-TK) to increase daily fiber intake. Grounded in the Social Cognitive Theory, the 8-week employee health promotion program included hands-on culinary demonstrations, a structured FPL nutrition curriculum, and fiber tracking tools to help participants engage and participate in weekly health and wellness changes. The program successfully achieved high engagement rates, with 80% of participants reporting high satisfaction with the program and 100% of participants stating …

Maternal Health Disparities: The Plight Of The Black And Brown Woman, Melantha Cash

Graduate Research Projects

No abstract provided.

Hypothyroid: New Insights On An Old Disease, Sara Ward

Graduate Research Projects

No abstract provided.

What Are The Key Factors Influencing The Successful Integration Of Ai In Healthcare?, Gabe Herman

Graduate Research Projects

No abstract provided.

Cycle Synced Fitness: The Impact Of Menstrual Cycle Phases On Women's Exercise Performance And Health, Sabrina Galindo

Graduate Research Projects

No abstract provided.