Nursing Commons^™

Quality Improvement Project Improving Tele-Sitter Usage In The Surgical Trauma Pcu, Stephanie R. Stone

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This project aimed to improve the knowledge and usage of virtual patient sitters/tele-sitters for surgical trauma progressive care nurses in the surgical trauma progressive care unit through the implementation of nursing education, utilizing evidenced based teaching strategies. Nurse leaders identified a need for staff education among the surgical trauma registered nurse staff population. The goal of the project was to increase knowledge of virtual patient sitters/tele-sitters and how to order them, improve the understanding of the benefits of utilizing the device and to increase the overall usage of the devices on the surgical trauma progressive care unit patients that would …

The Impact Of High Deductible Health Plans On Mental Health Treatment, Kristian D. Dambrino, Laura Gray, R. David Phillippi

DNP Projects

Background and Rationale: High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) are designed to reduce overall healthcare spending by shifting more upfront costs to patients to discourage overutilization of care, yet HDHPs often increase financial burden, particularly in outpatient mental health care. Patients covered by HDHPs often face substantial out-of-pocket costs before reaching their deductible. This can lead to potential delays or discontinuation of psychiatric treatment. Financial transparency interventions by the mental health provider may mitigate these barriers through more-informed patient decision-making regarding payment options. This project evaluates the impact of a financial transparency intervention on reducing payment responsibility for HDHP patients in …

Policy Brief: The Nurse Practitioner Modernization Act, Ryleigh Hancock

Fisher Showcase 2025

This is a Policy Brief on why The Nurse Practitioner Modernization Act should be implemented and what actions need to be taken. This was a course assignment in my Healthcare Systems, Policy, and Law class but the primary audience would theoretically be policymakers.

Quality Improvement Project Improving Tele-Sitter Usage In The Surgical Trauma Pcu, Stephanie Stone

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This project aimed to improve the knowledge and usage of virtual patient sitters/tele-sitters for surgical trauma progressive care nurses in the surgical trauma progressive care unit through the implementation of nursing education, utilizing evidenced based teaching strategies. Nurse leaders identified a need for staff education among the surgical trauma registered nurse staff population. The goal of the project was to increase knowledge of virtual patient sitters/tele-sitters and how to order them, improve the understanding of the benefits of utilizing the device and to increase the overall usage of the devices on the surgical trauma progressive care unit patients that would …

The Psychological Effects Of Domestic Violence And Nurse's Role, Cindy Tran

Honors Capstones

This research highlights the significance of domestic violence and how the detrimental effects on psychological health can lead to negative coping mechanisms and severe injuries that lead to death if unaddressed. Healthcare professionals and healthcare facilities have a significant role in treating and identifying domestic violence victims. This research seeks to answer the question,“Do individuals who experience domestic violence abuse have an increased risk of developing negative psychological health concerns and what is the nurse’s role in the care for these victims?” Through a review of literature accessed through databases such as EBSCO and PubMed, there is evidence that domestic …

Clinical Practice Guideline For Patient Education On Indwelling Catheters In The Home, Lyndsy Bolstad

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Home healthcare agencies transition patients from the hospital to the home where caregivers may assist in providing care for indwelling Foley catheters. About half of urinary tract infections are in the presence of an indwelling catheter. The agency for which this Doctor of Nursing Practice project was developed does not have an evidence-based clinical practice patient education guideline (CPPEG) for the care of the indwelling catheter to prevent infection. The practice-focused questions were: (a) What evidence-based literature supports the development of a CPPEG for patient education on the care of the Foley catheter in the home and (b) Will the …

Organization Change Process Initiative Recurrent Emergency Room Visits By Mental Health And Substance Use Patients, Julie Marie Tucker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The rising rates of patients diagnosed with mental health and substance use disorders (MHSUD) signify a critical national crisis, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, as reported by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. This increase has reduced access to essential resources and treatment options, resulting in overcrowded emergency rooms (ER) and extended wait times. Addressing these issues is vital for nursing practice, as they significantly influence patient care and health outcomes, especially for vulnerable populations. This doctoral project explores whether an organizational change designed to raise awareness of updated community resources impacts MHSUD patient visits to the …

Factors Associated With Quality Of Intrapartum Care In Kenya: A Complex Samples Analysis Of The 2022 Kenya Demographic And Health Survey, Lilian Nuwabaine, Earnest Amwiine, Quraish Sserwanja, Joseph Kawuki, Mathius Amperiize, Angella Namulema, Ahmed Sarki, John Baptist Asiimwe

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background

The provision of quality intrapartum care increases women’s utilization of skilled birth attendants in health facilities and improves maternal and newborn health. This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with the quality of intrapartum care using the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS).

Methods

Secondary data from the 2022 KDHS of 11,863 participants, who were selected by multistage stratified sampling, was used. Based on literature and the availability of indicators within the 2022 KDHS, the quality of intrapartum care was operationalized as receiving all the three clinical components of intrapartum care including a mother having a facility-based …

Capturing Women's Birth Experiences Through Photos, Kristen Montgomery, Betsy Crabtree, Samantha Grayson, Alyssa Harmon, Rachael Robbins, Sarah Shelton, Hannah Sobas, Alexis Taliaferro, Nolan Willard

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Purpose: Each year 3.5 to 4 million women give birth in the United States. Childbirth is a life-changing event that induces various emotions in women. Many women report having a negative experience due to short staffing, inadequate care, and a loss of autonomy. Aims: The aim of the study was to understand what factors contribute to a positive or negative birth experience.

Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted using photo elicitation. Photos were collected from participants and included a description of how the photo represented the participant’s experience. Demographic data were collected through a survey. Participants …

Utilizing The Mdq For Bipolar I Screening In The Primary Care Environment, Jamie Strozier

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Abstract- Utilizing the MDQ for Bipolar I Screening in the Primary Care Environment

Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition characterized by episodes of depression, mania, or mixed symptoms, affecting approximately 5.7 million adults in the U.S. and 40 million individuals worldwide. Despite its significant impact, bipolar disorder is frequently misdiagnosed as major depressive disorder (MDD) in primary care settings, leading to inappropriate treatment and worsening patient outcomes. Research indicates that 78% of bipolar patients are initially misdiagnosed, with only 32% of primary care providers (PCPs) screening for the disorder. This quality improvement project aims to enhance bipolar disorder …

Disparities In Women's Healthcare, Allie Sonnleitner

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Purpose: Women's health care disparities remain an understudied topic within the scientific community, despite the emergence of the Women's Health Movement in the 1960s. It wasn't until 1986 that women were allowed to participate in clinical research and trials. In 2017, the National Institutes of Health launched its first dedicated program to address disparities among women. Studies have consistently found disparities between biological men and women in areas such as pain management, treatment and diagnostics, and inclusion in clinical trials. These studies highlight significant differences in care and provide substantial evidence to support their findings.

Methods and Results: To address …

Environmental Concerns Of Women In Appalachia, Kristen Montgomery, Adebayo Adeeko, Jessica Binns, Sarah Hall, Paula Hawkins, Allyson Newer, Michaela Outlaw, Karenna Turley

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Purpose: Environmental contamination is rampant in the United States and other parts of the world. There are potential health implications related to environmental contamination.
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Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate how concerned women in Appalachia are regarding the environment. The following research question was addressed: What concerns do women have regarding the environment? The objective of this study was to understand how women perceive their environment and to evaluate what concerns they have regarding the environment. We also evaluated demographic factors to see if any demographics contributed to particular concerns related …

Medication Card Implementation In Public Health Clinics To Increase Health Literacy Within Older Adults In Rural Communities, Abigail Mulcahy, Audrey Ehling, Cecelia Braun, Janae Salvetti, Jocelyn Liddell, Joshua Boen, Madison Henneman, Zoe Dreckmann

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Health literacy in older adults living in a rural community continues to be a barrier to care. Improving health literacy though enhancing communication between patients and healthcare providers is essential in improving health literacy in the community.

Education On Advanced Directives In Rural Communities, Samantha Koster, Alyssa Iverson, Caroline O'Dell, Nulia Nguyen, Olivia Post, Gabrielle Gray, Cheol-Hyeon Roh

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Population Health Problem

Trempealeau County faces issues knowledge gaps and health literacy. The Compass Report (2024) highlights that 19% of residents in the county consider their community excellent in meeting their family’s educational needs, while 11% believe the opportunities for gaining additional knowledge are excellent.

A Jewel In The Crown Is Better Than Money In The Pocket": Historical Data On The Role Of Midwives In Caring For Families In Southern Appalachia, Kristen Montgomery

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Background: Midwives have provided care to women since the beginning of time. Early midwives had little training but learned their craft from experienced women. Later, formal training became available. Midwives have a rich history in Appalachia.

Purpose: to explore the rich history of all types of midwives in Appalachia.

Methods: Materials from the Archives of Appalachia were reviewed. Both written and oral materials were evaluated. This included a review of the document, identification of themes, and then comparing those themes with previously identified themes. Documents were reviewed in a random order by two researchers who met to discuss results.

Results: …

Kentucky House Bill 159: Health Care Policy Analysis, Lindsey Frasure

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Lindsey Frasure MSN-Ed., RN

Lincoln Memorial University, Caylor School of Nursing

DNP Student

An Educational Presentation: Kentucky House Bill 159: Health Care Policy Analysis

Abstract:

Purpose/Background: Kentucky House Bill 159 is a bill that passed through the state congress in 2024. It is known as the decriminalization bill. The aim of this presentation is to analyze and discuss the bill in its entirety, why the bill continues to be important in healthcare, implications for nursing, the future of nursing, and advocation for change. The significance of the presentation is to educate fellow healthcare professionals on the importance of policy …

Stay Fit, Stay Safe: Sports Safety For Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Kierra A. Pickard, Lauren G. Cahalan, Allie Sonnleitner, Hanna G. Crabtree, Emily J. Myszewski, Claire R. Privatt, Maya L. Vosters

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Purpose: With the growing older adult population, defined as 65 years and older, the importance of safety in activities, such as sports, is becoming more important. It is vital to address the needs of this population through increasing education to prevent or address injuries related to physical activity. The overall purpose of this project was to determine the impact of providing sports safety education at the Holmen Area Community Center (HACC). Moreover, we sought to explore and educate the clients at HACC on ways to prevent such injuries and what to do if an injury does occur.

Many older …

Implementation Of Palliative Care In Relation To Quality Of Life For Adults With Chronic Conditions, Zoe Dreckmann

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Palliative care is care focused on maintaining or improving one's quality of life. Many patients suffer from chronic conditions that impact quality of life due to high symptom burden and other factors that impact physical and emotional health. According to Calsina-Berna et al. (2022) in patients with advanced chronic conditions, 69-82% will need palliative care before death but only 12% will actually receive palliative care (Teixeira et al. 2023). Hence the majority of people with advanced illness need palliative intervention but fail to benefit from the services offered. Palliative care for these patients focuses on quality of life (QOL) which …

Scent-Sational Aromas, Joshua Boen

Research & Creative Achievement Day

This is a series of health educational videos developed for TikTok and Instagram Reels formulated from a literature review. The videos focused on essential oils, how to use them properly, and how to avoid misinformation surrounding essential oils. These videos used research provided by a licensed aromatherapist and were approved by professors before being filmed, edited, and posted. The videos' data points were then evaluated to adapt posting for better engagement.

The Impact Of Vitamin D On Mental Health In College Students, Kelsey M. Hipenbecker, Joshua P. Gullickson, Rylee A. Fredrickson, Abigail M. Andersen, Isabel M. Schottenbauer, Bryce Stoltz, Brianna M. Carlson

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Mental illness can impact persons of all ages. A Healthy Minds study revealed that more than 60% of college students met the criteria for at least one mental health condition over the course of a year. Mental health issues such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) have been associated with insufficient dietary vitamin D and sun avoidance amongst college students. Because mental illness is becoming increasingly prevalent in college students, we did a literature search to examine the association of vitamin D and mental health among college students. This topic is relevant as college students' busy …

Collaboration And Partnership Creation As A Method To Best Support Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities (Idd), Jonas A. Bishop, Frank W. Jesse, Mueller G. Morgan, Lor Sheyenne, Gaohmong A. Yang, Isabelle R. Sunde, Gretta Bergstrom, Caitlin M. Curtin

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Background: There is a growing need for inclusive healthcare for individuals with IDD. There is a gap in clinical training of care for individuals with IDD. Formal clinical training for IDD was lacking in 40% to 86% of healthcare providers [Khanlou et al., (2021); Friedman & VanPuymbrouck (2024)]. This lack of specialized training contributes to healthcare disparities.  Individuals with IDD have a life expectancy of 66.1 years, which is approximately 20 years shorter than the general population [Roll & Bower (2017); Friedman & VanPuymbrouck (2024)]. Additionally, 17 to 36% of individuals with IDD experiences limited access to healthcare providers, further …

Promoting Cardiovascular Health To Women 65 And Older, Kelly Blue, Ashtyn E. Newland, Malaina B. Buehler, Brianna E. Ryan, Serena Tatu, Emma Pagel, Naomi M. Breunig, Addison Lyon

Research & Creative Achievement Day

New technologies, including virtual reality (VR), offer exciting new opportunities for tourism, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. While these technologies provide tourism experiences for those who are not comfortable with or able to physically travel, they may have adverse effects on tourist destinations by reducing the number of physical visitors. To assess this, the study will include questions to analyze whether VR experiences increase or decrease the incentive to physically travel to a given destination. This question will be answered through a laboratory experiment involving exposure to a virtual tour, either with a VR headset or a …

Effects Of Prior Direct-Patient Care Experience On Undergraduate Nursing Students’ Anxiety And Self-Confidence, Lauren G. Cahalan, Kierra A. Pickard

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Purpose:  An extensive literature review indicates a gap in understanding how prior direct patient care experience affects undergraduate nursing students’ anxiety and self-confidence during their program. The purpose of this project was to examine the impact of prior direct patient care experience on undergraduate nursing students’ anxiety and self-confidence while in an undergraduate nursing program.  

Participants: A total of 294 undergraduate nursing students were surveyed using Qualtrics. Students were from terms one, two, three, and four in the Winona and Rochester nursing program allowing for a population of diverse backgrounds.

Methods: A survey including the Nursing Anxiety and Self-Confidence with …

The Impact Of Physical Activity On Mental Health Disorders In Children, Brianna E. Ryan

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Purpose - The purpose of this project is to highlight the effects physical activity has on children's mental health and to provide evidence-based insights on ways physical activity can and should be incorporated into the developmental stages of children's lives. Ultimately, the goal being to promote healthier and improved mental health statuses for the younger populations.

Introduction - The mental health crises among children are on the rise as more children each year are diagnosed with mental health conditions. It has been found that around 20% of children ages five through seventeen regularly experience symptoms of mental health disorders and …

Electronic-Based Determinants Of Health Screening On An Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit, Anyaku O. Okpara

Dissertations

Problem: Approximately 14.1 million Americans are diagnosed with a Serious Mental Illness (SMI). These individuals experience death 10-20 years earlier compared to the general population, primarily due to chronic medical comorbidities and unmet health-related social needs (HRSNs). Mortality rates, increased healthcare utilization, and frequent readmissions in patients with multiple, unmet HRSNs are likely to remain high unless developments such as the incorporation of standardized, multi-domain, social determinants of health (SDOH) screenings into electronic health records (EHRs). The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project, guided by the Institute for Healthcare (IHI) model for change utilizing the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle, was …

Clinical Education Program For Hair Removal To Reduce Surgical Site Infections, Madison Smith, Dana Todd

Student Scholarship & Creative Works

Abstract

Surgical site infections (SSIs) significantly impact surgical patients and with one contributory to their development is hair removal method, education about surgical hair removal methods is minimal in continued educational programs. The purpose of this project was to provide an educational program that discussed hair removal methods to reduce surgical site infections. The staff was educated on methods for hair removal in surgical patients, recommendations from manufacturers of the product, hospital policies regarding hair removal and governing organizational guidelines. Over two days for a 10-hour shift each day, a poster board and a 15-30-minute presentation then a pre/post-test was …

Surgical Specimen Management Protocols In The Pre-Analytical Phase, Jordan L. Hall

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose

This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to decrease surgical specimen errors during the pre-analytical phase at the target institution by 50% by January 2025 by developing best practices for specimen labeling and documentation.

Background

The QI project was implemented within a level two trauma center with a 24-suite operating room (OR) in The Woodlands, Texas, which provides care across all surgical specialties except ophthalmology.

Methodology

The target institution changed from nurse-hand-written specimen labels and requisition sheets to electronic medical record (EMR) generated specimen labels and requisition sheets. The change was congruent with the target institution’s shift to a new …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Telehealth Interventions In Managing Type 2 Diabetes Among Adults In Underserved Rural Areas, Taylor Lemke

Nursing Capstones

Managing Type 2 diabetes (T2D) in underserved rural areas presents ongoing challenges due to limited healthcare access and provider shortages. Telehealth interventions, such as remote monitoring, mobile health applications, and virtual consultations, have emerged as promising strategies to enhance care delivery. This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of telehealth in improving glycemic control and patient satisfaction among adults with T2D in rural settings. Recent studies, including randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and systematic reviews published between 2019 and 2025, were analyzed. Overall, telehealth was associated with reductions in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), improved medication adherence, and increased patient engagement. High levels …

Quality Improvement Project Building Confidence In Critical Thinking Through Faculty Implementation Of Simulation, Melissa Morris

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Simulation provides nursing students with experiences that are as effective as clinical experiences in a non-threatening environment. Clinical experiences such as obstetrics, pediatrics, and mental health have been observation only at the project site. With observation-only clinicals, students do not have opportunities to master skills specific to nursing, which bridge theory to practice. The purpose of this Quality Improvement (QI) project focuses on educating nursing faculty who may not be simulation experts to learn the skills to build and implement simulations that align with the International Nursing Association Clinical and Simulation Learning (INACSL) simulation standards. The Primary Investigator (PI) utilized …

Implementation Of A Standardized Discharge Process At A Substance Use Disorder Inpatient Treatment Facility, Katelyn Love Bsn, Rn, Jennifer Sternberg Dnp, Aprn, Fnp-C, Kathryn Dambrino Dnp, Aprn, Fnp-C, David Phillippi Biostatistican

DNP Projects

Project Title: Implementation of a Standardized Discharge Process at a Substance Use Disorder Inpatient Treatment Facility

Background and Rationale: Currently, millions of adults are suffering from substance use disorder. For those in recovery, 45-55% of these adults will relapse within the first 6 months of leaving rehab, and due to loss of tolerance to their preferred drug of choice, these clients are at higher risk of mortality. This transition of care phase is a critical time period for clients to avoid relapse while navigating recovery challenges independently, and evidence supports standardized, intentional, client-centered discharge planning to improve transitional care outcomes. …