Nursing Commons^™

Implementing A Validated Screening Tool For Intimate Partner Violence In A Women’S Primary Care Setting: A Quality Improvement Project, Alexis Senu

DNP Projects

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health crisis, disproportionately affecting individuals identifying as women, with lifelong physical and psychological consequences. Despite recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) for routine IPV screening, many primary care settings lack standardized tools to perform this screening. The Modern Woman Health and Wellness Center (MWHWC), a women’s only primary care clinic in Connecticut, identified the need for a validated screening tool to increase detection of IPV, improve patient outcomes and align with national screening guidelines.

Objective: This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to implement the HARK (Humiliation, …

Use Of Visual Cues In Pacu Pca Pumps On Increasing Patient Satisfaction Of Pain Management, Rebecca Willier

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Abstract

Problem: Effective pain management in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) is crucial for patient recovery and satisfaction. Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pumps are commonly used to manage post-surgical pain, allowing patients to self-administer analgesics within prescribed limits. However, confusion about dosing intervals and uncertainty about when the next dose can be administered may lead to anxiety and dissatisfaction among patients. Previous research suggests visual cues can enhance user experience and confidence in medical device use.

Aim: This study aims to investigate whether the addition of visual cues on PCA pumps improves patient satisfaction with pain management compared to standard PCA …

Impact Of Cde Referral On A1c Control In Adult Type 2 Dm Patients., Alivia Watts Bsn, Rn, Yesica Sanchez Bsn, Rn, Morgan Hilliard Bsn, Rn, Laura Reed Dnp, Fnp-Bc

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Type II Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic health condition impacting many adults in Tennessee. Certified Diabetic Educators (CDEs) are specifically trained in educating and addressing the health care needs of patients with diagnoses of Type I or Type II Diabetes. Research has shown that education conducted by CDEs leads to improved outcomes and self- care in those with diabetes (Bowen, et al., 2016, King et al., 2019). Not only are CDEs cost effective services leading to a decrease in healthcare costs, but they also aid in the improvement of hemoglobin A1C (Hgb A1C) levels and decrease complications associated with Type …

Staff Education To Enhance Nurses' Knowledge Of Pressure Injury Prevention, Jacqueline Evette Foster

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) have a significant negative impact on patient safety and the quality of care. This doctor of nursing practice (DNP) staff education project focused on improving staff nurses’ knowledge in preventing pressure injuries. Recognizing the high incidence of pressure injuries at the project site, this staff education project addressed the critical need to reduce pressure injuries for at-risk patients by providing ongoing education and training to enhance pressure injury management, reduce hospital costs and length of hospitalization, and improve patient care quality. The practice-focused question guiding this staff education project was the following: To what degree …

Facilitating The Use Of Sbar By Nursing Staff For Handoff Communication, Amarillis L. Tompkins

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: Clear communication during shift handoffs is crucial to minimize errors and ensure patient safety in intensive care. The current SBAR framework used in the MICU is constrained by limited documentation space, which led to communication inefficiencies and heightened risks for patient care.

PICOT: The PICOT question that guided this project was: In the NFSG VA MICU, will staff nurses (P) using a revised SBAR communication tool with a checklist (I), compared to the current outdated SBAR tool without a checklist (C), improve the accuracy and completeness of patient handoff communication (O) over eight weeks (T)?

Evidence: The project …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of A Non-Pharmacological Sleep Bundle For The Prevention Of Delirium In Geriatric Patients In The Intensive Care Unit: A Scoping Review, Morgan Wilkins Bsn, Rn, Vanessa D'Amico Bsn, Rn, Alyssa Goyda Bsn, Rn, Seema Janga Bsn, Rn, Kaylin Story Bsn, Rn, Tracy Mcclinton Dnp, Aprn, Agacnp-Bc

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background

Delirium is an acute disorder yielding cognitive deficits, such as disruption in attention and awareness. It impacts approximately 50% of individuals over the age of 65 who are admitted to the hospital and is prevalent with patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). ICU delirium is associated with adverse outcomes, including higher morbidity, prolonged hospital stays, and chronic neurocognitive deficits. Research demonstrates that implementation of a non-pharmacological sleep bundle can reduce the overall occurrence of delirium. The purpose of this scoping review is to examine the efficacy of a non-pharmacological sleep bundle on the incidence of ICU delirium in …

Optimizing Care For Heart Failure Patients With Reduced Ejection Fraction: A Quality Improvement Project On Guideline Directed Medical Therapy Adherence, Leonie Campbell-Williams

DNP Projects

Significance and Background: Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) remains a major cause of hospital readmissions, increasing both healthcare utilization and patient morbidity. Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy (GDMT) has been proven to reduce mortality and hospitalizations; however, adherence to these evidence-based guidelines remains inconsistent (Yancy et al., 2022).

Purpose: This quality improvement project aimed to evaluate whether enhancing GDMT adherence in an outpatient heart failure clinic could reduce emergency room (ER) admissions among patients with HFrEF.

Methods: A structured intervention was implemented at a local healthcare system Cardiology Clinic, focusing on optimizing adherence to GDMT in 60 patients with HFrEF. …

Association Of Plant-Based Dietary Patterns With Female Reproductive Cancer Incidence And Mortality: A Systematic Review, Esther L. Farley, Scott Moore, Gary A. Giovino, Darryl Somayaji

Campus Research Month

Healthy plant-based eating, a health-related behavior that nurses may promote, has been associated with a decrease in multiple types of cancer. However, the association of a healthy plant-based dietary pattern with decreased female reproductive cancers has not yet been established.

This review of the literature followed PRISMA guidelines to search for the relationship between a healthy plant-based dietary pattern and incidence of and mortality from a breast or gynecological cancer diagnosis. Databases searched for this review included PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Web of Science.

We identified 27 publications that met the qualifications for inclusion. Twelve studies covered mortality from breast, …

Neonatal Intensive Care Internship, Moroni Butler

Student Research Symposium

Ever since I was a kid, I have wanted to be a part of the Neonatal Intensive Care team and learn to provide the life-saving care they practice each day. My younger brother had bilateral pneumothoraces (holes in the walls of each lung allowing the escape of air). When I visited him in the NICU and saw all the wires and cords attached to his little body, I had the realization that he may never come home. The NICU team saved his life, and I've loved every minute with him since. I wanted to take this position in the NICU …

The Way To A Mother’S Heart: A Risk Assessment Tool For The Early Detection Of Maternal Peripartum Cardiomyopathies, Leighton Terrell

Student Scholarship & Creative Works

Abstract

Background

Peripartum cardiomyopathies are a rare, but deadly occurrence among pregnant and postpartum women. Maternal mortality rates have risen over the last few years proving a large problem with the focus on maternal health.

Objective

The objective of this intervention was to aid providers in diagnosing peripartum cardiomyopathies early before detrimental damage could be done to the hearts of these women.

Methods

In this quality improvement project, the need for a peripartum cardiomyopathy risk assessment survey among patients in small, rural area of Western Kentucky was determined.

Results

Using the 22 surveys that were collected, 36.4% of patients were …

Ai Beliefs And Practices In Community College Classrooms, Julie Eng, Heather Umphlett, Jocelyn Gilchrist, Alicia Howell, Mary Ann Howell, Wendy Miller-Edwards, Laurel Pope

Inquiry: The Journal of the Virginia Community Colleges

The country, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and Virginia Community College System initiatives all promote generative AI within education. It is a topic of great concern and interest for higher education instructors, yet at the same time many faculty members feel uncertain about effectively integrating it into class material. To further add pressure to the AI explosion, community colleges particularly face a responsibility to prepare their students for success in this new AI-focused environment. In this article, seven faculty members from Camp Community College discuss the implications of generative AI programs, including subscriptions and chatbots, within their particular courses and how …

Supporting Maternal Mental Health In The Postpartum Period With The Use Of Home Resource Kit, Nicole Craig

Theses and Graduate Projects

Postpartum mental health disorders, including postpartum depression and anxiety, can affect a significant proportion of new mothers for centuries. This paper explores the development, implementation, and evaluation of an at-home mental health resource kit designed to support maternal mental health while navigating the stresses of new motherhood. Utilizing Jean Watson's Theory of Human Caring as a theoretical framework, the study assesses the effectiveness of integrative therapies such as aromatherapy, mindful meditation, and educational resources in managing postpartum stress. Data collected through pre- and post-surveys and roundtable discussions provide insights into the benefits and limitations of these interventions. The findings indicate …

Mindfulness Meditation For Informal Caregivers Of Individuals Living With Alzheimer's Disease, Stacey Miller

Theses and Graduate Projects

Abstract

Caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease places significant emotional, physical, financial, and psychological burden on caregivers. Alzheimer’s disease is leading to an increase in family members becoming informal caregivers for their loved ones living with this disease. According to the Alzheimer’s Association (2022), 66% of caregivers for people with dementia live in their homes with them. This scholarly project, through a literature review and qualitative data collection, explored the lived experiences of informal caregivers leading to feelings of stress. Mindfulness meditation provides proven benefits to stress management. Margaret Newman’s theory of Health as Expanding Consciousness lays the foundation for …

The Green Room: Creating An Environment To Combat Burnout In The Emergency Department, Vitaliy Kovdiy

Theses and Graduate Projects

BACKGROUND: In 2020 a pandemic created dangerous workloads leading to many nurses quitting their careers due to chronic stress. This project will create the green room, which is the name of this recharge room, where staff can go to experience a moment of peace to decrease their stress levels. This room had a spa aesthetic with comfortable seating and green plants. METHODS: This quality improvement project follows the plan-do-study-act model. When participants arrived, they filled out a questionnaire before using the room. They were then shown all the things they could do to utilize the room. After they were done …

Development Of End-Of-Life Educational Module For Nurses, Kari Mcclain

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

End-of-life (EOL) care is given to patients and their families near the end of the patient’s life or when a patient or family member chooses to stop any treatment they are receiving to either cure or control their disease process. Having discussions regarding end-of-life and dying has proven to be difficult and uncomfortable for most healthcare professionals, whether they are providers or nurses at the bedside. Part of the reason for the discomfort in having these discussions is twofold. First, healthcare professionals are trained to do what they can to save a person's life. Therefore, there is a lack of …

Staff Education To Increase Knowledge Of Safe And Effective Prescription Of Opioids For Pain Management For Patients With Illicit Drug Use, Kenny Adeshola Fagbamila Amanze

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Opioid misuse and overdose continue to pose a significant public health crisis in the United States, particularly among patients with a history of substance use disorder (SUD). This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to improve healthcare staff knowledge regarding the safe and effective prescribing of opioids for pain management in patients with a history of illicit drug use. A staff education program was implemented at an outpatient clinic and evaluated using a pretest/posttest design with ten participants. The average knowledge score improved from 46% pre-intervention to 86% post-intervention, indicating a substantial increase in staff competence. The project supports …

Preventing Errors With Two-Component Pediatric Vaccines, Angela C. Clarke

MSN Student Capstones

No abstract provided.

Massive Transfusion Done Right In The Emergency Room, Angela Sams

MSN Student Capstones

No abstract provided.

Effective Multidisciplinary Communication For Critical Access Hospitals During Obstetric Emergencies, Beverly D. Carpenter

MSN Student Capstones

No abstract provided.

The Effectiveness Of Gad-7 Screening In High School Students, Tamara L. Smith, Allison Darnell, Margaret Harvey, Phd, Acnp-Bc, Chfn, Jacqueline Sharp Dnp, Aprn, Pmhp-Bc

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background

Adolescent mental health is a growing concern, with anxiety disorders being particularly prevalent among high school students. Left untreated, anxiety can significantly impact academic performance, social functioning, and long-term mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges, highlighting the critical need for effective screening and intervention strategies. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) is a validated tool for identifying anxiety disorders, yet its application in high school settings is limited. This scoping review explores the effectiveness of GAD-7 in increasing mental health referrals and improving anxiety outcomes in high school students.

Methods

A comprehensive search was conducted across …

The Cruciality Of Early Recognition Of Postpartum Depression In Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Nicu) Mothers, Shelby Clark

Scholars Week

Postpartum depression is a serious complication of childbirth that is largely dismissed by society for a variety of reasons. Unfortunately, the condition is intensified for NICU mothers. If left untreated, postpartum depression can have detrimental effects. This quality-improvement project focused on early recognition of postpartum depression symptoms in mothers of infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit in Western Kentucky. The goal of the project was education for and recognition of postpartum depression in NICU mothers. Methodology for the project included utilizing the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale to determine the severity of symptoms of postpartum depression for NICU mothers. …

Perceived Risk And Hpv Vaccination Awareness Among Women In Rural And Underserved Communities In The State Of Louisiana, Deborah Gurgel Smith, Emily M. Dantes, Robbie Beyl, Yanna X. De Koter, Margaret Bourg, Corey D. Smith, Gelinia Jackson, Justin Brown, Jerry W. Mclarty

School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Despite the availability of effective preventive measures, women in rural and underserved communities of Louisiana face health disparities regarding human papillomavirus infections. This study explores how perceived risk and socioeconomic factors, such as income, influence HPV vaccine awareness and attitudes toward HPV risk. A cross-sectional study was conducted among women in rural and underserved areas of Louisiana from November 2022 to December 2023. Participants were eligible to be included in the study if they were adult females aged 25 to 64 with no history of hysterectomy and no history of cervical cancer. We used convenience sampling through a mobile health …

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Nurses' Feelings, Stress, Coping, And Motivation In Palestinian Treatment Centers Of Corona, † Wafaa Menawi, Shatha Mari, Ahmad Adel Hanani

An-Najah University Journal for Research - B (Humanities)

Background: Frontline nurses of COVID-19 found themselves in an unfamiliar new disease work environment, fighting to adapt and control the stress while working at covid-19 centers in Palestine. Aim: To investigate the impact of COVID-19 on nurses' feelings, stress, coping, and motivation in COVID-19 Palestinian treatment Centers. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional design was conducted between Mid of July to the end of October 2021 by recruiting a purposive sample of 390 nurses who worked at the Ministry of Health during COVID-19 pandemic treatment centers. The nurses filled out the COVID-19 Health Personnel Questionnaire with Cronbach's Alpha > 0.9. Results: Palestinian frontline …

Aprn Transition To Primary Care Practice Program: A Quality Improvement Project, Melissa R. Baker

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

Transitioning to independent practice presents challenges for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) new to primary care. This quality improvement project addressed gaps in training and support through a structured Transition to Primary Care Practice (TTPCP) program across multiple primary care clinics in the southeastern United States. Over 12 months, the program provided weekly didactic sessions, monthly specialty rotations, and bi-weekly feedback. Guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework, the initiative tracked structure, process, and outcome measures. Among 20 participants, attendance and schedule ramp-up reached 100%. Knowledge scores improved by 44%, and self-assessments increased by 23%. All assessed participants were rated Proficient or …

Culturally Appropriate Mental Health Awareness To Reduce Mental Health Stigmatization And Improve Quality Of Life Among People Of African Descent., Nicoline Frinwie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Staff Education To Improve Hand Hygiene Among Inpatient Behavioral Health Staff., Folashade Abosede Fadairo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In this staff education project, I addressed the critical need to improve hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers in behavioral health settings. Poor adherence to hand hygiene protocols is directly linked to increased healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), patient morbidity, and higher healthcare costs in behavioral health environments. The practice-focused question was: How does a hand hygiene intervention program, grounded in the theoretical domains framework, impact hand hygiene compliance among behavioral healthcare workers in inpatient psychiatric units? The purpose of the project was to evaluate the effect of a hand hygiene intervention program on compliance rates among behavioral healthcare workers in inpatient …

Implementation Of Virtual Nursing, Kennedy Van Beek, Lydia Zink, Gabrielle Johnson, Brieannah Brands, Madison Naig, Pam Hulstein

Celebration of Research

A literature review was conducted between the months of August 2024 and November 2024 to explore how virtual nursing can improve quality of care. Ten articles focusing on the implementation of virtual nursing were reviewed and analyzed. The purpose of this review is to assist Spencer Hospital in their goals of decreasing the number of staff onsite and offloading the tasks of medication checks, admissions, and documentation to virtual nurses. In the literature review below, we compile resources to explore how virtual nursing influences workflow, patient safety, finances, and satisfaction of both patients and providers. Although many benefits regarding the …

Screening Resources And Interventions For Postpartum Depression, Gianna Escalera, Emma Haley, Nicholas Helderop, Stella Umphreys, Samantha Vermeer, Pam Hulstein

Celebration of Research

A literature review was conducted between the months of August 2024-November 2024 to explore screening, diagnosis and intervention for patients experiencing PPD. 10 articles focusing on these three topics were reviewed. The purpose of this project was to examine current research regarding PPD screening, diagnosis, and intervention and to suggest evidence-based modifications to the current practice at Sioux Center Health. The following literature review provides several alterations to current practice regarding time of screening, education of providers, and interventions offered, to produce best outcomes for PPD patients.

Keywords: Postpartum Depression, Postpartum, Perinatal, Prenatal, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale

Delaying The Newborn Bath For Twenty-Four Hours, Ashley Hellewell, Grace Radcliffe, Kendyl Ruschy, Breelle Van Zee, Pam Hulstein

Celebration of Research

Delaying newborn bathing beyond 24 hours aligns with the WHO guidelines on newborn care, and is beneficial to neonatal outcomes:

• Potential to improve several key outcomes of extrauterine stabilization and breastfeeding.
• Reduces neonatal hypothermia and hypoglycemia.
• Increases prevalence of breastfeeding rates.

Studies reported mixed results regarding the significance of these outcomes; however, data favors the practice of delayed infant bathing. Further research is warranted to address limitations and gaps in research.

By implementing delayed newborn bathing, healthcare providers have the potential to improve the overall health outcomes of the infant and support wellbeing.

Hypoglycemic Predictive Modeling Tool, Zoe Bruflat, Pam Hulstein

Celebration of Research

Introduction: This evidence-based practice (EBP) project aims to improve patient safety and outcomes through the implementation of a predictive modeling tool (XGBoost) to predict and prevent hypoglycemic events in hospitalized adults at Sanford Health. Hypoglycemia continues to be a major safety concern, and early prediction can prevent complications

Methods: The project involved a literature review of articles to identify and recommend a hypoglycemic predictive modeling tool for Sanford Health. Included articles were published between 2019 and 2024 and selected through keywords like inpatients, hypoglycemia, glucose prediction, and predictive modeling. Searches across databases, including PubMed, JAMA, JIML, …