Nursing Commons^™

Midwives’ Experiences Of Providing Pre-Eclampsia Care In A Low- And Middle-Income Country – A Qualitative Study, Isabella Garti, Michelle Gray, Angela Bromley, Jing-Yu (Benjamin) Tan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Problem: Like other low- and middle-income countries, Ghana has high maternal mortality stemming from pre-eclampsia. Ghanaian midwives are frontline service providers of emergency care in obstetric complications and have the greatest potential to maximise pre-eclampsia outcomes. Little is known about the potential barriers and challenges to midwives' capacity to provide quality care in pre-eclampsia in Ghana. Therefore, we aimed to explore and gain insights into midwives’ experiences of pre-eclampsia care including their knowledge, skills, and psychological aspects such as midwives' resilience. Background: There is a rising global incidence of pre-eclampsia. Quality midwifery care in inter-professional collaborative practice is crucial to …

The Impact Of Final-Year Clinical Placements On Nursing Students' Career Planning For The Graduate Year And Beyond, Edah Anyango, Esther Adama, Janie Brown, Irene Ngune

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aims: This study had three objectives: 1) to determine final-year nursing students' career preferences and long-term career plans; 2) to investigate factors influencing nursing students' specialty choices following their final-year clinical placement(s); and 3) to understand how final-year clinical placements can be used to develop the career interests of nursing students to different nursing specialties. Background: Clinical placement provides an insightful experience that may influence students to feel inclined to work in certain specialties. Therefore, each clinical placement should promote students' learning and enhance positive experiences that could develop their career interests and encourage them to seek employment in the …

Correlation Between Rod Fracture And Shear Stress: A Novel Parameter, Seth Street, Abhijith V. Matur, Xu Tao, Geet Shukla, Julia Garcia-Vargas, Jay P. Mehta, Kelly Childress, Justin Gibson, Daryn Cass, Andrew Wu, Henry Ofori Duah, Benjamin Motley, Daniel Webb, Joseph Cheng, Owoicho Adogwa

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background We sought to assess the accuracy of a novel parameter proportional to the rod shear stress (RSS) in identifying patients at risk of rod fracture (RF) after surgery for correction of adult spinal deformity. Methods We performed a retrospective medical record review of patients aged ≥18 years treated for adult spinal deformity between 2004 and 2014 with ≥24 months of follow-up. The primary outcome was RFs identified radiographically. Patient weight (w), number of instrumented levels (N), and minimum rod diameter (d) were recorded and used to calculate the RSS parameter (). Receiver operating characteristic curves were produced and the …

Consensus-Based Recommendations For The Care Of Women With A Breech Presenting Fetus, Sara Morris, Sadie Geraghty, Deborah Sundin

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: To establish consensus related to aspects of breech presentation and care. Design: A multinational, three round e-Delphi study. Participants: A panel of 15 midwives, four obstetricians and an academic with knowledge and/or experience of caring for women with a breech presenting fetus. Methods: An initial survey of 45 open-ended questions. Answers were coded and amalgamated to form 448 statements in the second round and three additional statements in the third round. Panellists were asked to provide their level of agreement for each statement using a 5-point Likert scale. Consensus was deemed met if 70% of panellists responded with strongly …

Preeclampsia In Ghana: A Study On The Prevalence And Risk Factors Of Postpartum Readmission In The Ashanti Region, Enoch Odame Anto, Wina Ivy Ofori Boadu, Lovelace Kwaku Gyamfi, Emmanuel Ekow Korsah, Ezekiel Ansah, Joseph Frimpong, Valentine Christian Kodzo Tsatsu Tamakloe, Augustine Tawiah, Elizabeth Aboagye, Albright Etwi-Mensah, Agartha Odame Anto, Christian Obirikorang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Despite significant improvements in its management, preeclampsia continues to be one of the frequent causes of postpartum readmission. Increased awareness of the risk factors for postpartum readmission is required to reduce its incidence and related complications. This study determined the prevalence and associated risk factors for postpartum readmission among women with preexisting preeclampsia in a Ghanaian population. Methods: This hospital-based retrospective study was conducted at the obstetrics and gynaecology units of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Ghana. We reviewed the medical records including sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics of preeclampsia patients. Statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Package for Social …

A Job Satisfaction Evaluation Of Nursing In The United States And Greece Utilizing The American Nurses Association's Scope And Standards Of Practice, Audrey Narhi

Honors Projects

Nursing is a multifaceted profession that is constantly evolving with the health needs of the populations it serves. Professional organizations within the field utilize evidence-based practice to provide guidelines of what best-practice nursing is. This study aims to evaluate if the American Nurse's Association (ANA), a professional nursing organization in the United States, supports the realities of nursing in a rural US hospital. An international perspective is also considered by evaluating the same principles to a urban hospital in Athens, Greece. Categories that align with ANA Scope and Standards, including workplace environment, career development, supervisor relationships, and personal work practice, …

Nurses’ And Clients’ Perspectives After Engagement In The Co-Designing Of Solutions To Improve Provider-Client Relationships In Maternal And Child Healthcare: A Human-Centered Design Study In Rural Tanzania, Kahabi Isangula, Eunice Pallangyo, Eunice Ndirangu

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background

There has been a persistent increase in clients’ dissatisfaction with providers’ competencies in maternal and child healthcare (MCH). Existing interventions have failed to address the complexity of provider-client relationships. Therefore, targeted, contextualized innovative solutions that place providers and clients at the forefront as agents of change in optimizing intervention design and implementation are needed. The study team adopted a co-design strategy as part of Human- Centered Design (HCD) approach, where MCH nurses, clients, and stakeholders partnered to design an intervention package to improve provider-client relationships in rural Tanzania.

Objective

This paper explored nurses’, clients’, and MCH stakeholders’ perspectives following …

Professional Responsibility, Nurses, And Conscientious Objection: A Framework For Ethical Evaluation, Pamela J. Grace, Elizabeth Peter, Vicki D. Lachman, Norah L. Johnson, Deborah J. Kenny, Lucia D. Wocial

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Conscientious objections (CO) can be disruptive in a variety of ways and may disadvantage patients and colleagues who must step-in to assume care. Nevertheless, nurses have a right and responsibility to object to participation in interventions that would seriously harm their sense of integrity. This is an ethical problem of balancing risks and responsibilities related to patient care. Here we explore the problem and propose a nonlinear framework for exploring the authenticity of a claim of CO from the perspective of the nurse and of those who must evaluate such claims. We synthesized the framework using Rest’s Four Component Model …

Breastfeeding Initiation, Duration, And Associated Factors Among People With Hepatitis C Virus Infection, Jennifer L Grasch, Jessica A De Voest, George R Saade, Brenna L Hughes, Uma M Reddy, Maged M Costantine, Edward K Chien, Alan T N Tita, John M Thorp, Torri D Metz, Ronald J Wapner, Vishakha Sabharwal, Hyagriv N Simhan, Geeta K Swamy, Kent D Heyborne, Baha M Sibai, William A Grobman, Yasser Y El-Sayed, Brian M Casey, Samuel Parry, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute Of Child Health And Human Development (Nichd) Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units (Mfmu) Network

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVE: To characterize breastfeeding behaviors and identify factors associated with breastfeeding initiation among people with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of a multicenter observational cohort of pregnant people with singleton gestations and HCV seropositivity. This analysis includes individuals with data on breastfeeding initiation and excludes those with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection. The primary outcome was self-reported initiation of breastfeeding or provision of expressed breast milk. Secondary outcomes included duration of breastfeeding. Demographic and obstetric characteristics were compared between those who initiated breastfeeding and those who did not to identify associated factors. Univariable and …

Coping Strategies And Stress Of The Undergraduate Nursing Student In The Clinical Setting: An Evidence Based Practice Quantitative Study, Ashley Calverley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The assessment of perceived stress and coping behaviors related to first-semester clinical might benefit students in nursing education. The assessment of most common coping behaviors and perceived stress related to the clinical setting is essential due to difference in personalities, learning abilities, and coping behaviors among nursing students today. Previous research has suggested the initial clinical period results in adverse outcomes, such as poor academic performance, elevated burnout levels, and diminished personal well-being. These factors are detrimental to academic success in nursing programs. Evidence supports that helping students develop positive stress/coping abilities will aid in adapting in both the academic …

The Implementation Of Student Success Coaches At Augusta Technical College To Foster The Development Of Diverse And Competent Nurses, Heather R. Vincequere

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Abstract

This project explores the implementation of Student Success Coaches at Augusta Technical College (Augusta Tech) and their potential impact on the rates of overall program completion and the rate of diverse student program completion. Framed within the GROW model and Sociocultural Learning Theory, the project aims to determine if coaching interventions address barriers to completion and foster a supportive learning environment. A mixed-methods exploratory approach was employed, combining empirical data such as retention rates and demographics with qualitative information from surveys. Anticipated results suggest an increase in overall completion rates from 55.34% to 80% and an increase in diverse …

Increasing Nurses’ Knowledge Regarding Beers Criteria And Polypharmacy In Elderly, Non-Institutionalized Patients, Florence Chinwe Ukenye

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The elderly population, comprising individuals ages 65 years and above, accounts for 12% of the total population in the United States. Many elderly individuals residing in noninstitutionalized communities continue to experience the effects of polypharmacy despite efforts to employ evidence-based practices for medication reconciliation. Preventing polypharmacy among people ages 65 and older is crucial to avoid unintended drug abuse and subsequent adverse drug effects in this vulnerable patient group. One significant strategy to prevent drug-related problems and negative effects of medications is using the Beers criteria. The gap in practice in a post-acute care and rehabilitation facility addressed in this …

Transitioning Rn Residency Program: Implementing Medication Safety Education In Practice, Francine Lyon

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Clinical nursing can affect a nurse's physical and mental well-being. The aging population stresses healthcare providers, including nurses, due to the increased comorbidities and medications needed to treat them. New graduate nurses (NGRNs) can enhance their success by completing a Practice Transition Accreditation Program (PTAP). Despite residency programs, new nurses often find it challenging to meet the demands of clinical settings, leading to compromised patient outcomes and medication errors (MEs). Offering comprehensive medication administration education can reduce errors and discrepancies. Equipping new graduate nurses with the necessary knowledge and skills is crucial for improving patient outcomes and ensuring long-lasting nursing …

The Effect Of Formal Mentorship Programs On Nurse Faculty Retention: An Integrative Review, Lisa Livingston

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The nursing shortage has been a hot topic for decades, and literature supports a need to address this issue. Although faculty are critical to educating the nurses of the future, the shortage has impacted nurse faculty numbers as well. Nursing shortages are predicted to increase over the next decade. Evidenced-based interventions are critical to help sustain the nursing workforce. This integrative review highlights the importance of formal mentorship programs for new nurse faculty as a retention strategy for use by administrators of schools of nursing.

Improving Self-Efficacy In Flight Nurse Practitioners In Preparation For The Role Of The Law Enforcement Tactical Nurse Practitioner, Gregory S. Wamack

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Current evidence demonstrates that the number of prehospital nurse practitioners working in both civilian and military settings is growing. Additional training beyond the formal nurse practitioner curriculum is necessary to increase the self-efficacy, knowledge, and skills of the nurse practitioner for operational battlefield conditions in far-forward austere and tactical settings. Evidence also demonstrates that the Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TC3) course is the national standard for tactical care and training for all health care providers. The purpose of this evidence-based pilot study was to increase the tactical self-efficacy of the United States based nontactical civilian highly trained and skilled flight …

A Leadership Training Program Improves Nurse Manager Retention, Lisa A. Longley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The need to retain nursing managers is at an all-time high. The turnover rate for a local xxxxxxxxxx (removed to protect privacy) healthcare system is 14% post pandemic compared to 8% pre-pandemic. The nursing management team reported a need for nursing specific management orientation because the current training included all organizational supervisors and covered general concepts, failing to meet the complex needs of frontline nursing managers. Literature confirms that organizations that provide nursing management training develop role competency have higher satisfaction and lower turnover rates. An organizational-specific needs assessment designed within the American Organization of Nursing Leadership competency framework was …

Effect Of Formal Toileting Programs On Urinary Tract Infection Rates In Long Term Care, Deborah Jeanmarie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Urinary tract infection (UTI) accounts for up to 31% of sepsis diagnoses and is the fourth leading cause of infections in long-term care (LTC) facilities. Timed and prompted toileting programs are used by LTCs to reduce incontinence episodes, but there is a lack of information regarding the effectiveness of timed and prompted voiding incontinence management programs on the rate of UTIs. The purpose of this study, guided by Donabedian’s conceptual model of quality improvement, was to determine if there is a difference in the rate of UTIs in Georgia LTC facilities that have a timed and prompted voiding program and …

Cervical Cancer Screening Barriers And Facilitators From The Perspectives Of Women With A History Of Criminal-Legal System Involvement And Substance Use, Amanda Emerson, Marissa Dogan, Elizabeth Hawes, Kiana Wilson, Sofía Mildrum Chana, Patricia J. Kelly, Megan Comfort, Megha Ramaswamy

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

BACKGROUND: The wide availability of routine screening with Papanicolaou (Pap) tests and vaccinations against human papillomavirus has resulted in a decline in rates of cervical cancer. As with other diseases, however, disparities in incidence and mortality persist. Cervical cancer, is found more often, at later stages, and has worse outcomes in people who live in rural areas, identify as Black or Hispanic, and in people who are incarcerated. Studies report 4-5 times higher rates of cervical cancer incidence in people detained in jails and prisons than in community-based samples. Studies to explain cervical cancer differences have been inconclusive, though there …

Empowering Faculty To Incorporate Large Language Models In Nursing Education Using A Delegation Framework, Jason Blomquist, Sarah Llewellyn, Jenny Alderden, Kelley Connor

Nursing Faculty Publications and Presentations

Large language models (LLMs) can support nursing education but pose questions of validity, reliability, and ethical use. This article proposes using the five rights of nursing delegation framework by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing to teach nursing students about the appropriate use of LLMs in health care and nursing education. Nursing faculty can teach students how to assess the validity and reliability of the information provided by LLMs, document its use, and reference and cite information appropriately.

Revolutionizing Denture Excellence: An Invigorating In-Vitro Exploration Of Organic Products In Prosthetic Rehabilitation, Nighila Ravindran, Sneha Joseph, Aswani Surya K

Annual Research Symposium

The denture base comes into contact with diverse substances in the oral cavity, acting as a reservoir for microorganisms like corynebacterium, streptococcus, lactobacillus, and candida. This colonization elevates the risk of complications such as denture stomatitis and candidiasis. Commercial denture cleaners have explored the use of natural ingredients, less commonly employed but offering various advantages. These ingredients aim to mitigate the potential issues associated with microbial colonization on denture surfaces, contributing to improved oral hygiene for denture wearers. The exploration of natural elements reflects a nuanced approach to denture care, considering both efficacy and less conventional alternatives.

Investigating Racial And Ethnic Healthcare Disparities In Screenable Ob/Gyn-Related Cancers, Lara Laughrey

Annual Research Symposium

This is a scoping review of peer-reviewed literature addressing healthcare inequity based on race and ethnicity with a specific focus on Ob/Gyn-related management and treatment of screenable cancers.

Assessment Of Emotional Intelligence Among Students In Dental College, Gowri Nandana S Final Year Student, Sudeep C. B Professor And Head Of The Department Of Public Health Dentistry

Annual Research Symposium

Over an extended period, the examination of intelligence predominantly centered on the adaptive deployment of cognitive abilities. In more recent times, scholars such as Gardner (1983) and Sternberg (1988) have proposed comprehensive frameworks for comprehending intelligence. Pioneering the concept of "emotional intelligence," Salovey and Mayer (1990) posited that emotional intelligence encompasses three distinct categories of adaptive capabilities: the evaluation and expression of emotions, the regulation of emotions, and the utilization of emotions in problem-solving. The objective is to evaluate emotional intelligence among dental students across various educational institutions.

Quality Of Life In Orthodontics, Claudia Eisenhuth, Gabriel Eisenhuth, Connor Schwartz, Amir Mohajeri, Man Hung, Tiffany Nelson, Ryann Glenn

Annual Research Symposium

Orthodontic treatment goes beyond mere cosmetic enhancement; it significantly impacts various aspects of an individual's quality of life. Beyond the physical benefits of improved oral function and prevention of dental issues, orthodontics also yields profound psychological benefits. Aligned teeth enhance self-confidence, reduce social anxiety, and contribute to better relationships and professional opportunities. Moreover, addressing dental concerns through orthodontic treatment reduces psychological distress and promotes overall happiness and satisfaction. Real-life case studies vividly illustrate the transformative effects of orthodontic interventions, emphasizing the importance of considering quality of life outcomes in dental care.

Exploring The Interconnected Role Of The Oral Microbiome And Periodontal Disease In The Development And Progression Of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Malak Al-Regib, Claudia M. Tellez Freitas

Annual Research Symposium

This comprehensive review explores the complex linkage among the oral microbiome, periodontal disease, and the onset and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Implementation Of A Standardized Handoff Reference Tool From The Intensive Care Unit To The Operating Room, Sophia Agbomah, Stacie Summers

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Student Projects

Background and Review of Literature: This quality improvement (QI) intervention evaluated the effectiveness of a standardized handoff reference tool for patients transferring from the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) to the operating room (OR) in a large metropolitan level I trauma center. There was minimal data to assess the quality of this sequence of patient transfer as no systematic ICU-OR handoff content practices were currently employed at the hospital. This project aimed to help fill the practice-knowledge gap that could impact some of the most vulnerable patients during ICU-OR transfer. Methods: Pre- and post-implementation staff surveys, live observations, and chart …

Assessing Workflow In The Postanesthesia Care Unit, Laura Mcgrath, Emma Vierod

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Student Projects

The postanesthesia care unit (PACU) environment must function smoothly as a critical recovery area for monitoring of immediate postoperative patients. Timely responsiveness to complications is imperative to ensure patient safety. Following postanesthesia observation, a patient is discharged from the PACU to home or is admitted to the hospital. If this transition is delayed by excessive discharge times or poorly managed patient adverse events, it can cause major bottlenecks and issues with throughput for the perioperative setting. This project aims to study the present workflow in the PACU, identify gaps in the workflow and provide recommendations to perioperative leadership. Current PACU …

Reducing Unsecured Medications In Anesthetizing Area, Christine Bergesch, Kate Manuel

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Student Projects

Background and Review of Literature: Anesthetic medications should be secured consistently to prevent adverse outcomes such as medication errors, drug diversion, and financial loss. Standardized practice for medication stewardship is not established by Washington University Department of Anesthesiology (WUDA). Anesthesia providers’ imprudent medication stewardship practices are a continuous challenge due to the controlled and time-sensitive drugs they provide. Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project was to decrease the number of medications left behind unsecured in anesthetizing areas, describe the most frequently encountered barriers and category of medications left behind unsecured, and improve knowledge and utilization of the …

Improving Anesthesia Clinicians’ Knowledge And Confidence When Selecting Prophylactic Antimicrobials For Patients On Concomitant Antimicrobial Therapy, Garry Gregson, Emily Shands

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Student Projects

Anesthesia clinicians at Barnes-Jewish Hospital (BJH) in Saint Louis, Missouri experienced uncertainty and discomfort when they selected preoperative antibiotics for patients who were already receiving concomitant therapeutic antimicrobials (CTA) unrelated to surgical prophylaxis. Various evidence-based interventions were proposed to address this issue. The first intervention was the addition of pathogens of concern to the surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis (SAP) protocol at BJH. The second intervention was the creation of a reference table that supplemented the revised protocol and allowed clinicians to efficiently determine the pathogens of concern for each surgery. This also included the CTAs efficacy for preventing surgical site infections …

Propofol Disposal In The Operating Room: Addressing The Practice Knowledge Gap, Samantha Trulove, Audreau Conley

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Student Projects

Background: There is an increasing incidence of propofol diversion and abuse amongst healthcare workers. Barnes-Jewish Hospital (BJH) has implemented the Stericycle controlled substance disposal system (CsRx) in the operating rooms (ORs) to address this issue; however, propofol continued to be left unsecured.

Purpose: The QI initiative aimed to raise anesthesia clinician awareness of propofol’s abuse potential and of the Stericycle CsRx container, ultimately to reduce unsecured propofol.

Methods: An educational intervention was utilized to address the identified problem. Data on unsecured propofol was collected via an auditing process of pharmaceutical waste bin contents at the BJH North campus endoscopy suite. …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Mindfulness Meditation In Reducing Chronic Pain Among The Elderly: A Pilot Study, Rosly Joby

Annual Research Symposium

This study investigated the effectiveness of mindfulness meditation (MM)techniques in alleviating pain and enhancing well-being in the elderly. Given the prevalence of chronic pain in older adults, especially those in residential aged-care facilities, there is a growing need for effective non-pharmacological pain management strategies.