Nursing Commons^™

Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines For The Optimal Assessment Of The Airway In Predicting Difficult Intubation, Meredith Louden

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Adverse respiratory events are the most common injuries in anesthesia; difficult intubation and ventilation contribute to most cases. Injuries following inadequate airway management include cerebral hypoxia, aspiration, and cardiac arrest. Despite the risk and consequences following inadequate airway management, most medical facilities lack standardized airway assessments for anesthesia providers. Current evidence implicates that ultrasound measurement of the hyomental distance demonstrates the highest specificity and accuracy in predicting difficult intubation. The traditional approach to conducting airway assessments includes Mallampati classification, which shows high specificity for predicting difficult airways only when combined with other airway assessments. The purpose of this evidence-based project …

Spiritual Care Within The Field Of Healthcare, Summer Sirrine

Honors Theses

This thesis can be interpreted as a fundamental and comprehensive resource that addresses major discussion points of spiritual care (SC) within the healthcare setting. It begins with definition of SC, information surrounding its value within healthcare, the qualifications necessary to practice it, simple yet effective tools and questions to perform SC, as well as acknowledgment of notable barriers and complications, and how those can be dealt with. SC correlates with not only the patient’s physical and mental health, but how it may impact medical practice, depending on how much an individual’s spirituality, religion, etc. affects their life. Healthcare providers should …

The Extent Of Disability Education In Three Levels Of Nursing Education: A Descriptive Quantitative Stud, Ksenia Zukowsky, Phd, Crnp, Nnp, Julia Ward, Rn, Phd, Ruth Wittmann-Price, Phd, Rn, Anef, Faan

College of Nursing Posters

Purpose

• This quasi-experimental research project, completed by a Qualtrics survey, assessed the knowledge and confidence of baccalaureate, masters, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) nursing students’ about caring for People With Disabilities (PWD).
• Participants completed a Qualtrics survey to assessed the knowledge and confidence about caring for People With Disabilities.

Accurate Pulse Assessment By Radial Artery Palpation: A Pilot Study, Abigail Mathis

Honors Projects

Pulse assessment is an essential component of an individual’s health state. Assessment of a pulse by palpation is the most commonly used technique. A patient’s pulse rate informs healthcare workers of the status of a variety of body systems, including cardiac, neurologic, and endocrine functions. Despite the widespread and frequent use of pulse assessment, current methods for counting a pulse lack strong supporting evidence. Additionally, published research on accuracy of pulse palpation used only young, healthy participants without arrhythmias or cardiac problems, limiting generalizability to the broader population who contain those variables. The purpose of this study is to determine …

Antibiotic Over Prescription For Upper Respiratory Tract Infections, Amina Boudaia

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Antibiotic overuse is a major contributor to antibiotic resistance that is estimated to be responsible for 23,000 deaths annually in the United States (Durante et al., 2017; Garcia et al., 2016). Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are speculated to be a leading contributor to the overprescribing of antibiotics (Aplin-Snider et al., 2020). The purpose of this project was to address the PICOT question: Does the implementation of patient education posters and protocol plus online training modules for providers (I) over an 8-week period or 30 patient charts (T) help to decrease antibiotic overprescription (O) in upper respiratory tract infections (P) …

Implementing Nurse-Specialist-Delivered-Education To Improve Application Compliance Of Ordered Intermittent Pneumatic Compression, Mitchel R. Perry

MSN Capstone Projects

Healthcare-associated (HA) venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the formation of a potentially deadly blood clot that can occur in patients as a result of hospitalization, surgery, procedures, etc. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022a). HA-VTE is the number one most preventable cause of death in hospitals. The organization at which this author is associated experienced 48 VTE events during the first six months of 2020 (Mainer, 2020). Over 50% of these events demonstrate a lack of appropriate physical or mechanical VTE prophylaxis application per provider order, including sequential compression devices (SCD). The use of intermittent pneumatic compression devices (IPCD) (i.e., …

Intimate Partner Violence In Nursing Students: Prevalence And Impact Of Educational Workshop, Sara Michalowski

Honors Theses

Introduction

The overall purpose of this study was to understand the prevalence of intimate partner violence in nursing students and assess the amount of education and knowledge that nursing students have on this topic. In addition, resources were provided to the students. Suggestions for improvement are also provided for the nursing staff and faculty. There is currently little education being provided to nursing students regarding intimate partner violence, which leads to unpreparedness in the nurse role and failure to recognize abusive situations in their personal lives. The qualitative data is limited regarding the prevalence of intimate partner violence in nursing …

Recognizing The Unique Health Care Needs Of Pregnant Female Afghan Refugees, Catherine Mcelroy

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Theoretical Proposal

Morality Of Restraint Use In Medicine: A Literature Review And Ethical Application, Gracyn Wagner

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Theoretical Proposal

Improving Cultural Competence In The Nurse To Reduce Adverse Patient Events, Anna Ponder, Julia Booker

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Theoretical Proposal

The Priority Patient In Maternal/Fetal Conflict, Eden Alley

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Theoretical Proposal

Dnp Final Report: An Evidence-Based Initiative To Reduce Risk Of Ventilator-Associated Events, Bailey Dee Burge

DNP Final Reports

Ventilator-associated events have been considered an outcome metric for quality patient care. Ventilator-associated events are associated with unnecessary medical expenses. These events are multifactorial, yet bedside nurses can help decrease this nosocomial infection through proper oral care. A PICOT question was constructed to search the evidence systematically. The systematic literature search evidence was appraised to provide recommendations for the bundle of care process regarding ventilator-associated event prevention, specifically oral care. The body of evidence was comprised of five articles reporting statically significant outcomes. The evidence-based oral care protocol was implemented for a quarter of a year in patients with mechanical …

Dnp Final Report: Decreasing Stress & Anxiety In Nursing Students: A Mindfulness-Based Program Intervention, Jennifer L. Cole

DNP Final Reports

Nursing students experience increased stress and anxiety due to the rigorous requirements of nursing school. Students often feel pressure to perform in a competitive environment that stretches them mentally and physically to learn extensive didactic material while simultaneously performing competently in clinical settings. Without effective methods to address self-care, students may experience the ramifications of unresolved stress. The practice question guiding the project was: In undergraduate Level II nursing students (P), does implementing a Mindfulness Based Program (MBP) (I), compared to not implementing a MBP (C), affect stress, anxiety, and mindfulness (O) during a semester (T)? Based on systematic review …

Type 2 Diabetes Treatment Plan, Kylie N. Laird

MSN Capstone Projects

Diabetes affects more than 34 million Americans, with approximately 90-95 percent of them having type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is primarily managed by the patient with assistance from their healthcare team (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021). Diabetes is a costly disease that affects individuals, healthcare systems, economies, and entire societies globally. Based on the knowledge, lifestyle interventions have shown to be effective in the management of type 2 diabetes (Garcia, 2020), a more holistic approach to disease management was pursued. Garcia (2020) conducted a study in which lifestyle intervention data for treatment of diabetes was compared to pharmaceutical management …

Postpartum Education On Maternal Morbidity And Mortality, Ashley Veasley

MSN Capstone Projects

Postpartum education, or lack thereof, is the most overlooked cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. The lack of thorough postpartum education with patient understanding is often the reason warning signs are overlooked as normal and seeking care is delayed, or not pursued at all. This narrative review aims to find research to enhance awareness of maternal morbidity/mortality and improve patient outcomes through education, including ways to intervene beforehand. The literature review began in August 2021, suitable peer-reviewed studies were retrieved from CINAHL, Cochrane, and PubMed databases. Evidence from the reviewed studies found supporting evidence indicating insufficient postpartum education related to …

Importance In Decreasing Blood Culture Contaminations, Jannery Valdelamar

MSN Capstone Projects

Blood culture collection was a skill introduced while in nursing school. We are all human and make mistakes, and sometimes errors are made. Blood culture contamination happens. It happens even more in hectic departments like Emergency Department and Intense Care Unit. The American Society for Microbiology and Clinical Laboratory Standard have recommended that the %3 should be the overall rate for blood contamination rate (Center for Disease Control, 2023). In the current facility that I am in, blood culture contamination is an enormous issue. The facility rate is 9.3%, the Emergency Department was 11.3%, and the Phlebotomy was 5.2%. Multiple …

Learn, Reflect, Practice, Discuss: A Professional Development Pilot For Clinical Nurse Educators, Jessica Savage, Linda Wofford Dr., David Phillippi Dr.

DNP Projects

Abstract

AIM: The aim of this project was to assess the effect of a professional development pilot on the self-efficacy among clinical nurse educators toward evaluation and assessment of students in the clinical setting.

BACKGROUND: Nursing schools employ clinical nurse faculty with varied levels of experience and formal education in teaching. Positive student outcomes are dependent on the competency of their nursing faculty, yet best practices to train and support the professional growth of clinical faculty have not yet been identified.

METHOD: A multi-modal professional development pilot including online-learning modules, self-reflection, practice-learning, and peer-mentoring components was designed and implemented with …

Communication Techniques For Nursing Students, Karlee Coddens

Honors Theses

This thesis will discuss the effects nursing preceptors have on nursing students' clinical experience. This thesis will explore multiple factors that negatively impact nursing student’s communication with their preceptors. It has been found that clinical experiences are extremely important for the future of nursing students. However, there is often a communication barrier between nursing students and their preceptors. This barrier can lead to negative outcomes for new nurses entering the field. Strained communication can also create dangerous situations for patients. Students who fear harsh comments or vertical violence may be reluctant to disclose the limitations of their knowledge. We completed …

Teach-Back Education In Heart Failure Patients Benchmark Study, Bethany N. Johnson

MSN Capstone Projects

Heart failure exasperation is one of the most common causes of hospital readmission in the United States (Breathett et al., 2018). It is estimated that greater than half of all heart failure patients will be readmitted to the hospital within six months of discharge (Caluya, 2021). Additionally, one in four individuals with heart failure are readmitted within thirty days of discharge (Rahmani et al., 2020). This data shows a large area of improvement for hospitals in order to improve patient outcomes. Due to the lack of standardized discharge teaching, heart failure patients are often admitted to the hospital for the …

Individual Characteristics That Promote Or Prevent Psychological Safety And Error Reporting In Healthcare: A Systematic Review., Dawn M. Wawersik, Emile R. Boutin, Teresa Gore, Janice C. Palaganas

HPD Articles

BACKGROUND: Healthcare errors continue to be a safety issue and an economic burden that causes death, increased length of stays, and emotional trauma to families and the person who commits the error.  Speaking up and error reporting within a safety culture can reduce the incidence of error; however, this is complex and multifaceted.

AIM: This systematic review investigates individual characteristics that support or prevent speaking up behaviors when adverse events occur.  This study further explores how organizational interventions designed to promote error reporting correlate to individual characteristics and perceptions of psychological safety.  .

METHODS: A systematic review of peer-reviewed articles …

Making Breastfeeding Easier With Clinician Support, Katherine Laney

MSN Capstone Projects

This benchmark project provides a template for how to implement clinician support and education in an organization with obstetric and pediatric clinics and a hospital based on the PICOT: In first-time breastfeeding mothers (P), how does clinician driven support and education during the perinatal period (I) compared to no clinician assistance (C) affect the rate of continued breastfeeding (O) within the first 3 months postpartum (T). Research demonstrates that increased clinician support and education provided to the mothers during the perinatal period increases breastfeeding rates and self-efficacy. The project would initially last for approximately 12 weeks and follow women from …

Combination Thromboembolism Prevention Prophylaxis, Karma Davis

MSN Capstone Projects

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a leading cause of preventable hospital death in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). The correct selection of VTE prophylaxis in hospitalized patients is critical in stopping increased length of stays, incurring extra costs, and preventing deaths. Currently, the single modality of pneumatic compression sleeves (ICD) are often utilized for inpatient deep vein thrombosis prevention. ICDs are an easy, quick way for physicians to meet the requirement for VTE prevention in both general medical patients and those in the critical care unit. However, patients may remove or refuse this type of prevention …

Diabetes Education Benchmark Study, Caitlyn A. Wildey

MSN Capstone Projects

Diabetes mellitus is a disease that happens when the body does not produce enough insulin or does not respond to insulin. Type two diabetes happens when there isn’t enough insulin produced in the body, when there is resistance to the action of insulin in the body, or when the body does not use the insulin produced properly (Type 2 Diabetes, n.d.). Type two diabetes is important because of the increasing incidence of the disease and the complications that come if not managed. Some of the complications associated with type two diabetes include heart disease, kidney disease, neuropathy, retinopathy, and diabetic …

Technology-Mediated Diabetes Prevention Program (Dpp) Benchmark Project, Devon Senical

MSN Capstone Projects

This benchmark project intends to broaden access to the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) by offering technology-mediated content at the primary care level because the Primary Care Physician (PCP) predominantly diagnoses prediabetes due to the recommendation by The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) that nonpregnant overweight or obese adults aged 35 to 70 be screened for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes (Davidson et al., 2021). Thus, the primary care setting is the first opportunity to impact the conversion from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes. Of the 84 million people in the United States (U.S.) with prediabetes, they are estimated to …

Benchmark Study: Impact Of Electronic Health Records Vs. Paper-Based Records, Erin Emmerich

MSN Capstone Projects

Medical documentation is an essential part of healthcare and conducted at the highest standard; documentation ensures the delivery of safe and high-quality healthcare services (Noureldin et al., 2014). Performance Improvement team reports the same poor outcomes each quarter that may be a result of the paper-based documentation system. These outcomes include patient safety, patient satisfaction and cost-effectiveness. This narrative review’s purpose is to determine whether the implementation of an electronic health record (EHR) system could improve outcomes. Evidence-based guidelines for the implementation of an EHR need special consideration to have a successful transition. Further studies may need to be reviewed …

Targeted Temperature Management Following Cardiac Arrest, Kylie Carimi

MSN Capstone Projects

Cardiac arrest is often associated with the death of brain tissue resulting from the lack of oxygen supply caused by the interruption of blood circulation. For this reason, good neurological outcome following cardiac arrest is difficult to achieve. Targeted temperature management, formerly known as therapeutic hypothermia, is the maintenance of specific body temperature parameters after the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) following cardiac arrest (Donnino et al., 2015). The goal of therapy is to improve neurological status and facilitate healing by reducing the metabolic requirement of the brain. (Saigal et al., 2015). Therefore, the question arose, in adult patients who …

Strategies For Preventing Surgical Site Infections, Dorathy Anderson

MSN Capstone Projects

Post-surgical site infection has continued to remain a significant public health concern. Amid the prominent hospital-acquired infection, surgical site infections contributed to a considerable rate of death, severe morbidity, increased cost of therapy, disability, prolonged hospital stay, higher insurance payment, complications in patient healing, an increase in healthcare cost as well as treatment expenses (Allaf & Navyashree, 2022). Although seemingly relatively low in occurrence, about 10% of the infections are related to healthcare-associated infections. (Allaf & Navyashree, 2022). Knee reconstructive procedures are most common among older patients, who have a higher risk of developing complications.

The current practice of scrubbing …

Importance And Impact Of Diabetes Education On People With Diabetes, Nicole R. Glasco

MSN Capstone Projects

This paper aims to explain the significance and importance of why it is essential to offer patients with diabetes standardized education regarding their diabetes.

Evidence Based Change To Improve Outcomes In Cardiac Patients, Amy L. Callahan

MSN Capstone Projects

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States” (CDC, 2022). Modern healthcare has made numerous advances in changing the prevalence of heart disease and has shifted resources to promoting prevention. When a patient requires admission to an acute care facility for heart disease exacerbation, the focus is more of treating the acute process and how to manage the condition moving forward.

Although there have been a substantial number of resources that have been allocated to prevention in the primary care and outpatient setting, there is a need …

Palliative Care In The Neonatal Population, Raegan Miller

MSN Capstone Projects

In more than 90% of cases of neonate deaths, terminal comfort care was provided in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) (Soni et al., 2011). Palliative care teams are increasing, but not enough organizations have embraced the need for better palliative care guidelines. Nor do many organizations know when, how, or if palliative care should even be introduced. These events lead to comfort care measures being underutilized in the NICU for most newborn infants with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. Neonatal palliative care is discussed more than in years past, but little research has been dedicated to how early palliative care …