Closing The Loop: Strengthening Cauti Prevention With Urinary Catheter Management, Erika N. Braun

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are among the most common preventable healthcare-associated infections and are associated with significant patient harm and increased healthcare costs. Baseline assessment across five adult cardiovascular and critical care units within a community-based acute care hospital identified four CAUTI events during the first half of 2026 and revealed important nursing knowledge deficits related to bladder scanning protocols and urinary catheter management practices. Aim: This Quality Improvement (QI) Project aimed to improve nursing knowledge of evidence-based bladder scanning protocols and urinary catheter management practices through targeted educational interventions implemented over a 10-week period, with …

Nurse Manager Perceptions Of Strategies To Overcome The Underutilization Of Nonpharmacological Pain Control Methods In Adult Acute Care, Landen M. Bonnell

Undergraduate Honors Theses

A basic patient right is to have pain adequately managed. However, research consistently indicates that many adult patients in acute care experience inadequately managed pain, which may contribute to adverse patient outcomes. Studies have shown that nonpharmacological pain management can lead to increased patient satisfaction, shorter hospital stays, and better patient outcomes. However, many barriers exist to nurses providing effective nonpharmacological pain control therapy, primarily including heavy workload and a lack of education and support. Currently, there is insufficient research on how to overcome these barriers. Four nurse managers with experience in nursing leadership were interviewed using a qualitative descriptive …

Enhancing Heart Failure Transitional Care To Reduce 30-Day Readmission Rate, Thuy Nhu Uyen Tran

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project is to reduce 30-day readmissions for adult patients with heart failure (HF) by implementing a standardized HF pathway beginning in the intensive care unit (ICU) and continuing through discharge.

Background: The project was implemented within a large healthcare organization in Northwest Houston, Texas.

Methodology: This project utilized a pre- and post-implementation design guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model. Eligible adult patients (≥18 years) with a primary or secondary HF diagnosis were identified during March 2026. The My Pathway to Wellness HF education pathway was initiated at the time of ICU downgrade …

Nurses’ Knowledge And Practices Regarding Infection Prevention Measures In Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Marwa G. Abouheiba, Maha Adel Salem, Jean Bertin Mudenge

Nursing

Abstract: Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a major global patient safety challenge, contributing substantially to morbidity, mortality, prolonged hospitalization, antimicrobial resistance, and increased healthcare costs. Patients admitted to cardiac intensive care units (ICUs) are particularly vulnerable because of their critical illness, frequent exposure to invasive devices, and complex cardiovascular interventions. Nurses play a pivotal role in preventing HAIs through the consistent implementation of evidence-based infection prevention and control (IPC) measures. Therefore, assessing both nurses' knowledge and their observed clinical practices is essential for identifying strengths, potential gaps, and opportunities for quality improvement. Aim: To assess nurses' knowledge and observed practices …

Increasing Near-Miss Reporting: An Evidence-Based Approach, Rosalud H. Sanchez-Lozada

Doctoral Projects

Near-miss events, defined as errors intercepted before reaching the patient, offer valuable opportunities for learning and prevention, particularly in high-acuity intensive care units (ICUs). Despite the availability of electronic reporting systems and national emphasis on patient safety, near-miss reporting remains inconsistent in many critical care settings. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project evaluated the impact of a structured educational intervention on near-miss reporting within a cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) at a large academic medical center. A single-group pre–post design was used to examine changes in reporting trends following a three-week intervention that included staff education, leadership …

Improving Appropriate Nephrology Referrals Using Epic Screening Tools And Nurse Practitioner (Np) Education, Diahann M. Volcy

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Nephrology referral has been recognized as a modifiable factor influencing patient outcomes (Cheng, 2025). This project aims to reduce delayed or missed CKD diagnoses at large suburban hospitals in north New Jersey by improving timely nephrology referrals. I used a mixed-methods approach, retrospective chart review, pre- and post-education surveys, and referral trend analysis to assess how an educational session affects nurse practitioner knowledge and nephrology referral behavior. Enhancing nurse practitioner (NP) awareness and decision tool usage may increase early kidney care for patients, leading to better outcomes (ISN-KDIGO, 2021; Van Mil et al., 2024).

A Quality Improvement Project: The Implementation Of A Nurse Driven Morbidity And Mortality Review In An Emergency Department Setting, Abby Beutel

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Abstract

Background: Morbidity and mortality reviews/conferences (MMR) are a mandatory curriculum requirement for medical residency programs throughout the United States to identify and reduce medical errors. Only within the past few decades have hospital organizations expanded MMRs to multidisciplinary teams to include medical professionals who are rendering care at the bedside more than medical providers.

Purpose: This quality improvement (QI) project focuses on the application of a nurse drive MMR amongst emergency department (ED) nurses in a community hospital in Northern Bergen County, New Jersey. This ED nurse driven MMR measured the ED nurse’s knowledge and confidence levels as it …

Implementing A Buddy System To Enhance Float Pool Nurses’ Experience And Unit Integration, Nancy Kairia

Doctoral Projects

Float pool nurses play a vital role in maintaining hospital operations; however, they often experience role ambiguity, inconsistent integration, and reduced psychosocial empowerment, which may negatively influence engagement and retention. This Doctor of Nursing Practice project implemented and evaluated a structured buddy program designed to enhance psychological empowerment among float pool nurses in a large academic medical center. Guided by Gretchen Spreitzer’s Psychological Empowerment Framework, the project examined changes across four domains: meaning, competence, self-determination, and impact. A pre-post design was used to assess outcomes before and after implementation. Five nurses completed the preintervention survey; of these, four completed the …

Measuring Effectiveness Of A Mobility Aide On A Medical-Surgical Unit, Jamie L. Granatowicz, Laura N. Rogers, Leeza A. Struwe

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of a mobility aide on a medical-surgical inpatient unit to improve patients’ surgical outcomes, decrease hospital length of stay, and decrease the number of falls.

Design: A retrospective review was conducted to determine the effects of a mobility aide implemented on a medical-surgical unit. The intent was to ensure the utilization of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol for early mobilization before and after implementation. Two-month periods were analyzed before and after implementation.

Findings: The results demonstrated clinical significance for patients when implementing a mobility aide. The mean length of stay was 1.044 days …

The Relationship Between Mc1r Gene Variants For Red Hair And Clinical Responses To Anesthesia, Analgesia, And Pain: A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Mary Clark Allen

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: Genetic variations of the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) are commonly associated with red hair and pale skin. Research has linked MC1R variants with alterations in anesthetic response, pain perception, opioid sensitivity, and pain-related fear. Existing literature presents inconclusive findings, highlighting the need for further investigation.

Purpose: This review aims to synthesize current evidence concerning the role of MC1R variants in altering physiologic responses.

Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted by accessing CINAHL, MEDLINE, and PubMed through the University of Arkansas Libraries OneSearch platform. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 20 peer-reviewed articles were extracted for review. …

The Impact Of Structured Family Meetings In The Intensive Care Unit, Loyce T. Mofor

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

The Impact of Structured Family Meetings in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

Purpose

Train providers at an academic institution in a large metropolitan area to conduct family meetings using a structured approach and evaluate this intervention's impact on family satisfaction with communication in the ICU.

Background

Inadequate communication between families and healthcare teams leads to lower family satisfaction, heightened feelings of guilt, and diminished capacity for making clinical decisions.

Methodology

VitalTalk training was utilized to improve providers’ communication skills. Structured family meetings were conducted for Surgical and Thoracic ICU patients with an ICU length of stay of > 5 days or …

Enhancing Healthcare Communication With Artificial Intelligence Translation Methods For Improved Patient Healthcare Satisfaction, Mireille Signe

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose:

To evaluate whether artificial intelligence (AI) verbal translation improved communication-related satisfaction during routine nurse–patient interactions.

Background:

In the ICU, brief, frequent conversations with patients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) often occur without timely access to professional interpreters, contributing to delays, improvised communication, and lower satisfaction. AI tools offer immediate access for low‑complexity exchanges but require evaluation for feasibility and effectiveness as a supplement to certified interpreter services.

Methodology:

Twelve nurse-LEP proxy patient dyads were evaluated using a mixed-methods design (8/2025-12/2025) in a 16-bed ICU during QI PDSA cycles. Standardized care communication scenarios were completed using the AI tool. Process …

The Effect Of Fall Prevention Programs With Hourly Rounding On Fall Rates Among Adults Patients In Neurological Unit, Oyinlola A. Ogundeji

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this QI project was to evaluate the effect of a structured hourly rounding program on patient fall rates in an adult neurological inpatient unit.

Background

Patient falls remain a major safety concern in acute care, particularly among hospitalized neurological patients with impairments in mobility, cognition, and balance. In an adult neurological unit within a Magnet-designated hospital, fall rates exceeded national benchmarks, underscoring the need for a targeted quality-improvement

Methodology

A pre–post QI design, guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework, was implemented over 12 weeks in a 28-bed neurological unit. This intervention featured structured hourly rounding using the …

Early Sepsis-Recognition Simulation Training: An Evidence-Based Initiative, Blanca A. Zavala

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that requires rapid recognition and intervention to prevent poor patient outcomes. Delays in identification remain a significant concern for patient safety, particularly among nurses and nursing students who may lack confidence and clinical judgment in early sepsis recognition (Marsack et al., 2022). This evidence-based practice project aimed to examine the existing evidence on sepsis education and evaluate the effectiveness of simulation-based learning in improving clinical judgment and sepsis recognition, with the goal of informing a potential sepsis training initiative for nursing students.

A literature review of six peer-reviewed studies (2022–2026) was conducted using the PubMed …

Implementation Of A Turn Team To Reduce Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries In A Medical Intensive Care Unit, Heather A, Adair

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Implementation of a Turn Team to Reduce Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries in a Medical Intensive Care Unit

PURPOSE

The project aimed to reduce hospital-acquired pressure injury (HAPI) rates in a Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) by improving nurses' knowledge of the Braden Scale and implementing a structured two-nurse turn team workflow to reposition high-risk patients every two hours.

RESULTS

Repositioning compliance improved substantially and consistently exceeded the project goal of 90% after implementing a pod-based workflow. The HAPI prevalence rate decreased from a baseline of 8% to below the project goal of ≤5% during implementation but was not sustained in the …

Acuity-Based Staffing Tool: Improving Patient Outcomes And Nurse Wellbeing In A Local Critical Care Unit, Grace Watson, Rachel Nazha, Madeline Ruffin, Evvy Lewis

SPARK Symposium Presentations

This change project proposes implementation of the CAMEO (Complexity Assessment and Monitoring to Ensure Optimal Outcomes) acuity-based staffing tool in a local critical care unit to improve patient safety, nurse wellbeing, and organizational outcomes (Hurtig et al., 2021). Current staffing practices rely on floating nurses from other units during census fluctuations, creating skill mismatches, increased burnout, and risk for adverse events. Evidence links inadequate staffing with increased mortality, infections, length of stay, and nurse turnover, revealing the need for a more systematic approach (Elmdni, 2025). The CAMEO tool quantifies cognitive workload across 18 domains of care and aligns nurse expertise …

Implementation Of A Cardiomems Screening Tool To Increase Provider Awareness And Referrals In Eligible Patients, Monica Rios

DNP Projects

Background: Heart failure affects over 6 million Americans and causes more than one million hospitalizations annually. CardioMEMS, a remote pulmonary artery pressure monitoring device, effectively reduces hospitalizations, yet its use remains limited due to provider and system barriers. The purpose was to increase CardioMEMS referrals for eligible heart failure patients through targeted provider education and a standardized screening tool.

Local Problem: Kentucky experiences higher heart failure hospitalization rates than the national average, contributing to prolonged hospital stays and rising healthcare costs.

Methods: A pre—post quasi-experimental study was conducted at an academic medical center. Baseline chart review of 47 patients evaluated …

Emergency Preparedness Education And Simulation Training For Nursing Students In Southern India, Kevin C. Cameron, Taryn Mccoy, Laura Gray, David Phillippi

DNP Projects

Introduction

To address the identified gap in emergency preparedness education and training among nursing students at a teaching hospital in southern India, a private university in the southeastern United States partnered with the site to develop a quality improvement initiative aimed at strengthening these skills. Nursing students at the partner hospital have limited access to simulation-based training opportunities due to constraints in both curriculum and availability of simulation resources. This lack of exposure may hinder the development of critical emergency preparedness competencies

Methods

Educational content focused on triage and basic life support (BLS). One hundred twenty-four students participated in the …

Standardizing Care: Strengthening Dka Protocol Implementation Among Emergency Department Nurses, Toni Joy Angelique Biliran Miculob

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: The objective of this project was to address the inconsistent understanding and utilization of the Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) protocol in a high-acuity emergency department within a large hospital system, where baseline survey results showed that 84% of nurses found the DKA order set confusing and only 15% felt “very comfortable” applying it.

Aim: The aim was to improve nurse clarity, confidence, and consistency in using the DKA protocol to support timely, evidence-based management of this high-risk, time-sensitive condition.

Methods: The intervention consisted of brief, targeted education delivered during pre-shift huddles across day and night shifts, focusing …

Improved Patient Outcomes With Continuous Video Monitoring, Ethan Morrison, Drake May, Jack L. Rideout

Scholars Week

Improved Patient Outcomes with Continuous Video Monitoring

Objective

The use of human sitters has been the normal policy in hospitals across the United States for years. Recently, there has been an introduction to remote video monitoring systems that are aimed at replacing the need for human sitters. Our goal is to change the policy of a local hospital in our area to adjust their stance on human sitters and implement remote video monitoring.

Methods/Results

Our method of accomplishing this involved a PowerPoint presentation and an evidence-based practice paper with three different scholarly research articles that have been peer-reviewed. We presented …

Living With Disability After Spinal Cord Injury: A Grounded Theory Methodology, Diaa K. Abd Ali

Al-Ameed Journal for Medical Research and Health Sciences

Study Design: A Grounded Theory Methodology is employed to investigate the study phenomenon. the entire study started from Jan. 15^th. 2021 to March, 1^st. 2022.

Aim: The study is conducted to explore the concepts that shape the experience of living with disability among patients with spinal cord injury, and to formulating a grounded theory regarding nursing care for patients with spinal cord injuries.

Setting: The study is conducted in Ibn Alkuf Hospital for Spinal Cord Injuries, Baghdad, Iraq.

Methods: A non-probability purposive sampling technique was used to select (12) patients with chronic (more than 5 years) …

Implementation Of A Standardized Onboarding Program, Sarah J. Wall

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of a standardized onboarding program on Advanced Practice Provider (APP) retention and productivity within an academic department.

Background: High APP turnover in specialized settings disrupts care and leads to financial losses. Previously, onboarding lacked structure, leading to early attrition and delayed productivity. A 24-week phased, competency-based orientation program was developed to improve retention, job satisfaction, and clinical performance.

Methods: The program, implemented in April 2024, included clinical precepting, didactic modules, and mentorship. Retention and Relative Value Units (RVUs) were measured before and after implementation. Qualitative data was collected through mentorship surveys and APP focus groups. …

Intimate Partner Violence Prevention And Intervention At A Primary Care Clinic, Atticus Madrid

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a massive health concern in the Spanish-speaking community. There is a high rate IPV, worsening by factors such as language barriers, cultural stigma, and the constant fear of deportation. Resent data underscores the need for standardized IPV screening and trauma-informed care, thus supporting early recognition and intervention. The aim of this Quality Improvement (QI) project is to increase IPV detection rate by 25% from March 10, 2025, to April 15, 2025, in an San Francisco community clinic using an electronic tool called a HITS (Hurt, Insult, Threaten, Scream) and by trauma-informed staff training. Methods …

A Four-Year Longitudinal Study Of Effectiveness Of Evidence-Based Bundle Practices For Preventing Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections In An Academic Health Care Center, May Mei-Sheng Riley

Doctoral Projects

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) significantly contribute to morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, and elevated healthcare costs, underscoring the crucial need for prevention to ensure patient safety. Despite ongoing mitigation efforts, CAUTI prevalence remained a concern in our facility at the time of this study. Catheter insertion and maintenance bundles, a recognized framework utilizing teamwork, collaboration, and focused interventions, were implemented to reduce CAUTIs and improve patient safety. This study evaluated the effectiveness of these bundles in reducing CAUTIs and catheter utilization to identify best practices for enhanced catheter management and care quality.

Identification Of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: The Impact Of A Nurse Led Screening Tool Utilizing The Ottawa Rule, Chandra Brower, Shannon Krumvieda, Shalana Bolton

Nursing Posters

The ETC lacked a formal tirage process for identification of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH), which can lead to delayed treatment and suboptimal patient outcomes. Data showed SAH patients who presented to the Emergency Trauma Center (ETC) with headache (HA) and hypertension frequently had long wait times before evaluation by a provider.

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 …

Evaluation Of Hyponatremia Management Pathway, Mahmoud Ammar Pharmd, Jonathan M. Siner, Mary Judson, Christopher Winterbottom

Abstracts

Society of Critical Care Medicine's (SCCM) 2025 Critical Care Congress:

Evaluation of Hyponatremia Management Pathway Implementation in a Large Academic Health System

Submission Number: 1894079

Patients with severe hyponatremia managed using the Care Signature pathway were more likely to receive hypertonic saline and had lower mortality rates compared to those not managed with the pathway. These results suggest that the pathway can improve clinical outcomes and reduce resource use. Further studies are needed to evaluate its impact on other patients’ outcomes and long-term effectiveness.

Perception Of Spirituality By Intensive Care Unit Nurses, Adejoke Felicia Ogidan

Nursing Dissertations - Archive

ICU nurses are identified as a population of nurses with a high risk of experiencing psychological stress due to the nature of their job in the ICU (Lyndon, 2015; Welp et al., 2015). Psychological stress is detrimental to nurses' mental health and the quality of patient care.

According to Watson’s Transpersonal Human Caring Theory, the spiritual perception of the nurse influences the nurse’s spiritual care practice, which in turn affects their self-care and care provided by the nurse to patients (Watson, 2021)This research explored the ICU-Ns' perception of spirituality and its relationships with spiritual care practices and self-assessed competency in …

The Effect Of Length Of Nursing Shift On The Development Of Medical Errors, Andrew J. Hom

Nursing | Senior Theses

The relationship between extended nurse work hours and increased clinical errors is a growing concern in nursing and healthcare systems. This issue has only grown more pronounced since the pandemic, which exacerbated staffing shortages and placed unprecedented demands on the nursing workforce. Longer shifts often lead to fatigue, impaired decision-making, and decreased cognitive performance, creating challenges for both nurses and patients. To better frame the analysis, this thesis relied on The Swiss Cheese Model to better conceptualize risk management. This thesis examined the correlation between consecutive hours worked and the frequency of errors made by nurses while also exploring the …

Resilience And Reality: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of People Living With Hiv In Texas During The Covid-19 Pandemic – A Qualitative Study., Ahmed F. Alanazi

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

This study investigated the lived experiences of individuals living with HIV (PLWH) in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area of Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic, using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) framework. The research examined the intersection of health, social dynamics, and psychological resilience among PLWH, who faced compounded vulnerabilities due to systemic inequities and the dual public health crises of HIV and COVID-19. Through semi-structured interviews with ten participants from diverse backgrounds, the study captured the profound impacts of disrupted healthcare systems, heightened stigma, and social isolation on this marginalized population. The findings reveal that the pandemic exacerbated existing inequities …