Geriatric Nursing Commons^™

Educating Novice Nurses And Nurse Practitioners About Military Sexual Trauma Screening, Alyssa D. Freeman

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Background: Military sexual trauma prevalence has continually increased over the past 25 years. Exposure to sexual trauma, violence, and abuse result in notable health consequences. The Veterans Health Administration has led the integration of universal Military Sexual Trauma (MST) screening and training. Purpose: The purposes of this project were to educate novice nurses and nurse practitioners about MST and to increase their knowledge and comfort in MST screening techniques. Methods: Following an educational session, a pre- and post-study design was used to evaluate improvement in knowledge and comfort screening for MST. Thirty-two participants including PBRNR Nurse Residents, …

Improving Telehealth Knowledge And Comfort In An Older Adult Population, Carolyn J. Jones

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Telehealth usage is increasing a means of providing healthcare in a more efficient and cost-effective way. Older adults have been left behind from the telehealth movement and this can negatively impact their access to the healthcare system.

Purpose: An educational workshop was offered in a local older adult community with the goal of increasing their knowledge, literacy, motivation, and usage of telehealth.

Methods: The participants completed a pre-assessment survey to determine their baseline knowledge, experience, and perceptions about telehealth. They then participated in an educational workshop, which consisted of a 45-minute presentation given via Zoom with a 15-minute …

Substance Use Disorder: Primary Care Screening, Shari P. Shaltout

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Substance use disorder is a significant problem in the United States causing considerable distress and cost to the healthcare system as well as familial, community, and societal resources. Based on evidence-based research, a statement by the United States Preventive Services Task Force in 2015, recommends substance use disorder screening for adults in the primary care setting. A review of the literature concerning screening tools for substance use disorder resulted in twelve studies being included. The purpose of this project is to determine if the more comprehensive substance use disorder screening tool, ASSIST, identifies more at risk patients than the current …

Elearning Module For Nursing Students To Improve Delirium Identification, Prevention, And Management, Shannon Baker

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background and Review of Literature: Delirium is a serious, acute alteration in cognition and consciousness, which is common amongst older hospitalized patients and has an overwhelmingly negative impact on patient outcomes. Under-recognition by healthcare providers poses a barrier and contributes to poor patient outcomes, including increased morbidity and mortality.

Purpose: To reduce the incidence of delirium amongst acutely ill patients via internet-based education for student nurses on delirium prevention, assessment, and management.

Methods: An eLearning intervention consisting of a virtual lecture with an unfolding case study for undergraduate nursing students. This project utilized the Nurses’ Delirium Knowledge Assessment (NDKA) …

Increasing Health Literacy Through Noteaid Translational Tool In Nursing, Liz Catherine S. Cory

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Many adults in the United States lack health literacy necessary to understand patient education materials given to them, such as discharge summary. Re-hospitalization rates are higher due to poor transition of care planning. Older adults may only be provided with written instruction for their complex chronic conditions with multiple changes in medical or treatment plan, or uncommon surgical procedures. Nurses are instrumental in bridging the gap, as they often educate, advocate, and use health technology.

Purpose: To educate nurses on the availability of NoteAid as a natural language translation system that can help increase their comprehension of electronic health …

In Beers We Trust: Using Deprescribing Tools To Reduce Inappropriate Polypharmacy In Adults Age ≥ 65, Angelica Ferrazzi

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Adverse drug events (ADEs) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in older adults (age ≥ 65). Polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) are especially prevalent in this population and are a notable contributing risk factor for ADEs. Research demonstrates that comprehensive medication reconciliation that includes evaluation of both the risks and benefits of medications, in conjunction with deprescribing practices, can reduce PIMs; therefore, reducing ADEs.

Purpose: The aim of this quality improvement project was to empower clinicians to deprescribe current medications that are inappropriate, as well as reduce the rate of newly prescribed PIMs among patients age …

Improving Mental Healthcare For Older Adults: Community Based Screening For Social And Emotional Loneliness And Major Depressive Disorder, Eunice Kowalczyk

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Purpose: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a devastating mental health disorder affecting older adults that is often misdiagnosed or untreated due to a lack of screening and the stigma that MDD symptoms are a normal and expected part of aging. The goal of this quality improvement (QI) project was to implement a community-based screening intervention to identify community-dwelling older adults at risk for or suffering from MDD, and facilitate further evaluation and care.

Methods: Participants were community dwelling older adults, age 56 and older, in Massachusetts. Two screening tools were administered in two sites that screened for social and …

Timely Transitioning To Hospice: A Needs Assessment With A Pace Program To Improve End Of Life Care, Kristina Kelley

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Hospice care has been proven to improve patient outcomes at the end of life. However, patients frequently die without receiving hospice benefits. The challenge of transitioning patients from care with a life prolonging intent to a comfort focused approach can partly be attributed to poor prognostication or misconceptions about hospice. A Program for All Inclusive Care of Elders (PACE) in Massachusetts identified transitioning to hospice as an area for improvement. Purpose: To perform a needs assessment to gain understanding of the barriers to effective transitions to hospice and to provide education aimed at addressing those barriers. Methods: Subjects included …

Alzheimer’S Dementia Screening In Primary Care: Quality Improvement Project To Identify Those At Risk, Kirstin Drake

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Identifying Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s Dementia (AD) in the Primary Care Practice (PCP) setting can initiate intervention early, before negative consequences occur including decreased quality of life and caregiver burden.

Purpose: To identify individuals at risk for AD and initiate early treatment and intervention. Methods: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ) were used as screening tools; adults age 65 and older were participants.

Implementation Procedure: Within the Internal Medicine Clinic, the standard annual wellness visits include Registered Nurses that administer a Mini-Cog screening tool with the patients. The Mini-Cog is a brief …

An Integrative Review With Toolkit For Caregivers Of Persons With Dementia, Lea Grippin

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Background: The risk of burnout among caregivers of people with dementia is on the increase. Dementia is a progressive neuropsychiatric disorder affecting the cognitive function resulting in confusion and disorientation leading to greater demands on the caregiver which can lead to depression, social isolation, stress, worsening personal health, anxiety, fatigue, financial losses, and potential for abuse.

Methods: This project focused on creating a toolkit for nursing staff caring for patients with dementia followed by a presentation designed to provide options for caregiver support that can assist the caregiver in decreasing their feelings of stress and burnout. This included strategies …