Nursing Administration Commons^™

Performance Improvement Leadership Rounding Implementation, Dena Walz

Nursing Posters

To improve patient experience scores and address patient concerns in real time.

A proactive behavior that facilitates leaders building relationships with patients and families, managing expectations, and achieving and validating consistency of key behaviors.

A member of leadership will conduct a purposeful conversation with a chosen patient three days a week regarding the care provided during their procedural appointment.

The Use Of Life-Like Robotic Animals In The Acute Care Setting To Assist In The Care Of Patients With Dementia, Abby Denby

Doctors of Nursing Practice (DNP) Final Projects, 2020-current

The purpose of this pilot project was to describe the effect of life-like robotic animals on the nurses’ ability to provide care, patients’ level of agitation, use of antipsychotic medications, restraint and sitter use for patients with dementia in an acute care setting. Nurses report challenges and feelings of helplessness while caring for patients with dementia. Dementia may cause depression, agitation, aggression (physical or verbal) and a decrease quality of life. Animal Assisted Therapy (ATT) is a growing therapy in many healthcare settings but there is a lack of literature specifically related to the use of AAT in the acute …

Increasing Nurse Knowledge Using A Formal Lung Transplant Education Program, Amy M. Stoddard, Donna Lynch-Smith, Kate Carlson Wrammert, Bobby Bellflower

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This quality improvement project was completed to show that a formal lung transplant education course for nurses caring for lung transplant patients increased their knowledge. An eight-hour education course was developed by experts in the field of lung transplantation. A pretest was administered before the education course. A posttest was administered to determine if knowledge was improved. A three-month follow-up test was administered to determine knowledge retention. Based on the data analysis, nurse knowledge improved after formal education. Item analysis determined what areas of educational content need to be the focus of quarterly education. The education course was adopted as …

Family Presence During Resuscitation, Brittany Whistle

Scholars Week

Background:

Families want more involvement in their loved one’s care than they did just twenty years ago. Especially, in the matter of resuscitation efforts, this involvement remains controversial.

Evidence and Findings:

Based on research, theories, and multiple educated opinions, family presence during resuscitation (FPDR) needs to be implemented in hospitals. Theories by Kolcaba and Helvie demonstrate a need for comfort and positive energy around patients to enhance the healing process. Evidence has shown multiple benefits of FPDR. The patient receives a holistic approach of care, the family gains closure and feeling of participation of care, and provides a plan for …

A Case For Delirium Risk Prediction Models To Aid In Triaging Resources To Those Most At Risk An Integrative Literature Review, Tammy Perttula

Nursing Masters Papers

Abstract

Delirium is a complex syndrome resulting from compounding effects of acute illness, comorbidities, and the environment. It results in adverse outcomes: elevated mortality rates, length of stay, readmissions, institutionalization, long-term cognitive changes, and diminished quality of life. The rate of iatrogenic delirium is astounding, ranging from 10%-89%. There are no curative treatments; thus, primary prevention is the key. The purpose of this literature review is to identify and critique the research for the accuracy of risk stratification and feasibility in practice. Support for interventions that prevent delirium is mounting; however, interventions are resource-intensive and often not implemented. Researchers have …

Implementation Of Post Falls Huddles In Skilled Nursing Facility, Princess Lomax

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the quality improvement project, implementation of the post fall huddle in a long-term care facility. Falls are the most common problem in adults 65 years and older. Falls in this population can have devastating effects, often leading to significant changes in morbidity or death. Adults in long term care settings have an increased risk of falling and having a subsequent fall due to an acute illness, weakness, or confusion (CDC, 2015). At the skilled facility, there has been a significant increase in hospitalizations due to injuries sustained from falls. To address this …

Point-Of-Care Reminders To Prompt Provider Adherence With Diabetes Care Guidelines For Adults, Eric E. Spohn

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Diabetes is a complex, chronic illness, and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality (ODPHP, 2019). Gaps in diabetes care exist between clinical guidelines and interventions provided in the clinical setting (ADA, 2015; Chauhan et al., 2017; Renders et al., 2001; Worswick et al., 2013). Improved diabetes management strategies and interventions among healthcare providers are essential to close the quality gap. The purpose of this evidenced-based practice (EBP) project was to prompt providers to adhere to diabetes care guidelines using a paper point-of-care reminder over a 12-week period. Provider performance rates covering four specific guidelines were measured: HbA1c, microalbuminuria, diabetic …

High-Risk Pregnant Patients In The Third Trimester: Comparing Mental And Physical Health, Megan Maxwell

MSN Capstone Projects

The purpose of the paper is to compare physical and mental health in high-risk pregnant patients in their third trimester who are managed in an inpatient setting compared to an outpatient setting. This paper looks at specific high-risk pregnancy diagnoses.

Evaluation Of An Advanced Quality Improvement Program, Arjun M. Dangre Bds Mph, Angelo P. Giardino Md, Phd

Journal of Nursing & Interprofessional Leadership in Quality & Safety

Texas Children’s Hospital implemented the Advanced Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Program (AQI) in 2009, designed to train clinicians and staff to develop leaders in quality improvement to improve patient care, lower costs, change culture, and lead improvement initiatives at the organization. Evaluations of the AQI programs measured the program’s effectiveness in achieving its goals and objectives. This paper describes the Texas Children’s Hospital’s Advanced Quality Improvement and Patient Safety program (AQI,) the program’s evaluation processes, and show the results of the evaluation of the AQI programs using evaluation surveys completed by QI participants over the span of 13 successful …

A Quality Improvement Project To Improve Financial Sustainability Of Home-Based Palliative Care Program, Andrea L. Giffel

Doctoral Projects

Background and Objectives: Home palliative care services are challenging to bill due to the complexity of services and competing time demands. Objectives and protocol were developed to guide coding and billing to increase Relative Value Unit generation and improve financial sustainability.

Design: A quality improvement project.

Setting: A home-based palliative care program in one health system in the Midwest.

Participants: Participants included 7 nurse practitioners.

Intervention: Coding protocol were developed, providers were educated, electronic health record audits were conducted to collect data on improvement, and feedback provided to prompt improvement.

Measurement and Analysis: Documentation of advanced care planning and billing, …

Preparing Healthcare Staff For Cardiac Arrest Codes In The Outpatient Clinical Setting: Code Drill Training Improves Patient Outcomes, Rowan Edwards, Rn

Master's Projects and Capstones

Preparing Healthcare Staff for Cardiac Arrest Codes in the Outpatient Clinical Setting: Code Drill Training Improves Patient Outcomes

The acuity of care provided in outpatient clinical settings across the United States continues to rise. It is estimated that more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital each year (AHA, 2019). For the purpose of this clinical nurse leader (CNL)-lead quality improvement project, the relevant focus is directed towards improving the knowledge, physical skills and perceptions of healthcare staff within an urgent care center (UCC) regarding the application of advanced rescue skills. It is important to note that the …

Improving The Workflow And Partnership Between Registration And Clinical Staff In An Outpatient Urgent Care Center, Melissa Fairfield, Bailey Eells, Faye Collins, Joyce Cornish, Stephen Tyzik, Joy Moody, Wendy Osgood, Suneela Nayak, Ruth Hanselman, Amy Sparks

Operations Transformation

An outpatient urgent care unit was experiencing challenges in balancing the need to register patients and delivering care in the timeliest manner as possible. Upon examination, it was found that delays were being experienced in patient triage and discharge that resulted in low patient satisfaction scores.

A team of providers was established to review all process steps and a quality improvement project was created to attain a goal of 100% of the time discharge would not be delayed due to incomplete registration.

Baseline metrics demonstrated current numbers of delayed discharges, median time from door to triage as well as door …

Treating Substance Use Disorders: Enhancing Attendance At The Weekly Inpatient Medication Assisted Treatment Group, Devon Gillis, Jayne Weisberg, Dena Whitesell, Amy Mcauliffe, Amy Sparks, Suneela Nayak, Ruth Hanselman, Stephen Tyzik

Operations Transformation

At a large academic tertiary medical center, an Integrated Medication Assisted Treatment (IMAT) program has been established for those medically stable inpatients with an addiction diagnosis. Over a four month period, this program had experienced a decline in attendance and a quality improvement project was initiated is to better understand the barriers to attendance and institute a process that would reverse the decline.

A goal was established to improve attendance by medically stable patients that have consented to participate to a minimum of 50%.

A root cause analysis outlined numerous causes for low attendance and several countermeasures were established to …

Reduction Of Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (Cauti) In A Critical Care Setting, Deborah Jackson, Lindsey Lucas, Shawn Taylor, Jonathan Archibald, Stephen Tyzik, Suneela Nayak, Ruth Hanselman, Amy Sparks

Operations Transformation

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common type of healthcare associated infections. Seventy five percent are related to indwelling urinary catheters. These infections come with increased morbidity and mortality risk. A team of intensive care providers at a large academic tertiary medical center initiated a quality improvement project to reduce the number of CAUTIs.

Baseline data established the total number of catheter days and CAUTIs by month. A subsequent root cause analysis was completed and several counter measures were developed to include a KPI implementation to track that all intensive care providers are educated in CAUTI and creation of …

Implementation Of Trauma Service Guideline For The Use Of Phenobarbital In The Management Of The Non-Icu Trauma Patient At Risk Or Experiencing Severe Alcohol Withdrawal, Joseph Rappold, Julianne Ontengco, Stephen Tyzik, Suneela Nayak, Ruth Hanselman, Amy Sparks

Operations Transformation

The trauma service in a large academic tertiary medical center admits a large proportion of patients with the secondary diagnosis of alcohol use disorder. Given the successful use of phenobarbital in the critical care unit for withdrawal prophylaxis and treatment of acute withdrawal, a quality improvement project was established to create and implement guidelines for the non ICU patient.

A root cause analysis demonstrated several issues to include inconsistent clinical decision documentation. As a result, several countermeasures were initiated to address the various issues.

Post implementation of countermeasures, a decrease in the amount of severe alcohol withdrawal as well as …

Nicotine Replacement Therapies To Decrease Withdrawal Symptoms And Improve Patient Experience, Cheryl Pawloski, Holly Stewart, Devon Gillis, Dena Whitesell, Maya Bulman, Christopher Racine, Raymond Serrano, Leslie Gatcombe-Hynes, Elizabeth Mullany, Amy Mcauliffe, Jayne Weisberg, Amy Sparks, Suneela Nayak, Stephen Tyzik, Ruth Hanselman

Operations Transformation

Smoking is one the leading causes of preventable death in the United States. Patient centered care revolves around encouraging patients to reduce their chances of preventable disease and death. To that end, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) prescribed within 24 hours of hospital admission increases the chance of quitting and decreases the chance of nicotine withdrawal.

A pilot performance improvement project was initiated on two cardiac units at an academic tertiary medical center. The goal the project was to have NRT ordered within 24 hours of admission 100% of the time. Baseline metrics demonstrated admission NRT orders were below acceptable levels …

Intensive Care To Intermediate Care Bridge Program, Natasha Bartlett, Sally Langerak, Lindsey Lucas, Jonathan Archibald, Tayla Robbins, Miranda Thompson, Patrice Tetu, Calla Hastings, Megan Garland, Suneela Nayak, Stephen Tyzik, Ruth Hanselman, Amy Sparks

Operations Transformation

To deliver the highest quality of care across the continuum, a large academic tertiary medical center envisioned a project that would provide an internal source of cross trained nurses for their medical intensive care unit (SCU2) and their medical intermediate care unit (R4/IMC/AVU). The hope for this program was to improve communication and collaboration between nurses and enhance the care that they provide to patients and their families.

A highly qualified team of nurses was established to create a performance improvement project. The overall goal of this endeavor was to build a more collaborative relationship between the units and ultimately …

Increasing First Case On Time Starts In An Ambulatory Surgery Center, Diane Fecteau, Shannan Reid, Sydney Green, Ruth Hanselman, Suneela Nayak, Stephen Tyzik, Amy Sparks

Operations Transformation

In an ambulatory surgical center, first case on-time starts directly affects the patient experience. In addition, in order to treat as many patients as possible, delays of first case on-time starts negatively impacts the rest of scheduled surgical patients and increases staff overtime expenditures. An ambulatory surgical team within a large urban health care system initiated a performance improvement initiative to enhance the patient experience, increase staff accountability and care team well-being.

The goal of this project was to start 70% or more first cases on time. Baseline metrics demonstrated that patients and surgeons were the largest cause of delay. …

Use Of Best Practice Alerts To Improve Adherence To Evidence-Based Screening In Pediatric Diabetes Care, Daniel Desalvo, Sara K. Bartz, Blair Mockler, Rona Y. Sonabend

Journal of Nursing & Interprofessional Leadership in Quality & Safety

Background: Youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are at increased risk for comorbid autoimmune conditions and long-term complications. To help with early identification of these complications, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) has published evidence-based screening guidelines. The aim of our quality improvement intervention was to improve and sustain adherence to the ADA recommended screening guidelines to >90% for youth with T1D in the Texas Children’s Hospital (TCH) Diabetes Center by utilizing best practice alerts (BPA) within the electronic medical record (EMR).

Methods: In accordance with the ADA Standards of Care screening guidelines for youth with T1D, we analyzed the database …

Improving Nurse Anesthetist Intraoperative Handoff Process By Developing And Implementing An Evidence-Based, Facility-Specific Cognitive Aid, Jason Silva, Myron Arnaud

Journal of Nursing & Interprofessional Leadership in Quality & Safety

Miscommunication or non-transfer of pertinent patient information during intraoperative handoffs between anesthesia providers creates patient safety risks. An evidence-based facility-specific cognitive aid was developed and introduced to nurse anesthetists in an anesthesiology department of a large academic hospital with the aim of improving the intraoperative patient handoff process. The program used a handoff cognitive aid that addressed five pertinent patient information points. A secondary measure was evaluation of provider satisfaction. Twenty-four nurse anesthetists utilized the handoff cognitive aid during handoffs in the course of a 4-week pilot program. Eighty-eight nurse anesthetist handoffs were observed (23 with and 65 without the …

Patient Perception Of Telephone Follow-Up After Resection For Colorectal Cancer: Is It Time For An Alternative To The Out-Patient Clinic?, Marcus Gilmartin, Nicholas Leaver, George Hall, Helena Fawdry, Seung Lee, James Nicholson, Ramya Kalaiselvan, Raj Rajaganeshan

Patient Experience Journal

The economic reality of modern healthcare provides a timely reminder to clinicians of their duty to provide outstanding and cost-effective care. Although multiple guidelines outline investigation, management and surveillance of colorectal cancer, none advocate a particular delivery method. Nurse-led telephone follow-up in multiple specialties has demonstrated equivalent clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction when compared to traditional outpatient department follow-up. This paper aims to compare nurse-led telephone and outpatient follow-up, following surgical resection of colorectal cancer (CRC), focusing on patient perceptions. This cross-sectional study distributed adapted patient satisfaction questionnaire (PS-Q 18) to patients undergoing surveillance following CRC resection via either nurse-led …

Implementing A Discharge Navigator Reducing 30-Day Readmissions For Heart Failure And Sepsis Populations, Karen Weeks

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Final Clinical Projects, 2016-2019

A national focus for healthcare reform is preventing hospital readmissions. Thirty-day unplanned hospital readmissions impact patient outcomes and are costly to the healthcare system. This project explored the impact between the discharge navigator and 30-day unplanned readmissions for heart failure and sepsis populations in a 238-bed community hospital located in central Virginia. The primary aim of this discharge navigator project was to reduce 30-day readmissions for the heart failure and sepsis populations to meet the goals of the top quartile for like hospitals and the evaluation of cost avoidance for these readmissions. Heart failure and sepsis populations are high risks …

Evaluation Of The Effect Of Milner-Fenwick Video-Based Education And Teach-Back On Knowledge Acquisition In Atrial Fibrillation Patients, Melissa Czarapata

DNP Projects

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate if video education impacts knowledge acquisition and health literacy in patients with atrial fibrillation. METHODS: This study employed a descriptive, pretest-posttest single site comparative design. Baseline health literacy was assessed before video education was completed using the Atrial Fibrillation Knowledge scale. Health literacy regarding atrial fibrillation was again assessed for the same participants immediately after video education was completed and again in 7 to 10 days through the use of the Atrial Fibrillation Knowledge scale and teach-back questions. RESULTS: There was no statistical significance found when comparing scores before and after …

When Disaster Strikes: A Training Intervention To Improve Nurses' Confidence And Preparedness For The Surge, Nichole M. Weber

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

There has been an exponential rise in mass casualty incidents (MCI) internationally. These human induced and naturally occurring events have affected over 4.6 billion people, and are not discriminatory to region or community (World Health Organization, 2011). Governing bodies require training and education, but nurses continue to report suboptimal competence and self-reported readiness, and a need for standardized, evidence-based training remains. The purpose if this evidence-based practice project is to authenticate current research supporting implementation of competency-based education, to improve nurses’ self- perceived preparedness and confidence in their ability to respond to MCI. The project results can be utilized for …

Referral Patterns From Long-Term Care Services To Palliative Care: Perceptions Of Directors Of Nursing, Karen S. Sharrah, Dnp, Msn, Aprn, Fnp-C

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Palliative care referrals are important in long-term care facilities because they are the first step in generating the services that the patient may need. This study looked at the phenomena of how Directors of Nursing in long-term care facilities that had access to palliative care services determined if a referral was needed.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the decision- making process used by Directors of Nursing for referrals. The study’s aims were to determine what factors prompt a referral in long-term care settings. The primary research question was: How …

Identification Of Risk Factors Associated With Falls In The Long Term Care Setting, Jacqueline L. Patel, Dnp, Ms, Anp-Bc

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Falls threaten the safety of older adults in long term care (LTC).

Objectives: To assess environmental, clinical and pharmacological causes of falls as well as compare Fall Risk Assessment Score, Brief Interview of Mental Status (BIMS) score, Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scores, age and gender of residents with one fall, recurrent falls, and no falls.

Methods: Using a descriptive-comparative design, we included a convenience sample of 290 adults ≥50 years old at our LTC facility. Fall and recurrent fall groups were matched to those with no falls. We assessed environmental, clinical and pharmacological variables, Fall Risk Assessment Scores, …

Strategies To Improve Control Of Blood A1c In Diabetics, Jennifer Aronson, Leanne Bellino, Elizabeth Eisenhardt, Diane Bryant, Haley Pelletier, Internal Medicine Team, Adult Outpatient Clinic

MaineHealth Maine Medical Center

A1c monitoring is an important aspect of controlling the health of a diabetic patient. An adult internal medicine clinic noted that the percentage of their diabetic patients who had an A1c higher than 9 or no reading within the past year exceeded the national average. As a result, operational excellence methods were implemented with the overall goal to reduce their percentage to 18% or less.

A root cause analysis identified several deficiencies to includelack of essential equipment, variations in

staff education and the absence of daily reminders.

Post KPI implementations, an overall decrease in the percentage of patients with poorly …

Interdepartmental Rounding, Peggy Anderson, Carrie Strick, R3 Med-Surg Unit, Haley Pelletier, Suneela Nayak, Stephen Tyzik, Ruth Hanselman, Maine Medical Center Operational Excellence

MaineHealth Maine Medical Center

STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN DOCTORS AND NURSES IN AN ACUTE CARE HOSPITAL

Effective interdisciplinary communication is imperative for safe patient care in an acute care hospital environment.

A surgical unit used their HCAHPs scores to assess how often patients perceived there was good communication between different doctors and nurses during their hospital stays. The data demonstrated that this occurred 22% less often than the national average.

As a result of a root cause analysis, a number of countermeasures were initiated with the goal of achieving scores greater than the national average. Post KPI inception in the second quarter of …

Patient Fall Prevention, R9 West Cardiovascular, Cathy Palleschi, Suneela Nayak, Ruth Hanselman, Stephen Tyzik

MaineHealth Maine Medical Center

PATIENT FALL PREVENTION STRATEGIES IN AN ACUTE HOSPITAL

Every year in the United States, hundreds of thousands of patients fall resulting in injury. Injured patients often require prolonged hospital stays and a resultant increase in medical costs.

The purpose of this study was to identify the current state of fall prevention strategies on a hospital inpatient acute care cardiac unit. Through a root cause analysis, some deficiencies were identified and a process improvement plan was implemented.

Several positive outcomes were attained as a result of the countermeasures initiated. Patient falls per month and total waste in dollars saw a decline …

Physician Orders For Life-Sustaining Treatment (Polst) Utilization In A Skilled Nursing Facility: An Educational Quality Initiative, Ryan Hazley Bsn, Rn, Dnp Student, Karl Steinberg Md, Cmd, Joseph Burkard Dnsc, Crna

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

According to expert reports and recent research, frequent clinician-patient conversations about individual end-of-life preferences are necessary to avoid unwanted treatment and to ensure that desired treatments are received. The ongoing diffusion of Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) educational initiatives in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are vital to success of California’s POLST program, which is now recognized as only 1 of 3 mature POLST programs in the country. The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to answer the question: Among staff in a skilled nursing facility, does implementing a formal POLST education program compared to current practice improve staff …