Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing Commons^™

Nurses’ Empathy, Burnout, And Contentment With Life In Turkey, Sevinç Mersin, Özlem İbrahimoğlu, Merve Tuncer, Ali Arslanoğlu

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Empathy has various consequences for nurses. Therefore, its effects on nurses should be identified. Thus, this study aimed to determine the relationships between empathy, burnout, and level of contentment with life in nurses and the characteristics that affect them.

Methods: This descriptive–correlational study was conducted on 653 nurses in Turkey between November and December 2021. Data were collected using an information form, the Basic Empathy Scale, Burnout Measure Short Scale, and Contentment with Life Assessment Scale.

Results: A positive, weak, and significant relationship was noted between the mean Basic Empathy Scale and Burnout Measure Scale scores. …

Stress Management Education Module For Nursing Students, Valentina Loreto-Ashley

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Background. Stress refers to a state of mental tension caused by a difficult situation. Research indicates that stress negatively affects university students.

Problem. Researchers have found that 30% of undergraduate nursing students have symptoms of burnout resulting from an overaccumulation of stressors and 97.8% were at moderate risk for developing burnout.

Approach. An educational module consisting of a 15-minute YouTube videos was designed, developed, and implemented to increase awareness about stress, reduce feelings of anxiety, and identify integration potential of such a module in nursing education to promote student well-being. Participants completed an online survey before …

Improving Performance And Documentation Of The Bedside Mobility Assessment Tool, Joseph P. Chellew

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objectives: Decreased patient mobility is associated with negative health outcomes including decreased functional capacity, pressure injuries, deep vein thrombosis, and bloodstream infections (Yasmeen et al., 2020). Early and increased mobilization mitigates these complications and is associated with positive outcomes (Wang et al., 2020). The Bedside Mobility Assessment Tool 2.0 (BMAT) is a mobility assessment that guides the selection of equipment to safely mobilize patients (Boynton et al., 2020). Aim: This quality improvement project aims to increase BMAT documentation compliance by 10% in three medical-surgical units at Hospital A where only 31.3% of patients were assessed per day using the BMAT. …

Munchausen Syndrome By Proxy Presentation, Giovanna Tomassoni, Meredith Mackenzie

Master's Projects

Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP) is a serious form of child abuse in which the perpetrator is typically the victim’s maternal caregiver. Assessing for MSBP can be very challenging for medical providers due to symptom mimicry and a dearth of information about the disorder. This Integrative Review seeks to shine a light on common symptomatology of MSBP and to make sure that providers leave it on the differential diagnosis until alternative diagnoses can effectively exclude it. A total of 240 records from online databases were reviewing for content, currency, and rigor. This search was narrowed to 10 records for in-depth …

Effectively Addressing Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries With A Multidisciplinary Approach, Nicki Roderman, Shandlie Wilcox, Andrew Beal

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) result in patient harm, discomfort, and even death, with an estimated 2.5 million HAPIs occurring annually in the United States. These pressure injuries from prolonged pressure on the skin and deeper tissues cause reduced blood flow and the breakdown of skin and tissues, resulting in wounds. Additionally, these injuries contribute to longer hospital stays and increased health care costs. Hospitals have programs aimed at reducing HAPIs as well as ongoing surveillance to identify new trends early on. This ongoing monitoring revealed a trend early at our institution that HAPIs were 66% higher than the national …

Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection Reduction In Hemodialysis Patients Across 9 Hospitals And 3 States, Nicki Roderman, Kasadi Moore, Shandlie Wilcox, Jennifer Jellerson, Zoey Bridges

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

This quality improvement project was initiated to reduce hospital-acquired catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) in hospitalized patients receiving dialysis. A team dedicated to reducing hospital-acquired infections led the implementation of evidence-based interventions across all the included hospitals. This innovative approach demonstrated substantial enhancements in outcomes for patients on hemodialysis.

Methods

To enhance patient safety in patients receiving hemodialysis, new strategies were implemented, including (1) transitioning from a vendor model to an internal model, enabling dialysis program standardization, (2) empowering intensive care nurses with increased autonomy and ownership, (3) transitioning to a standardized dialysis machine, and (4) introducing chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) …

Reducing The Incidence Of Frequent Hospital Readmissions In Veterans Population, Dasari Reddy

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: Veterans hospital readmission problems are challenging, specifically in the heart failure department, which severely impacts the patient's health, mortality, family, and quality of life. Frequent readmissions increase the usage cost, hospital budget, and loss of time from providers to other veterans, and failure to meet the key guidelines of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid for improvement.

PICOT: The PICOT question that guided this project was, in veterans with heart failure and one or more frequent hospital readmissions discharged in the last 30 days(P), does the appointment of a dedicated discharge nurse practitioner as a coordinator(I), compared to …

Improving Firefighter Health Through Education In Sleep Science, Elisabeth J. Filiss

Master's Projects and Capstones

Sleep impacts all aspects of life, from mental health to physical well-being to job performance. Nowhere is this more important than in the fire service, where extreme working conditions are the norm. One of 44 stations in a large fire department (XFD), Firehouse X, has 21 full-time members, six on duty per shift. A microsystem assessment of Firehouse X revealed poor sleep habits and environmental factors that are not conducive to quality sleep. The role of sleep in the fire service has recently been examined, and interventions aimed at improving firefighters’ sleep have been recommended.

This quality improvement project implemented …

Nurse Retention Amid Workplace Adversity: Examining Strategies And Outcomes, Horace Smith

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: This project aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of nurse retention strategies in enhancing job satisfaction, focusing primarily on Emergency Department (ED) Registered Nurses (RNs). A comprehensive approach was adopted within the ED of a veteran hospital in the Southeast, aimed at promoting staff retention.

PICOT: The PICOT question guiding this project is as follows: In a veteran hospital's Emergency Room (ER) located in the southeast (P), how does the implementation of nurse retention strategies (I) compared to current standards (C) increase their job satisfaction (O) over a period of ten weeks (T)?

Evidence: This project …

Evaluation Of A Smoking Cessation Program In Primary Care, Yolanda Duncan-Watt

Dissertations

Abstract

Problem: The adult tobacco smoking rate exceeds 12.5%. The problem is the insufficient attention given to smoking cessation education in low socioeconomic status(SES) communities. There is a lack of access to and awareness of smoking cessation programs for low-income populations.

Methods: This quality improvement (QI) study will use a descriptive, observational approach. A retrospective medical record review will be conducted to determine the rate of individuals who got the smoking cessation intervention and the rate of those who successfully quit one month after the intervention. Data was collected throughout the spring of 2024, during primary care visits and phone …

A Quality Improvement Project To Reduce Facility-Acquired Pressure Injuries, Carolina Rosario

All Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Problem: Facility-acquired pressure injuries (FAPIs) pose significant risks to patient outcomes and healthcare costs ($500 to $70,000 per PI) in subacute rehabilitation (SAR) facilities. An assessment in a SAR identified a concerning pressure injury (PI) rate of 15.3%, exceeding the national benchmark of 10% for such facilities. This prompted an evidence-based quality improvement (QI) initiative.

Aim of the Project: This project aimed to reduce FAPI rates by 30% or greater among patients 65 and older using a PI prevention bundle called SSKINS (Skin, Surface, Keep moving, Incontinence/moisture, Nutrition/hydration, Self-management).

Review of the Evidence: A comprehensive literature review indicated that PIs …

Stakeholder Involvement And Systematic Review Of Elements That Determine A Successful Return To Work For Injured Workers: A Scoping Review, Sundip Kaur Khosa, Wilma Jelley Professor

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Introduction: A healthy and sustainable return to work (RTW) for a worker after injury or illness has benefits for the worker, their family, the employer, and society.¹ For this research we used the following definition of RTW success; return to positive and meaningful work in a position or occupation not necessarily including all the aspects of the worker’s pre-injury or pre-illness functions or tasks. Purpose: The question behind this survey-based research was, What elements are perceived as essential, to ensure return to employment of injured or ill workers, by stakeholders with experience in the RTW process? Methods: A 32 …

Effects And Nursing Considerations For Equine-Assisted Activities And Therapies For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Literature Review, Namiko Kawamura, Mayu Sakamoto, Kayoko Machida

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

This literature review aimed to analyze the effects and nursing challenges associated with equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAATs) for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The study utilized the PubMed, CINAHL, and MEDLINE databases to identify 24 relevant articles. The effective contents were classified into two major categories: effects on interpersonal relationships, and effects attributable to the physical and emotional aspects of the lives of the children. The medical staff involved were mainly occupational therapists, followed by physical therapists and speech-language pathologists. The included studies also mention the involvement of trained equine therapists and volunteers, but not the involvement of …

Addressing Farm Safety: Farm Safety Dinner Theaters In The Shenandoah Valley, Tammy Kiser, Michelle Seekford, Jeremy Daubert

Virginia Journal of Public Health

Statistics demonstrate that farm safety and wellness issues affect all ages in the agricultural community. However, an increased proportion of youth and older farm workers comprise the highest rates of farm-related morbidity and mortality. Engaging farmers in increasing safe practices in the agricultural community is an important, ongoing challenge.

Methodology

Farm Safety Dinner Theaters, an initiative created through community-based participatory research (CBPR) at the University of Kentucky, provide a relaxed environment where farmers and their families can identify safety and wellness issues, watch as the actors process these issues, and enjoy a meal. Seeing the situations played out in theater …

Improving Healthcare Workers’ Biohazardous Spill Safe Handling Skills, Zeina Mhanna, Ahmad Tassi

BAU Journal - Health and Wellbeing

All healthcare workers (HCWs) are exposed to biohazardous material. Biohazardous material may come in the form of spills, posing a risk of infection to (HCWs) who are not trained on how to safely handle them. While international guidelines recommend training HCWs on how to safely handle biohazardous spills in order to improve their skills, there are no studies that tackled this recommendation. The aim of this study is to improve HCWs’ biohazardous spill safe handling skills through training, and to evaluate the association between the HCWs’ improvement level and demographical characteristics. The study was conducted in a Southern Lebanese hospital …

The Lived Experience Of Nurses In Caring For Patients With Covid-19, Jessica Barre

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Limited research exists about the experiences of nurses’ caring for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic post hoc. To understand nurses’ realities of caring for patients with COVID-19, I aimed to understand the lived experience of nurses caring for patients with COVID-19 in the United States. A qualitative design with a hermeneutic phenomenological methodology was used. Sixteen participants were recruited via purposive sampling, augmented with snowball sampling. Data were collected through unstructured interviews and were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Nurses’ experiences of caring for patients with COVID-19 in the U.S. were consolidated into four themes: “a living …

Cultural Education Interventions Impact On Cultural Competence, Kaylie V. Griffin Ms

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Problem: In the United States, there is a substantial increase in diversity. This increase in diversity poses multiple challenges for healthcare workers and healthcare systems. Because nurses care for patients with various cultural backgrounds, health beliefs and practices, and languages, cultural competency plays a pivotal role in providing patient-centered care. There is a need to enhance cultural education for healthcare workers to ensure that healthcare workers have the skills and knowledge to effectively engage with all patient populations. Implementing cultural education interventions seeks to increase healthcare workers' competency, communication, and patient outcomes. Purpose: The purpose of this research question is …

The Effect Of Continuous Glucose Monitoring On Glucose Control And Re-Hospitalizations In Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus Patients, Susan Ferguson

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing DNP Capstone Projects

Purpose: This Program Development and Evaluation project was designed to improve the management of patients with type II diabetes mellitus through the implementation of a combined in-patient discharge protocol and outpatient continuous glucose monitoring protocol follow-up plan in a diabetes clinic following discharge from a rural-based acute facility hospitalization.

Method: This quasi-experimental project was based on Rosswurm and Larrabee's Model for Change framework. Outcome measures analyzed type II diabetes mellitus patients to assess the effects of a continuous glucose monitoring discharge protocol on pre- and post-glycemic levels, rehospitalizations, and patient (n=2) and provider knowledge (n=4) obtainment.

Results: In a comparison …

Implementing In-Room Recycling On A Family Medical Center, Ariann Schultz, Sarah Johnson

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

No abstract provided.

Healthcare Professional Awareness Of Climate Health And An Evidence-Based Environmental Stewardship Framework, Patricia Joubert, Rosemary Timmerman, Angie Shemwell, Barbara Nguyen, Teresa Rangel

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

No abstract provided.

Health Professional Concern For Environment And Behaviors To Protect Climate Health, Mary Jo Kelly, Sarah Johnson, Teresa Rangel, Gale Springer

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

No abstract provided.

Assessing Lung Cancer Screening Protocols And Outcomes: A Comparative Analysis Between Indonesia And The United States, Priscilla Sitorus

Nursing | Student Research Posters

After losing a loved one to lung cancer, it can be difficult to process, especially when the diagnosis could have been made earlier. However, some may struggle to trust a healthcare system when screening protocols and care vary significantly, to the extent that it may seem unclear. Amongst both men and women, lung cancer is the worldwide leading cause of cancer-related mortality (World Health Organization, 2023), thus further creating a considerable amount of challenges that not only takes part in communities, but the overall healthcare system. Despite the increasing rate of lung cancer, Indonesia has limited screening programs available for …

Establishing The Validity And Reliability Of The Astroskin® Biometric Shirt, Alex Macquarrie, Jasmin Sidhu, Chloe Deetlefs, Steve Whitfield, Matt Stainer

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 5: Issue 1, Article 4, 2024. Biometric garments such as the Astroskin® biometric shirt (Carre Technologies, Montreal, PQ) may be useful for non-invasively monitoring human physiology in a number of applied settings. The Astroskin® biometric shirt measures and records continuous heart rate (HR), blood oxygenation (SPO2), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and respiratory rate (RR). The aim of this study was to establish the reliability and validity of the Astroskin® biometric shirt. This was achieved through comparing the Astroskin® with a commercially available hospital-grade cardiac monitor, the corpuls3® (Stemple GmbH, Kaufering, Germany) for the …

Healthcare Staff Awareness Of Climate Health And An Environmental Stewardship Framework, Patricia Joubert, Angie Shemwell, Barbara Nguyen, Rose Timmerman, Teresa Rangel (Pi)

Providence Nursing Research Conference 2023 – Present

Background: Climate change negatively impacts human health and is largely driven by human activities which generate pollutants. In the United States (U.S.), healthcare operations lead to significant pollutants. The workforce supporting healthcare in the U.S. is massive; thus, healthcare HCP can help significantly reduce harmful healthcare emissions. A nurse-authored framework helps contextualize causes of healthcare pollutants as Waste, Energy/water, Agriculture/food, Chemicals, and Transportation (WE ACT). A large health system adopted and disseminated this framework to healthcare professionals (HCP) in 2020 to help achieve a critical objective of becoming carbon-negative by 2030. To date, HCP awareness of climate health and …

Nurse Awareness Of An Environmental Stewardship Framework For Climate Health, Sarah Johnson, Elizabeth Schenk, Teresa Rangel

Providence Nursing Research Conference 2023 – Present

Background: The World Health Organization has recently stated that climate change is the single biggest threat to the health of humanity. Climate change is largely driven by human activity generating pollutants that negatively impact the environment. The healthcare sector’s operations alone account for nearly 8.5% of annual United States (U.S.) greenhouse emissions. Nurses are well-positioned within the healthcare space to take actions to reduce healthcare emissions and promote environmental health. For instance, a nurse-authored framework helps contextualize causes of healthcare pollutants as: Waste, Energy/water, Agriculture/food, Chemicals, and Transportation (WE ACT). A large, 52-hospital health system in the United States …

Health Professional Concern For Environment And Behaviors To Protect Climate Health, Sarah Johnson, Mary Jo Kelly, Gale Springer, Teresa Rangel

Providence Nursing Research Conference 2023 – Present

Background: Air pollution, medical waste, and climate change are a threat to our health and environmental sustainability. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that annually, 7 million premature deaths are associated with climate change, making climate change this century’s greatest threat to health. The healthcare industry negatively impacts climate change through the production of approximately 5% of all global carbon emissions. However, little is understood about relationships between healthcare professionals' concern for the environment and behaviors at home or work to protect climate health.

Purpose: To test relationships between healthcare professionals' concern for the environment and behaviors at …

Validity And Reliability Of The Indonesian Version Of Expanded Nursing Stress Scale (Enss) As A Job-Stress Assessment Tool For Nurses, Hasto Harsono, Herqutanto Herqutanto, Suryo Wibowo, Aria Kekalih, Astrid Sulistomo

Occupational and Environmental Medicine Journal of Indonesia

ABSTRACT

Background: Job stress is a serious health problem in the 21st century because of its high incidence and impact. Nurses are known as a profession that has high risks of stress, has distinctive characteristics, and hence requires a work stress assessment instrument that suits its peculiarities. The Expanded Nursing Stress Scale (ENSS) is a nurse-specific stress assessment instrument that has high validity and reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.96) and is widely used in many countries but is not yet available in Indonesian. This study aims to obtain the Indonesian version of ENSS and evaluate its reliability and validity.

Method: …

Association Between Depressive Symptoms And Dynamic Balance Among Young Adults In The Community, Jinyoung Park, Cynthia Lee, Ye Eun Nam, Hyunhwa Lee

Nursing Faculty Research

Background: Detecting and addressing depression symptoms at their outset can reduce the burden on individuals and society; however, it has a limitation in that such evaluations mainly rely on self-reports. Several studies have demonstrated a strong association between motor symptoms and early depression. We aimed to associate body balance measured by the Lower Quarter Y Balance Test (YBT-LQ) with depressive symptoms among young adults in the community, to confirm the current evidence that depression negatively influences body balance. Research question: Is the YBT-LQ an objective tool for measuring and evaluating young adults’ depression risks, as well as assessing whether depression …

Full Plate Living-Teaching Kitchen: A Sustainable Approach To Employee Health, Amy M. Daniel

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Abstract

Insufficient fiber intake is a key contributor to diet-related chronic diseases (DRCD) such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. This evidence-based health promotion program evaluated integrating a teaching kitchen with the Full Plate Living Plan (FPL-TK) to increase daily fiber intake. Grounded in the Social Cognitive Theory, the 8-week employee health promotion program included hands-on culinary demonstrations, a structured FPL nutrition curriculum, and fiber tracking tools to help participants engage and participate in weekly health and wellness changes. The program successfully achieved high engagement rates, with 80% of participants reporting high satisfaction with the program and 100% of participants stating …

Assessing Lung Cancer Screening Protocols And Outcomes: A Comparative Analysis Between Indonesia And The United States, Priscilla Sitorus

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background/Significance: Social inequity is a large problem within the healthcare system, especially in third-world countries, like Indonesia. Poor access to healthcare and screening protocols can contribute to delayed diagnoses, poorer outcomes, and increasing mortality rates. Purpose: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of lung cancer screening protocols in Indonesia compared to California and help identify potential barriers and factors in lung cancer screening in both regions. This will later help reform policy interventions and decisions to improve community access. Methods: The study will be divided into two portions using a mixed method approach. The qualitative component will include lung …