Other Nursing Commons^™

Heart Huddle: Increasing Cohesiveness In Ccu And Cvtu, Ashley Douvier

Nursing Posters

The American Association of Critical Care Nurses identifies six standards for a healthy work environment, two of which are skilled communication and true collaboration. CCU and CVTU are two separate units staffed by one Charge RN. A need to improve communication and collaboration has existed throughout both units. Thus, Heart Huddle has been developed. The objective of Heart Huddle is to bring cohesiveness to CCU and CVTU through improving communication and collaboration, which is imperative to a healthy work environment.

Finding The Missing Pieces: Comprehensive Cerebellar Assessments With Cytarabine Administration, Tara Hinnenkamp

Nursing Posters

A study conducted at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center found that one in four nurses felt there were widespread inconsistencies with cerebellar assessments. One of every two nurses felt the current assessment was incomplete and the patient may be suffering as a result. Nurses need to have the means to accurately and consistently assess and document neurological changes noted with Cytarabine administration.

Improving Bedside Ecg Monitoring In Telemetry, Teresa Jahn, Jennifer Lang, Jaclyn Hoppe

Nursing Posters

To improve accuracy of bedside ECG (EASI lead) monitoring through accurate placement of electrodes and proper skin preparation.

Etc Code Stroke Improvement, Melissa Fradette, Jessica Miller

Nursing Posters

There was a 42% increase in median times for patients receiving alteplase (tPA) within 60 minutes from 48 minutes in Q3FY13 to 68 minutes in Q1FY15. Research indicates every 15 minute delay in stroke treatment, the odds of good outcome decreased by 10%. During two day rapid improvement event team members and content experts used process mapping to identify waste in current state ETC Code Stroke process and determine countermeasures to eliminate waste and improve throughout.

Improving Transitions Of Care For Newborns Requiring Home Phototherapy Through Innovation & Collaboration, Carla Bieniek, Kristi Patterson

Nursing Posters

Improve transitions of care for newborns requiring home phototherapy by providing skilled nursing services through Home Care and changing the phototherapy modality from the BiliBed to the BiliSoft which provides more intense home phototherapy & is easier to administer.

Inpatient Rehabilitation Performance Improvement: Skin Care And Guidelines, Golden Fisk

Nursing Posters

To improve skin integrity care as well as use of hospital policies and guidelines within Inpatient Rehabilitation.

Integrative Therapy Program: Evaluation And Implementation Of Aromatherapy In An Inpatient Setting, Wendy Wheeler

Nursing Posters

Purpose Statement: The purpose of this project is to implement integrative therapies, such as aromatherapy, in addition to current nursing interventions. Goal is to improve patient experience and outcomes and enhance the patient/nurse relationship.

Mindfulness Program At Work, Chelsie Bakken, Kathleen Mahon, Kristi Patterson

Nursing Posters

Develop and implement a mindfulness based stress reduction program that is easily accessible, effective, and utilized by staff to improve care quality and positively affect the wellbeing of CCH employees.

Moving Weekly Team Conference To Bedside, Joyce Belanger

Nursing Posters

CMS has specific requirements for all Inpatient Rehab Facilities. Weekly team conferences on the patients is one of the requirements. Team members required are Dr, LSW, PT, OT, SLP and RN. Our Practice Nurse (RN) attended conferences, as she has working knowledge of the patient. Our challenge was to get the bedside nurse, instead of the practice nurse, to attend the weekly conference.

National Database Of Nursing Quality Indicators, May Schomer

Nursing Posters

National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) was launched by American Nursing Association (ANA) in 1998, with an initial set of ten quality indicators that assessed the quality of patient care. The continued mission of the NDNQI's is to improve patient care and safety by providing evidence based national research to nurses by comparing nursing care data and the connection this data has on patient outcomes. A relationship between patient outcomes and nurse staffing practices was noted, but further data collection was needed to appraise the quality of nursing care on each hospital unit in order to assess, evaluate and …

Optimal Perioperative Management Of The Geriatric Patient, Sherry Sonsalla

Nursing Posters

Purpose: Review best practice guidelines, perform a gap analysis, and provide recommendations for areas of opportunity for geriatric surgical patients.

Reducing Overnight Vital Signs, Jill Libbesmeier

Nursing Posters

As delirium has been identified to increase functional decline, cost per patient day of hospitalization, and length of stay, previous delirium work has been completed at St. Cloud Hospital. Changes in sleep pattern and sleep environment have been identified as a cause of delirium. The purpose of this project is to change frequency of vital signs on Med 1, Med 2, and Medical and Oncology, allowing for increased uninterrupted periods of sleep to help reduce delirium rates; in turn reducing average length and cost of stay.

Protecting Patients From Hospital-Acquired Infections, Ann Backes

Nursing Posters

Goal: Implement chlorohexidine (CHG) bathing for patients on the Medical and Oncology Unit with a central venous catheter and/or urinary catheter in addition to existing prevention measures to reduce catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) and central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), because increases in CAUTIs and CLABSIs were seen despite various unit and hospital prevention strategies in place.

Opening An Observation Unit, Emily Zempel

Nursing Posters

The definition, benefits, and structure of an observation unit within a hospital.

Sep-1: Early Management Bundle, Severe Sepsis/Septic Shock, Roberta Basol, Jennifer Burris

Nursing Posters

To educate, monitor, and improve the sepsis core measure SEP-1 results required by CMS.

Reduction Of Cesarean Section Surgical Site Infections (Ssi): Progression And Implementation Of Evidence Based Practice, Patricia Dumonceaux, Melissa Erickson, Kim Schuster, Elizabeth Kiffmeyer

Nursing Posters

To improve cesarean section patient experience by reduction of postoperative SSI.

Bundle Vs. Non-Bundle: Looking At Differences In Care And Outcomes At A Skilled Nursing Facility, Georgia Tsmasiros

Capstone Projects 2015-Present

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Initiative (BPCI) in 2013 in an effort for consumers to have higher quality and more coordinated care. This research compared the care and outcomes of four individuals with bundled payment insurance plans and four non-bundle insured individuals with the same diagnosis, accessing rehabilitation services at a skilled nursing facility. The results show no observable differences between the outcomes of individuals with a bundled insurance plan and individuals without a bundled insurance plan. The financial implications are negative for healthcare agencies participating in BPCI who must …

Black Caregiver Responses To And Perceptions Of Signs, Symptoms, And Treatments At The End Of Life, Samantha M. Sermarini

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Individuals in the final stages of life are often cared for by informal caregivers whose interpretation of the patient’s signs, symptoms and treatment needs and options may be incongruent with that of healthcare providers (Docherty et al., 2008). Nurses need to fully understand the scope of this disparity. The purpose of this study was to determine how Black caregivers interpreted signs, symptoms, and treatments for symptom relief during the last months of their loved one’s life. The effect on caregiver decision making was explored. This project is a secondary analysis of preexisting qualitative data. Transcripts from 5 focus groups encompassed …

An Exploratory Inquiry And Creation Of Emergency Room Discharge Education Materials, Ivory Catalano

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background

Each Emergency Room (ER) across the USA provides every patient with paperwork upon discharge, which commonly includes information about the patient’s diagnosis. This information will briefly describe the condition, provide information on treatment outside the ER, and possibly more, depending on the document and source. These documents are not made by hospital staff, but are generally purchased from outside providers who mass market such documents as resources for hospitals to use to educate patients. One issue with these documents lies in their mass usage, which is not necessarily designed to target the general population’s reading and educational levels.

Purpose …

Nursing Management And Mirror Therapy For Phantom Limb Pain, Bridget Henry

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Phantom limb pain may occur after the accidental removal or surgical amputation of a limb. Phantom limb pain is the experience of pain in the limb that is no longer present. The clinical management of phantom limb pain is essential in the overall reduction of patient rehabilitation and poor patient outcomes. A patient’s degree of phantom limb pain is influenced by their personal response to loss and pain and can have devastating effects to a person’s social performance, occupational role, family role, relationships, and involvement in activities or hobbies. Like most chronic pain, phantom limb pain decreases the quality of …

Recognizing Pain Using Novel Simulation Technology, Justin C. Grace

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Effective pain management and time to treatment is essential in patient care. Despite scientific evidence supporting the need to treat pain and an emphasis on addressing pain as a priority, pain management continues to be an unresolved issue. As a member of the health care team, nurses are integral to optimal pain management. Currently, nursing schools have limited innovative or alternative methods for teaching pain assessment and management. Simulation in nursing education provides a unique opportunity to expose students to realistic patient situations and allow them to learn and make mistakes without causing harm. However, modern low- and high-fidelity simulation …

Nursing Knowledge And Perceived Comfort Level In Acute Infusion Reactions From Antineoplastic Agents, Andrea L. Maiorini

Honors Undergraduate Theses

INTRODUCTION: Acute infusion reactions from antineoplastic agents can include hypersensitivity reactions, anaphylaxis, and cytokine release infusion reactions. Severe acute infusion reactions happen in about 5% of the oncology patient population and nurses are responsible for assessment and management of the reaction. This is a high-stress task for a nurse magnified by the lack of exposure. This project explores nursing knowledge and perceived comfort level of acute infusion reactions caused by antineoplastic agents.

METHODOLOGY: An original survey was created to test nursing knowledge and assess comfort level. Nursing knowledge was broken down into six subscales: general knowledge of acute infusion reactions, …

Retention Of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Knowledge And Psychomotor Skill Among Undergraduate Nursing Students: An Integrative Review Of Literature, Fernanda Tirado

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Purpose: The purpose of this integrative literature review is to explore the effectiveness of different training modalities on the acquisition and retention of CPR knowledge and psychomotor skill among undergraduate nursing students. Background: It is well known that standard CPR-training is ineffective at preparing nurses for the rigors of a cardiac arrest event. Survival rates for in-hospital cardiac arrests remain low and the proportion of neurobehavioral sequelae among survivors is very high. Methods: A review of relevant literature published between 2006 and 2016 was conducted using the CINAHL and MEDLINE databases. The following key terms were used in the search: …

Medication Adherence After Post Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: An Educational Intervention, Rebecca Shelton Thomas

DNP Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this evidenced-based education project was (i) assess current barriers and determining factors associated with medication adherence and how this coincides with health outcomes, (ii) assess whether medication adherence and hospital re-admission rates were improved with a comprehensive medication discharge educational plan.

Setting: The project took place on a 35 bed post interventional care unit (4IC) located in a 433 bed community care hospital in Central Kentucky.

Population: The population for this study was a sample of 10 acute myocardial infarction patients post percutaneous coronary intervention. Thirty percent of participants were female and 60% were male. Mean …

Piloting An Intervention To Improve Continuity In Lung Cancer Patients, Stacy L. Richey

DNP Projects

Purpose: Kentuckians facing a lung cancer diagnosis are at greater risk for care fragmentation due to the complexities associated with the diagnosis, staging and treatment of the disease combined with multiple health disparities such as advanced age, multiple comorbid conditions, low socioeconomic status, geographic isolation, and low literacy levels. Transitioning from primary to specialist care can be especially difficult for these patients. The main purpose of this paper was to determine the feasibility and effect of a nurse-led, multidimensional intervention designed to improve relational (RC), informational (IC), and management continuity (MC) across the primary to secondary care interface, as well …

I'M Still Standing, But I'M Not Standing Still, Janice E. Hawkins

Ellmer School of Nursing Faculty Publications

(First paragraph) When I made the decision to return to school for a PhD, I anticipated hard work, challenges, and a demanding schedule. Two years into my part-time program, I proudly informed readers of Reflections on Nursing Leadership that I was still standing and happy with my decision (Hawkins, 2014). Two years later, I'm not quite done.

A Randomized Controlled Trial Of Anesthesia Guided By Bis Vs. Standard Care And Effects On Cognition, Zohn Centimole

Theses and Dissertations--Nursing

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) occurs frequently in individuals undergoing major surgery with general anesthesia. POCD adversely affects morbidity and health-related quality of life. Derived electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring is utilized to guide the anesthesia provider in titration of volatile anesthetics. POCD has been associated volatile anesthetic neurotoxicity. EEG monitors are known to reduce a patient’s total cumulative dose exposure to volatile anesthetics. There is currently little evidence to support utilization of EEG monitors as a guide to reduce the incidence of POCD.

The purpose of this dissertation was to develop and test a technique of general anesthesia, delivered by anesthesia providers …

Co-Morbid Symptoms Of Depression And Anxiety And Bio-Behavioral Response To Stress In Patients With Heart Failure, Abdullah S. Alhurani

Theses and Dissertations--Nursing

Heart failure (HF) is a major public health problem throughout the world. It accounts for one death certificate among nine in the United States. Heart failure and sudden death combined are responsible for the largest number of deaths in America. The total costs of HF in the United States are estimated to be $37 billion each year. Despite substantial medical and surgical advances related to treatment of HF, it remains a very costly condition with high mortality and morbidity rates. Although biological factors contribute to high morbidity and mortality in HF, there are many unexplored psychosocial factors that also likely …

Difference In Knowledge Of Mrsa Regarding Sophomore And Senior Baccalaureate Nursing Students, Payton T. Lloyd, Daniel B. Whited, Lori N. Crimaldi

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Abstract

Background

The risk of infection by antibiotic resistant organisms is a common problem in hospital settings. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is the most common type of resistant bacteria that can have serious consequences or even lead to death. Nurses' knowledge of how to prevent and treat this problem is essential for patient safety. The purpose of this study is to determine the differences in level of knowledge of MRSA in sophomore and senior level baccalaureate nursing students.

Methods

This descriptive, comparative study will examine differences in knowledge of MRSA between sophomore and senior baccalaureate nursing students and determine if …

Relationship Among Motivation, Emotion Regulation, And Psychological Well-Being Of Sophomore And Senior Level Nursing Students, Aryene Delgado, Douglas Garner, Nicole Langhals

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Nursing education and professional work involve stressful circumstances that may lead to attrition, which can further contribute to the projected nursing shortage. This study examines the relationships between motivation, emotional regulation, psychological well-being and academic performance in baccalaureate sophomore and senior level nursing students at a Midwest urban university in the United States. The non-experimental, correlational study is guided by Deci and Ryan’s self-determination theory and uses an online survey data collection and convenience sampling. Measures include: motivation, emotional regulation, psychological well-being (burnout; inauthenticity), and academic performance (GPA), and will be measured using Deci and Ryan’s scale, the Emotion Regulation …