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Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

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Full-Text Articles in Pediatric Nursing

Breastfeeding Promotion For Infants With Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (Nas), Olivia Czerwonka May 2026

Breastfeeding Promotion For Infants With Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (Nas), Olivia Czerwonka

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is the exposure in utero to drugs with the incidence in the United States increasing from 4 to 6.3 per 1000 births (Wei et al., 2023). The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement a breastfeeding support intervention to increase breastfeeding frequency and reduce hospital length of stay of newborns with NAS. A tailored multicomponent guideline based upon the current Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding as established by WHO and UNICEF (2017) was implemented. Mothers of infants diagnosed with NAS were recruited using convenience sampling from a Northwest Indiana Hospital. Key stakeholders within the …


Improving Emergency Department Throughput: Implementation Of A Nurse-Driven Protocol In Pediatric Fast-Track Patients Presenting With Fever, Kerrigan A. Teeple May 2026

Improving Emergency Department Throughput: Implementation Of A Nurse-Driven Protocol In Pediatric Fast-Track Patients Presenting With Fever, Kerrigan A. Teeple

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Overcrowding in the emergency department presents significant operational challenges and is associated with adverse patient outcomes (Gottlieb et al., 2020). Despite throughput initiatives, increasing patient acuity and rising census levels continue to strain emergency department efficiency. This quality improvement project evaluated whether implementing a fever-reduction standing order protocol could reduce door-to-provider and door-to-disposition times for pediatric fast-track patients presenting to the emergency department. A review of evidence across 6 databases identified nurse-initiated standing orders as a best-practice strategy to expedite care, improve throughput, and reduce delays in disposition. Guided by this evidence, a standing order protocol for acetaminophen administration was …


A Multi-Modal Intervention To Improve Identification, Management, And Prevention Of Early Childhood Caries In The Primary Care Setting, Rieley M. Hull May 2025

A Multi-Modal Intervention To Improve Identification, Management, And Prevention Of Early Childhood Caries In The Primary Care Setting, Rieley M. Hull

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Early childhood caries (ECC) is the most prevalent chronic childhood disease and, if untreated, can lead to significant long-term health and social consequences, posing a substantial healthcare burden (AAPD, 2023; ADA, 2023; USPSTF, 2021; WHO, 2022). This evidence-based practice (EBP) project aimed to implement a multi-modal intervention to reduce ECC risk factors, prevent new dental caries, and halt the progression of existing dental caries. Conducted in a pediatric primary care setting in West Michigan, the project included patients five and under who received an oral examination and dental caries risk assessment following the AAP’s guidelines. Based on their oral health …


A Multimodal Intervention To Improve Treatment And Clinical Outcomes In Children With Recurrent Otitis Media, Daniel Courtaney May 2025

A Multimodal Intervention To Improve Treatment And Clinical Outcomes In Children With Recurrent Otitis Media, Daniel Courtaney

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Acute otitis media is the number one cause for primary health care visits and antibiotic prescriptions in the pediatric population (El Feghaly & Jackson, 2023). Upwards of 27% of children experience multiple episodes of otitis media (OM) that meet recurrent otitis media (ROM) diagnosis criteria (Pelton & Marchisio, 2023). Guided by the Iowa Model (Iowa Model Collaborative, 2017), the project’s purpose was to implement a multimodal intervention to decrease recurrent OM and repeat clinic visits. A comprehensive literature search of 5 databases yielded 16 sources ranging from levels I-IV (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2023). Using the AGREE II and JBI Critical …


A Lifestyle Modification Intervention In Hispanic Adolescents With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Brianne Miller May 2023

A Lifestyle Modification Intervention In Hispanic Adolescents With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Brianne Miller

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

U.S. population studies have confirmed that the Hispanic population has the highest prevalence and the worst prognosis for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (Katz et al., 2021). The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to implement a multicomponent, lifestyle modification intervention in Hispanic pediatric primary care patients to combat the disease process and sequela of NAFLD. The PICOT question for this project was: In Hispanic adolescents aged 10-21 with obesity and NAFLD (P), what is the effect of a multicomponent, lifestyle modification intervention (I), on alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (O), over a 12-week time period (T)? A comprehensive literature search …


Overcoming Obesity: Provider Reminders And Education In Pediatrics, Michelle Warren Apr 2021

Overcoming Obesity: Provider Reminders And Education In Pediatrics, Michelle Warren

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

The prevalence of pediatric overweight and obesity is rising globally (Di Cesare et al., 2019) and results in lifelong chronic health problems and an estimated annual healthcare cost of $14.1 billion (Trasande & Chatterjee, 2009). The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to address overweight and obesity in patients between the ages of five and 12 years through the provision of provider reminders, education, and guidelines. Primary outcomes included frequency of diagnosis, frequency of patient referrals, return to see times, and frequency of patient nutrition and activity education while secondary outcomes included patient weight, body mass index (BMI), and …


You're Not Forgotten: Effects Of Screening For Postpartum Depression Within A Pediatric Setting, Marrisa S. Culver May 2020

You're Not Forgotten: Effects Of Screening For Postpartum Depression Within A Pediatric Setting, Marrisa S. Culver

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Postpartum depression (PPD) is depression that occurs in women following childbirth occurring during the postpartum period and affects 1 in 7 women (The United States Preventive Services Task Force, 2019). The American Academy of Pediatrics [AAP] (2019), recommends that pediatric healthcare providers utilize their position to screen for PPD. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to implement a PPD screening intervention within a pediatric healthcare setting using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The Academic Center for Evidence-Based (ACE) Practice Star Model guided this EBP project with evidence-based interventions developed after a comprehensive literature search. Implementation of …


What's All The Buzzy About? Using Cryotherapy And Vibration For Pain During Vaccinations In Children, Marta L. Byma May 2020

What's All The Buzzy About? Using Cryotherapy And Vibration For Pain During Vaccinations In Children, Marta L. Byma

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Vaccinations are the most common painful needle procedure, with an estimated 12 billion injections given per year (CDC, 2019). The usual method for administration of vaccinations is through needle puncture, which is often painful. Children often report receiving a shot as one of the most feared and painful experiences (McMurtry et al., 2015). The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to improve patient experiences by decreasing the pain that is associated with vaccinations through the use of a nonpharmacological method for comfort via the Buzzy® device. After thorough analysis and synthesis of the literature, the Buzzy® device that …


Effectiveness Of A Multi-Component Intervention Program For Treating Childhood Obesity, Suzy Free May 2020

Effectiveness Of A Multi-Component Intervention Program For Treating Childhood Obesity, Suzy Free

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Childhood obesity is one of the most chronic childhood illness worldwide (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2019; World Health Organization [WHO], 2019). The prevalence of childhood obesity has been described as one of the most common chronic childhood conditions (CDC). The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to reduce the BMI scores of obese children using a multi-component intervention program that incorporates healthy eating, physical activity, and family involvement. The Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice (JHNEBP) model was used to facilitate the implementation of this EBP project. The synthesis of the appraised literature established that utilizing …


Incorporating Oral Health Care In Pediatric Primary Care Practice, Salamatu Yusif May 2019

Incorporating Oral Health Care In Pediatric Primary Care Practice, Salamatu Yusif

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

The most common chronic disease in childhood is dental caries and is more prevalent than asthma and hay fever (HHS, 2000). Data show that in the United States from 2011-2014, 24% of children aged 2-5 years had experienced dental caries in their primary teeth, with 11% having untreated caries (Dye et al., 2017). Primary care clinicians have an important role to play in promoting children’s oral health as much as dentists because they have more contact with children. The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to integrate an evidence-based oral health program for children in a pediatric primary care …


Screening Amblyopic Risk Factors In A Pediatric Population Using An Automated Vision Screener, Rebecca Dawn Slominski May 2018

Screening Amblyopic Risk Factors In A Pediatric Population Using An Automated Vision Screener, Rebecca Dawn Slominski

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Amblyopia is the most common visual disorder in children and is potentially curable if detected early and treated properly in the first few years of life. Amblyopia is the leading cause of monocular vision loss in children (Bradfield, 2013). It is a developmental neuroplasticity which derives from birth causing structural and functional changes in the eye and brain. With this structural and functional disruption, visual blur occurs due to refractive amblyopia, strabismic amblyopia, cataracts (form-deprivation amblyopia), or a combination of any of these (Solebo, Cumberland, & Rahi, 2015). Refractive errors related to amblyopia can also occur. The purpose of this …


Sun Prevention Fun (Spf): A Multicomponent Sun Prevention Program For Children In Kindergarten And First Grade, Sarah Gouker May 2018

Sun Prevention Fun (Spf): A Multicomponent Sun Prevention Program For Children In Kindergarten And First Grade, Sarah Gouker

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Skin cancer is an important topic in the United States due to the recent increase in cost and mortality. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to determine if the early implementation of a multicomponent sun prevention program positively impacted kindergarten and first grade students’ knowledge and behavioral intentions to practice safe sun techniques after a one week period. Kotter’s Model of Change and the ACE Star model were utilized to guide this EBP project. An exhaustive review of the literature yielded 12 articles which were used to develop best practices for education on sun safety. The quality …


Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Outpatient Care: The Effect Of A Standardized Collaborative Medication Reconciliation Process, Traci R. Pulliam May 2017

Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Outpatient Care: The Effect Of A Standardized Collaborative Medication Reconciliation Process, Traci R. Pulliam

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Pediatric patients are at an increased risk for medication errors and can benefit from processes that facilitate and promote medication safety (Stone et al., 2010). Medication reconciliation (Med Rec) is a valuable tool in improving patients’ medication safety and reducing adverse drug events (The Joint Commission, 2015). The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to improve the accuracy of the Med Rec process in a Midwestern pediatric hematology/oncology outpatient clinic by developing, promoting, and evaluating a standardized, collaborative Med Rec process. The Stetler EBP model guided the implementation of the intervention, with the goal of integrating current evidence …


Effects Of Pediatric Emergence Delirium Education On Analgesic Administration By Pacu Nurses, Melinda C. Nwanganga Aug 2016

Effects Of Pediatric Emergence Delirium Education On Analgesic Administration By Pacu Nurses, Melinda C. Nwanganga

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Emergence delirium (ED) is a behavioral disturbance as a result of general anesthesia that commonly occurs in pediatric patients. Adverse effects of ED lead to a complicated recovery from anesthesia due to the risk of self-inflicted injury of patients, the disturbance of surgical incisions, the development of postoperative maladaptive behaviors, and the increased use of sedatives and analgesics resulting in prolonged recovery time and delayed discharge from the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). Due to the multiple ramifications of ED, appropriate care is needed to promote a safe recovery from anesthesia and an optimum perioperative experience for these patients. As PACU …


Effects Of Multimodal Fever Education On Parents Of Febrile Children, Teresa S. Parkhouse May 2015

Effects Of Multimodal Fever Education On Parents Of Febrile Children, Teresa S. Parkhouse

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Insufficient knowledge regarding the physiology and appropriate management of fever in children often contributes to an increased parental anxiety, inappropriate antipyretic use, and overutilization of medical resources (Chang, Liu, & Huang, 2013; Crocetti, Moghbeli, & Serwint, 2001; Schmitt, 1980). Parental concerns regarding childhood fever can lead to an overuse of health care resources as febrile illness in children accounts for approximately 20% of emergency department visits, 30% of office visits, and over 50% of after-hour phone calls to private physicians (Zomorrodi & Attia, 2008). Research shows that multidimensional educational interventions are most effective in improving parental management of fever (Young …


The Effects Of An Evidence-Based Food Allergy Management Plan To Keep Children With Food Allergies Safe At School, Scarlet R. Spain May 2015

The Effects Of An Evidence-Based Food Allergy Management Plan To Keep Children With Food Allergies Safe At School, Scarlet R. Spain

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

The prevalence of food allergies in children has increased 18% between 1997 and 2007 (CDC, 2013). Furthermore, 84% of food allergic children will experience a reaction at school (Powers, Bergren, & Finnegan, 2007). An exposure in a sensitive child may progress quickly into potentially life threatening symptoms and death if not treated. The purpose of this evidence based practice (EBP) project was to determine if implementation of a food allergy management policy in a school setting reduced overall incidence rates of food allergy reactions in school children and to examine compliance to policy guidelines. The project encompassed implementation of a …


Effects Of A School-Based Education Intervention On Bmi And Physical Activity, Lauren M. Panner May 2013

Effects Of A School-Based Education Intervention On Bmi And Physical Activity, Lauren M. Panner

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

In 2011, the CDC reported that there are 12.5 million obese children and adolescents living in the United States (U.S.). The financial burden of childhood obesity in the U.S. is estimated to be 14 billion dollars. The objective of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to answer the question: In school-aged children, how does school-based, structured, family-oriented physical activity education affect body mass index (BMI) compared to usual education over an eight week time period? The Stetler Model of EBP and the health belief model were used to guide this project in a rural, Northwest Indiana elementary school. For eight …


The Effects Of Computer-Based Education On Children's Knowledge About Asthma, Matyt L. Adler May 2011

The Effects Of Computer-Based Education On Children's Knowledge About Asthma, Matyt L. Adler

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Asthma is a global health problem affecting people of all ages that can cause severe limitations when uncontrolled. In the United States, asthma was the most prevalent chronic disease among children and youth in 2008 (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2009). Because day-to-day management of asthma is the responsibility of the child or the parent, education of patients is one of four crucial components to effectively provide quality asthma care. Changes in workload complexities with primary care visits has increased and visit duration decreased, resulting in less available time to address individual patient needs including the education aspect …