Public Health and Community Nursing Commons^™

Hypertension Education And Management Intervention (Hemi) In The Urgent Care Setting, Conrad L. Cash

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Hypertension, being a very prominent disease, is a common problem found during urgent care visits. By beginning in the urgent care setting, hypertension management can be started early; thereby preventing complications from uncontrolled hypertension.

Purpose: This DNP project aimed to improve patient knowledge of hypertension and overall blood pressure readings by providing one-to-one provider-patient education.

Design Method: This DNP quality improvement project was a pre- and post-test design using quantitative data. The goal was to access if there was a change in patient education pre, post, and three months follow-up along with a change in blood pressure.

Results: …

The Associations Of Chronic Stress, Social Support, Health Behaviors And Metabolic Syndrome Among Hispanic Women, Edna Esquer

Dissertations

The Associations of Chronic Stress, Social Support, Health Behaviors and Metabolic Syndrome Among Hispanic Women

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence is 25% among Mexican American women 30 – 49 years of age, compared to 22% among non-Hispanic Whites in the United States. Little is known about the additional contributions of chronic stress, social support and health behaviors to the development of MetS among this population.

Purpose: Describe the associations between chronic stress, social support, and health behaviors and the presence of MetS in Hispanic women living in an underserved community.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study design. The Adult Treatment Panel …

Improving Vaccination Uptake In The Latinx Community Through Standardized Outreach, Vanessa M. Arteaga

Master's Projects and Capstones

Vaccine hesitancy during the COVID-19 pandemic has been an issue in the Latinx and Black community since the initial discussions of the emergency use of the experimental Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. The aim of this project is to standardize the patient outreach process to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Patients at a community clinic in Oakland have expressed hesitance of the COVID-19 vaccine. They also exhibited increased frustration with the staff who are contacting them to schedule vaccine appointments and provide information. This resulted in refusal of the vaccine and less than desirable number of vaccine appointments. The objective of this …

Utilizing A Stress And Coping Model Into A Preventive Abusive Head Trauma Parent/Caregiver Educational Program, Camile Williams

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abusive head trauma (AHT) is a serious form of child maltreatment that is the primary cause of fatal head injuries in children younger than 24 months and is the cause for over 50% of severe or fatal traumatic brain injury incidences. These injuries can be caused by impact, shaking, or the combination of shaking and impact. These multi-factorial injuries can cause intracranial and spinal damage, retinal hemorrhages, and fractures of ribs and other bones. The age and severity of injuries will be used to assess the diagnosis of AHT. When AHT occurs, it is often tied to the behavior from …

Better Together? The Effects Of Shared Medical Appointments On Bmi In Obese Adults, Amanda Larson

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

The United States (U.S.) is amidst an obesity epidemic, with Indiana ranking as the 15th worst state (Institute of Medicine, 2012; United Health Foundations, 2020). Despite current management strategies, the obesity rate in both the U.S. and Indiana continues to rise (WHO, 2020). Therefore, obesity management must change. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to determine if the addition of shared medical appointments (SMAs) consisting of informational group sessions by specialists and brief individualized meetings with the provider will result in greater reduction of weight and body mass index (BMI) compared to standard care alone in those …

Implementation Of A Cost-Effective Treatment Algorithm For The Management Of Acne Vulgaris In College Students, Cristina Borsilli

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Acne is one of the most common skin disorders in the United States, occuring in over 5.1 million Americans. Of those with acne, 53.8% are adults between the ages of 18 and 44 years old (American Academy of Dermatology [AAD], 2017). Acne can lead to multiple issues such as scarring, poor self-esteem, anxiety, and depression (Zaenglein et al., 2016). Acne can also negatively impact quality of life (Cengiz & Gurel, 2020). The purpose of this evidence-based project was to develop a cost-effective treatment algorithm for the management of acne vulgaris in adult college students. A literature search determined the best …

Pediatric Health Literacy, Morgan E. Sapper, Grace G. Lloyd

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

Abstract

Background: Unless you are a healthcare provider or licensed healthcare professional, understanding the United States healthcare system and its accompanying medical jargon can be confusing and overwhelming to try to navigate. Even more difficult is comprehending what resources are available to specific populations and how to gain the most benefit from these offered resources. Limited health literacy skills have been identified as the largest barrier in identifying an individual’s health outcomes. Health affects every stage of life. The purpose of this paper is to analyze what health literacy implementations look like as well as the age and developmental stage …

Don't Be Such A Buzzy®Kill: Reducing Pain During Vaccinations In College-Age Students, Katherine Long

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Immunizations play a fundamental role in reducing the occurrence of preventable diseases in the population. Injections related to immunization are the most frequent pain-producing medical procedure implemented worldwide and account for nearly 12 billion injections annually (CDC, 2019; Taddio et al., 2015). These procedures are often perceived as simple but can have a variety of complications including pain. This evidence-based practice project addressed the following PICOT question: In college-aged students receiving immunizations (P), does the Buzzy® device (I) when compared to non-intervention standard of care (C) effectively reduce injection site pain (O) over a 12-week time period (T)? The Buzzy® …

Keeping Primary Care Providers Informed About Detecting Skin Cancer In Young Adults, Riley J. Spears

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Skin cancer is a common, life-threatening disease that affects anyone, regardless of age or skin color (American Cancer Society [ACS], 2020). The incidence of melanoma is on the rise for young adults, with an estimated 2,400 new cases for individuals aged 15 to 29 (ACS, 2020). Although skin cancer is highly preventable, clinical guidelines are inconsistent regarding skin cancer screening. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to determine if the implementation of the INternet curriculum FOR Melanoma Early Detection (INFORMED) program would improve primary care providers’ (PCPs’) confidence about skin cancer and the number of completed and …

Eastern European Orthodox Christian Immigrant Women: A Pilot Study And Needs Assessment, Kimberly A. Babich-Speck

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

The healthcare perceptions of the Eastern European Orthodox Christian immigrant women (EEOCIW) to the United States (U.S.) are under-represented in the literature. Although they appear similar to Americans, their cultural and religious traditions are outside the mainstream American culture. This pilot study and health needs assessment examines the women’s healthcare perceptions of 14 EEOCIW and identifies similarities and differences with 25 U.S. born Orthodox Christian women (USOCW). Between September and November 2020, interviews were conducted with Orthodox Christian immigrant women from Eastern Europe and Orthodox Christian women born in the U.S. Questions covered the perceptions of women’s healthcare, factors influencing …

Evaluating Va Nurse Acceptance Of Virtual Healthcare Technology During The Coronavirus Outbreak, Francesca Bryan-Couch

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

At a regional Veterans Administration (VA) hospital, nurses performing case management were unable to perform face-to-face visits with patients due to coronavirus. Care coordination and discharge planning efforts occurred through telephonic case management to preserve personal protective equipment and reduce transmission rates through social distancing. Trust and rapport between patients and nurses were reduced without personal contact. Peplau’s theory of interpersonal relations described six nurse roles and three phases of relationship development required to create therapeutic nurse-patient relationships. Connectedness was a key concept considered to be the path to a successful meaningful therapeutic nurse-patient relationship (Hrabe, 2005).

To evaluate current …

Breastfeeding In Public: Knowledge And Perceptions On A University Campus, Jessica Tracy Weiss

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Research has shown that exclusive breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for most infants and offers numerous physical and psychosocial benefits for the newborn and mother. Returning to work or attending university courses and maintaining exclusive breastfeeding is a challenge due to barriers such as time, private space, and public perception of breastfeeding in public. The aim of our study is to provide data, identify barriers and assess education needs to support breastfeeding mothers on a university campus. This study utilizes an adapted version of the Breastfeeding Behavior Questionnaire (BBQ), the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS), and knowledge …

Examining The Effect Of Provider Bias On Pain Management In Black Patients: A Systematic Literature Review, John Massey, Monica Gambilado

Thinking Matters Symposium

Black Americans face unequal treatment for pain management when seeking care. The aim of this systematic literature review is to examine the impact of provider bias on Black patients receiving appropriate pain management interventions in the clinical setting. This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Literature Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. CINAHL and PubMed were searched with the following key search terms: Black/African American, bias, prejudice, discrimination, unconscious bias, pain management, pain reduction, pain control and analgesic. A self-developed Critical Appraisal Tool was used for quality assessment of the studies included in the review. A total of 101 probable …

Impact Of Group Prenatal Care On Health Outcomes For Women Of Color In The United States: A Systematic Literature Review, Morgan Brockington, Emily Bauer, Julie Kameisha

Thinking Matters Symposium

Women of color in the United States experience disproportionately higher rates of adverse pregnancy-related outcomes, both in the prenatal and postpartum period. Group prenatal care (GPC) has been gaining popularity in recent years and has demonstrated improved health outcomes. The aim of this systematic literature review was to examine and summarize the impact of group prenatal care on health outcomes for women of color in the United States. Using a systematic approach and PRISMA guidelines, two electronic databases—CINAHL and PubMed—were used to search the literature. Quantitative research studies that were published in peer-reviewed journals between 2010 and 2020, written in …

Efficacy Of Diabetes Self-Management Education Administered Via Telehealth For Adults With Uncontrolled Diabetes, Tanner Free

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Patient’s with a diagnosis of diabetes require significant lifestyle modification and education. The need for patient education has led to the development of diabetes self-management education (DSME) classes. Unfortunately, utilization of DSME classes is only 5% among Medicare beneficiaries and 6.8% among privately insured patients (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2018). The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to implement DSME via telehealth and assist with goal formation to help patients with uncontrolled diabetes achieve glycemic control by increasing access to crucial education. The intervention consisted of bi-weekly calls for a period of 3 months. Participant data were …

The Use Of Automated Text Messaging As An Intervention For Smoking Cessation, Oluwasayo Sinkaiye

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Tobacco smoking is a widespread problem that affects the adult population in the United States (U.S.). In 2018, about 14 of every 100 adults in the USA aged 18 years or older were cigarette smokers (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020). Tobacco smoking is associated with chronic disease conditions that have serious health implications including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (CDC, 2020). The purpose of this evidence-based practice project (EBP) was to determine the effectiveness of an automated text messaging application (SmokefreeTXT) for smoking cessation in a primary care setting for adult cigarette …

Treatment Of Acute Bronchitis In Active Duty Military Members Benchmark Project, Nicole Williams

MSN Capstone Projects

Antibiotic resistant infections are a growing problem in the United States and the world. The main cause of this is antibiotic prescriptions, which can not only cause antibiotic resistance but adverse events. Decreasing the amount of antibiotics prescribed for inappropriate conditions can help to decrease the rates of antibiotic resistant infections and the problems these infections can cause. One illness that is treated frequently with antibiotics, against recommendations, is acute bronchitis. Acute bronchitis is a self-limiting viral infection, characterized by cough. By decreasing the number of providers who are prescribing antibiotics for acute bronchitis, the clinic can help to prevent …

Hypertension Management: Improving Medication Adherence Through The Use Of Daily Text Messages, Gaelle Bulabula

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Hypertension (HTN) is the leading cause of hospitalization and is responsible for approximately 50% of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (Al-Noumani, et al., 2018). Uncontrolled HTN can lead to comorbidities including ischemic heart disease, renal disease, or life-threatening arrythmias (World Health Organization [WHO], 2019). The leading cause of HTN is medication non-compliance (Varleta, et al., 2017). The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to determine the effectiveness of daily text messages on antihypertensive medication adherence. A comprehensive review of literature generated ten high-level evidence studies demonstrating that daily text messages near each medication dosing time is best practice for improving …

Preventing Insulin Storage And Administration Errors, Makena Reddick

Scholars Week

■The research problem was discovered when nurses were observed storing and administering insulin improperly. The objectives of this project were to find the correct policies for these procedures, obtain research that backed these policies, and present this information to nurses to create a safer habit. In researching, it was found that reducing the physical distance between a person completing work and the materials required to do so increased compliance (Gibbs & McLernon, 2017). In a second study, the delivery of safe, effective and high-quality care for patients with diabetes in the community is dependent upon (district) nurses having appropriate knowledge …

Experiences Of Nurse Educators In Malaysia Regarding Problem Based Learning, Umadevi Alasingam

Student Works (2020-2029)

In 2010, declining standards of nursing care in Malaysia triggered immense concern. This erosion was traced to inadequate teacher-centric nurse instruction in nursing schools. The Malaysian government proposed that Problem-based learning, a student-led instruction method, be utilized henceforth. This study aims to investigate the experiences of nurse-educators regarding Problem-based learning presuming that successful implementation of Problem-based learning method hinged heavily on the role, capabilities and attitude of nurse-educators regarding this divergent learning method. A study was conducted among five nurse-educators with long experiences in using this method. They were interviewed using open-ended questions. Interview data obtained was analyzed using N-Vivo-12 …

Providing Hispanic Immigrant And Migrant Health Care In America: Could Nps Be The Answer?, Hamabwe Kabwe

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

In recent years, the United States (U.S.) has seen an influx of Hispanic/Latino migrants/ immigrants fleeing their homes in South America, seeking opportunities for a better life in the U.S. Immigrants and their families often present to the U.S. with unique, unmet health care needs that ultimately impact the U.S. healthcare system and migrant health outcomes. Migration is a significant burden for the U.S. health care delivery system today and further magnifies known problems including inability to provide care to all because of lack of insurance for all, racial disparities in care outcomes, and unequal distribution of providers. There is …

Improving Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Rates Among Kentucky Adolescents, Cori Arena

DNP Projects

Background: The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a significant factor associated with the development of HPV-associated cancers in the United States. The administration of the HPV vaccination is a critical prevention strategy in reducing HPV-related cancers in the United States. The state of Kentucky has lower than average HPV vaccination rates compared to the national average. There is a significant amount of evidence exploring barriers and facilitators of the HPV vaccination administration. There are several multi-level barriers associated with low uptake of the HPV vaccination in adolescents. Multiple sources of evidence have indicated that parents who receive a provider recommendation are …

Contraceptive Accessibility And Reproductive Outcomes In Adolescents Seeking Care At School-Based Health Centers: A Systematic Review, Jamie Jenkins

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Context: Adolescent pregnancy continues to be a public health concern in the United States. School-based health centers are an ideal setting for providing affordable, accessible, and confidential reproductive services for adolescents that can help prevent unintended pregnancies. However, there are great variations in the reproductive services offered at school-based health centers across the United States. Objective: This study aims to explore the question: Do school-based health centers that provide on-site contraception access have lower adolescent pregnancy rates and higher reported contraception use when compared to school-based health centers that do not provide on-site contraception? Methods: A literature …

Association Between Dietary Macronutrient Intake And High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Levels Among Obese Women In Kuantan, Malaysia, Siti Zuhaidah Shahadan, Azlina Daud, Muhammad Ibrahim, Muhammad Lokman Md. Isa, Samsul Draman

Makara Journal of Science

Elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In general, an individual’s dietary intake may influence the hs-CRP level. However, evidence on the influence of dietary macronutrient intake on hs-CRP levels among obese Malaysian women remains fragmented. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the association between the hs-CRP level and dietary macronutrient intake of obese adults living in Kuantan. The assessment of 24-hour dietary recall and venous hs-CRP levels were investigated in 67 women with a body mass index of 27.5 to 39.9 kg/m². The findings revealed that obese women living …

Improving Frequency Of Hand Hygiene Education From Providers To Patients, Christopher Sutton, Nancy Moran, Vanessa Hernandez

Master's Projects and Capstones

Hand hygiene compliance is one of the most simplest forms of preventing infection. This paper focuses on improving the frequency and standardizing hand hygiene education to patients delivered by health care professionals from a primary care clinic. The ambulatory suburban community clinic in Oakland primarily serves the underserved population. The target population are the following providers: Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, and Medical Assistants. A survey was adapted from evidence-based studies, WHO, and CDC to collect data on current hand hygiene education provided to patients from healthcare professionals. An additional survey was given to patients …

Assessing Nurse Practitioners' Knowledge And Clinical Practice With Regard To The Oral-Systemic Link, Angela Haynes

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) comprise a significant portion of the U.S. primary care workforce and play an essential role in patients' health awareness, prevention strategies, disease management, and in providing appropriate provider referrals. Nurse Practitioners receive education on the oral-systemic connection, yet there have been limited studies on the clinical practice of NPs assessing the oral cavity to evaluate the condition of the teeth and the oral tissues. The purpose of this study was to explore the nurse practitioners’ knowledge and practice habits of assessing the oral cavity for diseases or abnormalities in the mouth that can, in turn, affect overall …

Utilization Of Asthma Guidelines In Primary Care, Kate R. Miller

Dissertations

Background: Chronic lower respiratory disease, including asthma, is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. Financially, asthma accounts for approximately 54 billion dollars in healthcare spending annually. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute [NHLBI] established guidelines to reduce impairment and to reduce future asthma attacks.

Purpose: This Quality Improvement (QI) pilot implemented the Asthma Control Test (ACT) and the Asthma Action Plan (AAP) per NHLBI guidelines. This project aimed to increase provider use of the ACT and AAP to 50% in patients with a diagnosis of asthma over one month.

Methods: A convenience sample of six adult …

Brown Bag Review For Identification Of Discrepancies In Patient Medication Use, Chandra James, Shawna Mason, Shellye Vardaman, Amy Yoder Spurlock

Journal of Interprofessional Practice and Collaboration

Patients suffer unintentional harm from their medications. Many organizations have proposed that healthcare providers implement strategies to decrease medication related harm for patients. This study implemented a brown bag review along with medication safety education within a clinic that caters to the poor and uninsured. It was notable that the majority of the participants educational levels were equivalent to a high school graduate or beyond. In the pre-intervention survey, they expressed that they were knowledgeable about the purpose of their medicines, they knew the correct way to use their medications, and they were aware of potential side effects. During their …

Empowering Nurses Of Minority In The Face Of Incivility And Bullying: Through The Lens Of Phenomenology, Corrine Floyd

Dissertations

Abstract

Up to 85% of nurses have reported exposure to incivility in the workplace (Hunt & Marini, 2012). The often-subtle nature of incivility toward nurses in a minority population may partially explain why it remains a problem. Healthcare organizations realize the need for civility to counter the high turnover rate, staff shortages, and low job satisfaction reported by nurses, but lack understanding of how nurses of a minority population perceive incivility and bullying. This study aimed to answer the research question how do nurses with minority representation experience incivility and bullying versus empowerment in the workplace? A descriptive phenomenological design …

Promoting Recognition And Rescue: Human Trafficking Screening, Erin E. Pittman

MSN Capstone Projects

The exploitation of human beings is a serious public health concern (Centers for Disease Control [CDC] 2018). The United States Department of Justice (2018) defines human trafficking as an act of coercing a person’s labor services or commercial sex acts. Family Nurse Practitioners play a significant role in the identification of victims, especially those practicing in emergency departments. A majority of healthcare providers have yet to establish a standardized screening tool and there is little evidence regarding the impact these screening tools have in recognizing victims of human trafficking (Emergency Nurses Association, 2018). This alarming information brings about the clinical …