Public Health and Community Nursing Commons^™

Stress Management Through Educational Coping Techniques, Margaret Nikitchuk, Maddy Politeo, Sarah Hall, Ben Pham, David Kumar, Kiana George

Nursing Leadership in Community Engagement Projects

Executive Summary

According to the United States Census Bureau, Seattle reported the highest amount of people with stress in the United States with 54.5% (reported by adults) saying they felt ‘nervous, anxious or on edge’ for at least several days during the past two weeks” (Swedish, 2024). Many residents in Seattle cope with stress in unhealthy ways. For instance, in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue MSA, 19% of individuals aged 12 or older used illicit drugs, compared to the national rate of 14.7% (SAMHSA, 2012). Additionally, 22.5% of this population engaged in binge alcohol use at least once in the past month (SAMHSA, 2012). …

Take Charge Of Your Health: Start With Your Smile, Jordan L. Lacey, Brizette O. Owusu, Sophia Gardner, Madeline Whitehead, Haeun Park, May Ligno

Nursing Leadership in Community Engagement Projects

Take Charge of Your Health: Start with Your Smile

Oral health is a fundamental component of overall health, yet it is often neglected-particularly among vulnerable populations like houseless individuals (Freitas et al., 2019). Houseless individuals face numerous barriers to accessing healthcare, with dental services being limited. This lack of access contributes to a higher prevalence of oral diseases, which if left untreated, can lead to severe complications. Poor oral health doesn’t just affect the mouth; it negatively impacts one’s overall systemic health, psychosocial well-being, and quality of life (Csikar et al., 2019).

As nursing students engaged in a Community Health …

Health Services Monthly Educational Newsletter To Parents/Guardians, Dena L. Hinkle, Jennifer L. Fisher, Emily Garnett, Chelsea K. Mckee

Nursing Department Graduate Presentations/Conferences

This health services newsletter was created as an educational and information tool for parents/guardians of Will County School District 92. The intention of this project was to increase student compliance with health requirements, improve parental/guardian education regarding student health, and provide necessary student health education topics. The project began by completing a literature review which allowed for a thorough survey of existing information. The theoretical framework Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) serves as the foundation for this proposal, along with Pender’s Health Promotion Model and the School Nursing Practice Framework. The three graduate nursing students determined important educational …

Health Education Curriculum Effectiveness And The Role Of The School Nurse, Dena L. Hinkle, Jennifer L. Kilgos-Conwell, Dipika C. Patel, Christina R. Segal

Nursing Department Graduate Presentations/Conferences

Background: The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) identifies the teaching of health promotion, health literacy, and disease prevention as one of the practice principles of school nurses (NASN, 2024). The aim of this project was to examine how health education topics and curriculum in school districts is determined, who is teaching the curriculum, and if there is a role for the school nurse in the development, collaboration or teaching of the curriculum.

Purpose: The project investigated if school nurses are involved in the selection and/or teaching of the curriculum chosen by the district. Input from school nurses and physical …

Prepared To Protect: Improving Cardiac Emergency Response In Youth Club Sports, Melissa Garcia

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a medical emergency where the heart unexpectedly stops beating due to an electrical malfunction. A person experiencing a cardiac arrest collapses, loses consciousness, and ceases breathing (American Heart Association, 2022).

Exercise offers numerous benefits to the cardiovascular system and a person’s overall health. However, there are incidents of sports-related cardiac arrest in apparently healthy athletes, including children and young adults. Athletes may be exposed to dehydration, adrenic surges, electrolyte imbalances, acid/base disturbances, and trauma which increases their risk of experiencing a cardiac event (Wasfy et al., 2016).

Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of …

Management Of Possible Serious Bacterial Infections In Young Infants Where Referral Is Not Possible In The Context Of Existing Health System Structure In Mbeya, Tanzania: Experience And Lessons From The End Line Assessment, Esther Ngadaya, Alexander Manu, Mary Mmweteni, Dorica Burengelo, Doreen Philbert, Gibson Kagaruki, Kahabi Isangula, Mbazi Senkoro, Godfather Kimaro, Amos Kahwa

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Severe bacterial infections (SBIs) are a leading cause of neonatal deaths in low- and middle-income countries. World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) guideline for outpatient management of danger signs indicating possible serious bacterial infections (PSBI) when referral is not possible was adopted by three pilot district councils in Mbeya Region, in Tanzania (Busekelo, Kyela and Mbarali Districts) in 2018 (the PSBI project). This study documented changes in practice during the PSBI project, and lessons learned. A cross-sectional study was conducted using both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods between July 2021 and January 2022, post-implementation. The study participants comprised stakeholders, health workers, …

Effectiveness Of Clinical Training In Influencing The Outcome Of Visual Inspection With Acetic Acid In Selected Facilities At A County In Kenya, Evah Maina, Abednego Ongeso, Nancy Maingi

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background: Cervical cancer remains a major health concern in developing countries, primarily due to the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18. Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) is a common and affordable screening method, yet its effectiveness is closely tied to the skills and competency of healthcare providers. This study aimed to assess the impact of clinical training on improving VIA screening outcomes for cervical cancer in a county in Kenya.

Methods: Seven government health facilities equipped with cryotherapy machines were selected, with two healthcare providers sampled from each. A six-day VIA training intervention was conducted, combining …

Evaluating An Evidence-Based Quality Improvement Initiative For Food Insecurity Screening And Referral In Adults With Diabetes Initiating Continuous Glucose Monitor Therapy, Coni Dennis

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

Diabetes affects 37 million people annually in the United States, with direct medical costs exceeding $237 billion per year (American Diabetes Association, 2018; Xu et al., 2018). Complications account for up to 64% of diabetes-related expenses, emphasizing the importance of glycemic stability in preventing costly and debilitating outcomes (Dieleman et al., 2016). Diet and nutrition, essential for glycemic control, are often undermined by food insecurity—defined as inconsistent access to adequate, nutritious food—affecting 16% of adults with diabetes (Casagrande et al., 2022; Kirby et al., 2021). Food insecurity is linked to higher HbA1c levels, increased complications, and hospitalizations (Thomas et al., …

The Effect Of A Virtual Covid-19 Interprofessional Educational Module On Knowledge, Confidence, Attitude, And Practice Among Health And Allied Health Professions Students, Tsu-Yin Wu, Jenni L. Hoffman, Grigoris Argeros, Sarah Lally, Andrea Gossett Zakrajsek, Jillian Graves, Alice Jo Rainville, Olivia Ford, Angela Lukomski, Renuka Roche, John Sonnega, Joan E. Cowdery Phd

Journal of Interprofessional Practice and Collaboration

Purpose: The purpose of this research study was to examine the effect of an innovative, online COVID-19 interprofessional educational module among health and allied health professions students.

Methods: This study utilized a pre- and posttest design with quantitative and qualitative data collected winter 2023 and spring/summer 2023 semesters, and consisted of health and allied health professions students (N=143) from three Midwestern, urban, public universities. Participants completed a pretest, then an IPE module on COVID-19, and a posttest immediately after the educational intervention, and another (the same) posttest one month later. Quantitative and qualitative data were subject to statistical …

Effect Of Telehealth Interventions On Hypertension Management In A Veterans Affairs Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (Cboc), Cherilyn Schumacher

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: Per U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (2020), hypertension (HTN) is prevalent in active and retired military personnel with 13% of those in active duty and in “more than one in three Veterans…making it the most common chronic condition for Veterans” (p. 1). Per the Electronic Quality Measure (eQM) portal, a PACT clinic in a CBOC is scoring well below the national and facility benchmarks, showing a need for an intervention that will improve HTN management.

PICOT: For current veteran patients ages 18-85 assigned to a PACT (P), what is the effect of nurse-led telehealth blood pressure …

Evaluation Of A Primary Care Community Health Center’S Mammogram Program In Relation To Current Evidence-Based Practice., Brianna Childress

Doctoral Dissertations & Projects

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women over 50 years of age. Although mammograms have been proven to be effective in early detection of breast cancer, compliance rates are declining in the United States making it an objective for Healthy People 2030 to achieve and maintain a national compliance rate of 80.3%. For early detection of breast cancer among women between 50 to 74 years old to occur, an effective breast cancer screening program is vital. To understand why mammogram compliance rates were below the national average at a primary care community health center in …

Management Of Post-Operative Pain In Those With A Drug History, Emelyn Stockton, Maddie Griggs

Scholars Week

Addressing postoperative pain management in patients with a history of opioid abuse is essential for enhancing patient safety and quality care. Implementing evidence-based practices and standardized protocols can reduce the risk of relapse and improve the outcomes for this population. By focusing on staff education and training, healthcare providers can gain the necessary skills to effectively manage pain while minimizing the reliance on opioids. Ultimately, a comprehensive approach that includes alternative therapies and consistent monitoring will foster better recovery experiences for patients.

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) …

Assessing The Effectiveness Of A Non-Punitive Fall Prevention Program, Nicki Roderman, Shandlie Wilcox, Cynthia Lang

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Our single-center, quality improvement project evaluated the impact of a fall reduction plan while using a Just Culture Algorithm that included weekly fall reviews involving front line staff using a non-punitive structure. The project has shown successful results.

Methods

Prior to starting the program, data at this institution indicated falls were higher than the national fall rate of 3-5 per 1000 patient days. To achieve the goal of reducing the fall rate to below 3.1, an interdisciplinary fall committee was formed, consisting of nurses, nursing leaders, patient care technicians, pharmacists, and physical therapists. The committee operated in a non-punitive …

Preparedness For Practice Of Health Professionals In Papua New Guinea: A Cross-Sectional Survey Of Nurses And Community Health Workers., Mary Kililo, Julie Dopsie, Sulpain Passingan, Julie Kep, Nina Joseph, Russel Kitau, Mary Roroi, Chris Rossiter, Jenny Sim, Di Brown, Caroline Havery, Ali Moloney, Michele Rumsey

Pacific Journal of Health

Introduction

Papua New Guinea (PNG) experiences widespread health inequity and shortage of health professionals, exacerbated by poverty, isolation, gender-based violence and limited infrastructure, transport and accessible services. Nurses and community health workers (CHW) represent 72% of health workforce. However, health professional education programs are outdated and not aligned with national health priorities. We aimed to explore the adequacy of current curricula for nurses and CHWs by examining graduate competencies and preparedness for practice.

Methods

Cross-sectional study with four cohorts: 1) 130 new nurse graduates, 2) 75 nurses who supervised them, 3) 105 new CHW graduates and 4) 65 CHW supervisors. …

Factors Influencing Self-Wound Care Adoption In Singaporean Communities: A Cross-Sectional Survey, Ling Jia Goh, Xiaoli Zhu

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: Managing wounds often requires frequent clinic visits, posing a burden on both patients and the healthcare system. Shared wound care, which encourages patients to manage dressings at home, has emerged as a potential solution. This study investigates factors influencing self-wound care adoption in Singapore.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey involving 328 participants from six primary healthcare centers was conducted. The survey examined demographics, wound characteristics, and perceptions towards shared wound care using a locally validated questionnaire. Parametric tests and logistic regression were used to analyze the data.

Results: Unlike older participants, younger adults valued time saved through self-care and found …

An Epiq Mass Shelter Training For Public Health Nurses In Georgia To Improve Core Competencies In Disaster Preparedness: A Pilot Study, Ashlie L. Pullen, Sonya Shinhoster

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Research shows that nurses are often ill-prepared for disaster response. A survey conducted by the Georgia Department of Public Health Office of Nursing in April of 2021, demonstrated that 45% of the public health nurses surveyed had never deployed to a mass congregate shelter, and 43% reported they had no formal training related to emergency preparedness or mass sheltering. The purpose of this pilot study was to measure public health nurses’ improvement in familiarity with emergency preparedness and disaster response core competencies as defined by the Emergency Preparedness Information Questionnaire (EPIQ) after a focused educational program and tabletop workshop. …

Implementation Of Barcode Medication Administration To Reduce Vaccine Errors, Elizabeth R. Schwarz

All Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Problem: In the project organization, a large ambulatory medical group, there have been high rates of vaccine administration errors, particularly within family practice locations, which have the most variety of vaccines given.

Aim of the Project: This project aimed to improve the safety of vaccine administration by implementing barcode medication administration (BCMA) in two family practice locations.

Review of the Evidence: BCMA is increasingly recommended for outpatient settings by patient safety groups like the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (2022). Studies show BCMA can save time, improve vaccine data capture and can decrease medication errors by up to 74% (Evanson …

Predicting Access Barriers And Facilitators To Pediatric Specialty Care Among Children With Complex Chronic Conditions, Elisabeth Vestal

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Children with complex chronic conditions (CCC) face healthcare inequities when accessing pediatric specialty care. Social or economic barriers may exacerbate the challenges faced by families with a child/children with CCC and include increased geographical distance to specialty services, familial poverty, inadequate neighborhood resources, and food insecurity. Understanding how social and economic factors may impact equitable access to care are essential in improving health outcomes for children with CCC. The first manuscript in this compendium is an integrative review focused on the barriers and facilitators of accessing pediatric specialty care for rural dwelling children with CCC. The second manuscript presents a …

Challenges And Barriers Faced By Healthcare Workers In Implementing Strategies To Reduce Teenage Pregnancy In Iligan City, Elise Janella A. Denila, Jydel Anne P. Dalangin, Wynne Nicole P. Englatiera, Dave William E. Almonia, Ian C. Abordo, Donna Belle P. Sumugat Rn, Man, Raymond M. Salvador

Pacific Journal of Health

Aims: To investigate nursing strategies and their perceived barriers in reducing teenage pregnancy among barangays in Iligan City with high incidence of teenage pregnancy.

Study Design: This study uses qualitative, exploratory research design. This design is ideal for delving into complex issues and understanding phenomena in their real-world context.

Place and Duration of the Study: Iligan City Philippines, between September 2023 and May 2024

Methods: This study includes 6 healthcare workers experienced in handling teenage pregnancy and 25 teenagers who have experienced it. Participants were selected using purposive sampling to ensure they had relevant experiences. Data was collected through face-to-face, …

A Cross Cultural Comparison Of Adolescent Sexual Socialization In Family Settings In Four Thai Regions: A Cross Sectional Survey, Ampornpan T้Heeranut, Pongdech Sarakarn, Donlagon Jumparway, Arina Abdulloh, Piches Ruangsuksud, Chaiyun Sakulsriprasert, Bhunyabhadh Chaimay, Linda L. Shield, Alison Hutton, Kesinee Saranrittichai

Journal of Health Research

Background: Sexual socialization is different across cultural contexts due to norms and values including adolescents’ growth & development and characteristics. Patterns of sexual socialization across different cultural contexts and adolescents in Thailand are still unknown. This analytical cross-sectional study aimed to explain and compare 5 patterns of adolescent sexual socialization in Thailand (SSFA): trust, strict, exhaust, review, and general patterns.

Methods: The sample included 1,050 parents living in the same house with their adolescent offspring aged 13-19 years. Stratified cluster randomized sampling was performed to access participants. The instrument used for measuring adolescent sexualization in families with adolescents was …

A Qualitative Study On Transnational Caregiving For Older Parents In China, Silai Dong

Lingnan Theses (MPhil & PhD)

The increasing number of international migrations in China poses challenges for the care of older parents who are left behind, considering China’s emphasis on family support. This study aims to investigate transnational care arrangements for older parents whose children are overseas. It mainly addresses three research questions:1) What are the contents of filial piety in the context of international migration? 2) How do Chinese transnational family members negotiate and distribute elder care responsibilities? 3) To what extent can the transnational caregiving model explain elder care in Chinese transnational families?

The transnational caregiving model proposed by Baldassar, Baldock, and Wilding, in …

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 …

Companion Dogs And Depression, Anxiety, And Posttraumatic Stress Disorder In Adult Icu Survivors: A Scoping Review, Lindsey Nelson, Sue Lasiter, Amanda Emerson

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

Intensive care unit (ICU) survivors are at risk for developing persistent psychological sequelae that have been linked to decreased quality of life and increased mortality after hospital discharge. Standardized evidence-based treatments are lacking, mainly focus on physical rather than psychological recovery, and often occur in formal settings. Benefits of human– companion dog relationships have not been explored in the ICU survivor population before. Thus, the purposes of our review were to summarize the literature focused on the influence of companion dogs on depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); identify what is known about the potential role companion dogs play …

Improving The Diagnosis And Treatment Of Obstetric Sepsis, Edwije Joseph

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: Maternal mortality affects women during four phases of obstetrics, including triage, antepartum, labor & delivery, and postpartum. In the U.S., sepsis is the third leading cause of maternal death. Inconsistent screening practices and delays in recognizing symptoms can occur in any phase. These factors were identified as root causes in a northern California community hospital with 600 monthly deliveries.

Context: Two maternal sepsis cases cost $90,000 annually. A standardized pathway was initiated nationally in October 2023 through the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC). One regional hospital system initiated a quality improvement project over 5 months within a community …

Environmental Factors (Rurality, Distribution Of Prescribers, And Altitude) Of People Who Died By Suicide In Montana, 2013- 2022, Anne N. Brown

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Suicide is increasingly prevalent in rural areas across the United States, especially in the western Rocky Mountain states. The connection between suicide and rural residency is not well understood, nor is the relationship between the distribution of prescribers, altitude, and suicide. Purpose: This retrospective quantitative study aimed to describe the characteristics of individuals who died by suicide in Montana and investigate the associations among rurality, distribution of prescribers, altitude, and suicide rate. Methods: Montana suicide mortality data for 2013-22 was used to describe individual characteristics. A second dataset was created for each Zip Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA) level in …

A Descriptive Study: Aging In Place In The Rural Southeastern United States, Dama G. Cooley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Older Americans will soon outnumber children and younger adults. In 2022, there were 58 million older adults. By 2050, older adult numbers will grow to 82 million, and by 2060, 100 million. The National Institute on Aging calls for ongoing research on the impact that a historically large aging population will have on health, well-being, and quality of life. A key concern is how to meet needs while decreasing costs associated with institutional long-term care.

Most of these elders reside in the community and wish to live in their homes throughout their lives, but they will experience an increased need …

Integration Of Depression And Anxiety Screening Among Uninsured And Underinsured Patients In A Mobile Nurse-Led Clinic, Samantha Hamm

DNP Projects

This quality improvement project sought to increase screening rates and referrals for pregnant and postpartum depression/ anxiety using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and increase the rate of mental health referrals as a result of that screening in an underserved population /community health mobile clinic. Maternal mental health is a key public health concern. In the most recent community health needs assessment (2022-2025) in one Midwestern rural community, priority needs were identified with the top priority of building families with access to culturally competent healthcare, including access to mental health services (Central MN Alliance, 2022). Under-reporting anxiety and depression …

Examining The Relationship Between Shift Work And Diabetes Mellitus Among Nurses: An Evidence-Based Case Report, Angga Arifianto, Indah Suci Widyahening, Levina Chandra Khoe, M. Ikhsan Mokoagow

Occupational and Environmental Medicine Journal of Indonesia

Background : Work shifts could cause numerous health problems, such as sleep disorders, weight gain disorders, and unhealthy food intake consumption, leading to obesity and changes in blood glucose levels, that eventually lead to diabetes mellitus. This evidence-based case report aims to provide an evidence of association between shift work and the risk of diabetes mellitus among nurses.

Methods : We performed a literature searching from Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus, and Google Scholar in September 2023 using keywords ‘shift work’ AND ‘diabetes’ AND ‘nurse’. We included studies that assessed the association between shift work and diabetes among nurses using observational …

Improving Patient Awareness And Compliance With Telephone Follow-Up Calls Post Visit, Ajibola Kutti

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: In a high-volume clinic without current follow up practices post visit, a telephone follow-up (TFU) intervention was implemented within three days of patient outpatient appointments.

PICOT: The PICOT question that guided this project was: In adult patients in a high-volume clinic (P), does the implementation of telephone follow-up calls by nurses (I) compared to current practices (C) improve patient compliance and post-office follow-up visits (O) over 10-weeks (T)?

Evidence: The literature provided recommendations and evidence that supported the effectiveness of following up with patients within three days of leaving the healthcare clinic. TFU’s are a cost-effective intervention that …