Family Practice Nursing Commons^™

Recommendations For Infection Control In Congregate Shelters Following A Natural Disaster, Megan Schultz, Blaine Winters

Student Works

Infection control is at the forefront of nurses’ minds, particularly following a natural disaster. Natural disasters often displace people from their homes, requiring them to stay in congregate shelters for a short period of time. The risk of infection is significantly increased in shelters environments. The purpose of this literature review is to determine the appropriate strategies to mitigate the spread of infection in congregate shelters following a natural disaster. Implications for practice are identified.

Effects Of Tailored Colorectal Cancer Patient Education On Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates In An Urban Kentucky Clinic, Brittany Pittman Hardcorn

DNP Projects

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of death among Americans and Kentuckians. Most colorectal cancers are slow-growing, making regular colorectal cancer screening increasingly important to decrease morbidity and mortality. Although of this importance, there is low screening rates. Thus, the need to explore all colorectal screening options.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to increase the number of patients screened for colorectal cancer by providing education on colorectal cancer and screening options in a primary care setting.

Methods: The design of the study was a 2 group quasi-experimental practice improvement project using a post-test educational …

Improving Smoking History Screening And Documentation To Increase Lung Cancer Screenings In Primary Care Clinics, Destinee R. Rein

DNP Projects

BACKGROUND: In the United States, lung cancer has the highest mortality rate of all other cancers among men and women. Kentucky is ranked 50th among all states, leading the nation in new lung cancer cases each year. Lung cancer screening using Low dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) can reduce lung cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Lack of smoking history documentation to identify eligible patients is a major contributing factor to low national screening rates. Obtaining complete smoking history remains the most important technique in identifying candidates for lung cancer screening.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to evaluate …

Improving Pediatric Providers’ Intent For Safe Sleep Anticipatory Guidance With An Electronic Educational Intervention, Lindsay Hamilton

DNP Projects

Background: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS is the fourth leading cause of infant mortality in the United States. There is no definitive cause of death pertaining to SIDS, but certain risk factors have been identified that increase the risk of SIDS in an infant. While safe-sleep education during the prenatal time of parenthood is important, it is also essential to continue this education comprehensively in the primary care setting and in any other exposure the family has to healthcare.

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the self-reported knowledge of University of Kentucky Children’s Hospital Pediatric Residents’, …

Using The Samscore Questionnaire To Increase Skin Cancer Risk Screenings At Adult Patient Annual Exams, Taylor Abner

DNP Projects

Background: Malignant melanoma has become an increasingly prevalent problem in the United States. The earlier a skin cancer is identified, the better the outcome. There are conflicting recommendations about screening for skin cancer but in general identifying high risk patients is important and it is not being achieved in primary care.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate use of the SAMScore Questionnaire to determine high risk patients at adult annual visits.

Methods: This was a multi-phased study with a quasi-experimental design that took take place at a family and community primary care clinic in central Kentucky. Baseline …

Screening For Severe Mental Illness In A Correctional Setting Using The Brief Jail Mental Health Screening Tool, Stephanie Kohl

DNP Projects

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Prisoners who are detained in jails and detention centers have higher rates of Severe Mental Illness (SMI) compared to the general population. However, SMI is often unidentified in this population, largely due to lack of assessment using effective SMI screening tools and lack of knowledge among prison staff about the prevalence of SMI and the importance of identification in the correctional setting. Prisoners with SMI often act out violently against others and themselves. Current standard practice for SMI screening varies significantly across jails. Many jails use standard medical questionnaires which help obtain a brief medical history but often …

Increasing Medicare Wellness Visit Participation In A Primary Care Clinic, Katherine Rodriguez-Guerrant

DNP Projects

Background: Medicare Wellness Visits (MWV) came into use in 2011 to provide Medicare patients and their providers a chance to create a 5 to 10 year plan to prevent illness, disease, and disability. These visits are often underutilized due to various barriers on both the provider and patient side.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess provider barriers to conducting MWVs and provide an educational tool that will assist providers in increasing the number of MWVs conducted within this system.

Design: This is a descriptive, quasi-experimental study to assess provider barriers combined with a Quality improvement project that …

Evaluating Providers’ Knowledge, Attitudes And Intentions Toward Assessing Pregnancy Desires In Women Of Childbearing Age, Sydney Hahn

DNP Projects

Abstract

Background: Unintended pregnancies account for over half of all pregnancies in the United States. Unintended pregnancies can lead to abortion, socioeconomic difficulties, medical complications, psychological issues, and political issues. Unintended pregnancies are potentially harmful to both the mother and the baby. Healthy People 2030 listed reducing the number of unintended pregnancies as one of their family planning objectives.

Purpose: The purpose of this DNP project was to evaluate providers’ knowledge, attitudes, and intentions toward assessing pregnancy desires in women of childbearing age. Methods: The study was a one-group pre/post intervention design. The data was gathered via a convivence sample …

Evaluation Of A Process Change On Mammography Screening Rates In A Family And Community Medicine Clinic, Christina Rademaker

DNP Projects

Abstract

Background and Significance: Breast cancer is the 2^nd leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide. Mammography is a screening approach used in the detection of breast cancer and proven to help reduce mortality. Only 72.8% of eligible American women have been screened for breast cancer within the past 2 years. One urban family and community medicine clinic (FCM) fell below the national average with a rate of 60.9%; as a result, they implemented an evidence-based strategy to improve mammography rates within the clinic.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the implementation of a telephone …

Evaluating The Use Of A Diet Screening Tool For Diabetes And Weight Management In Primary Care, Christie Mcbride

DNP Projects

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a prominent disease and leading cause of death in the nation. Many complications can develop when glucose levels are poorly controlled. When patients receive education and support in diabetes self-management, including individualized dietary interventions, it leads to improved glycemic control.

Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project was to evaluate the incorporation of a diet recall tool, Starting the Conversation (STC), in the standard care for diabetic patients with abnormal body mass index (BMI). The study aimed to examine: (1) patient opinion of the intervention and (2) healthcare provider satisfaction with use …

Tobacco Use Screening And Cessation Counseling In Primary Care, Jacob A. Heil

DNP Projects

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Primary care providers (PCPs) are poised across healthcare settings to reduce the leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality, cigarette smoking. However, their patients may not be screened for tobacco use and miss cessation counseling, thus increasing tobacco-related diseases, and incurring costs to healthcare payers.

PURPOSE: This project seeks to identify the documentation process in a new electronic health record (EHR), communicate efficacy barriers, administer an educational intervention regarding the new process for PCPs, and measure its impact on performance of tobacco use screening and cessation counseling.

METHODS: This project was a quasi-experimental, single center, pre- and post-interventional …

Improving Dementia Caregiver Competency In Nursing Home, Disha Bhattacharya

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Inadequate training of dementia care providers in nursing homes lead to adverse health outcomes in patients with dementia.

Purpose: To educate and train dementia caregivers in a nursing home to improve dementia care.

Methods: A Quality Improvement Project (QIP) was implemented in a nursing home with nine nurses engaged in two virtual education group sessions led by the DNP student over an eight- week timeframe. Topics discussed included education on the nature and progress of dementia, building trust with dementia patients, managing their behavior, communication strategies, and self-care. Pre-training and post-training surveys were completed prior to …

Promoting Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Racing/Ethnic Minority Women For The First Six Months, Linda A. Boateng

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding is the recommended way of feeding infants due to the numerous health benefits. However, racial/ethnic minority women in the United States are less likely to initiate and maintain breastfeeding for the recommended six months compared to white women. This has resulted in higher health issues such as obesity, diabetes type I, allergic sensitivity, acute otitis media, and gastrointestinal problems among racial /ethnic minority children. Purpose: The purpose of this Quality Improvement Project was to promote exclusive breastfeeding among racial/ethnic minority postpartum mothers for the first six months. This was done by providing breastfeeding education to postpartum nurses …

Sleep Screening In Adults, Ages Eighteen To Sixty-Five, In Primary Care Settings, Liliana Pinto Gilberto

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Insomnia contributes to the deterioration of health, diminishes the quality of life, and increases the risk of injury. Despite being a common sleep disorder among adults, it is not frequently recognized due to the lack of sleep screening consensus. Purpose: The aim of this project was to implement an evidence-based assessment tool, the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), at a primary care providers’ office to standardize sleep screenings. Methods: The quality improvement project was guided by Lewin’s Theory of Change. This screening project provided a background, purpose, and utilization of the ISI screening tool to a medical …

Reducing Weight Bias Among Nursing Students, Jeffrey P. Curran

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Patients with obesity confront weight-based bias when navigating the healthcare system. Addressing this topic during the academic formation of future health care providers can effectively diminish negative stereotypes attributed to overweight individuals.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to reduce weight-based bias among nursing students through a structured curriculum designed to highlight the negative impact of stigma on patients, an understanding of the complex causes of obesity and model a more sensitive approach for nurse-patient interaction.

Methods: Undergraduate nursing students in their junior year inpatient clinical rotation were given two standardized self-surveys, Attitudes Toward Obese Persons …

Enhancing Preventative Health Care For Latino Migrant Dairy Farm Workers In Addison County, Vermont, Elizabeth A. Douglas

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Latino dairy farmworkers, mainly from Mexico and Guatemala, help produce over 50% of Vermont’s milk. Latino dairy farmworkers may not seek health care for many reasons, including fear of immigration/law enforcement, language barriers, lack of transportation, and cost of care. Purpose: The purpose of this DNP project was to increase the utilization of health care services, including immunizations, of migrant farmers by educating and providing information about preventative, curative, and support services available in southern Vermont (VT). Methods: The intervention, one 60-minute educational program session took place at a local church service for migrant farmers, and an informational pamphlet …

Improvement Of Overweight And Obesity Screening And Intervention In Primary Care, Catherine Lehtinen

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Obesity is a chronic health condition, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality, and is inadequately managed and treated in primary care. The Obesity Pathway is an organization-specific algorithm for providers to treat patients with obesity.

Purpose: To improve provider use of an Obesity Pathway in a primary care clinic and to increase the screening and intervention of all adult patients with overweight or obese status.

Methods: The Obesity Pathway was reviewed with primary care providers as well as best practices for weight management, obesity bias and stigma. The NEW Attitudes Scale and satisfaction surveys were completed by providers before …

Improving Telehealth Knowledge And Comfort In An Older Adult Population, Carolyn J. Jones

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Telehealth usage is increasing a means of providing healthcare in a more efficient and cost-effective way. Older adults have been left behind from the telehealth movement and this can negatively impact their access to the healthcare system.

Purpose: An educational workshop was offered in a local older adult community with the goal of increasing their knowledge, literacy, motivation, and usage of telehealth.

Methods: The participants completed a pre-assessment survey to determine their baseline knowledge, experience, and perceptions about telehealth. They then participated in an educational workshop, which consisted of a 45-minute presentation given via Zoom with a 15-minute …

Improving Lgbtq Provider Competency In The Emergency Department: Guided By Leininger’S Theory Of Transcultural Nursing, Kandyce Casey

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Background: The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) population have poorer health outcomes and health disparities due to stigma and discrimination when compared to the general population. The LGBTQ population represents many ethnicities, races, religions, social classes which creates an additional barrier to care. The LGBTQ person has higher rates of being uninsured and therefore healthcare is often delayed, or medical attention is sought in the emergency department (ED) for nonurgent issues.

Purpose: To increase competency of ED providers when caring for the LGBTQ population in the ED by implementing an evidence-based educational program.

Methods: The quality improvement …

Utilizing A Toolkit With Individualized Food Label Education For Healthy Food Choices To Reduce The Burden Of Chronic Disease Among Black Americans, Johanna M. Kasidi

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background/Purpose: Black Americans are disproportionately affected by chronic diseases related to diet including hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and stroke when they lack healthy food options and healthy living environments. The purpose of this project was to implement and evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a toolkit that primary care providers could use to educate and support Black adults in adopting healthy diet habits to improve overall outcomes and work towards decreasing this disparity.

Methods: This quality improvement project took place at a Community Health Clinic in an urban neighborhood. Participants received nutrition education utilizing a graphic titled “Your Nutrition Facts” …