Nursing Commons^™

Evidence Facilitating Culture Change: Should Everyone Have Routine Supplemental Oxygen?, Tamara Miller

Nursing Posters

To evaluate the use of routinely administered supplemental oxygen in postoperative total joint replacement patients compared to like patients who had not had supplemental oxygen applied routinely as measured by SpO2.

Expanding The Concept Of Presence During Radiation Therapy Treatment, Carol Thelen

Nursing Posters

Background: Radiation Oncology is an invasive invisible process often given during a time that both patients and their families feel considerable burden. The acute phase of treatment after diagnosis is a time of uncertainty, fear and anxiety. The psychological impacts of this fear and anxiety reduce patient's ability to take in all of the information they are given. Families are often active participants in supporting patients as a second set of eyes and ears. There are no national or organizational guidelines on family presence during radiation treatment. Coborn Cancer Center's practice is not consistent but generally included family waiting in …

Wiki's And Ebp: Linking Academia And Practice, Susan Schleper, Joyce Simones, Rachelle Larsen, Judy Gilsdorf-Gracie

Nursing Posters

To evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using a Wiki to develop an evidence-based practice research project.

Distress Screening, Jolene Dickerman

Nursing Posters

The purpose of this project is to implement an evidence-based distress screening tool and referral process to support patients diagnosed with cancer. Evaluations of success will include comparison of patient satisfaction and distress level changes over time.

Reduction Of Erosion Risk In Adult Patients With Implanted Ports, Mary K. Weis, Jennifer Burris, Joannie Nei, Hoang D. Nguyen, Bob Miller, Mary Super, Brenda Swendra-Henry, Roxanne Wilson

Nursing Posters

To reduce the percent of port erosion per year to at or below the number reported in the literature.

The Use Of Simulation In Staff Preparation For A New Environment Of Care, Centracare Health

Nursing Posters

Overview: The use of experiential learning in the form of simulation enabled our staff to prepare to coordinate and deliver care during a department move and within the new environment.

The Task: Planning and execution of simulation as a staff training modality for a complete patient department move into a newly constructed environment of care encompassing training of new technology systems including call light and infant security systems, new equipment, and expanded physical space from

Falls And Fall Protocols In The Care Of Older Adults: A Comparison Of Inpatient And Community Dwelling Veterans, Katy Torchia

Nursing Student Work

Project Title: Falls and Fall Protocols in the Care of Older Adults: A Comparison of Inpatient and Community Dwelling Veterans

Background: There is currently no literature that compares fall risks and fall prevention protocols among community dwelling and institutionalized elderly veterans.

Objective: This research project aims to eliminate this literature gap by utilizing a retrospective descriptive design to analyze existing health records of veterans from the St. Cloud Veterans Administration Health Care System (VAHS).

Method: This purpose of this study was to compare fall risk factors for inpatients and outpatient veterans. A repeated measure, retrospective record review …

Patient Engagement: Patients As Partners In Their Own Health Care, Nancy L. Falk, Mary Jean Schumann

Nursing Faculty Posters and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Randomized Comparison Of Two Internet-Supported Natural Family Planning Methods (Preliminary Findings), Richard J. Fehring, Mary Schneider

Randomized Comparison of Two Internet-Supported Methods of Natural Family Planning

The aims of this study were to determine and compare efficacy, satisfaction, ease of use, and motivation in using an internet-based method of Natural Family Planning (NFP) that utilizes either electronic hormonal fertility monitoring (EHFM) or cervical-mucus monitoring (CMM). Four hundred fifty women (mean age 30.1) and their male partners (mean age 31.9) who sought to avoid pregnancy were randomized into either an EHFM (N=228) or CMM NFP group (N=222). Both groups utilized a Web site that provided NFP instructions, an electronic charting system, and support from professional nurses. Participants were assessed for satisfaction, ease of use, and motivation in …

Comparison Of Biomarkers In Blood And Saliva In Healthy Adults, Sarah Williamson, Cindy Munro, Rita Pickler, Mary Jo Grap, R. K. Elswick Jr.

School of Nursing Publications

Researchers measure biomarkers as a reflection of patient health status or intervention outcomes. While blood is generally regarded as the best body fluid for evaluation of systemic processes, substitution of saliva samples for blood would be less invasive and more convenient. The concentration of specific biomarkers may differ between blood and saliva. The objective of this study was to compare multiple biomarkers (27 cytokines) in plasma samples, passive drool saliva samples, and filter paper saliva samples in 50 healthy adults. Demographic data and three samples were obtained from each subject: saliva collected on filter paper over 1 minute, saliva collected …

Toothbrush Contamination: A Review Of The Literature, Michelle R. Frazelle, Cindy L. Munro

School of Nursing Publications

Toothbrushes are commonly used in hospital settings and may harbor potentially harmful microorganisms. A peer-reviewed literature review was conducted to evaluate the cumulative state of knowledge related to toothbrush contamination and its possible role in disease transmission. A systematic review was conducted on adult human subjects through three distinct searches. The review resulted in seven experimental and three descriptive studies which identified multiple concepts related to toothbrush contamination to include contamination, methods for decontamination, storage, design, and environmental factors. The selected studies found that toothbrushes of healthy and oral diseased adults become contaminated with pathogenic bacteria from the dental plaque, …

Factors That Motivate Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists To Practice Independently In The Appalachian Region, Michael Lee Frame Jr.

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Independent Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) provide anesthesia services without the supervision or medical direction of anesthesiologists in healthcare facilities throughout the United States. The present literature is limited concerning the factors that motivate CRNAs to choose employment in rural independent practice.

Research Hypothesis: In a sample of CRNAs who practice independently in one of the 13 states of the Appalachian region there will be no differences between the CRNAs from Appalachian and Non-Appalachian counties in their responses to the motivation factors of achievement, recognition, responsibility, advancement, work itself, salary, working conditions, company and administrative policies, supervision, and …

Risk Factors For Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia In The Adult Trauma Patient: A Retrospective Case-Control Study From A Level I Trauma Center, Summer L. Chapman

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) continues to be a common complication among the adult trauma population. Little advancements have been made to decrease the incidence, suggesting further research is needed to establish modifiable risk factors. The purpose of this study was to test for an associated link between prehospital intubation and the development of VAP in the adult trauma patient.

Methodology: A retrospective, case-control study design was utilized. The sample included 494 adult trauma patients who required endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation for a minimum of 24 hours. All patients presented as a priority one or two trauma to the Charleston …

Nurses' Perception Of Clinical Ladder Programs, Bobbie Baucom

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study was to measure registered nurses' perceptions of clinical ladder programs and to determine what registered nurses consider to be satisfiers in order to keep them at the bedside. Clinical ladder programs reward registered nurses for their advancement in nursing education, nursing research, expert clinical skills, and leadership skills. This study was conducted on 68 post-licensed registered nurses from the ADN to BSN program at Gardner-Webb University. A quantitative descriptive study using an instrument which items measured perceptions of registered nurses' regarding clinical ladder programs was utilized. The results concluded that registered nurses thought autonomy and …

Nurse's Perception Of Factors Associated With Family Satisfaction In The Intensive Care, Phyllis K. Buie

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

In health care, family satisfaction has become one of the most important and challenging competitive elements of the industry. The purpose of this study is to determine the factors associated with the Registered Nurse's perception of family satisfaction with services provided during a patient's hospitalization in the intensive care unit (ICU). Registered Nurses, with critical care experience within the past five years, were asked to rate factors that influenced family satisfaction in the intensive care using the Critical Care Family Satisfaction Survey (CCFSS) developed by Thomas Wasser (2001). Watson's Theory of Human Caring was used as the theoretical framework for …

The Effect Of The Timing Of A Hospice Referral And The Perceived Quality Of Care By The Family, Melinda Reep

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Late referrals to hospice can result in less time for the hospice team to perform assessments, establish relationships, and initiate goals. This secondary analysis addresses the effects of the length of stay of a hospice patient and the level of satisfaction reported by their caregivers after the passing of their loved one. The hypothesis of the study is that there is a direct relationship between a family's perception of the value of hospice and the length of stay of their terminally ill loved one. The setting for this secondary analysis was a non-profit hospice in the piedmont of North Carolina. …

Evaluating The Knowledge And Attitudes Regarding Pain Management Among Nurses In A Surgical Setting At An Acute Care Facility, Barbara Turner

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

It is estimated that seventy-three million patients undergo surgical procedures each year in the United States. Of these, 80% experience acute post-operative pain, and approximately 20% experience severe pain (Hutchinson, 2007). Benner's Theory from Novice to Expert was used to guide the study, "Evaluating the Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Pain Management Among Nurses in a Surgical Setting at an Acute Care Facility". A convenience sample of twenty-one nurses in an acute care hospital in Southwestern North Carolina participated in the Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain. Results showed a weak correlation between knowledge and attitudes of pain management and years …

The Effect Of Education On Healthcare Personnel's Knowledge Of Lymphedema Detection And Prevention, Dolly Wilson

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Secondary lymphedema (SLE) is a serious problem for many of the 2.6 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. It is estimated that 28 - 38% of breast cancer survivors develop lymphedema. The five-year incidence ranges from 43% to 94% (Armer, 2010). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an education program on healthcare personnel's knowledge of the risk of and preventive measures for upper limb lymphedema in breast cancer patients. A sample of healthcare personnel (N = 32) included both trained healthcare personnel and ancillary staff who are employed in a single oncology center …

Care Of The Dying Patient: How Comfortable Are Nursing Students Toward The Care Of Dying Patients At The Completion Of The Associate Nursing Degree Program?, Phyllis Bray

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

People are living longer today due to lifestyle changes and treatment of illnesses. End of life nursing care has become a field of nursing practice that requires focus on meeting the needs of the patient and family. Nurses are central figures in advocating for interventions that minimize burden and distress and enhance quality of life for their patients. Given these extremely important responsibilities, new nurses must be adequately prepared to provide sensitive, quality of care for patients at the end of life. This quantitative study aimed to assess how comfortable nursing students feel toward the care of dying patients at …

Effects Of Intubation And Maintenance Sedation On Blood Pressure In Acute Stroke Patients Undergoing Mechanical Endovascular Thrombectomy, Frank Farkash

Graduate Research Projects

No abstract provided.