Use Of Standard Visual Education Tools To Improve Npo Compliance In Pediatric Day Surgery, Alma Rivera

EBP Fellowship

Practice Problem Non-compliance with perioperative fasting (NPO) instructions is an ongoing safety and operational challenge in pediatric day surgery. Day-of-surgery cancellations result in financial losses, with unproductive OR time costing $1,430-$2,025 per hour. NPO violations cause 4.5% - 13.6% of lost OR time in children's hospitals and are the third leading cause of elective surgery cancellations. At our pediatric hospital, NPO violations contribute to same-day surgical delays and cancellations, particularly in the high-volume Otolaryngology (ENT) service line. This Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) project sought to answer whether, among caregivers of pediatric patients scheduled for ENT Day surgery (P), implementing a health …

Pulse (Ox) Check! Smarter Monitoring, Stronger Outcomes, Christina Reyna

EBP Fellowship

Practice Problem: Infants and children are a vulnerable patient population at an inherently higher risk of detrimental effects of hypoxia or hypoxemia. Literature shows that early detection of hypoxemia can facilitate timely interventions which in turn can reduce morbidity and mortality. On an inpatient pediatric pulmonary unit, there have been multiple instances of staff concern for inaccurate pulse oximetry readings, leading to evaluation of potential technological interventions to improve early detection of hypoxia. In one year, there were 3 code/MET events, in which uncertainty of device accuracy delayed response time and interventions. To address this problem, an evidence-based practice project …

Moving To Adult Care: The Impact Of Transition Readiness Assessments In The Hct Of Yas With Epilepsy, Tanika A. Middleton, Shley Mccool

EBP Fellowship

Practice Problem: Health Care Transition (HCT), the process of planning, preparing, transferring from pediatric healthcare and integrating into adult healthcare, is increasingly necessary as more adolescents with complex and chronic health conditions reach adulthood. Assessing transition readiness is identified as a key component of HCT. At a large, academic pediatric healthcare system, there was an opportunity to more consistently incorporate readiness assessments in HCT services of specialty clinics and determine the impact of readiness assessments on HCT outcomes. To address this, an evidence-based practice project was implemented using the following PICOT question: In patients ages 18-22 seen in the outpatient …

Implementing The Community Health Worker Role Into A Nurse-Led Diabetes Management Program, Blanca Cruz Escalante

EBP Fellowship

Practice Problem: Unmet social needs lead to poor outcomes in pediatric diabetes patients. While nurse-led interventions such as follow-up calls and care coordination can improve self-management of diabetes, social needs often extend beyond what nurses can directly provide. At the project facility, the diabetes management program historically has not included a community-based component, essential for addressing social determinants of health (SDOH). Notably, Community Health Workers (CHWs) play a crucial role in addressing health disparities through community-based interventions. To examine this practice gap, the following PICOT question was developed: In high-risk pediatric patients with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) enrolled in the …

Implementation Of The Cease Bundle In The Pediatric Icu, Ayanna Brown-Gomez

EBP Fellowship

Practice Problem: Clinical alarms in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) are intended to indicate potentially life-threatening events requiring timely assessment. Excessive alarm frequency can contribute to alarm fatigue, resulting in delayed or missed responses and creating a significant patient safety concern that must be assessed in a timely manner. There is a need to address alarm management. [AT1.1] Literature Review: A literature search was conducted using OVID, Medline, and CINAHL. A quasi-experimental research study demonstrated the CEASE bundle as an effective nurse-led alarm management strategy. Multiple systematic reviews support several interventions included within the bundle. The literature review also …

Engaging The Nurse’S Voice: Committee Alignment In The Unit Practice Council, Kris Noel

EBP Fellowship

Practice Problem: In this multi-site hospital system, unit committees were meeting outside of the Unit Practice Council (UPC) but were not consistently returning to the council to share information, request input, or seek decisions. This created a disconnect between committee work and nursing priorities. To address this problem, an evidence-based practice project was initiated using the PICO(T) question: Does the practice of having all unit committees report to their Unit Practice Council (UPC) to share information and for decision-making improve nurse engagement compared to the current practice of multiple committees meeting outside of their UPC within a three-month pilot period? …

Aid Me! Introducing Health Literate Insulin Pump Training Materials Into Patient, Katherine Hamilton Doyle

EBP Fellowship

Practice Problem: Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) systems are insulin pumps that communicate with continuous glucose monitors to administer insulin at set intervals to alter one’s blood glucose to a preset target. AID systems have been proven to lower patients’ Hemoglobin A1Cs, but successful operation of the AID system can be complicated for patients and their families. This can lead to diabetes-related emergency room visits and hospital admissions. In a review of 164 patients started on an AID system over a period of six months, 27 patients visited the emergency department for a diabetes-related reason and 18 of those patients were …

Beneath The Surface: The Promotion Of Bedside Involvement In The Dissemination Of Wound Progression, Jaiden Ware, Aline Ramirez, Emily Rayas

2025

No abstract provided.

Developing Superusers To Improve Piv And Phlebotomy Competency In The Ccbd Patient Population​, Grace Grief, Karen Pedro, Toni Lieberman, Maddie Mccombs, Sophia Figueroa

2025

No abstract provided.

Cultivating A Culture Of Feedback: Strengthening Picu Nurses Through Peer-To-Peer Feedback, Alex Ramirez, Reese Reddick, Sydney Usselman

2025

No abstract provided.

Extra Hands, Better Care? Evaluating The Impact Of A Resource Nurse, Cy Love, Ivana Ye, Mackenzie Hodge, Melanie Pescina

2025

No abstract provided.

More Than Words: Enhancing Caregiver Confidence ​Through Health-Literacy-Informed Discharge Teaching, Madelyn Biad, Rachel Jones, Temi Kalejaiye, Aylana Lindsey, Jennifer Nguyen, Jenny Nguyen, Samantha Wigder

2025

No abstract provided.

Patching The Practice Gap: Standardizing Pediatric Transdermal Medication Administration, Grace Mcreynolds, Jennifer Diaz-Miranda, Raven Davis, Cierra Berry, Womietu Arise, Samantha Onyekwere, Jennifer Lugo, Hasina Barlett

2025

No abstract provided.

Fueling Tiny Hearts: Optimizing Enteral Mct Oil Utilization In Patients With Congenital Heart Disease, Paige Baxter, Bailey Beard, Ashton Mudd, Isabelle Stallings

2025

No abstract provided.

Raising The Bar: Post-Operative Pneumonia In The Pediatric Pectus Patient Population​, William Anoka, Ishana Banerjee, Taylor Emond, Inala Gant, Policia Travis

2025

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Reassurance Messages In Pediatric Oncology, Isabelle Faller

Doctoral Dissertations

Despite decreasing mortality rates, the high prevalence and incidence of pediatric cancer necessitate the need for advancements in the treatment of psychological concerns, specifically the reduction of patient distress and anxiety. A more comprehensive understanding of current reassurance messages in clinical practice can aid in developing a standardized framework for providing reassurance in pediatric oncology. Qualitative Content Analysis was employed to examine the types of messages nurses use to reassure patients (to reduce their anxiety about a future health-related event) and how effective nurses perceive these messages to be in relieving patients' anxiety. The adult participants, located at hospitals throughout …

Reducing Potentially Preventable Emergency Department Visits (Ppvs) Through A Telehealth Intervention In Children With Asthma Within A Managed Care Organization (Mco), Renee A. Roker

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Abstract

Purpose:  The purpose of this quality improvement project was to reduce unnecessary ED utilizations among children with asthma enrolled in a Medicaid managed care health plan. The project aimed to improve access to care and enhance asthma self-management.

Background:  Asthma is one of the leading causes of Emergency Department (ED) utilization, among vulnerable populations. Members experience barriers to timely primary and specialist care, contributing to Potentially Preventable ED Visits (PPV) rates. This places managed care organizations (MCOs) at risk for financial penalties if not meeting the Texas PPV benchmark.

Methodology:  Guided by the Chronic Care Model, Lean Six Sigma …

Improving Fluoride Varnish Application Rates In A Pediatric Primary Care Microsystem, Roman G. Roxas

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem

Childhood caries is a preventable public health issue disproportionately affecting the underserved. National guidelines recommend fluoride varnish (FV) application during well‑child visits. In California, fewer than 15% of children under age six received FV. In a pediatric primary care clinic, baseline performance was 11% in 2025.

Context

A six‑month quality improvement project was implemented. Key barriers included reduced team cohesion, workflow variability, unclear roles, and underutilized electronic health record (EHR) prompts.

Interventions

The change package standardized medical assistant–led workflows, activated EHR prompts, and provided targeted education. Leadership reinforcement through regular huddles supported adoption, consistency, and team engagement.

Measures

Outcome …

Food Insecurity And Parent Engagement In Pediatric Therapy: A Comparative Study Of Feeding, Speech-Language, And Combined Services, Kendra Kendra Rosales

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Pediatric feeding disorders and food insecurity represent two compounding challenges for families navigating pediatric therapy services, yet their intersection has received little empirical attention. This study examined food insecurity rates across three pediatric therapy groups and explored the relationship between food insecurity and parent engagement in therapy. A cross-sectional online survey was administered to 175 caregivers of children actively receiving feeding therapy only (n = 34), speech-language therapy only (n = 93), or combined feeding and speech-language therapy (n = 48). Food insecurity was assessed using the USDA Household Food Security Survey Module: Six-Item Short Form, and parent engagement was …

Tiny Hearts, Big Questions: Navigating Research And Clinical Trials In Pediatric Cardiology, Madison Dollar, Monica Ganaden, Gracie Gilbert, Mena Mohamedaman, Bellina Osei, Savine Valenzuela, Zachary Xayaphanh

2025

No abstract provided.