Evaluating The Impact Of A Standardized Intimate Partner Violence Screening Tool In A Clinical Setting, Dylan Bogucki

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is defined as any act of violence, including physical, sexual, stalking, or psychological aggression by an intimate partner, former or current. Despite being preventable, IPV remains a leading nonobstetric cause of morbidity and mortality among women, which highlights the need for systematic screening in clinical settings. The purpose of this quality improvement project is to identify women who have previously experienced or are currently experiencing IPV and to connect them with appropriate resources. Twenty-one studies were identified, all demonstrating moderate to high methodological quality and supporting the need for routine IPV screening in women’s health settings. …

Implementing A Mindfulness Mobile Application, Smiling Mind To Reduce Stress Experienced By Inpatient Psychiatric Nurses, Emma Jade Mowery, Justin D. Ruiz

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the impact of implementing use of the Smiling Mind app (a free and easily accessed mobile application that teaches mindfulness skills) in inpatient psychiatric nurses. The aims: A 20% reduction in Perceived Stress and improved Workplace Satisfaction after 10 weeks.

Background: Workplace stressors experienced by psychiatric nurses include high patient acuity, emotional strain, environmental factors, and new policies. Unmanaged stress can harm nurse's well being and affect quality of care.

Methodology: Using a pre-post implementation design, 7 dayshift and 10 night-shift nurses used the Smiling Mind app for 10 weeks. Perceived stress (PSS-10) and workplace satisfaction (WPS) …

Making Sense Of Hospitalization: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Of Covid-19 Patients’ Psychological Experiences In Indonesia, Mira Wahyu Kusumawati, Heni Dwi Windarwati, Setyawati Soeharto

The Qualitative Report

While previous research has probed into the experiences of COVID-19 patients during isolation in hospitals, little is known about their psychological experiences and the meaning of such experiences. To address the gap,this study was designed to explore the psychological experiences of patients who were confirmed positive for COVID-19 while undergoing isolation in hospitals. Using a phenomenological approach, we recruited 19 COVID-19 survivors who were confirmed positive for COVID-19 in the first six months of the pandemic entering Indonesia, located in Madiun Regency, East Java Province, Indonesia. We conducted face-to-face semi-structured interviews with health protocols and analysed the data using the …

A Retrospective Chart Review: Screening Patients With Type 2 Diabetes For Depression, Jennifer Sheldon, Glynnis Haley, Monica Ketchie

The Corinthian

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is defined as an impaired production of insulin resulting in elevated blood glucose levels (Brutsaert E., 2020). Globally, approximately 8% to 9% of adults have diabetes mellitus, the majority of which (95%) have Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, equating to between 624 million to 702 million people (WHO, 2020). Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus represents the seventh leading cause of death, with approximately 1.5 million new cases diagnosed annually in the United States (CDC, 2020).

Depression is clinically defined as a mental health disorder that presents with a continually depressed mood or a loss of interest in daily …

Improving Restraint Care Plan Documentation Among Nursing Staff, Samson E. Okotie

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose: This quality improvement project aimed to improve nursing compliance with restraint care plan documentation standards using bundled interventions, including targeted education, electronic health record (EHR) prompts, and unit-based audit and feedback processes. The goal was to achieve at least a 70% improvement in documentation compliance within 12 weeks.

Background: Accurate restraint documentation is essential for patient safety, ethical practice, interdisciplinary communication, and regulatory compliance. Despite existing policies and education, institutional audits revealed compliance rates of 50% or less, demonstrating a persistent gap in practice and the need for structured interventions.

Methodology: The project used the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework across …

Enhancing Healthcare Communication With Artificial Intelligence Translation Methods For Improved Patient Healthcare Satisfaction, Mireille Signe

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose:

To evaluate whether artificial intelligence (AI) verbal translation improved communication-related satisfaction during routine nurse–patient interactions.

Background:

In the ICU, brief, frequent conversations with patients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) often occur without timely access to professional interpreters, contributing to delays, improvised communication, and lower satisfaction. AI tools offer immediate access for low‑complexity exchanges but require evaluation for feasibility and effectiveness as a supplement to certified interpreter services.

Methodology:

Twelve nurse-LEP proxy patient dyads were evaluated using a mixed-methods design (8/2025-12/2025) in a 16-bed ICU during QI PDSA cycles. Standardized care communication scenarios were completed using the AI tool. Process …

The Effect Of Fall Prevention Programs With Hourly Rounding On Fall Rates Among Adults Patients In Neurological Unit, Oyinlola A. Ogundeji

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this QI project was to evaluate the effect of a structured hourly rounding program on patient fall rates in an adult neurological inpatient unit.

Background

Patient falls remain a major safety concern in acute care, particularly among hospitalized neurological patients with impairments in mobility, cognition, and balance. In an adult neurological unit within a Magnet-designated hospital, fall rates exceeded national benchmarks, underscoring the need for a targeted quality-improvement

Methodology

A pre–post QI design, guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework, was implemented over 12 weeks in a 28-bed neurological unit. This intervention featured structured hourly rounding using the …

Implementing A Self-Administered Crafft Screening Tool In A Pediatric Mental Health Setting, Michael Nguyen

Doctoral Dissertations & Projects

Background: Adolescent substance use disorders (SUDs) require early identification in inpatient psychiatric settings, but inconsistent screening workflows limit systematic detection.

Aims: This quality improvement project evaluated implementation of the Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Friends, Trouble (CRAFFT) 2.1 screening tool to improve identification of adolescents at risk for SUDs and support multidisciplinary communication.

Methods: CRAFFT 2.1 screening was embedded into admission workflows for adolescents admitted to two inpatient psychiatric units. Admission nurses distributed self-administered forms during admission. Completed screenings were scored and entered into the electronic medical record. Scores were categorized as low (0), medium (1), or high (≥2). High-risk results …

Treating Depression With L-Methylfolate: A Review Of Evidence, Marianna G. Pettit

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Abstract

Introduction & Background: Depressive disorders have many different causes. Folate deficiency can sometimes be behind these disorders, due to this vitamin’s role in neurotransmitter synthesis. Some research suggests that supplementing with an active form of folate improves depressive symptoms with and without antidepressant use. Purpose Statement Question: For individuals with depressive disorders, does supplementation with L-methylfolate (LMF) reduce symptoms of depressive disorders with or without use of an antidepressant? Literature Review: A manual literature search for sources published within the past 7 years revealed 557 documents from four different databases. Key search words included, “depression,” “treatment,” …

The Impact Of Social Interaction On Patient Well-Being With Transition Into Long-Term Care Settings: A Review Of Interventions For Improved Patient Outcomes, Helen Whitney Harmon

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Abstract

Purpose: When individual patients are transitioned from home or acute care settings to more long-term care environments such as skilled nursing units or assisted living facilities, the residents are at an increased risk of experiencing loneliness, which is linked to depression, anxiety, and increasing cognitive decline, and other detrimental outcomes.

Aims: Combinations of peer-reviewed qualitative and quantitative research studies were analyzed to determine what factors contributed to changes in patient well-being, mental health and overall quality of life during these transitions.

Methods: One article focusing on preventable healthcare transitions in patient population was able to link higher medical acuity …

Mindfulness-Based Therapy For The Treatment Of Anxiety In Adolescents, Alicia Lemaster

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Abstract

Adolescent anxiety disorders represent a significant and growing public health concern, with increasing prevalence and associated functional impairment. Traditional treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and pharmacologic interventions, are effective but often limited by barriers such as access, stigma, and adherence. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have emerged as a promising alternative or adjunctive approach to address anxiety symptoms in adolescents. The purpose of this literature review is to evaluate the effectiveness of structured mindfulness-based therapy programs in reducing anxiety symptoms among adolescents compared to usual care. A systematic literature search was conducted using databases including PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO, focusing …

Postpartum Psychosis Risk In Women With Bipolar Disorder, Rachel R. Lay

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Psychiatric relapse and postpartum psychosis pose vital psychological threats to women with bipolar disorder. The phase after delivery implies a great number of biological, psychological, and social alterations that might predispose to mood fluctuations and extreme psycho-psychiatric behavior. A systematic literature review assessed the recent literature on postpartum relapse risk, contributors, and maternal outcomes in women with bipolar disorder. Systematic search of three electronic databases, CINAHL, PubMed, and PsycINFO, revealed 168 studies dating back to 2022. Title and abstract screening of 124 articles was carried out after elimination of duplicates and other eligibility criteria. Eighteen articles were full-text reviewed, and …

Silent Struggles: A Qualitative Study On Mental Health Stigma And Help- Seeking Among African Individuals In The U.S, Ololade Ekwere

Dissertations

Approximately one-third of African Americans and Caribbean Blacks who require mental health services seek and utilize them (Evans & Sheu, 2019). Research has shown that stigma surrounding mental health treatment contributes to lower rates of professional help-seeking among Black Americans (Pederson, 2023). Despite the growing diversity within the Black community, limited research exists on how stigma influences professional mental health help-seeking among Africans living in the United States.

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore the effect of public stigma on the mental health help-seeking behaviors of Africans living in the United States. Demographic data were collected, …

Implementation Of A Process For Tracking Hgb A1cs In A Community Mental Health Organization, Devin Gill

Doctoral Dissertations & Projects

Background: Individuals with a serious mental illness (SMI) are 2 to 3 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, yet are less likely to receive routine screening of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing. The purpose of this quality improvement project is to implement a standardized workflow process to ensure consistent tracking of HbA1cs in adult consumers greater than 18 years of age with SMI receiving services at a rural community mental health (CMH) organization.

Methods: The primary intervention is a workflow process, with focus on the clinical information systems and organizational system. This quality improvement project was guided utilizing the …

Improving Throughput: A Quality Improvement Initiative To Expedite Inpatient Psychiatric Placement From The Emergency Room, Candice J. Battle

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this quality improvement project was to evaluate the effectiveness of a standardized psychiatric transfer workflow designed to reduce emergency room (ER) boarding time for psychiatric patients in a 30-bed acute care hospital from an average of 3-5 days to an average of 2-3 days.

Background

Psychiatric patients often experience prolonged ER boarding while awaiting inpatient psychiatric placement. These delays contribute to delayed treatment, worsening psychiatric symptoms, ER overcrowding, and increased healthcare costs.

Methodology

This four-week quality improvement project utilized the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework. Interventions included a standardized psychiatric transfer protocol, simplified transfer checklist and staff education. …

Decreasing Wound Healing Times By Decreasing Stress Levels, Bayleigh S. Kraus, Colson Burnett, Kelsey Spann

Scholars Week

The relationship between stress levels and delayed wound healing needs to be further investigated, particularly in hospitalized and chronically ill patients. Research shows that psychological stress can impair immune function, reduce tissue regeneration, and prolong inflammation, all of which slow the healing process. It is important to explore how both acute and chronic stress affect different types of wounds, such as surgical incisions, pressure injuries, and diabetic ulcers. Additionally, identifying which stress-reduction interventions are most effective in improving healing outcomes is essential. Understanding these factors can help nurses implement targeted, evidence-based interventions to promote faster recovery.

Exploring The Relationship Between Behavioral Health Early Prediction Model And Patient Outcomes In The Emergency Department, Karen M. Richendollar, Kathie M. Zimbro

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Problem: Emergency departments (EDs) are increasingly utilized for mental health (MH) care, often resulting in overcrowding and delayed access to specialized services. A significant proportion of MH patients are discharged without a psychiatric consult, raising concerns about safety and readmission rates. This trend places additional strain on already limited behavioral health resources and contributes to care delays for patients in acute crisis. Moreover, the lack of standardized discharge criteria for MH patients increases variability in care and may compromise patient outcomes. Purpose: This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Behavioral Health Early Discharge Prediction Model (BHEDPM) in identifying MH patients …

A Qi: Implementing Pawss And Ciwa Adherence Challenge In The Psychiatric Emergency Department, Bailey Poler

Providence Nursing Research Conference 2023 – Present

No abstract provided.

Program Evaluation: The Chronic Suicide Pathway (Csp), Brittney Stoll, Julia Victoria B Salve

Providence Nursing Research Conference 2023 – Present

No abstract provided.

Paternal Alienation, Paternal Strain, Generativity, Adjustment, And Resilience (P-Apgar): A Conceptual Framework For Fathers’ Perinatal Psychosocial Adjustment, Rachael Elizabeth Schmitz

Nursing and Health Sciences

Paternal perinatal depression is underrecognized, and existing tools often fail to capture male-specific symptomatic expressions. Fathers experience significant psychosocial changes during the transitional period, yet clinical assessment of paternal mental health remains largely absent from routine clinical practice. This paper introduces a multi-dimensional tool called the P-APGAR. The theory-informed conceptual tool is meant to guide the assessment of fathers’ perinatal adjustment, operationalizing core elements of role-based, relational, and emotional adaptation. The model adapts the logic of the traditional newborn APGAR score to a father-centered context based on Paternal Identity, Alienation, Paternal Strain, Generativity, Adjustment, and Resilience. A theoretical synthesis approach …