Public Health and Community Nursing Commons^™

A Retrospective Study Of Pulmonary Function Tests In Bronchiectasis: An Infectious Disease Of The Respiratory System, Vinod Mutkule, Mahesh Shinde, Vidya Bapmare, Sangramsingh Dixit, Atharva Sharma, Kshitij Sarwey, Yogeshwari Patil, Sanket Jethlia, Aayushi Dwivedi, Disha Pardeshi, Anmol Rai, Kunal Shah, Vidhi Kalwar

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

Introduction: Bronchiectasis, currently being recognized worldwide, is an abnormal dilatation of the bronchi and bronchioles brought on by recurrent cycles of inflammation and airway infection. Impaired pulmonary function has a predictive significance in bronchiectasis. When treating patients with suspected or confirmed respiratory diseases, pulmonary function tests (PFT) are useful examinations. Very few studies have been done on PFTs in bronchiectasis. The main aim of this study is to study PFTs in bronchiectasis.

Method: This is a retrospective observational study done on 50 patients over two years at the tertiary care center. The previous records of patients were collected from the …

Implementing Standardized Intimate Partner Violence Screening In A Predominantly Latinx Community Health Center: Enhancing Detection Through Ehr Integration And Staff Education, Sophia Robledo

Master's Projects and Capstones

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health concern that often goes unrecognized in clinical settings. Although national guidelines recommend routine screening, inconsistent practices and lack of staff training remain common issues. This quality improvement project was conducted in an adult outpatient clinic serving a predominantly Latinx population. To address the gap in IPV screening, an educational brochure and short slide presentation were developed for medical assistants. These tools focused on how to recognize signs of IPV, use trauma-informed language, and respond appropriately using the Hurt Insult Threat Scream (HITS) screening tool. The intervention aimed to increase awareness and …

Enhancing Patient Outcomes: Improving Hcahps Scores Via Implementing Pressure Injury Prevention Care Bundle Education In Acute Care Setting, Jasmeen Kaur

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) have a powerful effect on patient outcomes, satisfaction, and health costs. In the face of multiple interventions, nurse-patient communication failures and decreased HCAHPS scores reveal patient safety hazards. Aim: The purpose of this quality improvement effort was to enhance HCAHPS nurse communication scores by instituting a Pressure Injury Prevention Care Bundle (PIPCB) on a 93-bed medical-surgical/telemetry unit. Methods: The intervention was nurse-implemented education through educational posters and education cards distributed at admission and shift report. Nurse participation and education delivery were measured through pre- and post-intervention questionnaires and observations. The change in the HCAHPS nurse …

Healthy Bytes: Enhancing Health Literacy In Older Adults Through Technology Services, Gianna M. Susa

Master's Projects and Capstones

This quality improvement project aimed to enhance health literacy among senior residents through interactive technology workshops. Aim During a twelve-week period from January 22, 2025, to March 31, 2025, this project aimed to increase technology proficiency among senior residents from 0% to 75%. Methods A 5P Microsystem assessment and preliminary survey revealed residents' interest in technology workshops. Based on this feedback technology workshops were implemented once a week for a twelve-week period. Each session provided one on one support to help residents navigate online health portals, communicate with providers, and interpret health information. A SWOT analysis and Fishbone analysis were …

Intimate Partner Violence Prevention And Intervention At A Primary Care Clinic, Atticus Madrid

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a massive health concern in the Spanish-speaking community. There is a high rate IPV, worsening by factors such as language barriers, cultural stigma, and the constant fear of deportation. Resent data underscores the need for standardized IPV screening and trauma-informed care, thus supporting early recognition and intervention. The aim of this Quality Improvement (QI) project is to increase IPV detection rate by 25% from March 10, 2025, to April 15, 2025, in an San Francisco community clinic using an electronic tool called a HITS (Hurt, Insult, Threaten, Scream) and by trauma-informed staff training. Methods …

Implementation Of Standardized Mobilization Assessment Tools To Promote Patient Ambulation At Medical Surgical Units, Yunxuan Su

Master's Projects and Capstones

The objective is the cardiac medical surgical unit in a hospital in San Francisco not meeting the ambulation goal. This study aims to provide a context for enhancing patients' ambulation levels by using standardized assessment tools Prior Level of Functional (PLOF) and Current Level of Functional (CLOF) in daily practice, thereby strengthening care plans and shortening hospital stay. The methods are microsystem evaluation, SWOT analysis, causal analysis, cost-benefit analysis, Gantt chart, pre & post survey, and flyer education for staff to guide the project implementation. The results are that after the intervention, the compliance of PLOF and CLOF documentation and …

Perceptions Of Perinatal Depression Among Immigrant Mothers: Screening Practices In Nurse Home Visitation, Silvia E. Arabia

Doctoral Projects

Screening for perinatal depression is a recommended strategy aimed at prevention and timely management of mood disruption in pregnancy and the postpartum (ACOG, 2024). Screening for perinatal depression is often integrated in evidence-based home visitation curriculums. The aim of this qualitative descriptive quality improvement project was to explore perceptions of perinatal depression among immigrant mothers engaged in nurse home visitation to identify barriers, if any, to disclosure and treatment of perinatal depression among a group at increased risk of developing perinatal depression (Gennaro, S., et al, 2016). Immigrant mothers residing in a large urban county in the San Francisco Bay …

The Effect Of An Audio-Recorded Intervention Program On The Knowledge And Self-Reported Practices Of Menstruation And Hygiene Among Visually Impaired Young Girls In Rwanda: A Mixed Method Study, Justine Bagirisano, Marie Laetitia Ishimwe Bazakare, Aimable Nkurunziza, Jean Bosco Henri Hitayezu, Godfrey Katende

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background Menstrual hygiene practices among visually impaired young girls are a significant public health concern in Rwanda. Limited knowledge about menstruation leads to inadequate hygiene practices, increasing the risk of cervical cancer, urinary tract infections, and reduced quality of life. The menstrual hygiene needs of visually impaired girls who depend on daily assistance for personal hygiene have not been adequately addressed in previous studies. Objectives To assess the effect of an audio-recorded program on the knowledge and self-reported practices of menstruation hygiene among visually impaired young girls in Rwanda. Methodology A pre-post mixed intervention study was conducted involving 93 visually …

What Is The Impact Of An Education Program Designed To Remove The Healthcare Professional As A Barrier To Care For The Transgender And Gender Diverse Community?, Richard D. Dansereau

Doctoral Projects

Healthcare disparities disproportionately affect transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals, often due to implicit biases among healthcare providers. This study examines the impact of an educational intervention designed to address these biases and improve care for TGD patients. Using the Biased Care Model as a guiding framework, the intervention targeted three critical phases of bias: pre-visit assumptions, in-visit interactions, and post-visit decisions. Conducted in the intensive care unit of a mid-sized hospital in Northern California, the study employed a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design involving multidisciplinary healthcare workers. Participants completed a modified Jefferson Scale of Empathy survey to assess changes in cognitive and …

Psychoeducational Training For Community Health Workers To Improve Confidence In Providing Mental Health Services To Migrants, Nimota M. Akintoye

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Translational and Clinical Research Projects

There is a higher prevalence of mental health illnesses among migrants. This minority group is faced with challenges in accessing healthcare due to poverty, stigmatization, and fear of discrimination. Research has shown that community health workers (CHWs) bridge the gap between the health and social service sectors and the patients by improving patient access to care and healthcare outcomes. A translational project was implemented to evaluate how psychoeducational training improved the CHWs’ confidence and knowledge level in providing mental health support to the patients and community members. Sister Calista Roy’s Adaptation Model was used to guide the study by incorporating …

School Nurses' Role In Creating A Culture Of Preparation For Cardiac Emergencies, Dena L. Hinkle, Marisa A. Dressler, Katherine M. Miller, Shannon L. Beetz

Nursing Department Graduate Presentations/Conferences

Recent legislation in Illinois schools has focused on enhancing cardiac preparation in schools by establishing written emergency plans that are to be disseminated to employees within thirty days from the start of the school year. This web-based education tool was created as a centralized hub for employees to locate pertinent information regarding cardiac emergencies. The intent is to increase cardiac emergency preparedness in schools with access to evidence-based resources and content. The project began by performing a literature review to collect data on cardiac emergencies within the school, leading to the development of the web-based educational portal. The Cognitive Theory …

Patient Perception Of Nurse Practitioner Care, Nurse Practitioner Scope Of Practice And How That Influences Provider Choice, Naomi Hemp

Doctoral Projects

This project investigates patients' perceptions of nurse practitioner (NP) care versus physician (MD) care, the factors influencing these perceptions, and patients' understanding of NP scope of practice. A cross-sectional design was used, gathering quantitative data through an anonymous one-time survey distributed via Qualtrics, open for three months. Questions were based on The Watson Caritas Patient Score (WCPS) and the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Survey (HCAHPS). Data were analyzed using Intellectus Statistics software™, with descriptive statistics summarizing the findings. A two-tailed paired samples t-test revealed statistically significant differences in favor of patients' perceptions of NP care versus …

The Effects Of Healthcare Professionals Wearing Nail Enhancements, Sydney Johnson

Honors Capstones

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) continue to be a major concern in hospital settings, with one in thirty-one patients affected daily in the United States (CDC, 2020). While hand hygiene is widely promoted, the impact of nail enhancements worn by healthcare workers is often overlooked. Acrylics, gels, and other artificial nails can harbor bacteria even after handwashing and glove use, increasing the risk of infection transmission.

The purpose of this study was to explore whether hospitals with stricter nail enhancement policies have better staff hygiene practices and potentially lower rates of HAIs. This research used an original survey distributed to registered nurses …

Preserving What Matters: A Multimodal Approach To Maintaining Fat-Free Mass During Anti-Obesity Medication Based Weight Loss, Sarah Gore

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Weight loss is often associated with reductions in fat-free mass (FFM), which can negatively impact metabolic rate, thermoregulation, bone density, functional capacity, and overall quality of life (Roth et al., 2022; Sedlmeier et al., 2021). This Evidence-Based Practice project aimed to reduce FFM loss in adults prescribed anti-obesity medications (AOMs) for weight management through a targeted, multimodal intervention. Twenty-two patients beginning AOM treatment at a family practice in northwest Indiana were invited to participate, with 19 consenting to enroll. Each participant received personalized guidance, including tailored calorie and protein intake goals to support a hypocaloric, high-protein diet, alongside evidence-based aerobic …

Addressing Gaps In The Continuum Of Care: A Quality Improvement Project Focused On Adolescent Youth With Depression Symptoms At A School-Based Health Clinic, Leah Nigon

Theses and Graduate Projects

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project aimed to address gaps in the continuum of care for adolescents experiencing depression symptoms at a school-based health clinic (SBHC) within an alternative learning community school (ALCS) in southeast Minnesota. Adolescent depression rates are on the rise and are only exacerbated by systemic barriers and social determinants of health, requiring improved mental health care access. Guided by Madeleine Leininger’s Culture Care Theory, the project focused on improving follow-up care for students with elevated depression scores on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9-M). A tracking system was developed, and the SBHC nurse contacted …

High-Risk Tcm Program & Decreasing Hospital Readmissions, Elise Hedman, Christine Erickson

Nursing Posters

Prevent hospital readmissions in high-risk TCM patients utilizing the Community Paramedic program as a resource to visit patients in the home.

Optimizing Endogenous Glp-1 Holistically: A Nursing Led Approach To Sustainable Weight Loss Without Glp-1 Agonist Use, Taylee A. Carscadden

Nursing | Student Research Posters

No abstract provided.

The Documented Relationship Between Sexual Health Knowledge, Attitudes, And Impact On Sex Behaviors For Students In The United States, Rivers M. Nicholas

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Purpose: To determine whether there is a documented relationship between sexual health knowledge, attitudes, and sex behaviors in students in the US.

Methods: This study conducted an expanded literature review. Multiple databases were utilized including EBSCO host academic complete search, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. Searches included the following phrases: “sexual health education”, “united states”, “sexual health knowledge”, “sex behavior”, “risk seeking behavior”, and “sex attitudes or perceptions or opinions.” Studies were included based on relevance to topic, geographical location, age group, and recency.

Result: 40 peer-reviewed articles were reviewed. The majority of students failed in knowledge based assessments on sexual …

Interpretation Challenges In Healthcare Settings As Experienced By Refugees And Healthcare Providers In The United States, Lydia H. Samoff

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: Language and interpretation barriers are significant challenges for refugees receiving healthcare in the United States. Both providers and refugee patients associate effective communication with a positive healthcare experience. Therefore, it is important to identify themes in interpretation barriers to promote productive communication between providers and refugee patients.

Purpose: To identify themes in literature surrounding interpretation challenges between refugees and healthcare workers in the United States and compare them to lived experience in a clinic in Northwest Arkansas.

Methods: Several databases were searched, including CINAHL, Medline, HealthSource, and Google Scholar, and articles were chosen with the inclusion criteria being research …

To Heal A Mind: A Comparison Of Functional And Conventional Treatments In Major Depressive Disorder, Gillian Chambers

Senior Honors Theses

Incidence of major depressive disorder is increasing year over year, with little able to be done to halt the spread of the condition. However, there are many treatment possibilities considered unconventional by the healthcare system. This thesis examines the respective benefits and risks, in comparison to one another, between conventional pharmacological treatment and functional, holistic treatment of depression. This was done via integrative review of available clinical literature, synthesizing evidence on both conventional and functional treatments for depression, as dictated by Whittemore and Knafl (2005). Exploratory search methods revealed 758 records fulfilling inclusion criteria, which were screened and narrowed down …