Public Health and Community Nursing Commons^™

Dnr No Polst Project, Reanda Scherson

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: The DNR No POLST project aims to increase the number of physician orders for life-sustaining treatment (POLST) forms completed on hospitalized patients who are designated DNR status. Currently, there is no process for ensuring completion of advanced care planning (ACP) materials, including the POLST form, on designated DNR patients throughout the hospital. Ensuring patients receive a complete and accurate POLST prior to discharge decreases the chance of unwanted overtreatment.

Context: This quality improvement project utilizes regionally trained life care plan (LCP) facilitators to initiate and assist patients and families in the completion of the POLST form. Approximately 70% of …

Educational Needs Associated With The Level Of Complication And Comparative Risk Perceptions In People With Type 2 Diabetes, Youngji Hwang, Dongsuk Lee, Yeon Sook Kim

Nursing Faculty Publications

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the educational needs of people with type 2 diabetes according to risk perceptions and the level of severity of complications. Methods: There were 177 study participants who were outpatients of the internal medicine department at a university hospital located in the Republic of Korea, who consented to participate in the survey from December 10, 2016 to February 10, 2017. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, ANOVA with post-hoc comparison, and multiple regression analysis. Type 2 diabetes complications were classified into 3 groups: no complications, common complications, and severe complications. …

Empowering The Lowland Indigenous Community Through Child Health And Nutrition Program In Occidental Mindoro Province, Philippines, Artemio Morado Gonzales Jr

ASEAN Journal of Community Engagement

Nutrition and child health programs were integrated into the extension programs from 2016-2018 of the Occidental Mindoro State College, in partnership with the local government unit at the municipal and barangay levels. This paper presents the health extension tools and techniques used in preventative care and the promotion of child health services in the indigenous community of Sitio Bato Singit, in the Occidental Mindoro Province, Philippines. Health education, small group techniques, demonstrations, storytelling, informal talks, and open forums were the methods and techniques employed to implement the program. The common tools used were seating arrangements, flip-charting, props, social hours, and …

Pediatric Bullying Education In Arkansas Baccalaureate Nursing Programs, Jasmine Jackson

McNair Scholars Research

Over the years, there has been an ever-increasing spotlight on the issue of bullying among adolescents. Nurses are another adult-figure, in addition to parents and teachers, that can help identify and address bullying if educated properly. The purpose of this study was to examine pediatric bullying education in Arkansas baccalaureate nursing programs. Through the use of a mixed-method approach, the newly created survey was to be completed by one faculty member from each of the 12 BSN programs in Arkansas (12 participants; 6 respondents). The paper describes the quantitative and qualitative data analysis from this non-experimental descriptive pilot study. Results …

Solutions To Address Frequent Hospital Attendance, Glenda Sundberg

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

In this editorial, practical solutions and considerations in helping the most complex and at-risk patients in our health systems are discussed. These patients, sometimes referred to as health care “super-utilizers” in the literature, tend to be frequently seen and cared for in costly hospital and emergency department settings. Innovative care models that aim to bridge system gaps, achieve better health outcomes, and improve the well-being of both patients and providers are needed and should continue to be explored.

An Autoethnography Of A Registered Nurse Living With Chronic Undiagnosed Illness, Frances M. Ricker

Nursing ETDs

Abstract

This autoethnographic study examines a registered nurse’s experience living with chronic undiagnosed illness. The number living with undiagnosed illness is unknown and little is understood about living with chronic undiagnosed illness.

This analytic autoethnography (Anderson, 2006) used multiple data sources: my journal, medical history narrative, and artifacts including my handwork, examples of my father’s handwriting, and family photographs. Narrative analysis, thematic analysis, and visual analysis were conducted.

My experience of living with chronic undiagnosed illness was characterized by three themes that reinforced isolation: not knowing, loss, and hidden secret self. Family context evidenced diverse themes of not being believed, …

Utilizing Wellness Champions As A Faith-Based Initiative For Mental Health Promotion, Tracy M. Webster Cooley

Dissertations

Abstract

Purpose: This program evaluation project evaluated the effectiveness of mental health training and support provided to wellness champions affiliated with a behavioral health organization. This project sought to gain a better understanding of how clergy and laypersons acting as wellness champions in predominately African-American faith-based organizations perceive they create an atmosphere to decrease stigma and increase mental health promotion and wellness when receiving education and training on mental health.

Methods: A descriptive project using a program evaluation design to evaluate the effectiveness of the training of 122 wellness champions from faith-based organizations received from a behavioral health organization …

The Crisis In Male Mental Health: A Call To Action, Demetrius Porsche, Salvatore J. Giorgianni

School of Nursing Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

A School-Based Sexual Health Education Program, Tracy L. Kendall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A small rural community has high incidence rates of chlamydia (4,751 per 100,000) and gonorrhea (970 per 100,000) in females 15–24 years old. Data obtained from Texas Health and Human Services showed that incidence rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea in females 15–24 years old were higher in Navarro County, Texas, than the state of Texas. Texas schools do not mandate sex health education. There is a gap in school-based sexual health education available to 18- and 19-year-old females residing in this rural community in Texas. The purpose of this research study was to evaluate the impact of school-based sexual health …

An Innovative Approach For Type 2 Diabetes Education, Rachel Domagala

Nursing DNP Projects

Objective: To improve self-efficacy in patients with type 2 diabetes and a Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) of 8% (64 mmol/mol) or greater using an innovative education multidisciplinary approach in a group setting.

Research Design and Methods: Out of 248 patients that were contacted with type 2 diabetes, who had a HbA1c of 8% or greater, five patients from a large clinic in the Midwest agreed to participate in group education. The primary outcome of interest was lowering HbA1c levels to increase the number of patients with type 2 diabetes who meet the community standard of care.

Results: Patients …

Long-Term Impact Of Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries On Multiple Functional Outcomes And Epigenetics: A Pilot Study With College Students, Hyunhwa Lee, Sungchul Lee, Ipuna Black, Laura Salado, Jonica Estrada, Katrina Isla

Nursing Faculty Research

People who suffer a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) have heterogeneous symptoms and disease trajectories, which make it difficult to precisely assess long-term complications. This pilot study assessed and compared deficits in cognitive, psychosocial, visual functions, and balance performance between college students with and without histories of mTBI. Global DNA methylation ratio (5-mC%) in blood was also compared as a peripheral epigenetic marker. Twenty-five volunteers participated, including 14 healthy controls (64.3% females; mean age of 22.0) and 11 mTBI cases (27.3% females; mean age of 28.7 years) who self-reported mTBI history (63.6% multiple; 2.5 ± 1.29 injuries) with 7.1 years …

Insulin Injection Re-Education For Improved Glycemic Control, Daniela Shon

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Title: Insulin Injection Re-education for Improved Glycemic Control

Background: Patients on insulin therapy often continue to show suboptimal glycemic control. Data from adult patients with T2DM have demonstrated that 56.1% had poor control, despite adherence to treatment, oral and injectable. Poor glycemic control stems from many sources, including poor self-efficacy regarding insulin dosage adjustment, inaccurate insulin dosing, expired insulin, lipohypertrophy of the injection site and technique, and equipment issues.

Purpose: This project aimed to implement and assess the efficacy of re-education in the insulin injection technique for improved glycemic control.

Methods: This project was conducted based on …

Increasing Autism Awareness In The Somali Community, Safiya Ahmed

Theses and Graduate Projects

Autism spectrum disorder has become more prevalent in recent years, especially in the Somali community in Minneapolis. Early detection, diagnosis and interventions are essential for children with this disorder. A recent study on the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in Minneapolis, Minnesota reported that Somali children not only have the highest prevalence of this disorder among all races and ethnicity but also receive late diagnosis and interventions. A comprehensive literature review identified lack of awareness, cultural stigma, and difficulty to access services as barriers for early diagnosis and interventions for Somali children. The literature also supported the importance of early …

Mental Health Screening For Low Income Adolescents: An Evidence-Based Project, Allison Bryden

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Abstract

TITLE: Mental Health Screening For Low-Income Adolescents

BACKGROUND: Nearly 80% of adolescents in the United States will suffer from a mental illness and not receive evaluation or services. Children from low socio-economic backgrounds have an increased risk of mental health disorders which permeate into adulthood, leading to additional negative sequel and lower quality of life. Among adolescent mental health conditions, depression and anxiety are the most common. Literature has suggested provider intuition alone has low sensitivity and specificity for detecting mental illness and that screening tools are indicated.

PURPOSE: The aim of this project is to implement standardized routine …

Pain And Spiritual Distress At End Of Life, Kathryn Lee Robinson

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between unmanaged pain and spiritual distress in adults newly admitted to hospice.

Background/Rationale: Current evidence supports the presence of a positive relationship between increased physical pain and spiritual distress for those with advanced cancer and/or receiving palliative care services. Nonetheless, spiritual distress remains a relatively understudied area; anecdotally, assessment and management of physical symptoms often take precedence over interventions for spiritual distress in patients at end of life (EOL) on hospice. Research is needed to examine the relationships between physical pain, spiritual distress, and other relevant variables specific to …

Screening For Iron-Deficiency Anemia In The Pediatric Population (Ages 1-17) In Gonaïves, Haiti, Cara Rose Fratianni

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this pilot project is to screen for iron-deficiency anemia in pediatric patients (ages 1-17) in a primary school in Gonaïves, Haiti. Patients with anemia will be treated with oral supplemental iron for a period of four weeks according to WHO guidelines (WHO, 2011). All students will be treated empirically for helminths per WHO guidelines, unless treated elsewhere in the last six months (WHO, 2017). Nutritional status will also be assessed using MUAC according to WHO guidelines (2017).

Background Summary: Malnutrition contributes significantly to the problem of iron-deficiency anemia, with one in four children exhibiting stunting …

Transforming Clinical Care Through Sexual Wellness Education For Community College Students, Chelsea Ovanek

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Abstract

Title: Transforming Clinical Care Through Sexual Wellness Education for Community College Students

Statement of the Problem: Unintended pregnancy remains a serious public health challenge throughout the world (World Health Organization [WHO], 2018). College-aged students continue to be a vulnerable population for this health issue, with estimates that 1 in 5 women will give birth before age twenty and 80% of those pregnancies unintended (Guttmacher Institute, 2019). Despite the statistics, approximately 40% of college students have received formal education on unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), or effective contraception use (Diedrich, Klein, & Peipert, 2017). According to the World Health …

Care After Burn Trauma: A Burn Toolkit For Providers, Whitney Weyhing

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Problem: A burn injury can occur in a matter of seconds. Despite advances in medical innovations and scientific progress, accidental burns continue to represent a devastating major public health burden today. Burn traumas represent a great expense to the healthcare system, affect every age and demographic, and continue to possess significant morbidity and mortality.

Context: Due to the current knowledge deficit of basic burn treatment, this Toolkit will provide current best-practice guidelines with evidence-based wound care instruction.

Interventions: An interactive educational instruction, including a pre-test and post-test of overall comprehension, from initial assessment to management of burns. Included will be …

The Expansion And Evaluation Of Medication Assisted Treatment Services For An Underserved Rural Northern California Community, Carolyn Perrotti

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Problem: Widespread opioid misuse has led to the opioid epidemic that claims 130 deaths per day due to an opioid overdose (CDC, 2018). The opioid epidemic has plagued the United States for three decades and has been considered a public health emergency since 2017 (HHS, 2017). Rural communities are disproportionately affected by this problem and in 2014, the rate of opioid overdose deaths was 45% higher in rural communities (SAMHSA, 2018).

Context: Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is considered the most effective treatment for opioid dependence because it incorporates medication management and biopsychosocial supports (Jones et al., 2018). Retention in a MAT …

Initiating Prep In Primary Care: Addressing The Adolescent And Young Adult High Risk Populations, Igor G. Mocorro

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Problem: Adolescents and young adults (AYA) ages 13 to 24 comprise a quarter of the new HIV diagnoses in the United States. Lack of access to HIV-preventive therapies such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) reduces opportunities to prevent HIV infection in this population. Initiating PrEP in AYA significantly reduces the negative health outcomes of HIV, but it is evident that many clinicians are still reluctant to initiate PrEP in AYA patients based on perceived threats and barriers.

Context: Primary care clinics, including school-based clinics, have an opportunity to offer HIV prevention services including PrEP. This project, the Adolescent and Young Adult …