The Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Projects collection contains the completed works of students from the DNP Program at Arizona State University's College of Nursing and Health Innovation. These projects are the culminating product of the curricula and demonstrate clinical scholarship.

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Description
Background: Health information technology (HIT) refers to the electronic health care systems organizations used to store, share and analyze healthcare information. A central component of the HIT infrastructure is an electronic health record (EMR) and although HIT has been shown to increase enthusiasm for patient care, decrease healthcare costs and

Background: Health information technology (HIT) refers to the electronic health care systems organizations used to store, share and analyze healthcare information. A central component of the HIT infrastructure is an electronic health record (EMR) and although HIT has been shown to increase enthusiasm for patient care, decrease healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes overall utilization in the United States (US) remains low.

Methods: At an urban primary care pediatric office located in the southwestern US, an educational quality improvement project for healthcare practice providers and front office staff was conducted to increase the utilization of the existing EMR-linked patient portal. The healthcare providers were asked to complete a pre- and post- survey evaluation of their knowledge and usage of the patient portal. Provider and patient portal data usage was collected over a five-month period, September 2019 to January 2020.

Results: Data was analyzed using the Intellectus Statistics softwareTM. Significant results were found at the conclusion of the project in the number of active patient portal users, web-enabled, portal logins, labs published/viewed, messages sent, appointment reminders and Santovia utilization. At the end of the project no significance was found with messages received by the healthcare providers or staff through the patient portal. Survey results found significant differences between pre- and post- portal usage. No significance was found on providers’ knowledge on how to web-enable patients. Providers’ also demonstrated no significant change in their perceptions of the benefit in utilizing the portal in patient care after the educational intervention. Survey results allowed for additional analysis of commonly utilized portal functionalities, disease or health topics utilized in Santovia, and suggestions on how to make the use of the patient portal easier for providers.

Implications for Health Care Providers: This quality improvement project found that implementation an EMR-linked patient portal requires a comprehensive practice approach with structured education sessions. Including all employees can improve patient portal utilization. This educational project resulted in significant increases in most portal functionalities within 5 months. Further practice change evaluations are needed to evaluate how to improve patient portal utilization with a larger group of participants in a variety of outpatient settings.
ContributorsProsev, Brittany (Author) / Jacobson, Diana (Thesis advisor)
Created2020-05-01
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Description
Purpose: Patient portals are widely available online applications with many health-related tools that facilitate patient engagement and enhance communication with providers yet are highly underutilized. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to explore an English and Spanish patient portal educational video's impact on patient engagement in a

Purpose: Patient portals are widely available online applications with many health-related tools that facilitate patient engagement and enhance communication with providers yet are highly underutilized. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to explore an English and Spanish patient portal educational video's impact on patient engagement in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). The social cognitive theory underpins the project because patients' portal use behavior can change if changing their environmental factors in the clinic with educational videos. Methods: The Universities Institutional Review Board granted exempt approval to ensure human subject protection. The participants included bilingual adult patients in an FQHC who have access to the internet and email addresses who visited the center during the implementation period. The tablets in the patient rooms displayed the English and Spanish educational video on step-by-step instructions on accessing, using the patient portal, and the benefits of use. The information technology technician pulled aggregate data from the analytics component of the patient portal before and after the four-week implementation period. The data included total number of clinic patients, number of active portal users, number of monthly logins, and gender. The project facilitator used descriptive statistics to compare pre-and post-intervention analytics. Results: Active portal users increased by 0.22% and monthly logins increased by 390 logins. Only aggregate data was collected so the statistical significance was not calculated. Conclusion: This EBP project enhances knowledge on patient portal utilization's impact on patient engagement and may apply to current practice.
Created2022-04-29
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Description
Aim: To evaluate the impact transformational leadership (TFL) behaviors and What Matters to You conversations have on RNs finding meaning and joy in work (MJW) and turnover. Background: The nursing profession is plagued by burnout - a precursor to loss of MJW. Loss of MJW was exhibited as low

Aim: To evaluate the impact transformational leadership (TFL) behaviors and What Matters to You conversations have on RNs finding meaning and joy in work (MJW) and turnover. Background: The nursing profession is plagued by burnout - a precursor to loss of MJW. Loss of MJW was exhibited as low morale and increased turnover among acute care RNs at a small hospital in Southwest Arizona. Addressing loss of MJW aligns with caring for the caregiver, the fourth aim of the quadruple aim initiative. Methods: This was a quasi?experimental mixed methodology evidence-based project. The target populations were core RNs and leaders working in the intensive care unit, care unit, and emergency department. Intervention was multimodal – survey using Meaning and Joy in Work Questionnaire, TFL education, and steps one and two of the IHI four steps for leaders model. Results: Final sample was 18 RNs. Statistical analyses did not reveal significant impact; pre- and post-survey MJWQ scores remained above four. Themes from the What Matters to You conversations included making a difference, coworkers/connections, staffing, and negativity. Turnover trended positively in two of the three units. Conclusion: This project heightened awareness about MJW and illuminated the impact TFL behaviors can have on RNs finding MJW and turnover. The coronavirus pandemic and acute nursing shortage were significant limitations of the project. Implications: Healthcare organizations are encouraged to view MJW as a system asset, embed it in their cultures, invest in innovative solutions, and continually evaluate outcome measures of MJW.
Created2022-04-28
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Description
Burnout has become an increasingly popular topic among registered nurses, but unfortunately burnout among psychiatric nursing is less understood than other nursing specialties such as the Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Room, or Oncology. Psychiatry is unique and psychiatric nurses, in particular, are often subjected to physical and verbal violence as

Burnout has become an increasingly popular topic among registered nurses, but unfortunately burnout among psychiatric nursing is less understood than other nursing specialties such as the Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Room, or Oncology. Psychiatry is unique and psychiatric nurses, in particular, are often subjected to physical and verbal violence as well as exposure to patient’s trauma. The aim of this project was to decrease burnout among psychiatric nurses in a private practice out-patient family psychiatric facility using Rossworm and Larabee’s change model (Appendix D). The MBI-HSS was completed by 1 participant (n=1) at pre-intervention and post-intervention. Between the pre/post MBI-HSS questionnaire the participant was asked to partake in a mindfulness-based intervention utilizing the smartphone application Headspace to complete a 10-session meditation course over one week. The results conclude the participant’s burnout decreased overall from pre-intervention to post-intervention. Internal Review Board (IRB) was granted in September 2021, and the project was completed in November 2021. The impact of the project was projected to have a more thorough statistical influence, but due to the participant size, there is minimal impact of system or polices in the psychiatric facility.
Created2022-04-30
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Description
Purpose & Background: Nurses regularly have encounters with traumatic and stressful events which can have deleterious effects on their physical and psychological well-being and lead to burnout. The Covid-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the stress on nurses. The purpose of this project is to evaluate if an evidence-based, guided mindfulness-based intervention

Purpose & Background: Nurses regularly have encounters with traumatic and stressful events which can have deleterious effects on their physical and psychological well-being and lead to burnout. The Covid-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the stress on nurses. The purpose of this project is to evaluate if an evidence-based, guided mindfulness-based intervention would reduce burnout levels among registered nurses (RNs) working in in-patient settings. Methods: Participants enrolled in nursing programs from a local university were recruited for the project with the following inclusion requirements: (1) RNs working in an in-patient setting, (2) aged 18 years old or older; (3) fluent in the English language. Participants completed a pre-survey and then enrolled in a free mindfulness application via their phone or computer. Participants listened to one ten-minute mindfulness session for a consecutive ten days and then completed a post-survey. Results: Data collected from the pre and post surveys included the use of the following valid and reliable instrument tools: Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, Brief Resiliency Coping Scale, and Short Form Health Survey. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test. The analyzed data showed that there was statistical significance in decreased burnout levels, increased resiliency, and increased health perceptions of the participants. Conclusion: By finding ways to cope with the experience of burnout in nurses, nurses’ mental health wellness can improve in order for nurses to continue to be an integral part of the healthcare system.
Created2022-05-06
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Description
Background: With the adoption of the Health Information Technology for Economical and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act of 2009, came the implementation of the electronic health record (EHR) and incentivized provider programs called Meaningful Use (MU). A goal of MU is to utilize patient portals to improve access to care. Current

Background: With the adoption of the Health Information Technology for Economical and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act of 2009, came the implementation of the electronic health record (EHR) and incentivized provider programs called Meaningful Use (MU). A goal of MU is to utilize patient portals to improve access to care. Current evidence supports patient portal use however providers are concerned about increased work load and lost revenue because of the time spent managing the portals rather than providing direct, billable patient care.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to assess provider readiness for patient portals and provide an educational intervention to address perceived barriers.

Method: Ten providers at a large family practice clinic in the southwest United States were surveyed using The Provider Readiness Questionnaire prior to and after an educational intervention addressing common concerns.

Results: Improved response to patient portal use after the provider viewed the learning module. A paired-samples t-test was conducted to compare pre-and post-intervention responses. There was a statistically significant difference in the scores for the question “increase my workload” Pretest (M= 3.78, SD=1.201) and; Posttest (M=2.67, SD=1.225) ;(t (8) =5.547, p = .001). There was also a statistically significant difference for the question “increased provider professional satisfaction” Pretest (M=3.89, SD= .333) and Posttest (M= 4.44, SD=.527); t (8) = -2.294, p=.051).

Implications: Providing education addressing perceived barriers to portal use can assist the provider in understanding the value of the portals to improve patient outcomes and address common concerns about the impact of portal use on provider productivity.
ContributorsLeal, Lauren (Author) / Velasquez, Donna (Thesis advisor)
Created2017-05-02
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Description
Purpose: The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to improve participation by increasing registration on to a medical patient portal to an uninsured population. Medical patient portals have the potential to provide patients with timely, transparent access to health care information and engage them in their health care process

Purpose: The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to improve participation by increasing registration on to a medical patient portal to an uninsured population. Medical patient portals have the potential to provide patients with timely, transparent access to health care information and engage them in their health care process and management. This may result in improved disease management outcomes.

Methods: This project was guided by a The Rosswurm and Larrabee Model for Change to Evidence- Based Practice and Pender’s health promotion framework. IRB Approved by ASU. The instruction was implemented at an urban clinic in downtown phoenix that serves uninsured and underserved individuals. Uninsured participants were recruited (n=50). A survey pre and post registration was conducted to assess knowledge and medical portal participation in addition a random pre and post chart review was performed.

Results: Descriptive statistics was used to describe sample and outcome variables. A chi-square test of independence was calculated comparing pre and post intervention significant change was found (χ2 (1) = .002, P<0.05.), a paired sample t test was calculated to compare knowledge pre and post registration instruction the mean pre-10.187(SD = 4.422), post mean was 16.958(SD=.856). A significant increase of knowledge was found (t (47) =-9.573, p (<.001).

Outcomes: In this population both patients and providers have seen significant benefits such as increased communication and patient participation, from the implementation of evidence based educational tools such as instruction with teach back, and the usage of brochures. Potential Implication for sustainability includes the lack of a designated individual that is bilingual to register patients, making patients aware of the existence of a medical patient portal, patient’s fear of sharing immigration status.
ContributorsAlvarado, Cecilia I. (Author) / Thrall, Charlotte (Thesis advisor)
Created2019-05-03
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Description

The purpose of this project is to implement an on-site mindfulness-based intervention to reduce stress and burnout among mental health care workers. Healthcare professionals are among the most stressed of any profession, and mental health workers are at an extremely high risk for burnout and compassion fatigue (Christopher & Meris,

The purpose of this project is to implement an on-site mindfulness-based intervention to reduce stress and burnout among mental health care workers. Healthcare professionals are among the most stressed of any profession, and mental health workers are at an extremely high risk for burnout and compassion fatigue (Christopher & Meris, 2010) with an estimated 21% to 67% of mental health workers reporting that they experience high levels of burnout (Salyers et al., 2011).

After researching the literature, it was evident that practicing mindfulness can lead to less stress and higher job satisfaction. In an effort to combat this problem, an on-site mindfulness intervention was implemented at an outpatient psychiatric setting for eight weeks. Twenty-seven mental health workers gave their consent to be part of the study, and eleven were able to complete the study and self-assessment surveys for three time periods. The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) (the Human Service Version) and a 1-item job satisfaction were used to measure the effect of intervention on employees’ levels of stress and job satisfaction.

A non-parametric Friedman test of differences among repeated measures was conducted and findings were not significant when comparing the average total scores of means between pre-, post-, or 1-month follow-up for Emotional Exhaustion (p = .148), Depersonalization (p = .223), Personal Achievement (p = .784) and job satisfaction (p = .422). The positive outcomes cited by participant support the thesis that the on-site mindfulness-based intervention is better than no intervention though the effect was not statistically significant.

ContributorsUwimana, Aimee (Author)
Created2016-04-29
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Description
Purpose: To assess the burnout levels of mental health workers and to evaluate the effectiveness of promoting self-care practices in improving their well-being and resiliency. Background and Significance: Burnout is highly prevalent among mental health workers due to the nature of their work and the population of patients they serve. Turnover has been

Purpose: To assess the burnout levels of mental health workers and to evaluate the effectiveness of promoting self-care practices in improving their well-being and resiliency. Background and Significance: Burnout is highly prevalent among mental health workers due to the nature of their work and the population of patients they serve. Turnover has been a significant problem within this specialty for decades. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the mental health workforce was projected to experience shortage by 2025. The pandemic will likely worsen this. Evidence from literature supports the effectiveness of promoting self-care towards the development of resiliency and well-being in addressing burnout among healthcare workers. Methods: The Maslach Burnout Inventory – Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) was used to assess the burnout levels of mental health workers in a psychiatric hospital in Arizona pre- and post-intervention. Educational modules were provided for each participant to review. They were asked to perform at least one self-care activity and to utilize the tools in the Provider Resilience application every week for four weeks. Results: Pre-intervention surveys indicated moderate levels of emotional exhaustion (m=20.71) and depersonalization (m=9.29) and high levels of personal accomplishment (m=28.71). Improvements were seen on emotional exhaustion (m=18.86), depersonalization (m=6.43), and personal accomplishment (m=33.86) were seen post-intervention. Conclusion: Although the results were not statistically significant due to small sample size, the improvements seen on two out of three components of burnout (emotional exhaustion and depersonalization) indicated that awareness of burnout levels and self-care practices contribute to improving the well-being of mental health workers.
Created2021-04-26
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Description
Aim: To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of mindfulness as an intervention in reducing burnout and promoting joy in work for progressive care unit (PCU) nurses and nursing aides. Background: The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) describes a lack of joy in work and the resultant burnout as a serious threat to healthcare

Aim: To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of mindfulness as an intervention in reducing burnout and promoting joy in work for progressive care unit (PCU) nurses and nursing aides. Background: The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) describes a lack of joy in work and the resultant burnout as a serious threat to healthcare workers and organizations. Few studies have examined this phenomenon in PCU nurses and aides. Method: Pre- and post-intervention surveys with established instruments on three variables, mindfulness, burnout, and joy in work, were administered to ten PCU nurses and aides (N = 7) at a city hospital. The intervention was the virtual IHI's mindfulness course and was guided by Martin Seligman's PERMA Model and the Iowa Model for Evidenced Based Practice. A paired sample t-test was used to evaluate changes in the pre-post survey responses. Results: Significant increase in joy in work based on an alpha value of 0.05, p = .041. Slight increase in mindfulness practice based on an alpha value of 0.05, p = .398. Burnout remained the same based on an alpha value of 0.05, p = .766. Conclusion: PCU nurses and aides who practiced mindfulness for 12 weeks scored the same on burnout scales and higher on the joy in work scales. Implications for Nursing Management: Nurse managers can incorporate mindfulness exercises at strategic times during the shift to reduce burnout and promote joy in work for nurses and aides. Future EBP projects should assess the effectiveness of different mindfulness activities in promoting nurses' emotional and psychological well-being in various care settings.
Created2021-04-24