Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Final Projects
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.
Collaborating Institutions:
College of Nursing and Health Innovation
Displaying 1 - 10 of 20
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- All Subjects: Substance-Related Disorders
- All Subjects: Mobile Applications
- All Subjects: Survivorship
Description
Substance use among adolescents is incessantly problematic, but its recent collision with a rising opioid epidemic has exponentiated deaths in this age group. Despite opioids being a major contributor, indications remain that adolescent prevention efforts should focus on total substance abstinence. Evidence consistently highlights adverse childhood experiences and mental dysfunction as the strongest predictors of youth substance use initiation, and parent-focused interventions as the most significant prevention model. Participants in this project included five parents, with a teen between 11 and 16 years of age, who had recently experienced homelessness or where currently living in a transitional shelter. Guided by the Transtheoretical Model, this project assessed the impact of an evidence-based parenting program among high-risk families. Participants completed the Teen Triple P Online program from home while receiving weekly text message support. Each parent completed a pre-and post- Conflict Behavior Questionnaire (r=.86) and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (r =.71–.81), and a Client Satisfaction Questionnaire. A two-tailed Wilcoxon signed rank test was performed on the matched pairs of pre- and post- measures with the mean scores compared. Though statistically insignificant results were yielded, this quality improvement project found a clinically significant decrease in conflict behavior and parental anxiety, depression, and stress after completing the Teen Triple P Online program. Participant satisfaction with the program and subsequent family improvements was also found. These results suggest that interventions that decrease family conflict and improve a parent’s mental health, directly impact major family factors that contribute to adolescent substance use and adverse childhood experiences. This project contributes to the evidence that positive parenting programs have an impact at the individual, family, and societal levels.
ContributorsAllen, L. Amber (Author) / Helman, Jonathan (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2022-05-01
Description
Objective: Substance use disorder (SUD) is an epidemic in the United States. Current standard of care for SUD continues to produce a 40-60% relapse rate. Treatment for SUD is costly and is not obtainable for many individuals. The purpose of this project is to implement mindfulness as an adjunct treatment for SUD to reduce relapse.
Methods: Voluntary program offered at a residential treatment center designed as a team-based project. The combined project includes exercise, wellness, and mindfulness. Adults over the age of 18, male or female with a diagnosis of SUD were eligible. Program consisted of three hourly sessions a week, for a total of three weeks. Sessions included one session of exercise and wellness, one session of mindfulness training, and a combined session. Mindfulness sessions included learning the seven pillars of mindfulness followed by guided meditation. Participants were given a mindfulness journal for daily exercises. Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) was completed before program and on completion. Results: 11 of 22 participants completed the program. FFMQ total scores were analyzed with paired t-test with Wilcoxon signed rank to account for small sample size. Statistical significance was based on an alpha of 0.05, V=10.50, z=2.00 and p=0.45.
Conclusion: This project has the potential to decrease relapse rates by increasing mindfulness in individuals with SUD. Mindfulness training reduces cravings and negative thought processes. Implementing mindfulness training with current standard of care can be cost effective and recommended for all individuals with SUD.
ContributorsRouston, K. Courtney (Author) / Nunez, Diane (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2021-05-01
Description
Background: Current standard of care practices for substance use disorder is inadequate in reducing relapse, with rates persistently 40-60% within one year of treatment. Unconventional approaches must be explored to reduce the risk of relapse, climbing rate of overdoses, and healthcare expenditures exceeding $740 billion annually. The purpose of this quality improvement project demonstrates how an evidence-based group exercise intervention, used as adjunctive support to standard addiction treatment, can reduce relapse and promote long-term recovery during a global pandemic. Methods: Aims of this project sought to enhance quality of life scores. Participants were recruited upon admission to a residential treatment center. Pre-posttest design utilized the World Health Organization Quality of Life Abbreviated scale to assess program impact on quality of life. Pre-program descriptive questions and a survey assessing prior addiction treatment were collected. Group exercise and wellness education sessions were delivered twice weekly in a live, interactive, virtual format with on-site participants. Upon completion, a post-program survey was utilized to capture the qualitative experiences of participants and impact of project to instill confidence to execute long-term sobriety. Results: Pre and post scores, as well as domain scores were clinically and statistically significant. Additionally, 80% of participants reported feeling more prepared to achieve long-term sobriety secondary to their participation in this project. Discussion and Conclusion: Results from this project demonstrate the positive impact that group-based exercise and lifestyle interventions can have on quality of life and long-term recovery. Peer support exercise programs may offer means to enhance addiction treatment and reduce overall healthcare expenditures globally by defying the odds of relapse.
ContributorsAvino, M. Hayley (Author) / Nunez, Diane (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2021-05-01
Description
Background: Existing substance use disorder guidelines are deficient in reducing relapse rates, evidenced by the substantial number of persons experiencing relapse within months of recovery, with most relapsing within one year. Current interventions lack community reinforcement approaches to reduce relapse and risk factors required to combat the extensive damages related to substance use as costs exceed $1 trillion annually. Guided by the Social Cognitive Model, this quality improvement project aims to explore how group exercise combined with community reinforcement reduces relapse. It aims to boost recovery capital by improving quality of life scores. Methods: A CrossFit instructor delivered personalized group exercise and wellness education in-person biweekly for six weeks. Adult residential treatment clients were eligible to participate recruited via a flyer upon treatment entry. A pre-intervention demographic questionnaire, a pre-/post World Health Organization Quality of Life Abbreviated scale (reliability ? = > 0.70) assessing intervention influence on the quality of life, and a post-intervention survey was administered. The lead investigator performed all data distribution and collection. Institutional Review Board approval safeguarded participants' rights and risks. Results: Pre/post improvements observed in all domains; psychological and environmental were statistically significant, while 100% of participants reported enhanced QoL, social support, & confidence related to long-term sobriety post-intervention. Discussion/Conclusion: Desired outcomes are increased quality of life scores to boost recovery capital. A sober community reinforcement approach combined with exercise may link to reducing relapse and total costs related to this growing public health crisis.
ContributorsChrapczynski, D. Alison (Author) / Nunez, Diane (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2022-04-30
Description
Successful management of pediatric procedures is challenging. Many procedures have a detailed list of pre-procedural requirements and post-procedural pain control regimens. Patients and families often get lost in the many requirements needed before scheduling the procedure and often delay intervention. This delay can cost both the families and facility time and money but often leave the patient needlessly suffering. Inadequate pain control results in emergency room (ER) visits or hospital admissions for acute postoperative pain management. The opioid epidemic has significantly impacted postoperative opioid prescriptions at discharge. The limited prescriptions available after discharge, paired with inadequate understanding and support of discharge postoperative instructions by the family, result in increased acute postoperative pain management admissions. Postoperative pain is the leading cause of hospital readmissions within 48 hours of discharge. These ER visits are typically for issues that are easily addressed at home. Teach-back methods have shown to be the cornerstone of education, resulting in knowledge gained and increased pain regimen adherence. A literature review exploring current evidence regarding postoperative pain control and interventions coupled with teach-back was conducted to address this concern, and an evidenced-based intervention is proposed.
ContributorsBarrante, Adrianne (Author) / Bucci, Aimee (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2021-04-20
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 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.
ContributorsLim, Jerica Elaine M. (Author) / Guthery, Ann (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2021-04-26
Description
Purpose: Understanding the factors impacting communication between residents and peer staff in peer-run residential substance abuse treatment programs. The purpose of this paper is to explore male survival behaviors and cultural norms such as no snitching that impede communication to prevent relapse. Methods: The sample was male residents accepted into a residential treatment facility in the southwestern United States. Stories of peer-staff’s personal struggles with the no snitching code videotaped and shown in group followed with a guided discussion of relapse triggers, communication, and behavior norms that impede treatment. An online confidential pre-post retrospective survey designed using the Drug Abstinence Self-Efficacy Scale. Results: Descriptive statistics run show Cronbach's alpha of 0.96. A two-tailed paired samples t-test was conducted to examine the Overall Confidence Pre-test and Post-test mean difference. The overall confidence post-test was not statistically significant, but it was clinically significant. Clinical significance evidenced by residents 3-point lower confidence post-intervention. Conclusions: How-to elicit behavior change is unique to every individual. The goal is behavior change to sustain recovery and better communication between clients and peer staff to prevent relapse.
ContributorsKoreny, Danielle M. (Author) / Harrell, Liz (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2021-04-26
Description
Introduction: The purpose of this project was to evaluate a tablet-based documentation application for massive transfusion protocols (MTPs).
Methods: 13 trauma nurses at a level-one pediatric trauma center were randomly assigned to use paper documentation (n=5) or the tablet-based application (n=8) during simulated MTPs. Documentation completeness was compared using an independent t-test. Tablet users completed a system usability survey (SUS).
Results: Documentation of blood product volumes and times significantly improved with the tablet (p=<0.001 and p=0.001 respectively). The tablet received a mean SUS score of 89%.
Discussion: A tablet-based application has potential to improve real-time documentation of MTPs.
ContributorsShoop, Morganne (Author) / Sebbens, Danielle (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2021-04-28
Description
Introduction: For 2019 in the U.S. opioid overdose deaths neared 50,000 people. Increasing the number of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) programs available for the population is important to address this crisis (NIDA, n.d.).
Objective: To evaluate if MAT improves retention rates for those with opioid use disorder (OUD) for one Arizona organization’s (AZOrg) seven treatment facilities.
Methods: ASU IRB approval obtained, and de-identified data were abstracted from the electronic records of AZOrg, for a year, March 2020 to February 2021. The data included patient age, sex, date of admission, length of stay, substance abused, and if MAT (buprenorphine, naltrexone, Methadone) was prescribed. Intellectus statistical package was used for analysis.
Results: Among 3261 patients with a mean age of 35.81(18-82) years, 1528 (46.85%) were admitted for OUD that included 371 (24.28%) females, 686 of whom (44.9%) received MAT. For those treated with MAT mean length of stay was 35.78 (SD 30.34) days compared to a mean of 27.46 (30.79) days for those without MAT treatment. This finding was significant, for all forms of MAT, based on a two-tailed Two-Tailed Independent Samples t-Test test, p<.001.
Discussion/Conclusion: Increasing awareness about OUD and MAT is needed when providing care to patients with OUD. Providing organization-specific information regarding MAT benefits can enhance the adoption of this intervention and aid in the recovery of those being treated for OUD. This analysis did not include the possible confounding factors such as a history of incarceration, duration of OUD before admission, or structural differences of individual facilities.
ContributorsChevelwala, Turab (Author) / Moffett, Carol (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2021-04-29
Description
Substance use disorder has been increasing in the United States year after year. Modern treatments fail as often as they succeed. The current standards of practice fail to provide patients with the ability to harness thoughts and control anxiety. Mindfulness practices are currently being adapted as a therapeutic technique to address some of these concerns. An exhaustive literature review was conducted to investigate how various mindfulness techniques impact substance use disorder. Ten high-quality studies were retained and synthesized to show current understandings of the effectiveness of a mindfulness therapeutic technique. An evidence-based intervention is suggested for implementing mindfulness-based relapse prevention into a residential treatment facility. The intervention created incorporates the self-efficacy theory and an adapted health-belief model. Adults in a residential treatment facility for substance use disorder were given eight mindfulness sessions over the course of four weeks. Participants were given pre- and post-intervention screenings for mindful attention and anxiety. The data analysis after two-tailed paired T-tests showed that anxiety significantly decreased (α=.05, p<.001) and mindful attention increased significantly (α=.05, p=.015). Overall, mindfulness shows promise in its potential to reduce substance abuse.
ContributorsWandler, Ryan (Author) / Nunez, Diane (Thesis advisor) / College of Nursing and Health Innovation (Contributor)
Created2023-04-27