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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Sleep deprivation is linked to poor mental and physical health outcomes for professional firefighters. The importance of sleep hygiene practices and health promotional activities may increase the amount of quality sleep firefighters get on their days off. As the adverse outcomes of circadian misalignment due to sleep deprivation becomes more

Sleep deprivation is linked to poor mental and physical health outcomes for professional firefighters. The importance of sleep hygiene practices and health promotional activities may increase the amount of quality sleep firefighters get on their days off. As the adverse outcomes of circadian misalignment due to sleep deprivation becomes more apparent in firefighter wellbeing, the need for a sleep health program becomes more evident. The purpose of this paper is to examine and assess the effects of a sleep health program for firefighter wellness. Research emphasizing the relevance of poor health outcomes related to sleep disturbances is prevalent in the literature. The findings have prompted the development of an evidence-based sleep coaching program for firefighters in a local fire department guided by The Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Model (Brewin, C.R., 1996). and a knowledge-to-Action process framework for evidence-based-practice (Graham et al., 2006).
Created2022-04-28
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Objectives: Asthma education is essential for every pediatric asthma management plan. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Quality Improvement (QI) project, guided by the Social Cognitive Theory, aims to explore effective and innovative interventions for asthma management and determine if telehealth is an effective way to deliver asthma education to

Objectives: Asthma education is essential for every pediatric asthma management plan. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Quality Improvement (QI) project, guided by the Social Cognitive Theory, aims to explore effective and innovative interventions for asthma management and determine if telehealth is an effective way to deliver asthma education to parents. Methods: Parents (n = 5) of children with asthma at an urban pediatric primary care clinic were recruited to attend four weekly, 60-minute asthma education sessions over Zoom®. Participants were recruited with flyers and clinic referrals. Participants answered pre- and post-intervention online questionnaires following informed consent, including the Parental Asthma Management Self-Efficacy Scale (PAMSES), the Asthma Control Test (ACT), and a parent program evaluation. Paired sample t-tests were conducted to analyze data and measure mean differences in pre-and post-parent self-efficacy and asthma control in their child. Results: The results include a statistically significant change in pre-intervention and post-intervention mean PAMSES scores. There was no significant difference between pre-intervention and post-intervention ACT scores; however, there was an increase in mean ACT scores from baseline. Conclusions: Telehealth is a practical and cost-effective way to address gaps in asthma education and improve patient outcomes. The use of telehealth may be an effective way to address gaps in parent/patient education regarding the prevention of and management of asthma symptoms. Ongoing assessment is needed to evaluate if asthma telehealth education can be effective in other settings, languages, and age groups.
Created2022-04-29
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Depression and anxiety are common and debilitating illnesses that negatively impact personal well-being and functioning. The effects of depression and anxiety not only affect the individual, but also peers, family, the community, economy, and even the health care system. Pharmacological therapy is a first line treatment for depression and anxiety,

Depression and anxiety are common and debilitating illnesses that negatively impact personal well-being and functioning. The effects of depression and anxiety not only affect the individual, but also peers, family, the community, economy, and even the health care system. Pharmacological therapy is a first line treatment for depression and anxiety, but the risk for relapse remains. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) are treatments that have demonstrated effectiveness in treating depression. The evidence suggests that both therapies are successful in terms of reducing depressive symptoms, but most effective when combined. Further, evidence shows that the combination of MBCT and traditional pharmacological therapy provides relief from depressive symptoms and lengthens the amount of time between recurrent episodes and improves the quality of life. A project was implemented at an integrated health clinic to evaluate the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based intervention to reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety. The results revealed that practicing mindfulness was statistically and clinically significant in reducing depression and anxiety. In addition, mindfulness scores increased over 30 day application of the intervention. The results demonstrated the value of utilizing mindfulness as a cost-effective therapy in addition to pharmacological treatment to decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as improve mindfulness. The ease of use demonstrated the value of mindfulness and self-directed skills aimed at improving wellness, reducing depression and anxiety which will result in the improvement of individual, economic, healthcare system, and community health.
ContributorsFong, Luis (Author) / Guthrey, Ann (Thesis advisor)
Created2018-04-28
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Problem Statement: The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic led to intense challenges for health care providers. Outpatient primary care practices rapidly moved from in-person practice to video-conferencing telehealth appointments. This shift requires study, particularly how this has impacted the lived experience of providers. Purpose: This project aims to explore primary

Problem Statement: The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic led to intense challenges for health care providers. Outpatient primary care practices rapidly moved from in-person practice to video-conferencing telehealth appointments. This shift requires study, particularly how this has impacted the lived experience of providers. Purpose: This project aims to explore primary care provider satisfaction with telehealth in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A point-in-time survey was administered to primary care providers at a large university health system. Participants were recruited at a monthly provider meeting and invited to complete an anonymous online survey. Satisfaction with video-conferencing patient visits was explored via Likert scale and write-in responses. Providers highlighted specific complaints, problems, and successes that impacted their practice and patients. Aggregate health data from this organization was also obtained for comparison. Statistical analysis was performed and recommendations made for future practice. Findings: The provider experience of telehealth was overwhelmingly positive. 85% (n=11) of providers agreed or strongly agreed that telehealth allows them to manage their patients effectively. Lack of physical exam findings was the most commonly cited concern (n=9). 100% (n=13) of providers would like to continue seeing patients via telehealth in the future. Conclusion: Videoconferencing appointments in university health primary care promote high provider satisfaction. Future policies and innovations should support the use of a telehealth platform.
ContributorsMcKernan, M. Katherine (Author) / Nunez, Diane (Thesis advisor) / College of Nursing and Health Innovation (Contributor)
Created2023-04-29
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Background: Around 40-50% of people with Parkinson’s disease will develop anxiety or depression, the number one factors affecting their quality of life. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most well-established intervention for anxiety and depression in people with Parkinson’s disease. Purpose: The project addresses a southwestern Parkinson-specific community center’s need for

Background: Around 40-50% of people with Parkinson’s disease will develop anxiety or depression, the number one factors affecting their quality of life. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most well-established intervention for anxiety and depression in people with Parkinson’s disease. Purpose: The project addresses a southwestern Parkinson-specific community center’s need for mental health by incorporating a cognitive behavioral therapy-based mental health program, guided by the Cognitive Behavioral Model. Methods: Recruitment at the center took place during a virtual weekly meeting with inclusion criteria of a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis, 50 years or older, and English speaking. A four-week, virtual, nurse-led cognitive behavioral therapy-based mental health program was created to examine the effects on anxiety, depression, and quality of life in ten people with Parkinson’s disease. Pre-and post-intervention Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (Cronbach’s alpha, 0.91), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (Cronbach’s alpha, 0.87), and Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaires (Cronbach’s alpha, 0.84) were used to assess anxiety, depression, and quality of life. Results: Using a Two-tailed paired samples t-Test, mean values and p-value were calculated with alpha value of 0.05, t(39) = -0.10, p = .922 for anxiety, Alpha value of 0.05, t(16)=3.69, p=0.002 for depression, Alpha value of 0.05, t(38)=5.07, p<0.001 for quality of life, and Alpha value of 0.05, t(5)=4.54, p=0.006 for emotional wellbeing. Conclusion: A cognitive behavioral therapy-based mental health program at a Parkinson-specific center has the potential to improve quality of life and decrease depression in people with Parkinson’s disease. Implications: Research with larger sample sizes, longer duration of therapy, and in-person format would be beneficial.
Created2021-04-28
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Background: Suicidal ideation and attempts are increasing in the adolescent population and suicide is now the second leading cause of death for youth 10-24 years of age (Center for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2016). Children that continue to struggle with suicidality and depression after treatment as usual have an

Background: Suicidal ideation and attempts are increasing in the adolescent population and suicide is now the second leading cause of death for youth 10-24 years of age (Center for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2016). Children that continue to struggle with suicidality and depression after treatment as usual have an increased length of stay, from an average of five days to nine days per admission. Recidivism rates are also increasing, with some patients
requiring readmission the same day as discharge.

Method: The purpose of project was to check the feasibility of the use of cognitive behavioral therapy-based group called Creating Opportunities for Personal Empowerment (COPE) in the treatment of children with depression and suicidality. The study patients participated in up to 7 groups of a 60-minute lesson of COPE each day, combined with interactive activities that helped
them practice problem solving and coping skills. The feasibility of the COPE groups were measured by the consistent decrease of Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale at the beginning and conclusion of lessons as well as consistency of engaged participation in the COPE groups on the unit based of staff observation obtained from Staff Survey.

Results: The results analyzed using the two-tailed Wilcoxon signed rank test were significant based on an alpha value of 0.05, V = 0.00, z = -3.64, p < .001. This indicated that the differences between Pre-CSSR and Post-CSSR were not likely due to random post variation. The median of Pre-CSSR (Mdn = 1.00) was significantly lower than the median of Post-CSSR (Mdn = 2.00).

Discussion: The results proved feasibility of a cognitive behavioral therapy-based group in the treatment of depression and suicidality of children in an inpatient unit.
ContributorsFreeman, Latasha (Author) / Guthery, Ann (Thesis advisor)
Created2020-05-02
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Hospital readmissions for palliative care patients are costly for patients, families, insurance providers, and palliative care organizations. The evidence shows that integrating virtual visits into palliative care is an innovative way to reduce hospital readmissions, preserve costs, and reduce geographical barriers. The purpose of this article is to evaluate how

Hospital readmissions for palliative care patients are costly for patients, families, insurance providers, and palliative care organizations. The evidence shows that integrating virtual visits into palliative care is an innovative way to reduce hospital readmissions, preserve costs, and reduce geographical barriers. The purpose of this article is to evaluate how well transitional care virtual visits reduce future hospital readmissions for palliative care patients when compared to usual care of in-home nurse visits. Palliative care patients from a large palliative company in Arizona, who received a transitional care, post hospital discharge, virtual visit with traditional model care (intervention) were compared to randomly selected traditional model care patients (control).

Data was collected through a retrospective chart review at 30 and 60 days post hospital discharge to evaluate for hospital readmissions and avoided readmissions. The Fishers Exact test was used to compare the results of the two groups to each other. There was no significant difference between the two groups. Virtual visits have an added cost to the agency without decreasing the risk of readmission. Implications for practice are to continue offering transitional care in-home nurse visits. Future research should evaluate if using virtual visits justify the increased costs of use.

ContributorsFurletti, Adriana (Author) / Mensik, Jennifer (Thesis advisor)
Created2018-05-10