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 22
Filtering by
- All Subjects: Substance-Related Disorders
- All Subjects: Asthma
- 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
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.
ContributorsFlores, M. Cynthia (Author) / Jacobson, Diana (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2022-04-29
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
Objective: Pediatric patients with asthma are frequently cared for in the emergency department (ED). Many studies show early administration of corticosteroids (CS) can improve outcomes for children experiencing an asthma exacerbation. Despite the evidence, delays in care remain. The purpose of this study is to streamline the process for nurse-initiated, triage-based CS administration and determine the effect on overall length of stay (LOS). Methods: For this quality improvement initiative, ED nurses at a large, freestanding, children’s emergency department in the southwestern United States were given education on inclusion and exclusion criteria for nurse-initiated CS in ED triage. Time to CS administration, LOS, and whether the ED nurse or provider ordered the CS were evaluated through chart reviews of patients presenting with a chief complaint of difficulty breathing. These metrics were compared to charts from the previous year during the same timeframe to evaluate for improved timeliness of CS delivery. Results: Time to CS administration decreased from a mean of 98.6 minutes to 57.6 minutes. LOS decreased from an average of 259.3 minutes to 169.6 minutes. The effect of timely CS on LOS was significant for December p =.003, January p =.002, and February p = <.001. Conclusion: A streamlined process for CS delivery to pediatric patients experiencing an asthma exacerbation can enable providers to achieve efficient and effective care in the ED and decrease a patient’s overall LOS.
ContributorsBain, Ilyssa D. (Author) / Bucci, Aimee (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2021-04-23
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: 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
Purpose: Improper management of asthma leads to poor patient outcomes and increases in both costs and resources. This study aims to increase provider adherence to asthma clinical practice guidelines.
Methods: A multifaceted intervention was utilized that included educational sessions for providers, adjustments to the electronic health record (EHR), access to toolkits, and workflow changes. Pediatric patients aged 5-18 years and diagnosed with asthma (N = 173) were evaluated using a pre-post design. Provider adherence to key components of clinical practice guidelines were assessed prior to implementation, and a three and six months post-implementation. Data was analyzed using descriptive statists and the Friedman’s ANOVA by rank.
Results: Provider education, EHR adjustments, provider toolkits, and changes to office workflow improved provider adherence to key aspects of asthma clinical practice guidelines. A significant difference was found between the pre and post implementation groups (p < .01).
Conclusion: Increased adherence to clinical practice guidelines leads to fewer complications and an overall improved quality of life. Continuing provider education is critical to sustained adherence.
Methods: A multifaceted intervention was utilized that included educational sessions for providers, adjustments to the electronic health record (EHR), access to toolkits, and workflow changes. Pediatric patients aged 5-18 years and diagnosed with asthma (N = 173) were evaluated using a pre-post design. Provider adherence to key components of clinical practice guidelines were assessed prior to implementation, and a three and six months post-implementation. Data was analyzed using descriptive statists and the Friedman’s ANOVA by rank.
Results: Provider education, EHR adjustments, provider toolkits, and changes to office workflow improved provider adherence to key aspects of asthma clinical practice guidelines. A significant difference was found between the pre and post implementation groups (p < .01).
Conclusion: Increased adherence to clinical practice guidelines leads to fewer complications and an overall improved quality of life. Continuing provider education is critical to sustained adherence.
ContributorsFeith, Megan (Author) / Crawford, Daniel (Thesis advisor)
Created2018-04-27
Description
Background:
Asthma is one of the most common pediatric diseases, affecting 6.3 million U.S. children in 2014, that can result in negative health outcomes if not managed correctly due to it's chronic and complex nature requiring frequent and close management (NHLBI, 2007). The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's (NHLBI) Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma will be implemented into practice to determine the health outcomes of patients before and after guideline implementation.
Methods:
Inclusion criteria includes patients 5-18 years with a history of asthma, recurrent albuterol use, or intermittent symptoms of airflow obstruction. Data will be collected through EHR data reports at pre implementation, 3 months, and 6 months post implementation and will be analyzed using SPSS. Descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, and a Friedman's ANOVA will be conducted to analyze data.
Results:
A Friedman ANOVA was conducted comparing the outcome variables six months priot to the practice change, at three months post implementation, and at six months post implementation. A significant difference was found (x2(15) = 216.62, p<.05). The implementation of the practice change significantly affected the outcome variables.
Conclusions:
In general, the implementation of a practice change to use evidence based NHLBI ERP-3 Asthma Guidelines, along with staff and provider education sessions and creation of standardized assessment and documentation tools resulted in positive changes in the outcomes variables. Findings from this study along with the literature of implementing evidence based asthma guidelines supports similar practice change implementations in other pediatric primary care clinics.
ContributorsAgricola, Chelsea (Author) / Crawford, Daniel (Thesis advisor)
Created2018-05-01