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 11 - 20 of 22
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- All Subjects: Pediatrics
Description
Introduction: Palliative care can significantly benefit children managing a life-limiting illness; unfortunately, services are generally reserved for end of life. The aim of this project was to demonstrate how established guidelines coupled with provider education could impact referrals.
Methods: Educational sessions developed using information processing theory and outlining referral recommendations were offered to providers in the NICU, PICU, and Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at a tertiary care facility. Presurveys and postsurveys were administered at the time of the intervention and referral numbers for the organization were collected for two months prior and two months following.
Results: Descriptive statistics and paired t-tests were used to compare survey data and referral rates.
Discussion: Palliative care is imperative for meeting patient goals and optimizing quality of life. Provider knowledge of referral criteria ensures that patients receive this service early in their disease trajectory and can benefit from its inclusion within their care team.
Methods: Educational sessions developed using information processing theory and outlining referral recommendations were offered to providers in the NICU, PICU, and Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at a tertiary care facility. Presurveys and postsurveys were administered at the time of the intervention and referral numbers for the organization were collected for two months prior and two months following.
Results: Descriptive statistics and paired t-tests were used to compare survey data and referral rates.
Discussion: Palliative care is imperative for meeting patient goals and optimizing quality of life. Provider knowledge of referral criteria ensures that patients receive this service early in their disease trajectory and can benefit from its inclusion within their care team.
ContributorsNewton, Katelyn A. (Author) / Sebbens, Danielle (Thesis advisor)
Created2018-04-27
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
Introduction: Depression screening in the pediatric setting is a crucial part of the adolescent's examination. A standardized screening tool and protocol streamlines the process of assessing adolescents and minimizes the chances of serious mental health disorders going undetected and untreated. Evaluation of current evidence demonstrates the use of a standardized tool improves detection, diagnosis, and management of depression and other mental health illnesses.
Method: The Patient Health Questionnaire—modified for adolescents (PHQ9-A) was administered to all eligible adolescents, ages 12-18, during an annual well visit for a period of 6 weeks. Lewin's Change Theory guided a system change in the electronic health record, and the questionnaire results were documented and provided to the pediatric provider at the time of the appointment. A chart review was conducted to determine whether all eligible patients were administered the questionnaire and if a depression diagnosis or mental health referral had been made.
Results: Out of 76 eligible well visits, 65 (86%) patients completed the PHQ9-A. The average score was 5.29 (SD = 6.49) with a maximum score of 25. Out of those that completed screening, 11 (17%) had a positive PHQ9-A score resulting in 8 referrals to mental health services and 2 mental health diagnoses in the clinic.
ContributorsCoomer, Meagan (Author) / Rauton, Monica (Thesis advisor) / College of Nursing and Health Innovation (Contributor)
Created2023-04-27
Description
Objective
A needs assessment identified a nursing knowledge gap of chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity (CIN) symptoms as a significant factor in delayed recognition of patients' neurologic decline. The quality improvement (QI) project aimed to increase nursing comfort levels and knowledge related to screening for CIN in hospitalized pediatric hematology, oncology, and bone marrow transplant (Heme/Onc/BMT) patients.
Methods
Nursing CIN education and pre- and post-education assessment questions were created using best practice parameters to screen and monitor CIN in Heme/Onc/BMT pediatric patients. Pre- and post-surveys included a valid Likert-type scale to assess comfort levels using neurotoxicity screening tools (NST) followed by knowledge-based formative assessments. ASU IRB and hospital QI board standards were maintained.
Results
Heme/Onc/BMT nurses (n=37) participated. The most frequent pre-education comfort level was three or somewhat comfortable (n=13). Most frequent post-education comfort level is four or very comfortable (n=21). The two-tailed Wilcoxon signed rank test for pre- and post-education comfort levels was significant based on an alpha value of .05 and p < .001.
Conclusion
Nursing comfort and knowledge of screening for CIN increased. Early recognition of CIN will improve outcomes for high-risk hospitalized Heme/Onc/BMT pediatric patients.
ContributorsBest, Brianne (Author) / Bucci, Aimee (Thesis advisor) / College of Nursing and Health Innovation (Contributor)
Created2023-04-27
Description
Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and long-term disability among children. The Brain Trauma Foundation (BTF) guidelines integrate initiation of early enteral nutrition which is essential for achieving best clinical outcomes. Gaps in knowledge, consistency, and collaboration when managing these patients hinder adherence to the guidelines and puts the patient at risk.
Objective: This project purpose was to review the updated BTF guidelines and implement a rounding checklist to increase the early initiation of enteral feeding following a TBI.
Methods: This quality improvement project was conducted in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at a level one pediatric trauma center and included all patients admitted with severe TBI. A pre- and post-test accompanied education regarding the guidelines and instructions for checklist completion. The checklists included all BTF guidelines, with a primary focus on early initiation of feeds. Checklist data was presented by the bedside nurse during rounds.
Results: Using descriptive statistics, the average pre-test score was 69% and average post-test score was 93%. Prior to the education, 82% of registered nurses believed a bedside checklist would help manage patients with severe TBI and increased to 95% after education. The checklist was used on 7 (100%) patients and 43% had feeds initiated within 72 hr post-injury (n = 3).
Conclusions: Early initiation of feeding in critically ill patients impacts patient outcomes. A rounding checklist can improve interprofessional communication and healthcare quality by delivering standardized pediatric TBI care. Research regarding enteral nutrition is needed to ensure nutrition is provided in a safe, timely manner.
ContributorsMichael, Holly N. (Author) / Sebbens, Danielle (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2021-04-25
Description
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are a leading cause of pediatric trauma. Children may experience a range of injuries from concussion and fractures to severe traumatic brain injury and even death. ATV safety is a priority. Research emphasizes the importance of helmet use while riding an ATV and adhering to manufacturing guidelines for ATVs. These findings have led to the initiation of an evidence-based project to identify behavioral changes within the pediatric population, specifically children 12-18 years of age who are on the Trauma Service of Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Each patient was given a pre-test survey to assess their knowledge regarding ATV safety. After the pre-test survey was completed, an educational component was implemented, the participant used teach-back to the project personnel to demonstrate understanding, and a post-test survey immediately followed. The posttest had several open-ended questions that identified the patient’s intention to follow the safety recommendations when riding their ATV in the future.
ContributorsO'Donnell, Elly (Author) / Sebbens, Danielle (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2021-04-25
Description
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a high-risk, but highly successful intervention for the survival of critically ill neonatal and pediatric patients. Patients supported by ECMO require continuous infusions of anticoagulant medications to prevent clotting of the ECMO circuit, thrombotic events in the patient, and other bleeding complications. Close monitoring, care, and management of the ECMO circuit and its components, with specific focus on systemic anticoagulation, is vital as many factors may influence the efficacy of the anticoagulant and ultimately the patient condition. Globally accepted guidelines exist for the correct management of anticoagulation while supported on ECMO; however, health care centers frequently deviate from these recommendations. This project report synthesizes the most current literature on anticoagulation management in the pediatric ECMO supported population, discusses the limitations in current research, and demonstrates the necessity to use standardized anticoagulation protocols for the safest and most successful outcomes. To implement these findings, this project report suggests the need for an evidence-based project that focuses on the quality improvement of current ECMO anticoagulation guidelines.
ContributorsHolmes, Lauren Michelle (Author) / Sebbens, Danielle (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2021-04-26
Description
Childhood cancer affects nearly eleven-thousand children under the age of fifteen years each year, which launches families into a treatment trajectory of unforeseen complexities in several domains. As pediatric oncology healthcare providers tailor family-centered care for these highly fragile children, it is vital to understand the family’s lifestyle and available community resources. Children residing in remote areas may experience more burdensome needs as they progress in the cancer treatment trajectory, which healthcare providers may not be aware of unless the information is specifically solicited or incidentally discovered. Use of an evidence-based needs assessment for families who reside in remote zip codes will aid in identification of unique needs and assist the multi-disciplinary care team to specifically tailor interventions to the family. Forty semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents of childhood cancer survivors using an expert-validated needs assessment tool. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project is to develop a needs assessment for children with cancer in order to identify which needs are amplified in a remote community in order to match and create resources to meet those needs.
ContributorsHarrell, Lauren (Author) / Jacobson, Diana (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2021-04-30
Description
Introduction: Drowning is the leading cause of death in children between 1 and 4 years of age; in Arizona drownings are double the national average for this age group. The goal of this Doctor of Nursing project was to educate and empower pediatric providers to give quality drowning prevention (DP) anticipatory guidance (AG) to caregivers of children between 1 and 4 years of age at every well exam.
Method: This quality improvement (QI) project included 32 providers from six pediatric clinics in Arizona. A one-hour education session focused on drowning prevention followed one month later by a a thirty-minute follow-up feedback session were conducted. Pre- and post- education surveys were administered at the first session to measure perceived previous and future intended DP AG practice. An additional follow-up survey was administered at the second session to evaluate perceived change. In addition, caregivers were contacted and surveyed one to three months post initial education to assess provider delivery of AG. Likert-scales and descriptive statistics were used to evaluate data sets.
Results: Post-educational intervention, providers reported increased intention (p = 0.027) to provide water safety AG, and increased intention (p < 0.001) to connect water AG to developmental milestones. Post-intervention follow-up indicated an increased provision of developmentally specific water safety AG to caregivers (p < 0.001) and increased connection of developmental milestones in AG (p = 0.016). Barriers that prevent water safety AG were reported as time constraints and other perceived AG of higher priority.
Implications: This QI project adds to the literature and demonstrates the benefit of education to invigorate and empower increased provision of quality DP AG from providers.
ContributorsDiMiceli, Carolyn (Author) / Jacobson, Diana (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2021-04-22
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