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 13
Filtering by
- Creators: Bucci, Aimee
- Creators: Tharalson, Erin
- Creators: Bain, Ilyssa D.
Description
Objective: Delirium frequently occurs in Pediatric Cardiac intensive Care Units (PCICU) of hospitals with critically ill patients. An inflammatory process of the brain causes neurotransmitters imbalances and neuronal alterations, leading to increased days on mechanical ventilation, length of stay in the ICU, and possible self -harm. Delirium can be reduced and controlled if detected early through frequent patient monitoring and screening. The purpose of this project is to evaluate the implementation of a delirium screening tool along with education on delirium
Study Selection: An education module on delirium and the Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium (CAP-D) screening tool along with a non-pharmacological bundle was implemented on a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit for patients 2 to 18 years of age, admitted to an Arizona metropolitan children’s hospital. All nurses were required to attend the education session. Data was collected by using pre- and post-survey questions on delirium for those nurses who chose to participate in the study.
Data Synthesis: The results from the pre- and post-tests suggest there was an increase in education. The average score for the 15 nurses on the pre-test was 87.1% while the same nurses scored 100% on the post-test. Chart reviews of the CAP-D screening tool from November 2000 – February 2021 had 71 patients on the unit and had 8 patients scored on the CAP-D screening tool. Chart reviews after implementation of the education module from November 2021 – February 2022, were conducted and 118 patients were on the unit while only 23 patients were scored on the CAP-D screening tool.
Conclusion: So far, the use of an education module and implementation of a non-pharmacological bundle has proven some promising results in helping with delirium and its reduction in the PCICU.
ContributorsHernandez, Ricardo (Author) / Bucci, Aimee (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2022-04-26
Description
Objective: To understand and prevent adverse discharge events, the project assesses the needs and gaps of discharge care coordination for child(ren) with medical complexities (CMC). The National Survey of Children’s Health show 87.4% of CMC does not receive care in a well-functioning system, and 47.4% did not receive adequate care coordination 1. Therefore, does initiating measurement tools and communication before and after discharge identify and prevent discharge related adverse events?
Methods: After IRB approval, a mixed-methods approach project occurred at southwestern pediatric free-standing hospital. Through eight weeks of convenience sampling, CMC caregivers were recruited in the inpatient setting (n=5). Qualitative and quantitative data were obtained through: [Pediatric] Care Transitions Measurement Tool – 15 (CTM- 15), with a Cronbach’s alpha of .932; a demographics survey; a post-discharge survey; and electronic health records.
Results: The CTM-15 post-discharge score was 83.3 (N = 4, SD = 9.83, SE¬M = 4.92). CTM-15 qualitative data included: communication issues; rushed discharge; poor discharge anticipatory guidance; hospital policy concerns; follow-up appointment issues; and prescription errors. LOS average for all participants was 137.8 days (SD = 102.75, SEM = 45.95) with 40 unintended hospital days (SD = 41.55, SEM = 18.51). Issues encountered 30 days post-discharge included: prescription errors, follow-up issues, and home health issues.
Conclusion: Hospitalized CMC have an increased risk to encounter a discharge adverse event because of a complex intertwining of disciplines, services, medications, and needs. Communication, tools, and surveys did not capture all the problems encountered by families with CMC; however, it did identify areas of notable concern.
ContributorsChalla, Hannah (Author) / Bucci, Aimee (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2022-05-02
Description
Sedation exists along a continuum; and, it is impossible to predict a patient’s exact response to a medication administered to induce any level sedation. Under the direction of a licensed independent practitioner (LIP), registered nurses (RN) in the Emergency Department (ED) have been permitted to administer propofol for time-sensitive, moderate sedation procedures (e.g. orthopedic reductions). In 2019, this changed when a Board of Nursing (BON) in the Southwestern United States posted an Advisory Opinion (AO) limiting the circumstances under which acute care RNs could administer propofol. The purpose of this doctoral project was to revise the 2019 AO to remove specific medication names and to generate recommendations for aligning hospital-based adult sedation policies and procedures (P&P) with the revised AO. In May 2020, the BON enacted the revised AO. Enactment endorses RNs practicing at the top of their scope and justifies amending existing hospital-based sedation P&Ps. Not restricting nurses’ scope of practice according to medication name supports medication selection based on patient condition and clinical situation and safeguards provision of timely, personalized healthcare to communities statewide.
ContributorsBonefield, Brittany A. (Author) / Tharalson, Erin (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2021-04-18
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
Solo private physician-owned clinics report lower rates of electronic health record (EHR) use. Lack of use of an EHR results in billing penalties, revenue losses, and may affect quality of care. An EHR provides a concise recollection of a patient’s complete medical history, and any pertinent exam information clearly and succinctly. The aim of this pilot project was to support a small solo private physician-owned clinic transition from paper-based charting to an EHR. The pilot assessed through a validated survey EHR readiness and confidence of the employees at the beginning of the change process (pre-intervention) and at 16 weeks (post-intervention). During the 16-weeks, interventions in the form of transition assistance included vetting an EHR modality for the practice, virtual training via EHR modules, weekly check-ins with stakeholders, and organizational planning and scheduling with staff. EMR-based goal setting with EHR rollout deadlines was also provided. Results noted confidence decreased pertaining to EHR transitioning over the 16 weeks. Unforeseen barriers and challenges likely led to reduced confidence and provided information on future transition supports needed for the practice. The findings of this pilot are beneficial in gaining insight on how to enhance readiness in an outpatient clinic for EHR readiness. This information is utilized as a guide for small privately-owned outpatient clinics in their organizational transition from paper-charting to EHR. The results of this pilot project provide evidence-based data on the demands of system-wide organizational change.
ContributorsLong, Dana (Author) / Tharalson, Erin (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
Description
A federally qualified health center in the southwest United States serves low-income, uninsured communities. By provider reports, unprescribed antibiotic use is common in this clinic’s population, promoting development of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Antibiotics are widely available in Mexico and may be sold illegally in the United States without a prescription. This project’s purpose is to identify social risks and opportunities for antibiotic education. A telephone survey was administered to patients at least 18 years of age. The 32-item survey included a demographic questionnaire created for this project, the PRAPARE social determinants of health questionnaire, and the Eurobarometer antimicrobial resistance questionnaire. Any social risks identified were forwarded to clinic staff for referral. The survey was completed in English or Spanish, per the participant’s preference. A total of 20 surveys were completed. Low education level and unemployment were the most common social risks identified. Spanish language, housing and food insecurity, and difficulty meeting basic needs were associated with overall higher social risks. An antibiotic knowledge gap was identified, and self-medication with antibiotics was confirmed as a behavior within the population. Although no determinants for antibiotic misuse were identified, all participants indicated preference for provider-based education. This FQHC has an opportunity to develop a provider-based educational intervention. The length of the survey and the telephone format, required due to COVID-19 restrictions, were significant limitations, impacting recruitment. Further research is needed to determine the most effective way of delivering education. The clinic is continuing to administer the PRAPARE survey, expanding data on social risks.
ContributorsMiranda, Sarah (Author) / Tharalson, Erin (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2021-04-28
Description
As the incidence of acute and chronic wound conditions rises and wound dressing protocols become more complex, uninsured patients lacking access to specialty wound care are challenged to manage their own wounds. Understanding multistep dressing change protocols may be inhibited by low health literacy. Low health literacy is associated with reduced disease knowledge and self-care. Little evidence of health literacy effects on wound patients is available nor are literacy-sensitive educational interventions that address wound knowledge and self-care. Improved outcomes occur in all health literacy levels in other diseases with the use of literacy-sensitive educational interventions that incorporate more than one literacy strategy over multiple sessions. To examine the effectiveness of a literacy-sensitive wound education intervention on wound knowledge and self-care, an evidence-based pilot project was conducted in an urban wound clinic.
A convenience sample of 21 patients received a literacy-sensitive wound education intervention consisting of spoken and written communication over several sessions. Instruments measured health literacy level, wound knowledge, dressing performance, and wound healing status. There was a significant increase in wound knowledge scores in all literacy groups from baseline to visit two (p < .01) and four (p < .01). Dressing performance scores remained consistently high through visit four in all literacy levels. All participant’s wounds progressed toward wound healing significantly from baseline to visit two (p < .01) and four (p < .01). Incorporation of a literacy-sensitive education intervention with supportive literacy aids over several sessions supports improved wound knowledge and dressing self-care and can affect healing in patients of all health literacy levels.
ContributorsTharalson, Erin (Author) / Root, Lynda (Thesis advisor)
Created2018-04-20
Evaluating the Efficacy of Calcium Chloride versus Calcium Gluconate in ECMO Initiation for Neonates
Description
Purpose: Neonates who require Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) are at risk for calcium derangements and associated adverse outcomes. A large children’s hospital in the Southwest changed their practice from using calcium gluconate in priming their neonatal ECMO to using calcium chloride. The impact of this change was not investigated.
Methods: A retrospective chart review of 56 neonates who required ECMO support one year prior to and one year following the practice change was conducted. Descriptive data was collected along with the first ionized calcium measured following ECMO initiation.
Results: Upon review of the data, the post-ECMO calcium levels were not significant between the calcium gluconate and calcium chloride groups using a Mann Whitney U test (U = 315.5, z = -1.25, p = .213). However, a Chi-square test was significant (χ2(1) = 4.94, p = .026) for having calcium values outside of a normal range in the calcium gluconate group. Fisher’s exact test revealed an odds ratio of 3.43 for the first calcium being outside normal range in the calcium gluconate group.
Implications: While comparison of the first measured ionized calcium post-ECMO between the two groups was not statistically significant, there was a significant correlation with normal post-ECMO calcium in the calcium chloride group. This suggest that both calcium gluconate and calcium chloride are appropriate for use in priming the neonatal ECMO circuit, however calcium chloride may provide tighter control of calcium during ECMO initiation in neonates.
ContributorsStravitz, Stacy (Author) / Bucci, Aimee (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2021-04-25
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