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- Creators: Ochieng, Judith
- Creators: Bucci, Aimee
- Member of: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Final Projects

Description
Introduction: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a critical development in HIV prevention, yet females at risk of contracting HIV have lower rates of PrEP use compared to their male counterparts. Insufficient knowledge on PrEP indications for women has been a key barrier in health care providers (HCP) utilization of PrEP in this population. Prior research has revealed educational interventions improved providers’ use of PrEP in at risk populations.
Methods: A 1-hour, educational session was developed for eleven HCPs at a university-based clinic. The educational session was guided by the Cognitive Learning Theory and included information on clinical practice guidelines for PrEP implementation in women. The effects of the intervention were analyzed using a pre/post-survey design, with post surveys delivered at two and eight weeks. The 16-item survey evaluated outcomes including provider discussion and prescription rates of PrEP with female patients and perceived knowledge and perceptions of PrEP in women, utilizing a Likert scale. All procedures were given exempt status by the university IRB.
Results: Paired sample t tests were used to analyze provider reported conversations and prescription rates, while matched ordinal data were analyzed utilizing Wilcoxon signed rank tests and descriptive statistics. At two-weeks post intervention there was a significant increase in provider’s reported likelihood of prescribing to at risk cis gender females in the next six months (Mdn= 2 [pre-survey], Mdn = 3 [post-survey], α= 0.05, V = 0.00, z = -2.53, p = .011). At eight weeks postintervention, there was a statistically significant decrease in provider’s beliefs that HIV risk assessment was an essential component of a primary care visit for female patients (Mdn = 3.00 [pre], Mdn = 2.00 [eight-week], α= 0.05, V = 10.00, z = -2, p = .046). The results of the data analysis have been shared with the leadership team of the health clinic and used to inform future practice on provider educational sessions on PrEP.
Conclusion: Women at risk of contracting HIV are a key demographic missed for the utilization of PrEP. Limited statistically significant findings from the intervention have prompted further research to focus on interventions that promote long-term behavior change and improve providers implementation practices of the preventive measure in at-risk female identifying patients.
ContributorsSnyder, Emily (Author) / Ochieng, Judith (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2021-04-25

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: 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
Purpose & Background: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) residency programs are meant to ease providers' transition into practice, but there is limited evidence about their overall effectiveness and impact on provider satisfaction. When a FNP residency program in the Southwestern United States found they had high resident provider attrition rates, it prompted an investigation into current and past residents’ satisfaction levels.
Methods: Arizona State University’s (ASU’s) Institutional Review Board (IRB) and the project site’s review committee approved the project design for human subject protection. After approval, all current and past residents employed at the practice were e-mailed a link to SurveySparrow with the Misener Nurse Practitioner Job Satisfaction Scale (MNPJSS) and a demographic questionnaire in December 2021 and February 2022.
Results: Mean satisfaction scores indicated “minimally satisfied” overall. When satisfaction was compared over time using a two-tailed independent t-test for an alpha value of 0.05, p = 0.731, indicating no significant change in satisfaction over two months. Total satisfaction and subscales of satisfaction were divided by cohort, averaged, and compared on a Likert scale from “1” (Very Dissatisfied) to “6” (Very Satisfied). Current residents’ average satisfaction score was M = 3.77. They were most satisfied with challenge and autonomy, M = 4.28, and least with collegiality, M
= 3.26. Providers' one-year post-residency average satisfaction score was M = 3.98. They were most satisfied with benefits, M = 4.53, and least with time, M = 3.04. Providers' two-year post- residency average satisfaction score was M = 3.49. They were most satisfied with benefits, M = 4.56, and least with time, M = 2.90. Using Pearson Correlation tests there was no correlation between average satisfaction and average performance on Uniform Data Systems (UDS), r = 0.01, p = 0.968.
Conclusions: Overall providers were “minimally satisfied.” Opportunities to make program improvements were identified and could help improve retention and reduce costs and provider shortages.
ContributorsLuedtke, M. Erin (Author) / Ochieng, Judith (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2022-04-29

Description
Purpose: Patient portals are widely available online applications with many health-related tools that facilitate patient engagement and enhance communication with providers yet are highly underutilized. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to explore an English and Spanish patient portal educational video's impact on patient engagement in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). The social cognitive theory underpins the project because patients' portal use behavior can change if changing their environmental factors in the clinic with educational videos.
Methods: The Universities Institutional Review Board granted exempt approval to ensure human subject protection. The participants included bilingual adult patients in an FQHC who have access to the internet and email addresses who visited the center during the implementation period. The tablets in the patient rooms displayed the English and Spanish educational video on step-by-step instructions on accessing, using the patient portal, and the benefits of use. The information technology technician pulled aggregate data from the analytics component of the patient portal before and after the four-week implementation period. The data included total number of clinic patients, number of active portal users, number of monthly logins, and gender. The project facilitator used descriptive statistics to compare pre-and post-intervention analytics. Results: Active portal users increased by 0.22% and monthly logins increased by 390 logins.
Only aggregate data was collected so the statistical significance was not calculated. Conclusion: This EBP project enhances knowledge on patient portal utilization's impact on patient engagement and may apply to current practice.
ContributorsHerrera, M. Sara (Author) / Ochieng, Judith (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2022-04-29

Description
Background: Vaccination is an effective public health tool; however, immunization rates are low in American adults, with disparities existing for Hispanics compared to non-Hispanic Caucasians, uninsured individuals, undocumented immigrants, and low-income individuals (Lu et al., 2014; Lu et al., 2015; Williams et al., 2016). Consequently, 42,000 adults still die each year in the United States (US) from vaccine-preventable diseases, and nine billion dollars are spent on associated healthcare costs and lost productivity (ADHS, 2015; Wilson et al., 2019). To improve adult vaccination rates, the National Vaccine Advisory Committee recommends the Standards for Adult Immunization Practices, including regular assessment, recommendation, delivery or referral, and documentation during follow-up on vaccination (Orenstein et al., 2014; CDC, 2016).
Local problem: A free clinic in Arizona serving uninsured, undocumented Latin American immigrants had low vaccination rates and a deficiency in vaccination documentation in electronic medical records.
Methods: An evidence-based quality improvement project was conducted to address low vaccination rates and provider practices using a multi-component intervention. The effect and usage were evaluated through chart audits and pre- post-intervention surveys.
Interventions: A vaccination questionnaire was administered at all in-person primary care visits. Brief educational videos were provided to providers and office staff before the intervention addressing the questionnaire's use, purpose, and goals. Adult immunization schedule printouts were made available in all patient rooms and provider charting areas. Additionally, a resource sheet on local free immunization programs was created for providers and patients.
Results: The intervention's effect was unable to be determined due to a breakdown in the protocol after the second week of implementation. However, 92% of completed questionnaires reviewed indicated the patient needed one or more vaccination. Sixty-five percent of electronic medical records reviewed had no vaccination documentation historically for assessment, recommendation, referral, follow-up, or scanned vaccination records. No charts reviewed had these areas documented regularly.
Conclusion: Vaccination rates and the Standards of Adult Immunization Practices are low at the free clinic. Further quality improvement measures are indicated addressing barriers present.
ContributorsDukes, Alyssa (Author) / Ochieng, Judith (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2021-04-27

Description
Objective: Mental health illnesses are complex conditions that afflict many university students. International students are uniquely vulnerable to these conditions due to challenges such as adjusting to the new environment and culture of American universities. They are also less likely than domestic students to receive mental health services. Research indicates that there are obstacles for international students when it comes to seeking mental health services, but these obstacles are typically over-generalized and less applicable to each specific university setting. The purpose of this paper was to assess the barriers in seeking mental health services by international students. Participants: International students at a large university located in Southwestern United States. Students 18 years of age or older, enrolled as an international student, proficient in English, exhibiting mental health symptoms, and refusal of primary care physician’s referral to mental health services. Method: Physicians at Health Services verbally recruited the participants during routine visits. Participants did not provide any personal information, and completion of the questionnaire indicated their consent. This project was guided by the model of mental health help-seeking, where a questionnaire was administered to students, allowing them to identify what specifically prevents them from receiving mental health services.
Result: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only 1 questionnaire was completed, but it was rejected as it was filled by domestic student. Conclusion: The data gathered through this questionnaire was intended to be provided to university healthcare providers to better understand how they can connect with international students with mental health concerns.
ContributorsSaqib, Syed (Author) / Ochieng, Judith (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2021-04-27

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
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