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- Member of: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Final Projects
- Member of: March Mammal Madness

Description
Background: This quality improvement project examined the effect an educational intervention focused on the psychosocial needs of cancer patients had on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (KAB) of a group of nurses. While nurses understand the physical toll of cancer, they may forget the impact cancer has on mental health. The project was guided by the Health Belief Model.
Methods: Consent was obtained from 15 participants working as nurse advocates for a large insurance company. Nurse advocates are tasked with improving the health of patients and connecting them to additional resources. A twenty-minute educational intervention focused on the impact cancer has on mental health and the benefit of multiple psychosocial supportive resources was delivered to the participants. Education included a comprehensive review of the resources available for cancer patients at the project site. Participants were then given 10 minutes to complete a retrospective post-then-pre survey, based on a Likert Scale.
Results: Statistically significant improvements in survey scores were observed in each of the three KAB domains. Statistical analysis confirmed improvements in survey scores were significant and not likely due to random variation. Participants also referred more patients into a cancer support program following the intervention.
Conclusion: A brief educational intervention was able to improve KAB scores among nurses. There was also an increase in the number of patients these nurses referred into a psychosocial supportive program. Nurses that better understand the mental health needs of cancer patients are more likely to connect them with psychosocial resources. This intervention will become part of standard training for new nurse advocates at the project site.
ContributorsLeyba, S. Edward (Author) / Harrell, Liz (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2022-05-02

Description
Background/Objective: As a part of the Affordable Care Act of 2010, the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) was intended to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes through providing wellness visits for all Medicare recipients at no cost. However, adoption has been minimal since its inception, particularly in rural populations
Study Design: A top priority of a rural federally qualified healthcare organization (FQHC) was to improve utilization of the AWV due to a patient response well below the national average. A six-week trial was conducted that examined a patient information campaign combined with a strategic workflow that encouraged interoffice collaboration.
Methods: The office staff of a pilot medical clinic was selected by the FQHC quality improvement committee as the project site. A Relational Coordination survey (RC) was administered before and after the intervention to determine if the intervention improved interoffice collaboration regarding the AWV. Descriptive questions were used to determine which aspects of the intervention proved useful. Reliability of the survey results was verified by a Crohnbach’s ? > 0.08. An independent samples t test was used with p value < 0.05 to determine statistical significance and confidence intervals.
Results: The patient information brochure demonstrated improved patient understanding of the AWV from the office staff perspective as demonstrated by an independent samples t test comparing pre and post survey responses (t(32) = -4.14, p < .001, CI 95%). The RC survey results identified an area for collaborative for improvement between the front office and medical staff.
ContributorsSmith, J. Amanda (Author) / Morgan, Michelle (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2022-04-29

Description
Falls in hospitalized patients are a widespread occurrence in the United States, resulting in unfavorable outcomes amongst patients, healthcare providers, and hospital organizations. Current fall prevention efforts have failed to adequately reduce patient fall rates. Nursing peer review (NPR) seeks to refine the quality and safety of patient care, making its use applicable in post-fall reviews. This evidenced-based quality improvement project implements a post-fall NPR program to examine patient falls in an inpatient setting, in addition to the facilitation of patient safety culture education. The Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture was used to assess nurses’ perceptions of their units’ patient safety culture. The pre- and post-survey results were analyzed using a two-tailed Mann-Whitney U test, determining significant differences in event (U=2033, z=-2.81, p=.005) and learning (U=1196, z=-2.52, p=.012). No significant differences were noted in support (U=1587, z=-0.05, p=.959), prevent (U=1369, z=-0.70, p=.485), and rate (U=1355.5, z=-0.34, p=.737). Post-fall NPR participation survey results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, showing that it improved patient safety culture (n=10, 91%), reduced “blame & shame” culture (n=9, 82%), and was a non-punitive learning method (n=10, 91%). Reviewing falls through NPR and educating nurses on patient safety culture can create a positive environment to learn from falls. Additional research is needed to determine the impact on patient fall rates.
ContributorsBlythe, M. Lindsay (Author) / Morgan, Michelle (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2022-04-28

Description
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a variety of infections caused by pathogens acquired and transmitted through sexual activity (World Health Organization [WHO], 2021). STIs are associated with an increase in chronic pelvic pain, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, and pregnancy complications (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021e). A clinical decision support (CDS) tool provides assistance to healthcare providers to use a logical, step-by-step method in patient management by incorporating different reminders or guidelines into practice. The purpose of this project is to assist healthcare providers to manage positive STI results per the CDC guidelines via a CDS tool. A CDS tool for positive STI management was implemented as a system wide practice change. A retrospective chart audit revealed the CDS tool was used 49% of the time. When the CDS tool was utilized, documented partner treatment, screening for additional STIs, documented follow-up, condoms offered, provider discussion of screening of other STIs, and treatment of the STI all increased. This project displays that utilization of a CDS tool can improve the management of positive STIs in a women’s healthcare setting.
ContributorsLawson, D. Leighanna (Author) / Santerre, Jennifer (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2022-05-05

Description
Problem Statement & Purpose: Cervical cancer screening rates for a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in rural Northern Arizona is 78%, which is below the Healthy People 2030 goal of 84.3%. Identification of socioeconomic barriers unique to rural women through the use of an intake survey can improve cervical cancer screening rates. This project was guided by the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). SCT proposes that behavioral change is determined by environmental, social, personal, and behavioral elements.
Methods: At a one-day well-woman event called, “See, Test, and Treat” hosted by the FQHC, an anonymous intake survey was implemented that identified participant demographics, basic cervical cancer knowledge, and perceived socioeconomic barriers to routine cervical cancer screening. Participants were recruited through the FQHC. Participant inclusion criteria: Arizona resident, uninsured, underinsured, 21-65 years old, English or Spanish speaking.
Results: Descriptive statistics were utilized to evaluate the survey responses, reliability, and validity of responses unknown due to self-reported responses. A total of 18 surveys were completed with a final yield of (n = 10). Surveys didn’t identify barriers to routine cervical cancer screening; however, an unawareness of cervical cancer risk factors including multiple sexual partners (n = 5, 50.00%), sex at an early age (n = 4, 40.00%), and misperception that cervical cancer is genetic (n = 7, 70.00%) was identified.
Implications for Practice: A need for cervical cancer education exists within the surveyed community. Providing rural women with knowledge regarding cervical cancer can improve screening rates.
ContributorsParkman, T. Lacey (Author) / Janicek, Patricia (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2022-04-29

Description
Background and Purpose: Across the United States, there are low adherence rates of prenatal
care visits, primarily among the low-income and ethnic populations. Inadequate prenatal care
education contributes to low appointment adherence and missed prenatal care during their first
trimester. The project aim is to assess the current use of paper-based prenatal education in a
Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in southwestern Arizona and inquire if patients
would elect to engage in a phone application for prenatal education with appointment
reminders.
Approach/Methods: The Theory of Planned Behavior was the theoretical framework utilized
to guide this project. The Quality Improvement (QI) project gathered information regarding
patient technology use and accessibility as well as utilization of FQHC prenatal booklet,
collected with a 13-question survey. A non-identifying demographic questionnaire was also
distributed during the prenatal visit.
Results: Survey responses indicated that patients find utility in prenatal education and
appointment reminders provided through a phone application. Out of the total participants
(n=23), only 18 had received the prenatal care booklet and completed the entire survey. 80%
of participants expressed they would use the phone application while 84% find prenatal
education on the phone helpful. In comparison, less than 28% of respondents planned to
continue to use the prenatal booklet they were provided at the clinic during their pregnancy.
Outcomes: There is potential in utilizing digital platform and appointment reminders at FQHC
to improve appointment adherence and early entry to prenatal care. The results will be used to
inform FQHC on decisions regarding continuing prenatal booklet use and integration of techbased
education formatting.
ContributorsAlexander, Yana (Author) / Janicek, Patricia (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2022-05-02

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
The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project is to develop and implement a culturally tailored educational program into a community clinic in a northern border community in Mexico to prevent and combat childhood obesity. In Mexico, 33.2% of children are overweight or obese and numbers are continuing to rise, which has a significant impact on physical and psychological health and can lead to diabetes, fatty liver disease, thyroid disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer, depression, and other chronic diseases. Guided by Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy, weekly education sessions were delivered to members of the community clinic for two weeks. Content included both a nutrition component and an exercise component. An emphasis was made on increasing physical activity, increasing water consumption, decreasing sugar sweetened beverages, and increasing fruit and vegetable consumption. Videos were developed for each education session. Worksheets and handouts were developed to enhance learning and give participants a tangible reference for individual learning. Content was taken from the CDC and adapted to fit the needs of the community. All content was culturally tailored for low literacy levels and translated to Spanish. Knowledge, behavior change, and self-efficacy were measured by pre and post surveys. Self-efficacy showed statistically significant change from pre and post intervention. These findings suggest that healthy eating and exercise education can potentially increase knowledge, promote behavior change, and enhance self-efficacy, which can, in turn, prevent and combat childhood obesity and related disease states.
ContributorsBahena, Sara (Author) / Jacobson, Diana (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2022-04-26

Description
Background: Existing practice standards for discharge education are insufficient to support parents of children with new enteral feeding devices in the outpatient setting which has led to increased clinic and emergency department visits, hospital stays, and preventable complications. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to design and deliver a comprehensive evidence-based enteral feeding tube hospital-based discharge education intervention for parents after their child’s gastrostomy tube placement surgery. Guided by Transition’s theory, the project aims to bridge the gap in education by providing the parent with ongoing support and education about their child’s gastrostomy tube. Methods: This project measured the impact of inpatient discharge education with ongoing support and outpatient education on parent knowledge and confidence. All English-speaking parents of pediatric patients ages 0-17 years with new gastrostomy tubes at a large, urban, freestanding pediatric hospital in the southwest United States were eligible for participation. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. The education intervention was delivered at hospital discharge then reinforced at the first follow-up visit in the surgery clinic. Data analysis included demographic items, a Paired Samples T-Test, and a Two-tailed Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test analyses. Results: Results indicated a statistically significant difference in parent knowledge after the educational intervention. Results also indicated a clinically significant increase in parent confidence. Conclusion: Providing ongoing support and education positively impacts parent knowledge and confidence related to the care of their child’s new gastrostomy tube. Future impacts of this educational intervention may demonstrate a decrease in clinic and emergency department (ED) visits, hospital expenditure, and preventable complications.
ContributorsFriedl, Anne (Author) / Jacobson, Diana (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2022-04-29

Description
Purpose/Background: Children exposed to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress have an increased risk of developing chronic illness and early death in the absence of protective factors. Many providers feel inadequately prepared to screen for and treat ACEs. This quality improvement project, based on the Health Belief Model, investigated if providing ACEs education before a screening program is effective in improving attitudes, knowledge, and the number of completed screenings. Method: The project was conducted at a pediatric primary care practice in the southwestern United States. All providers voluntarily consented to attend four education sessions: 1) Trauma overview, 2) Trauma physiology, 3) Trauma-informed care, 4) Screening tool/referral process. An anonymous pre/post-education Likert-Scale survey was completed to assess knowledge and attitudes about ACEs and screening. The number of completed ACEs screening tools and referrals made were collected four- and eight-weeks post-implementation. Results: Data were analyzed using Intellectus Statistics SoftwareTM. There was a significant increase in ACEs knowledge from the pre-test (p= .011, ?=.05). There was not a significant change in attitudes from the pre-test (p=.066, ?=.05). However, the mean pre- to post-survey scores increased for both categories, indicating improved attitudes. Over the first four weeks, 75% of eligible children were screened and 6% were referred to an ACEs resource program. In the second four weeks, 56% of children were screened and 8.6% were referred. Discussion: A comprehensive education program for providers can improve knowledge about ACEs screening, leading to improved screening practices, early identification, and the introduction of protective resources.
ContributorsChaisson, Charlotte (Author) / Jacobson, Diana (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2022-04-29