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Now showing items 1-10 of 77
Diabetes Disaster Management
(2015-10-09)
Purpose: This Quality Improvement Project (QIP) was designed to integrate diabetes self-management education (DSME) and diabetes self-management support (DSMS) to empower patients and families in disaster readiness ...
Advance care planning in patients with heart disease: A practice improvement initiative
(2015-07-24)
Background: Despite cardiovascular disease being the number one cause of death, advance directives are infrequently used in this population. The Patient Self- Determination Act (PSDA) took effect in 1991 to protect ...
A journey of challenges with medication reconciliation
(2015-10-09)
Background and purpose: Unintentional medication errors are a significant problem in terms of morbidity, mortality and cost. Medication reconciliation is one of several strategies to reduce medication errors. The purpose ...
Exploring concept-based curriculum: A paradigm shift to improving National Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®) first time pass rates
(2015-07-02)
A decline in first time National Licensure Examination Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN®) pass rates places a Kansas rural community college associate degree nursing (ADN) program in jeopardy of losing national accreditation. The pass rates for the first time NCLEX-RN® have not met benchmark for the past three years. Nationally accredited nursing programs must maintain a three-year national mean for licensure exam pass rates; the first time pass rates must be at, or above, the national mean (Accreditation Commission for Education Nursing, 2013). The three-year national mean for the ADN program from 2011 to 2013 was 71.36%, as compared to the national mean 86.55%. Multiple curriculum revisions have been attempted with no improvement in pass rates. The ADN program also performs biannual reviews of course competencies with comparisons to the NCLEX-RN® test plan and cumulative results from Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) RN Comprehensive Predictor. Despite ADN programs’ various efforts to increase NCLEX-RN® pass rates, the pass rates have remained low. Concept-based curriculums increase first time pass rates as high as 90% (Pearson, 2009). This exploratory pilot project proposed that the implementation of a concept-based curriculum should assist the ADN program with improving the first time pass rates for the nursing program.
Keywords: content-based curriculum, concept-based curriculum, NCLEX pass rates ...
Chronic pain: A systematic review of current treatment approaches and the impact on patient outcomes
(2015-08-04)
Objective: To explore the effectiveness of treatment modalities considered alternative to opioid medication for non-malignant chronic pain.
Design: A systematic review of the literature was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Guidelines.
Methods: Seven treatment modalities were studied including cognitive behavioral therapy, physical therapy, yoga, meditation, chiropractic, acupuncture, and opioid therapy. Search databases included CINHAL, ProQuest, OVID, and Google Scholar. Search terms included chronic pain as well as each of the seven treatment modalities. Exclusion criteria included studies published before 2009 or not peer reviewed, pilot studies, dissertations, studies including children, and diagnoses such as fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. Study validity was determined using the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) scoring system.
Results: A total of 3799 articles were identified in the initial search. After the exclusion criteria, 35 studies were deemed appropriate for analysis. Mean effect sizes were obtained from the data representing the efficacy of each of the seven modalities, and a meta-analysis was performed. Yoga had the largest effect size and, apart from opioids, was deemed to have the greatest impact on lowering pain scores. Meditation and cognitive behavioral therapy were shown to have a significant impact on reducing anxiety and depression, and improved quality of life.
Limitations: There was heterogeneity and publication bias noted. In addition, the study had one reviewer thereby reducing the scientific validity of results.
Conclusion: Alternative pain treatment modalities can have a significant effect on pain outcomes and help reduce the use of opioids....
An evaluation of the effectiveness of a post discharge telephone program to decrease hospital readmissions for patients with heart failure
(2015-06-16)
The goal of this quality improvement pilot project was to evaluate the effectiveness of a post discharge telephone program to decrease 30-day hospital readmissions for patients with heart failure at one acute care hospital ...
Determining the Feasiblity of a Student Run Clinic at an Associate Degree Program
(2015-10-09)
Nurses who graduate from the associate degree program at Valencia College lack the skills needed for the current complex health care environment. These new nurses are unable to translate the knowledge learned in the ...
Feasibility project to determine strategies for self-administration of a subcutaneous orphan drug for treatment of short bowel syndrome: Impact on adherence
(2015-10-26)
Several strategies have been suggested to improve the nurse education provided to the nurses who educate the patients. The assumption is by providing evidence-based strategies to promote adherence to the nurses, prior ...
Student Nurse Retention and Enrichment
(2015-03-17)
Across the United States, nursing schools are struggling with the issue of student retention. Competitive seats are taken by a limited number of students and as they voluntarily or involuntarily leave the program the seats are essentially wasted leading to fewer graduating students. An unaccredited rural associate of applied science (AAS) nursing program has experienced attrition rates of over 50% each semester for the past six years. Although the school enjoys high National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses [NCLEX-RN®] pass rates, the school is losing significant revenue each year. The aim of this project was to design and implement a series of evidence-based interventions focused on retaining student nurses and enhancing their educational experience in order to improve graduation rates. Over the course of three semesters, interventions were added and enhancements to the program were made. Several areas of student and faculty focused strategies were employed including enhanced tutoring, a consultation document development, identification of a student profile and assessment tool, and the addition of professional socialization seminars. In addition, faculty development modules were designed and placed on the school learning management system to increase awareness and use of the interventions. The program’s outcome and opportunities for improvement are discussed as well as recommendations for future retention programs.
Key words: Retention, Student Nurse, Attrition, Nursing Education ...
An evaluation of health literacy education: Effects on cultural competence, knowledge, and attitudes of associate degree nursing students
(2015-06-15)
Health literacy and cultural competence in healthcare are now a priority focus of major health organizations. Healthcare professionals realize that patient-centered care is dependent upon clear communication and ...