An Evidence-Based Educational Intervention to Improve Nursing Staff's Critical Thinking and Decision-Making Skills by Rene N. Kagan MSN, University of New Mexico, 2009 BS, University of Phoenix, 2000 Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice Walden University September 2016 Hospitalized patients in acute care settings are at a high risk of developing health complications that can eventually lead to failure to rescue (FTR) situations. The aim of this project was to deliver a structured comprehensive medical-surgical competency plan for acute care nurses to detect deterioration in a patient's condition through the triad of assessment model to promote clinical reasoning among acute care nurses. Data were collected using pretest surveys, a demographic sheet, and an evaluation survey. A convenient sample of between 22 and 29 nursing staff was recruited from three medical-surgical inpatient units at a VA Hospital. The pretest survey, administered simultaneously with the educational modules, assessed participants' baseline knowledge on components of the triad of assessment model and the processes involved in the prevention of FTR. The pretest scores for modules 1 to 6 were 2, 3, 3, 3, 2, and 3 respectively. The posttests scores for modules 1 to 6 were 4, 5, 5, 5, 4, and 5 respectively. The nurse's aides also recorded posttest scores of 4.6 for both Pulse Oximetry and orthostatic hypotension modules. The t-test (p<0.00) showed a significant difference between the pre and posttests scores, thus, indicating an improvement in nursing staff's knowledge regarding the triad of assessment model. Thus, it is important to adopt a comprehensive medical-surgical plan for acute care nurses institutional-wide. This project contributes to social change through identification of a medical-surgical intervention that improves nurses' critical thinking skills, thereby promoting patient satisfaction and safety. Because nurses play a significant role at the bedside, improved critical thinking skills will facilitate a significant reduction in FTR rates, heighten patient satisfaction, and enhance the nurse-patient relationship.

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Thesis (M.Pharm.) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / Pharmacy Dispensing Units (PDUs) are automated medicine dispensing systems, which are the first of its kind in South Africa and are operational in the public healthcare sector. At present, the application of automated dispensing technology is still evolving, and it is uncertain how it will impact on pharmacy services and be integrated into different healthcare systems. Aim To determine the attitude and experiences of patients collecting their chronic care medications at various Pharmacy Dispensing Units. Methods A cross-sectional quantitative design using a structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from the participants at three PDU sites; Alexandra Plaza, Ndofaya Mall and Bara Mall. The study encompassed chronic stable patients. Participants were selected based on a simple random sampling method and included 624 participants. The study period was over two months. The researcher recorded the information that was present in the study population, and no variables were manipulated. Data was analysed using the SPSS version 27.0.0. Chi Square Tests, One-way Anova Tests and Microsoft Excel were used to analyze the data. Results Since p<0.05, the results showed that there was an association between responses and demographic information. The difference in distribution of responses seen across the participants at the different PDUs was significant. Most participants (85,4%) found the ATM easy to use as it was a simple system. Majority of the participants (99,6%) were content with the overall service received at the PDU, and 99,3% were pleased with the experience they had speaking through the PDU telephonic system. In comparison to the clinic, 99% of the participants felt they preferred to use the PDU and 99,7% found the PDU system easier to collect their medication from and follow their treatment plan. A few participants (2,7%) did have some negative experiences such as the system being down, network issues, technical challenges, delivery problems and the PDU being too busy. However, all of the respondents stated that they would recommend the PDU to other patients, as well as continue to collect their medicines at the PDU. Conclusion Overall patients had a positive attitude and experience towards the PDU. This research will assist in ensuring pharmacies continue to shift their focus to providing a more holistic approach to healthcare. It will allow for engagement with National and Provincial Departments of Health and NGOs to expand the number of PDUs. Furthermore, it might also help to develop new services and allow for changes to be made within the current models. This study will contribute to the overall improvement in the health sector and prepare for implementation of NHI. / VLIR Foundation

Complex continuing care (CCC) is a healthcare setting where many patients die. Previous research has demonstrated that patient deaths can be meaningful and challenging for nurses. However, little knowledge exists regarding how the unique features of CCC influence nurses’ experiences in managing patient deaths. The objective of this study was to explore nurses’ experiences when patients die and their perceptions of support surrounding these experiences. Using interpretive description methodology, 13 memorable patient death experiences were explored in semi-structured interviews with licensed nurses (n=12) and nursing leaders (n=1). Criterion and theoretical purposeful sampling were used to develop a rich understanding of nurses’ experiences when patients die. Concurrent data collection and analysis uncovered five key intersubjective themes which described nurses’ experiences with individual deaths and how nurses’ experiences change overtime which included: (a) Professionally experiencing patients’ deaths: 'Engaging your left brain;’ (b) Personally experiencing patients’ deaths: ‘I’m a human being too;’ (c) Seeking resolution in the experience: ‘It was a good resolution;’ (d) Integrating professional and personal experiences: ‘Applying what you learn in your nursing life into your personal life and vice versa,’ and; (e) Supporting One Another in a Culture of Acknowledging Patients’ Deaths and Nurses’ Experiences: ‘They expect us just to take it, the nursing profession is like that.’ These findings suggest that nurses need support to facilitate the interpersonal and intrapersonal aspects of their experiences with patient death. This support should be grounded in a unit culture which openly accepts patient death and acknowledges nurses’ experience. Just-in-time education, peer mentorship and targeted support may further facilitate nurses’ ability to find resolution when patients die and support their on-going journey towards integrating death experiences in their lives and practice. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / Complex continuing care (CCC) is a healthcare setting where many people die. Patient deaths can be difficult and sad for nurses. The goal of this study was to learn more about nurses’ experiences when patients die in CCC. Nurses were asked to share memories of when patients died in CCC. This study found that patient deaths influence nurses personally and professionally. Nurses with fewer death experiences were uncomfortable caring for dying patients. Feeling understood and having their experience recognized were meaningful ways that nurses wanted to be supported. It was very important to nurses that the deceased person was respected and nurses worried about patients’ family members. This research shows that nurses with fewer death experiences would benefit from unique education and support. It is important to support nurses by creating a culture that acknowledges death in CCC and nurses’ responses to patients’ deaths.

As a chronic disease, asthma presents a significant public health challenge nationally and in Georgia. In 2007, over 22 million people, including over 9 million children, had asthma in the United States. In Georgia, 230,000, or 10% of children have asthma, which is more prevalent among children less than 18 years of age than among adults. While asthma affects people of all ages and socioeconomic status, low income and minority populations have the highest asthma morbidity. This has proven to be the case with residents of Neighborhood Planning Unit V (NPU-V), a low-income minority community located in southeast Atlanta. Children comprise 35% of NPU-V's population, and over half of them live below the poverty line. Among other concerns, children with asthma have higher rates of hospitalization and absenteeism from school than their peers. The hospitalization rates for children with asthma in South Atlanta aged 0-17 years of age is almost five times the rate of North Fulton County. The Georgia State University Institute of Public Health received grant funding for the planning and implementation of the Accountable Communities: Healthy Together-Asthma (ACHT-A) program to help address the problems associated with asthma in NPU-V and among patients of Southside Medical Center (SMC). The capstone project involved development of an evaluation plan for future determinations about the program’s effectiveness in achieving desired outcomes. The evaluation process included development of a logic model and putting systems in place to track and measure specific indicators. The project culminated in a preliminary assessment of selected program activities to establish baseline information for the program, its participants, and SMC staff.

Purpose: To describe family perceptions about pediatric primary care management following diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in preschool-aged children living in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Study Design and Method: Mothers of children diagnosed with T1DM before the fifth birthday and within the past two years were recruited anonymously through two regional support groups. Perceptions about pediatric primary care management following T1DM diagnosis were elicited through an anonymous 30-item online survey. Demographic characteristics of mother and child were obtained as well as information about five important domains of health care management for a young child with T1DM: (1) multidisciplinary, (2) holistic and compassionate, (3) accessible and communicative, (4) uses current standards and technology, and (5) actively promotes safe self-management. Results: Twenty-one biological mothers participated in this study, each on behalf of a child diagnosed with T1DM who fit inclusion criteria. Overall mothers held positive perceptions about care management by PCPs and endocrinologists within context of each of the five domains. Most mothers felt included in care planning, valued periodic well-child exams, and believed the child's providers were accessible, communicated effectively, and usually demonstrated consideration/compassion for the family. Although a majority of mothers at least somewhat agreed that the PCP used current standards and technology to care for the child, and functioned as the center of his/her health care coordination, these domains elicited a slightly greater number of responses indicating uncertainty or disagreement. Clinical Implications: Nurses and pediatric practitioners can use findings from this study to plan continued exploration into the perceptions and care management needs of families following diagnosis of a very young child with T1DM. The domains of care used to assess mothers' perceptions about care management-based on tenets of the Chronic Care Model (CCM) and Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH)-can be used by pediatric PCPs and endocrinologists to dialogue with patients and staff about how care management may be improved for these families. Providing opportunities for feedback to the families of young children with T1DM should be encouraged so future research can examine relationships between care management variables and clinical outcomes.

The purpose of this project was to design a chronic care plan using the chronic care management (CCM) framework to improve health services at lower healthcare costs. The practice-focused question explored whether the operationalization of the CCM model would impact progress toward the management of chronic illness for the target population of Medicare beneficiaries with 2 or more chronic illnesses in an urban acute care agency located in the western United States. The middle-range theory, logic rational plan model, Lewin’s change theory, and the CCM’s coordination care and collaborative care concepts were used to guide the project. Data were collected from nursing databases and government agencies. Nurses were significant to the CCM reform by supporting the elements for proactive care. Nurse practitioners can bill using the CCM codes, and clinical nurses can performed patient sensitive care. The social changes were patients with chronic illnesses realized a better quality of life at lower health costs.

This study assessed implementation status of collaborative TB/HIV services in Addis Ababa City Administration aiming to promote better implementation strategies. The study employed mixed research methods and was descriptive. The study design used both quantitative and qualitative data using structured questionnaires and semi-structured interview guides, respectively. The study population for the quantitative design included 1,683 TB/HIV patients from 10 conveniently selected health facilities: Zewditu and Menelik Hospitals, health centres of Lideta, Yeka, Kazanchis, NifaSilk-Lafto-No1, Woreda-7, Kality, Bole and Gulele. All the patients who were on their follow-up cares during the data collection period were interviewed. Participants for qualitative design were 1,650 TB/HIV patients for short answered questions; 8 FGDs among patients; interview of 10 TB/HIV care facility coordinators/health workers and one regional TB/HIV care coordinator, all purposively selected. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS 15.0, while qualitative data were thematically analysed manually. Majority of HIV patients (92.8%) self-reported that they had been screened for TB; of which, 11.2% were diagnosed for active TB during their follow-up cares. Whereas, 87.1% of TB patients had been offered for HIV test; 79.8% tested; 20.2% tested positive. Knowledge on TB and HIV diseases, transmission and prevention was found to be low. However, participants appreciated the support of the healthcare delivery system in improving their health. Collaborative TB/HIV activities brought additional on-the-job training for healthcare workers; improved flow of logistics and re-arrangement of infrastructures of facilities. The study revealed that, implementation of collaborative TB/HIV activities in Addis Ababa need boosting. The study recommends the need for coordinated efforts of all stakeholders for improving implementation of collaborative TB/HIV care services, as identified by this study. The contribution of this study developed pocket-guide for healthcare workers on collaborative TB/HIV care services, which provides guidance in promoting better TB/HIV care / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

By examining barriers to care, health professionals can better understand what disparities exist between groups and who may be at greater risk for poor primary care. Researchers have highlighted the need for additional research that focuses on the extent of unmet needs for U.S. children with sickle cell disease (SCD). The purpose of this quantitative study was to compare the differences between parents who are in a SCD support group and those who are not. The theoretical framework of this study is based on the chronic care model and social support theory. A total of 128 parents of children with SCD completed the study survey. The sampling occurred by e-mail, phone, and face-to-face conversations. Selection criteria for potential participants in both groups were based on their children being diagnosed with SCD. Seventy-four participants (57.8%) were members of a SCD support group, and 54 participants (42.4%) were not members of a SCD support group. In this study, the independent variables were parents attending or not a SCD support group. The t test and MANCOVA was used to assessed the association between perceptions of barriers to care and support group status. However, statistical analysis showed no significant results. The null hypothesis was not rejected. Therefore, the positive social change implication is to further explore potential factors that may shape perceptions of barriers to care for those with SCD so that perceived barriers to care can be overcome.

This study assessed implementation status of collaborative TB/HIV services in Addis Ababa City Administration aiming to promote better implementation strategies. The study employed mixed research methods and was descriptive. The study design used both quantitative and qualitative data using structured questionnaires and semi-structured interview guides, respectively. The study population for the quantitative design included 1,683 TB/HIV patients from 10 conveniently selected health facilities: Zewditu and Menelik Hospitals, health centres of Lideta, Yeka, Kazanchis, NifaSilk-Lafto-No1, Woreda-7, Kality, Bole and Gulele. All the patients who were on their follow-up cares during the data collection period were interviewed. Participants for qualitative design were 1,650 TB/HIV patients for short answered questions; 8 FGDs among patients; interview of 10 TB/HIV care facility coordinators/health workers and one regional TB/HIV care coordinator, all purposively selected. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS 15.0, while qualitative data were thematically analysed manually. Majority of HIV patients (92.8%) self-reported that they had been screened for TB; of which, 11.2% were diagnosed for active TB during their follow-up cares. Whereas, 87.1% of TB patients had been offered for HIV test; 79.8% tested; 20.2% tested positive. Knowledge on TB and HIV diseases, transmission and prevention was found to be low. However, participants appreciated the support of the healthcare delivery system in improving their health. Collaborative TB/HIV activities brought additional on-the-job training for healthcare workers; improved flow of logistics and re-arrangement of infrastructures of facilities. The study revealed that, implementation of collaborative TB/HIV activities in Addis Ababa need boosting. The study recommends the need for coordinated efforts of all stakeholders for improving implementation of collaborative TB/HIV care services, as identified by this study. The contribution of this study developed pocket-guide for healthcare workers on collaborative TB/HIV care services, which provides guidance in promoting better TB/HIV care / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)