The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the perceptions of the registered nurses and the nurse managers regarding the role of the registered nurse in integrated primary health care. Quantitative, descriptive research was conducted to determine if there were any discrepancies between role perceptions and role expectations. Data collection was done using structured questionnaires. Two groups of respondents participated in the study. The registered nurse group (n=40) provided direct clinical care in integrated primary health care settings. The second group was composed of nurse managers (n=20) managing integrated primary health care services. The findings revealed that there are some areas where there is lack of congruence between the perceptions of registered nurses and nurse managers regarding the functions that registered nurses perform. These differences may result in confusion and role conflict among registered nurses, which can ultimately impede the attainment of integrated primary health care goals. / Advanced Nursing Sciences / M.A.(Nursing Science)

Dans plusieurs milieux on s’attend à ce que les infirmières récemment diplômées fassent du préceptorat (Cubit et Ryan, 2011). Ainsi, les infirmières sont fréquemment affectées à ce rôle tôt après leur intégration sur le marché du travail et souvent sans préparation adéquate (Debra, 2014; Elmers, 2010). Le but de la présente étude était d’explorer l’expérience de devenir infirmières préceptrices auprès de Candidates à l’exercice de la profession infirmière [CEPI], dans un délai de 0 à 3 ans après avoir elles-mêmes été CEPI. La théorie de la transition d’Afaf Ibrahim Meleis (2010) a servi de cadre de référence en guidant la formulation du but de cette étude qualitative interprétative. La théorie de Meleis (2010) a également accompagné la discussion des résultats de notre recherche. Cinq infirmières nouvellement préceptrices âgées de 24 à 27 ans ont participé à des entretiens semi-structurés. L’analyse des données a été conduite selon les étapes d’analyse thématique proposée par Benner (1994) et Paillé et Muchielli (2006). D’abord, il résulte de notre étude que l’expérience de devenir préceptrice suscite chez les jeunes infirmières l’occasion d’un engagement réflexif sur leur propre expérience d’infirmière et de préceptrice. Puis, elles font l’expérience du sens des responsabilités pour «façonner» la CEPI. Finalement, une proximité avec l’expérience de la CEPI influence l’expérience de devenir préceptrice. Devenir préceptrice tôt dans la carrière d’infirmière semble être le moment opportun. Toutefois, il importe d’essayer d’uniformiser et de standardiser la préparation de l’infirmière soignante à devenir préceptrice. Également, jumeler une infirmière préceptrice plus aînée pour guider la nouvelle préceptrice dans cette expérience serait un atout. Finalement, l’approfondissement du besoin de soutien dans l’accompagnement de l’infirmière dans son expérience de devenir préceptrices est une des pistes pour la future recherche. / In today’s reality, nurses start to precept soon in their career (Cubit and Ryan, 2011), and often without any prior notice or preparation (Debra, 2014; Elmers, 2010). The purpose of the present study is to explore the experience of nurses becoming a preceptor for a Candidate to the Profession of Nursing Practice [CPNP], within 0 to 3 years of being CPNP themselves. Five young nurses who were newly preceptors participated in semi-structured interviews. Participants were between 24 et 27 years of age. Data was analysed using Benner`s (1994) and Paillé et Muchielli’s (2006) thematic analysis. The theoretical framework of Transition theory by Afaf Ibrahim Meleis (2010) directed the formulation of the purpose of this qualitative interpretive study. Meleis’s theory also accompanied the discussion of the results of the present study. The results of the present study suggest that the young nurses who are newly preceptors are living through the sense of responsibility of shaping the CPNP, they find themselves situated close to the CPNP experience and their experience of becoming a preceptor leads them to reflect on their personal experience as a nurse and a preceptor. Becoming a nurse preceptor early in their career seems to be an opportune moment. However, it would be recommended to standardise the preparation of the nurses for this new responsibility which could ease their experience of becoming a preceptor. Also pairing a more experienced nurse preceptor to guide the new nurse in the process of acquiring the new role of a preceptor would be an asset. Finally a further research could explore the need for support during the experience of becoming a preceptor.

The quality of care in our nation’s long term care facilities or nursing homes has been a steadfast matter of public policy for the past few decades. In response to research and reports of poor care, the Nursing Home Reform Act (NHRA) was born in 1987. Since that time, additional legislation has been passed to address the same issue. Continued research in early 2000 has shown that although there have been strides toward increasing the quality of care in these facilities, serious care issues continue to exist. As part of NHRA, every long term care facility in this country that accepts payment from the federal government must complete a survey every nine to fifteen months. There are two types of long term care surveys: the traditional and quality indicator survey (QIS). Recent research has documented that both survey processes are flawed. To date, the federal government has no way to monitor whether QIS is meeting its objectives. The purpose of this quality improvement project is to evaluate the use of a tool to assess surveyor efficiency and effectiveness on each survey task in the long term care survey. A tool was developed to evaluate surveyor efficiency and effectiveness and a pre-pilot was completed in early March of 2014, to test the tool. The outcome of that testing was that data collection was complex; many of the survey tasks were conducted simultaneously making it impossible for one researcher to conduct the evaluation. At the same time, the participating healthcare organization decided that another project took precedence. Although the project never was completed, the evaluation of surveyor efficiency and effectiveness is recommended in further research, as thousands of residents in long term care facilities depend on the survey process to ensure high quality of care.

The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the perceptions of the registered nurses and the nurse managers regarding the role of the registered nurse in integrated primary health care. Quantitative, descriptive research was conducted to determine if there were any discrepancies between role perceptions and role expectations. Data collection was done using structured questionnaires. Two groups of respondents participated in the study. The registered nurse group (n=40) provided direct clinical care in integrated primary health care settings. The second group was composed of nurse managers (n=20) managing integrated primary health care services. The findings revealed that there are some areas where there is lack of congruence between the perceptions of registered nurses and nurse managers regarding the functions that registered nurses perform. These differences may result in confusion and role conflict among registered nurses, which can ultimately impede the attainment of integrated primary health care goals. / Advanced Nursing Sciences / M.A.(Nursing Science)

Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common cardiac arrhythmia in persons over age 65, is associated with an increased stroke risk necessitating the need for long-term oral anticoagulation for risk reduction. With the introduction of direct thrombin and factor Xa inhibitors in the US since 2010, these novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are increasingly being prescribed, replacing the use of warfarin, a vitamin K antagonist. AF catheter ablation (CA), an elective procedure requiring femoral vascular access is a treatment for drug refractory and persistent AF. Bedrest, limb immobilization, and limited head of bed elevation are nursing measures utilized following femoral venous, and sometimes arterial, sheath removal and hemostasis. Limited research is available on the appropriate duration of bedrest to minimize bleeding complications associated with AF ablation in patients who use NOACs. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to compare and evaluate the effect of bedrest duration on post-procedure bleeding outcomes, urinary complaints, and back pain among patients taking NOACs while undergoing AFCA. Thirty patients undergoing elective AFCA on NOACs were orally consented to participate in the study and placed on shortened (8 hours) or prolonged (>8 hours) bedrest following vascular hemostasis. Outcome measurements included bleeding after ambulation, back pain, and urinary complaints. Fifteen patients (50%) were on shortened bedrest and 15 (50%) were on prolonged bedrest. No statistically significant difference in bleeding, urinary complaints, or back pain were found. Since there is no clear advantage to prolonged bedrest for patients on NOACS after an AFCA procedure, clinicians should consider this when deciding on bedrest duration for their patients.

Thèse en administration des services-infirmiers subventionnée par "Formation et expertise en recherche administration des services infirmiers" (FERASI) / Cette étude a pour but de comprendre les processus de transformation de la pratique clinique chez les infirmières à la faveur des initiatives d’intégration des soins et services et d’examiner l’impact de ces processus sur le bien-être au travail des infirmières. De façon spécifique, l’étude vise: 1) à décrire les pratiques infirmières dans le contexte d’intégration des soins et services au Québec 2) à analyser la relation entre les processus de changement sous-jacents aux efforts d’intégration et le bien-être au travail des infirmières selon leurs perceptions et 3) à identifier les principaux leviers, sur les plans de la gestion et de la clinique, que peuvent mobiliser les organisations afin de soutenir la pratique infirmière dans un contexte d’intégration des soins. L’étude a été organisée en trois volets correspondant respectivement aux trois objectifs précédemment mentionnés. Le cadre de référence développé et utilisé pour cette étude est le « Modèle infirmier du développement de l’intégration des soins » (MIDIS). Il s’appuie sur les prémisses du modèle de Cazale, Touati et Fleury (2007), qui couvrent les interrelations entre les variables contextuelles (organisationnelles et structurelles), l’adoption et l’institutionnalisation des pratiques intégratives, et les effets qui y sont associés pour les infirmières en termes de bien-être au travail. Pour atteindre les objectifs de l’étude, un devis mixte a été utilisé, incluant : un devis quantitatif descriptif (volet 1), un devis quantitatif corrélationnel (volet 2) et un devis qualitatif d’étude de cas unique avec niveaux d’analyse imbriqués (volet 3). La collecte des données a été menée dans le cadre de quatre trajectoires de soins (TdeS) : Soutien à l’autonomie (SoAu), Palliatifs/oncologiques (PaOn), Santé mentale (SaMe) et Maladie pulmonaire obstructive chronique (Mpoc). L’étude a été effectuée auprès d’infirmières, de professionnels autres, et de gestionnaires. Pour les volets un et deux, 107 questionnaires ont été complétés et 37 entrevues semi-dirigées ont été effectuées pour le volet 3. Les résultats du premier volet ont démontré non seulement d’importantes variations dans le développement de l’intégration entre les TdeS mais également un décalage entre l’évolution de la pratique infirmière et l’introduction des changements visant une plus grande intégration des soins. Deux dimensions seulement de la pratique intégrative sur neuf (Qualité des soins et Équipe interprofessionnelle) prévalent dans l’ensemble des TdeS et seule la TdeS PaOn a atteint une étape plus avancée du processus d’intégration. Les résultats du deuxième volet démontrent que plus l’intégration se situe à un niveau avancé de développement, moins elle est associée à une perception de menace chez les infirmières et plus elle est associée à des réactions positives et un bien-être au travail. Le troisième volet a mis en lumière trois types de leviers qui doivent être mobilisés de manière complémentaire dans le but de favoriser l’intégration : les processus organisationnels, les processus cliniques, les investissements dans des ressources clés et dans le renouvellement de certaines structures organisationnelles. Ces résultats apportent des éclairages quant aux défis posés par les processus d’intégration des soins et montrent l’importance d’une pluralité d’interventions qui doivent être conduites à tous les paliers organisationnels afin de faciliter l’institutionnalisation des pratiques intégratives et obtenir les effets escomptés. / The aim of this study is to understand processes of transformation of clinical practice among nurses in the context of care and service integration initiatives, and to examine the impact of these processes on nurses’ well-being at work. Specifically, the study’s objectives are to: 1) describe nursing practices that underpin efforts to integrate care and services in Quebec; 2) analyze the relationship between the change processes underpinning integration efforts and nurses’ self-perceived well-being at work; and 3) identify the main levers that organizations can use at management and clinical levels to support nursing practices in an care integration context. The study was set up in three parts, corresponding respectively to the three objectives mentioned above. The reference framework developed for this study, is the Modèle infirmier du développement de l’intégration des soins (MIDIS – Development model for integrated care in nursing). It is based on the premises of the model of Cazale, Touati et Fleury, (2007) that cover the interrelationships between contextual variables (organizational and institutional), the adoption and institutionalization of integrative practices, and the associated effects on professionals with respect to well-being in the workplace. To achieve the study’s objectives, a mixed-method design was used, which included: a descriptive quantitative component (Part 1), a correlational quantitative component (Part 2), and a single case qualitative study with nested levels of analysis (Part 3). Data were collected within four care pathways (CPs): autonomy support for the elderly (ASE); palliative oncology services (POS); mental health services (MHS); and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (CPOD). Data were collected from nurses, health professionals, and managers. For Parts 1 and 2, 107 questionnaires completed and 37 semi-structured interviews conducted for Part 3. The results of the first part of the study showed not only significant variations across CPs in the development of integration, but also a gap between the evolution of nursing practice and the introduction of changes aimed at greater integration of care. Only two out of nine dimensions of integrative practice (‘quality of care’ and ‘interprofessional teamwork’) were prevalent across all CPs and only one CP (POS) had reached a more advanced stage in the integration process. The results of the second part of the study showed that, as integration became more highly developed, it was associated less with a perception of threat by nurses and more with positive reactions and well-being at work. The third part of the study identified three types of levers that should be used in a complementary way to speed up the progress of integration: organizational processes; clinical-administrative processes; investment in key resources and in renovation of certain organizational structures. These results shed additional light on the challenges posed by the process of integration of care, and show the importance of leading multiple interventions at all organizational levels to facilitate institutionalization of integrative practices and achieve the intended effects.

Pre-diabetes is a serious health problem in the United States. Distinguished by plasma glucose levels that are above the normal threshold, patients with pre-diabetes are 10 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Patients with pre-diabetes suffer the same complications as patients with diabetes including diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, and microalbuminuria. There is considerable evidence to support the idea that early identification and aggressive treatment of pre-diabetes has the potential to delay disease progression. The American Diabetes Association’s clinical practice guideline recommends management of with lifestyle modification and metformin for patients who are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the implementation of the 2012 ADA clinical practice guidelines regarding the management of patients with pre-diabetes by the health care providers at a volunteer-run clinic located in a large metropolitan area in the southeastern United States. This study, even with a small sample size (n=26) revealed that the providers at the clinic had not implemented the 2012 ADA clinical practice guidelines. Clinical practice guidelines promote health care interventions that have proven benefits and improve the consistency of care provided to patients. The greatest benefits of implementing clinical practice guidelines for patients with pre-diabetes are early diagnosis and aggressive disease management. This would improve patient outcomes and in the long run, decrease the cost of medical care.

Performance of hand hygiene is among the most effective means of preventing healthcare associated infections (HAI) among patients. Deaths resulting from HAIs are one of the top ten leading causes of death in the United States. Any improvement in the frequency of hand hygiene among healthcare professionals may have a direct impact on patient mortality and associated costs. While anesthesia professionals have been found to have low rates of hand hygiene adherence, few targeted studies seeking to improve hand hygiene adherence among this group exist. Studies conducted to improve hand hygiene among health care professionals have reported limited improvement, with overall inconclusive recommendations for improving prolonged hand hygiene adherence rates. The purpose of this project was to improve anesthesia professionals’ hand hygiene through encouragement of performance and education on the current state of research in the area of anesthesia associated HAIs. Hand hygiene rates were evaluated through measuring the amount of hand sanitizer used at eleven anesthesia workstations in the main operating room of a hospital. Measurements were taken at baseline and continued for three months after the educational program was implemented.

The purpose of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational lifestyle modification (LM) intervention on blood pressure (BP) among adults with prehypertension. Prehypertension is a precursor to hypertension (HTN) and is a public epidemic in the United States. Approximately 68 million (31%) U.S. adult’s aged ≥18 years have hypertension. Hypertension can cause significant target organ damage, lead to coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, and kidney failure. Early identification and the primary treatment of persons with prehypertension with LM have the potential to minimize the progression and delay the onset of comorbidities associated with hypertension. This quality improvement project retrospectively reviewed changes in blood pressure for a small sample (n=5) of patients diagnosed with prehypertension who received education about modifying lifestyle behaviors according to nationally accepted clinical practice guidelines. Blood pressure measurements were extracted from the medical record beginning at the time of the education through a three month period. Descriptive data indicates that all five patients had a decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The median systolic blood pressure at baseline was 129 mmHg decreasing to 121 mmHg at end of study period. The median diastolic blood pressure was 86 mmHg decreasing to 76 mmHg. Integration of lifestyle modification education and subsequent blood pressure monitoring during a routine primary care visit is feasible and may help motivate patients to implement changes and subsequently reduce blood pressure. Future studies should include identifying strategies for improving patient participation.

Knowledge of The Joint Commission's National Patient Safety Goals and an effective provider cooperative practice involving communication and teamwork are essential for the delivery of safe and compliant patient care in the surgical setting. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of an educational intervention for physicians and nurses designed to increase documentation of compliance with national patient safety standards. As events of noncompliance have impacted patient safety at the hospital where this project was conducted, measures were needed to assess barriers to compliance with standards of practice and to focus educational session plans on identified knowledge-base needs. The goal of this project involved bringing all surgical team members together for educational sessions on safety standards. Pre-intervention and post-intervention assessments of knowledge were administered to study participants. Additionally, random chart documentation audits were conducted before and after the intervention to assess the effectiveness of the education sessions on documentation compliance with the targeted standards. Outcomes of this study included improved knowledge of, and compliance with, national patient safety goals. Results may improve safe patient care at this hospital, reduce costs, and create mutual respect and teamwork, all contributing to the successful achievement of the organization's quality improvement goals.