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Title: Getting Physical with Back Pain.
Creator: Langley, Jessica, Gordon, Shirley C., Harvey, Kathi, Florida Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
Abstract/Description: Low back pain (LBP) can be debilitating and result in decreased mobility and reduced quality of life. This paper describes a quality improvement project focusing on managing LBP using an evidenced-based, multimodal approach. The multimodal approach included physical therapy combined with an analgesic and/or anti-inflammatory medication for pain that provide different mechanisms of action. The selected population were patients who presented with low back pain in a primary care setting. The...
Show moreLow back pain (LBP) can be debilitating and result in decreased mobility and reduced quality of life. This paper describes a quality improvement project focusing on managing LBP using an evidenced-based, multimodal approach. The multimodal approach included physical therapy combined with an analgesic and/or anti-inflammatory medication for pain that provide different mechanisms of action. The selected population were patients who presented with low back pain in a primary care setting. The participants attended physical therapy for four weeks while taking an individualized, prescribed medication regimen based on pain rating scores and LBP physical assessment. On the follow-up evaluation, all participants reported reduced pain and 67% demonstrated a decrease of three or more points on the Wong FACES Pain Rating Scale, an increase of five or more points on the Quality of Life Scale, and an increase of five or more points on the Back Pain Function Scale from pre to post intervention. The primary goal of this quality improvement project was to implement and evaluate an evidence-based, multimodal treatment approach to improve health outcomes for persons experiencing LBP. Multimodal LBP management lead to decreased pain, increased mobility, and an increase in the overall quality of life for patients.
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Date Issued: 2019
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00007539
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Hypertension Control Through Medications Adherence: A Quality Improvement Project Consisting of Self-monitoring, Patient Education, and Pill Box Reminders.
Creator: Robles, Elba, Chiang-Hanisko, Lenny, Campbell, Angela, Florida Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
Abstract/Description: This Quality Improvement Project (QIP) assessed the effect of a multi-component evidence-based (EB) medication adherence intervention to improve hypertension among adults 40 years and older at Annie L. Weaver Health Center, Florida. Participants received a pre and posttest using the Beliefs about Medicine Questionnaire (BMQ) and Adherence Starts with Knowledge-12 (ASK-12) questionnaires which helped design, guide, and infer the intervention effects on adherence. The intervention involved; (a)...
Show moreThis Quality Improvement Project (QIP) assessed the effect of a multi-component evidence-based (EB) medication adherence intervention to improve hypertension among adults 40 years and older at Annie L. Weaver Health Center, Florida. Participants received a pre and posttest using the Beliefs about Medicine Questionnaire (BMQ) and Adherence Starts with Knowledge-12 (ASK-12) questionnaires which helped design, guide, and infer the intervention effects on adherence. The intervention involved; (a) two designed patient educational sessions, 4-weeks apart, on definition of high blood pressure, causes and risk factors for hypertension, sign and symptoms of uncontrolled hypertension, the benefits of taking antihypertensive medications and adhering-aiding tools; (b) self-monitoring utilizing Omron blood pressure machine along with blood pressure and medications logs; and (c) pill-box reminders. Upon completion of this QIP, adherence rates improved by 100% and blood pressure (B/P) improved in three months.
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Date Issued: 2021
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/faudnp000039
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Hypertension: Improving Outcomes through Enrollment in a Walking Exercise Program.
Creator: Almonord, Bernice, Brennen, Marlene, Dorval, Julina T., Florida Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
Abstract/Description: Hypertension is a major health care challenge. Uncontrolled hypertension is a huge financial burden in the United States. Strict medication adherence and lifestyle modifications such as incorporating a low sodium diet and increasing daily aerobic physical activity have been proven to be effective in managing hypertension. However, uncontrollable hypertension continues to be one of the most leading causes of cardiovascular disease and death worldwide. When compared to other groups, Haitians...
Show moreHypertension is a major health care challenge. Uncontrolled hypertension is a huge financial burden in the United States. Strict medication adherence and lifestyle modifications such as incorporating a low sodium diet and increasing daily aerobic physical activity have been proven to be effective in managing hypertension. However, uncontrollable hypertension continues to be one of the most leading causes of cardiovascular disease and death worldwide. When compared to other groups, Haitians have a higher disproportionate risk of morbidity and mortality from chronic disease. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to evaluate the effectiveness of physical activity through a walking exercise program and hypertension self-management education on blood pressure in Haitian adults aged 35 to 84 diagnosed with hypertension in the primary care setting. The project was an 8-week online/remote walking exercise program designed to provide bi-weekly hypertension self-management education sessions (moderate-intensity physical activity, low salt diet management, and medication adherence teaching), weekly self-adjusted step goals, and weekly one-on-one physical activity nurse counseling via telephone/video teleconference. The study results showed that participants who were fully engaged in the walking exercise program were able to manage their blood pressure by increasing their physical activity level, adhering to a low sodium diet, and increasing medication adherence.
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Date Issued: 2020
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/faudnp000003
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Identifying Barriers and Facilitators to Medication Adherence Among Underserved Adults with Hypertension in Miami-Dade County.
Creator: Carry, Coeurlande, Darville, Simone, Kelly, Tracian, Florida Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
Abstract/Description: African American (AA) and Hispanic American (HA) adults with hypertension have a higher risk of developing stroke, heart disease, and diabetes and have higher mortality rates from related complications. In the United States, more than 50% of patients with chronic conditions do not take their medication as prescribed (Kelly et al., 2014). Nonadherence is known to contribute to complications and difficulties in managing chronic diseases like hypertension and increased morbidity and deaths ...
Show moreAfrican American (AA) and Hispanic American (HA) adults with hypertension have a higher risk of developing stroke, heart disease, and diabetes and have higher mortality rates from related complications. In the United States, more than 50% of patients with chronic conditions do not take their medication as prescribed (Kelly et al., 2014). Nonadherence is known to contribute to complications and difficulties in managing chronic diseases like hypertension and increased morbidity and deaths (Ashoorkhani et al., 2018). This paper intends to address hypertension among AA and HA adults at Community Health of South Florida Incorporated (CHI) in Miami-Dade County.
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Date Issued: 2020
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/faudnp000004
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Identifying Barriers to Self-Management and Medication Adherence in the Afro-Caribbean Aging Population with Hypertension.
Creator: Sainvil, Judith, Pritchard, Kyndall, Florida Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
Abstract/Description: Hypertension affects nearly half of all adults in the United States (US) or 108 million individuals, and one out of every four adults is affected (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020). Furthermore, more than 30% of individuals with hypertension in the United States do not take their medication as directed, increasing the risks of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and morbidity and death rates among Afro- Caribbean adults with HTN (CDC, 2020). Non-adherence is a leading cause...
Show moreHypertension affects nearly half of all adults in the United States (US) or 108 million individuals, and one out of every four adults is affected (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020). Furthermore, more than 30% of individuals with hypertension in the United States do not take their medication as directed, increasing the risks of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and morbidity and death rates among Afro- Caribbean adults with HTN (CDC, 2020). Non-adherence is a leading cause of health issues in the treatment of chronic disorders like hypertension. Furthermore, these negative consequences exacerbate preexisting health issues in disadvantaged communities, necessitating self-management and medication adherence improvements (Moss, 2019). This quality improvement (QI) initiative aims to enhance health outcomes for Afro-Caribbean individuals diagnosed with HTN at the Cora E. Braynon Family Health Center between 40 and 70. Barriers to non-adherence are a leading source of health problems and chronic illness management in HTN (CDC, 2020). According to Whelton (2017), self-care management also helps to reduce obstacles and injustice in high-stress or underprivileged populations. The following section presents a team learning to take control (TLC) approach that can offer bi-weekly sessions to improve patient blood pressure readings, sleeping patterns, pain control, communication, and eating habits (Still et al., 2018).
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Date Issued: 2021
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/faudnp000032
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Impact of a Telehealth-Based Program on Hospital Readmission, Patient Knowledge, and Self-Care Among Older Adults with Heart Failure.
Creator: Jacques, Elisee, Leavitt, Mary Ann, Durandis, Joseph, Florida Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
Abstract/Description: Heart failure (HF) is a global epidemic that affects older populations at an unprecedented rate. It is one of the leading causes of hospital readmission in patients 65 years and older. Although many strategies have been used to properly manage the disease, HF remains a complex condition due to several factors such as disease progression, comorbidities, inadequate patient knowledge, and non-adherence to the treatment plan. Despite the impact of HF on quality of life, morbidity, and mortality...
Show moreHeart failure (HF) is a global epidemic that affects older populations at an unprecedented rate. It is one of the leading causes of hospital readmission in patients 65 years and older. Although many strategies have been used to properly manage the disease, HF remains a complex condition due to several factors such as disease progression, comorbidities, inadequate patient knowledge, and non-adherence to the treatment plan. Despite the impact of HF on quality of life, morbidity, and mortality in older adults, they have been markedly underrepresented in most major cardiovascular trials. Besides the use of traditional methods for HF management, studies have shown that telehealth can be an effective strategy to provide the necessary education and assistance to patients, reducing the need for unnecessary ER visits. A quality improvement (QI) project involving 10 participants diagnosed with HF was implemented from June to September 2022. The aim of this project was to measure the effect of a telehealth-based HF program on HF knowledge, self-care adequacy, and hospital readmission among patients ≥ 65 years diagnosed with HF. To achieve this objective, a system including remote symptoms monitoring along with weekly education sessions on HF self-management was implemented. After using measurement tools (Dutch Heart Failure Knowledge Scale and Self-Care Heart Failure Index) and analyzing data, a statistically significant improvement (p< .001) in HF knowledge and self-care adequacy, and a decrease overall in hospital readmissions over a 3 month-period was noted. However, due to certain limitations such as small local sample size, unintended bias, and lack of diversity among participants, the results could not be generalized, and further experimental studies were warranted. Although we value the importance of telehealth, we strongly encouraged in-person visits for thorough physical examination, and we educated patients to identify red flags that warrant a visit to the emergency.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/faudnp000064
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Impact of Heart Failure Education Program on Haitian Older Adults with Heart Failure.
Creator: Cesar, Farah, Tappen, Ruth, Adonis-Rizzo, Tamara, Florida Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
Abstract/Description: Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome with various manifestations (Groenewegen, Rutten, Mosterd, & Hoes, 2020). However, self-care for patients with complex illnesses, such as HF, can be very challenging. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] (2020) reported that an estimated 6.2 million adults in the United States had HF. It is generally estimated that between 1% and 2% of adults in developed countries have HF (Groenewegen et al., 2020). Although important advances in...
Show moreHeart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome with various manifestations (Groenewegen, Rutten, Mosterd, & Hoes, 2020). However, self-care for patients with complex illnesses, such as HF, can be very challenging. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] (2020) reported that an estimated 6.2 million adults in the United States had HF. It is generally estimated that between 1% and 2% of adults in developed countries have HF (Groenewegen et al., 2020). Although important advances in managing HF were made before approximately 1990, improvements have been significant since that time (Choi et al., 2019). However, some patients with HF still struggle. The prognosis of HF remains poor for most patients. One estimate suggests 87%, 73%, 57%, and 35% survival rates at 1, 2, 5, and 10 years, respectively (Groenewegen et al., 2020). A radical treatment for HF is a heart transplant, but due to the shortage of donated organs, this option remains out of reach for most patients (McDonagh et al., 2021). Recent success in the transplantation of a porcine heart into a human recipient suggests that some HF patients may benefit from this procedure in the future, but today, patients diagnosed with HF may receive a heart transplant from a diseased human donor (Kotz, 2022).
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/faudnp000069
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Implementation of a Community Prevention Program to Reduce Cardiovascular Risks.
Creator: Evans, Altavia, Hain, Debra, Walters, Debby, Florida Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
Abstract/Description: Cardiovascular disease is a serious health condition that affects the blood flow to and from the heart. It is currently one of the leading causes of death globally as it accounts for approximately 32% of deaths each year (WHO, 2021). In Palm Beach County, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death accounting for 23.7% of overall deaths (Palm Beach County, 2022). The risk for developing this disease increases when other comorbidities exist such as diabetes, hypertension,...
Show moreCardiovascular disease is a serious health condition that affects the blood flow to and from the heart. It is currently one of the leading causes of death globally as it accounts for approximately 32% of deaths each year (WHO, 2021). In Palm Beach County, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death accounting for 23.7% of overall deaths (Palm Beach County, 2022). The risk for developing this disease increases when other comorbidities exist such as diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or an elevated Body Mass Index (BMI). With proper knowledge and lifestyle modifications, risks from complications are lowered. It is for this reason that a QI project was implemented, to see if a community prevention program (CPP) could help improve knowledge and behavior changes within a population. Overall, six participants completed the program, three males, and three females. Results showed that 83% of participants lowered their HgA1c while there was a 100% increase in blood pressure. Results also showed a decrease in BMI for 33% of participants, and an increase in BMI for 17% of participants. Overall cholesterol decreased by 66%. Based on the self-efficacy survey that participants took, it appeared that they were more confident and likely to identify healthy food choices and increase their aerobic exercise and activities. Although initial goals were not fully met, the implications of this project showed that a CPP can improve certain biomarkers that could help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. A longer period of time and larger sample size might yield much different results. It would also be beneficial to trend certain biomarkers such as BMI and blood pressure multiple times throughout the duration of the program to determine if a change occurs over a longer period.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/faudnp000075
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Implementation of a Postpartum Depression Screening Program to Increase Detection and Referral of Women Experiencing Postpartum Depression (PPD).
Creator: Eziafa, Chinye, Longo, Joy, Florida Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
Abstract/Description: Postpartum depression is a common and serious mental disorder seen in 10% to 20% of postpartum women. It is the most undiagnosed and undertreated condition in obstetrics. It can affect mother-infant bonding, the mother’s wellbeing, and the infant’s development. The aim of this project is to implement a postpartum depression (PPD) screening program that will include early screening and referral for treatment. This manuscript will describe the results of the project and the importance of early...
Show morePostpartum depression is a common and serious mental disorder seen in 10% to 20% of postpartum women. It is the most undiagnosed and undertreated condition in obstetrics. It can affect mother-infant bonding, the mother’s wellbeing, and the infant’s development. The aim of this project is to implement a postpartum depression (PPD) screening program that will include early screening and referral for treatment. This manuscript will describe the results of the project and the importance of early screening for PPD. A practice change for a focused outcome was implemented in a practice. This change included a new protocol on PPD screening. A ten-item Edinburg postnatal depression scale (EPDS) was used to screen every woman during the postpartum visit. Data was collected between June 2020 and September 2020. Thirty women visited the clinic for a postpartum check within the 3-month period. Twenty-eight (93.3%) were screened for PPD. One (4%) of the twenty-eight women was detected to have symptoms of PPD and 100% of those who were detected with symptoms were referred. Two women (6.7%) were not screened. Prior to implementation of the protocol, education was provided to staff, and the 22-item revised depression attitude questionnaire (R-DAQ) was administered pre and post education to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of the staff. The independent sample T- Test was used to analyze the knowledge of staff pre and post educational sessions. The results showed an increase in knowledge, but it was not statistically significant. Also, the implementation of the practice change in the project site is still under assessment. In conclusion, implementing EPDS into practice will help improve PPD screening, early detection and treatment of PPD.
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Date Issued: 2020
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/faudnp000005
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Implementation of Mobile Health Applications Safety Plan (MHASP) to Reduce the Risk of Suicide.
Creator: Joseph, Myrbelle F., Hershorin, Tracian Kelly, Florida Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
Abstract/Description: Suicide is one of the most serious public health issues in the US today. Suicide is of particular interest because it is the tenth leading cause of death for all ages in the United States, the second leading cause of death in ages 10-34, and the fourth leading cause of death in ages 35-54 (CDC, 2020). Despite national goals to lower the suicide rate, several recent reports have documented a steady increase in suicide rates in recent years. Suicide rates continues to rise in almost every state...
Show moreSuicide is one of the most serious public health issues in the US today. Suicide is of particular interest because it is the tenth leading cause of death for all ages in the United States, the second leading cause of death in ages 10-34, and the fourth leading cause of death in ages 35-54 (CDC, 2020). Despite national goals to lower the suicide rate, several recent reports have documented a steady increase in suicide rates in recent years. Suicide rates continues to rise in almost every state. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe a quality improvement project (QI) that was carried out to increase knowledge and use of a Mobile Health Applications Safety Plan (MHASP) to reduce the risk of suicide. The need for this project was identified at an outpatient clinic where patients at high risk for suicide were not receiving printed completed safety plan or enhanced instruction. Several studies identified potential barriers to adherence including complexity of treatment, low health literacy, and persistent symptoms while other studies displayed the positive impact of enhanced instruction on reducing the risks of suicide. This QI project lasted 6-week period and included a telehealth intervention that used verbal instructions and teach-back to improve knowledge. Participants filled-out surveys before and after intervention. Despite the small sample size, all the participants showed improvements. Based on these findings, the outpatient clinic was advised to continue reinforcing knowledge of the mobile suicide safety plan application and to incorporate a telehealth follow-up program to emphasize proper application use for these patients. Future projects and research should focus on larger sample sizes over longer periods of time as well as tracking suicide risks and outcomes.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/faudnp000059
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Implementation of Pain Assessment Tool for Patients with Dementia.
Creator: Sommer, Stephanie, Longo, Joy, Florida Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
Abstract/Description: According to the World Health Organization (2019) approximately 50 million people worldwide have dementia. Pain in patients with dementia who are unable to verbalize discomfort may lead to unnecessary suffering and a poor quality of life. Accurate pain evaluation by the nurse is of critical importance, yet pain is often inappropriately assessed and undertreated. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement a pain assessment tool for the assessment and management of pain in...
Show moreAccording to the World Health Organization (2019) approximately 50 million people worldwide have dementia. Pain in patients with dementia who are unable to verbalize discomfort may lead to unnecessary suffering and a poor quality of life. Accurate pain evaluation by the nurse is of critical importance, yet pain is often inappropriately assessed and undertreated. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement a pain assessment tool for the assessment and management of pain in patients with dementia. The project took place at an assisted living facility in Boca Raton, Florida. The Swanson middle-range Theory of Caring (SCT) served as the theoretical framework and the Plan, Do, Study, Act model supported the translation of evidence into practice.
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Date Issued: 2020
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/faudnp000015
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Implementing a Lower Carbohydrate, Mediterranean-Style Diet to Improve A1C and BMI.
Creator: Handwerger, Durrell, Love, Tamara, Grynberg, Fred, Florida Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
Abstract/Description: The aim of this project was to describe a quality program for individuals with Type II Diabetes (T2DM) that implemented a Mediterranean-style diet lower in carbohydrates to lower A1C (Glycosylated Hemoglobin) and BMI (Body mass index) in a 12-week period. These markers are clinically significant because A1C levels indicate an average of blood sugars over three months, and lower BMI scores over time indicate weight loss. Both of these variables are important markers of diabetic health.
Date Issued: 2021
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/faudnp000031
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Implementing a Male Breast Cancer Screening Protocol with a Medically Underserved Population.
Creator: Gonzalez, Haizea Lee, Bulfin, Susan, Klause, Karin, Florida Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
Abstract/Description: This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project describes a quality improvement (QI) project to address the problem of male breast cancer (MBC) in a medically underserved population in the southeastern United States. The purpose of this project was to implement a practice protocol to increase breast cancer screening rates to potentially improve early identification and management of men at risk for breast cancer in an outpatient safety net clinic. The Six Sigma DMAIC methodology guided the...
Show moreThis Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project describes a quality improvement (QI) project to address the problem of male breast cancer (MBC) in a medically underserved population in the southeastern United States. The purpose of this project was to implement a practice protocol to increase breast cancer screening rates to potentially improve early identification and management of men at risk for breast cancer in an outpatient safety net clinic. The Six Sigma DMAIC methodology guided the development, implementation, and evaluation of the project. A pre and post intervention survey was utilized to measure nurse practitioners’ knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) about MBC screening and a chart audit tool was utilized to measure adherence to the protocol. The results revealed statistical significance. The nurse practitioners demonstrated improved KAP of male breast cancer screening recommendations based on responses to the pre and post questionnaires. The implementation of the male breast cancer screening protocol led to a significant increase in the nurse practitioner’s MBC screening rates. The findings reinforce continued education of nurse practitioners for male breast cancer prevention. Public education is also pertinent for early detection and prevention of male breast cancer worldwide.
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Date Issued: 2020
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/faudnp000012
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Implementing a Physical Wellness Program in Spanish in a Primary Care Setting.
Creator: Preciado, Heather, Florida Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
Abstract/Description: This paper presents a Quality Improvement project aimed at increasing physical activity in Hispanic patients aged 45 to 55, through a Get Active program with the goal of reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The project involves implementing a bi-weekly physical activity session as well as a Zoom session to increase activity as well awareness surrounding CVD prevention. The project's outcomes will inform medical staff on how to create more Zoom sessions to help patients implement...
Show moreThis paper presents a Quality Improvement project aimed at increasing physical activity in Hispanic patients aged 45 to 55, through a Get Active program with the goal of reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The project involves implementing a bi-weekly physical activity session as well as a Zoom session to increase activity as well awareness surrounding CVD prevention. The project's outcomes will inform medical staff on how to create more Zoom sessions to help patients implement a physical exercise program. A total of twenty-five participants were eligible to participate, and only 8 took part in the study. This initiative has the potential to make a significant impact on public health by reducing the incidence of CVD among the Hispanic population.
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Date Issued: 2023
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/faudnp000093
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Implementing Evidence-Based Practice in the Psychiatric Setting: The Use of Nursing Situation Exemplars.
Creator: Peltier, Roland G., Bulfin, Susan, Florida Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
Abstract/Description: The purpose of this paper is to illustrate a Doctor of Nursing Practice Project through the implementation of a structured quality improvement project, designed to increase the use of evidence-based practice (EBP) among psychiatric nurses in a metropolitan acute care setting. An increase in understanding and use of EBP was achieved by comparing data obtained from pre-implementation and post-implementation surveys designed to seek attitudes toward, knowledge of, and use of EBP in a psychiatric...
Show moreThe purpose of this paper is to illustrate a Doctor of Nursing Practice Project through the implementation of a structured quality improvement project, designed to increase the use of evidence-based practice (EBP) among psychiatric nurses in a metropolitan acute care setting. An increase in understanding and use of EBP was achieved by comparing data obtained from pre-implementation and post-implementation surveys designed to seek attitudes toward, knowledge of, and use of EBP in a psychiatric setting. This evidence-based proposal is aligned with the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing’s caring philosophy and the call for using evidence-based information to inform nursing practice.
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Date Issued: 2021
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/faudnp000040
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Improved recognition process using the Anaphylaxis Rapid Screening Tool (ARST).
Creator: Sanabria, Jessica, Harris, Nancy, Roman Laporte, Roberto, Florida Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
Abstract/Description: Anaphylaxis is a rapid-onset, severe life-threatening allergic reaction. With as many as 1 in 20 adults experiencing anaphylaxis in their lifetime, it is imperative that the condition can be recognized quickly and accurately. It was identified that there was no consistent manner in which patients seeking treatment were evaluated. Therefore, with the intention to increase awareness of symptoms and introduce a standardized screening process. Over an eight week period, any patient presenting to...
Show moreAnaphylaxis is a rapid-onset, severe life-threatening allergic reaction. With as many as 1 in 20 adults experiencing anaphylaxis in their lifetime, it is imperative that the condition can be recognized quickly and accurately. It was identified that there was no consistent manner in which patients seeking treatment were evaluated. Therefore, with the intention to increase awareness of symptoms and introduce a standardized screening process. Over an eight week period, any patient presenting to the urgent care was screened using the Anaphylaxis Rapid Screening Tool (ARST) . 17 Urgent care staff members willing participated in the intervention which included use of the ARST, the Anaphylaxis Case Scenario (pre- and post-) Test, and the East of Use and Confidence Questionnaire. Results: 47% of the staff demonstrated an increase in post-test scores; no staff member scored worse on post-test. 93-100% of staff verbalized ease of use of tool, increased confidence in ability to recognize symptoms of anaphylaxis, and the tool helped them to recognize other signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis. Total patient sample requiring screening was 117. Screening compliance rate of 32.5%. Limitations: small sample size (both of staff and patients screened), short project duration period, limited to a single urgent care location. Recommendation: expand the number of sites implementing the intervention for a minimum of a 12-month period in order to further evaluate outcomes.
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Date Issued: 2019
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00007546
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Improvement of Diabetes Knowledge, Management, and Self-Efficacy in Haitian Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Through Utilization of a PowerPoint Presentation: A Quality Improvement Project.
Creator: Noel, Alexandra, Dittman, Patricia, Duhaney, Michelle, Florida Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
Abstract/Description: Background: The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes is substantially significant in the United States and has been this way for several years. Diabetes is a complex, chronic disease that, without proper control, may result in avoidable complications. Once the diagnosis of diabetes is made, it is critical to establish clear treatment goals on increasing knowledge, self-efficacy and enhancing self-care. Implementing a program that supports self-care strategies for adults with diabetes to help achieve...
Show moreBackground: The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes is substantially significant in the United States and has been this way for several years. Diabetes is a complex, chronic disease that, without proper control, may result in avoidable complications. Once the diagnosis of diabetes is made, it is critical to establish clear treatment goals on increasing knowledge, self-efficacy and enhancing self-care. Implementing a program that supports self-care strategies for adults with diabetes to help achieve optimal health outcomes. For US adults aged 18 years or older the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in non-Hispanic blacks is 12.1% which is the second highest (CDC,2019). Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine if a PowerPoint presentation in Haitian Creole on diabetes self-management will improve self-efficacy, diabetes knowledge and management among Haitian patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: In this pre‐post prospective design study, 13 participants with type 2 diabetes recruited from a primary care clinic in Boca Raton, FL were asked to complete a survey called the Diabetes Self‐Management Questionnaire (DSMQ), after which they attended a face‐to‐face or virtual PowerPoint presentation done in Haitian Creole with an optional 1‐hour discussion session. Following the class, they completed the same self‐management questionnaire with 2 additional investigator‐developed questions regarding class benefit. Results: Paired sample t tests were performed to compare the pretest to posttest scores on the DSMQ questionnaire which showed statistically significant improvement. Conclusion: The study found a perceived benefit in a self-management educational class in Haitian Creole for Haitian patients with type 2 diabetes.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/faudnp000046
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Improvement of foot care knowledge and behaviors of diabetic patients.
Creator: Huffman, Samantha, Mammah, Kyndall, Carter, Kelsey, Florida Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
Abstract/Description: In the United States over 37 million people have diabetes. The condition damages blood vessels and tissues leading to peripheral neuropathy and impaired wound healing. The loss of protective sensation associated with diabetes can prevent patients from recognizing when they have a wound or some other kind of skin damage present. Delayed identification of wounds in a diabetic patient can have dangerous consequences, most notable amputation of the affected body part. In fact, diabetes is the...
Show moreIn the United States over 37 million people have diabetes. The condition damages blood vessels and tissues leading to peripheral neuropathy and impaired wound healing. The loss of protective sensation associated with diabetes can prevent patients from recognizing when they have a wound or some other kind of skin damage present. Delayed identification of wounds in a diabetic patient can have dangerous consequences, most notable amputation of the affected body part. In fact, diabetes is the strongest influence in non-traumatic lower extremity amputations. The purpose of this project was to increase patient knowledge of proper foot-care as well as improve foot self-care behaviors at home. The project team members sought to achieve this by implementing a standardized patient education program for diabetic patients in addition to performing a diabetic foot exam (DFE) with the patient in the primary care setting. The education sessions included verbal and written instruction that were developed using the American Diabetes Association (ADA) proper foot care guidelines. After the implementation of the project, scores on both the basic diabetes foot-care questionnaire and the diabetes foot self-care behavior scale (DFSBS) increased.
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Date Issued: 2023
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/faudnp000077
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Improving Adherence among Hispanic Adults with Type II Diabetes: A Culturally Sensitive Self-Management Program.
Creator: Murillo, Beatrice Arozarena, Hernández, María de los Ángeles Ortega, Gunawardene, Shariffa, Florida Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
Abstract/Description: Low health literacy can lead to a lack of disease perception or understanding of one’s disease process, treatment plan, and state of health, which could potentially lead to nonadherence, further health disparities, and poor health outcomes (Hugtenburg et al., 2013). The purpose of this project was to evaluate whether an online platform that provides Hispanic patients with evidence based and culturally sensitive diabetic education and support in the form of a video, would improve adherence and...
Show moreLow health literacy can lead to a lack of disease perception or understanding of one’s disease process, treatment plan, and state of health, which could potentially lead to nonadherence, further health disparities, and poor health outcomes (Hugtenburg et al., 2013). The purpose of this project was to evaluate whether an online platform that provides Hispanic patients with evidence based and culturally sensitive diabetic education and support in the form of a video, would improve adherence and health outcomes. Upon the completion of the 3-month program that consisted of bi-weekly check-ins, results showed that there were overall improvements in the participants’ fasting blood glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index, Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire (DSMQ) scores, and A1C.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/faudnp000066
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Improving Assessment and Management of COPD.
Creator: Hanaway, Kevin P., Eggenberger, Terry, Florida Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
Abstract/Description: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. In 2014 approximately 142,000 individuals in the U.S. died from COPD (Office of Disease Prevention & Health Promotion, Healthy People 2020). The Global Obstructive Lung Disease Initiative (GOLD) (2019) provides evidence-based practice (EBP) guidelines for diagnosing, managing, and treating Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality...
Show moreChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. In 2014 approximately 142,000 individuals in the U.S. died from COPD (Office of Disease Prevention & Health Promotion, Healthy People 2020). The Global Obstructive Lung Disease Initiative (GOLD) (2019) provides evidence-based practice (EBP) guidelines for diagnosing, managing, and treating Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project used best practice recommended by GOLD (2019) to improve assessment of COPD by use of the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment Test (CAT). The implementation process for using the CAT was guided by a conceptual framework called the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1983; Prochaska, DiClemente, & Norcross, 1992) to initiate change. The underlying philosophical foundation for this project was from Nursing as Caring (NAC) envisioned by Boykin and Schoenhofer (1993). The use of the CAT Score recognized the experience of symptoms by COPD patients and then allowed providers to follow GOLD (2019) guidelines and enabled best practice in the management of pharmacotherapy for COPD patients. 174 patients who had a diagnosis of COPD at a pulmonary practice were administered that CAT before an office visit over three months. The use of the CAT for patients with COPD demonstrated that the board-certified pulmonologists at a pulmonary practice adhered to GOLD (2019) guidelines in their plans of care for patients with COPD. Given the CAT measures eight quality of life items related to COPD, the CAT result allowed providers to follow the evidencebased practice (EBP) found in GOLD (2019) and to demonstrate NAC.
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Date Issued: 2019
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00007535
Format: Document (PDF)

Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing (132)	+ -
Florida Atlantic University (131)	+ -
Hain, Debra (13)	+ -
Bulfin, Susan (8)	+ -
Gordon, Shirley (7)	+ -

Harris, Nancy (7)	+ -
Longo, Joy (6)	+ -
Chadwell, Katherine (5)	+ -
Kelly, Tracian (5)	+ -
Love, Tamara (5)	+ -
Gropper, Sareen (4)	+ -
Chiang-Hanisko, Lenny (3)	+ -
Edwards, Karethy (3)	+ -
Hernández, María de los Ángeles Ortega (3)	+ -
Hershorin, Tracian Kelly (3)	+ -
Pritchard, Kyndall (3)	+ -
Wiese, Lisa (3)	+ -
Wisdom-Chambers, Karen (3)	+ -
Brennen, Marlene (2)	+ -
Chambers, Karen (2)	+ -
Dittman, Patricia (2)	+ -
Duhaney, Michelle (2)	+ -
Gordon, Shirley C. (2)	+ -
Harvey, Kathi (2)	+ -
Hawthorne, Dawn (2)	+ -
Heinze, Katherine (2)	+ -
Klause, Karin (2)	+ -
LaFrance, Herard (2)	+ -
Leavitt, Mary Ann (2)	+ -
Long, Sarah D. (2)	+ -

Document (PDF) (130)	+ -
Citation (3)	+ -

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