A validation study of the high acuity readmission risk pediatric screen (HARRPS) tool©: Predicting readmission risk within the pediatric population.

Background: The initial research study of the High Acuity Readmission Risk Pediatric Screen (HARRPS) Tool © focused on using retrospective data to apply weighted values to the questions within the tool, identify overall risk score, and attribute risk categories (low, moderate, high risk) to the overall risk score. This study focused on validating the data from the initial study, as well as cross examining the need to include admission diagnosis within the tool.

Method: Study was a single-centered, retrospective chart review study using a different subset of patients from the initial study.

Feeding Therapy Treatments for Infants With Unilateral Vocal Cord Paresis.

Importance: No evidence-based treatment protocol currently exists for infants with vocal cord paresis (VCP).

Objective: To assess the impact of feeding position on feeding success among infants with unilateral VCP and examine other variables that may be associated with feeding success.

Design: Retrospective descriptive study.

Newly Licensed Nurse Perceived Incivility: A Valid and Reliable Assessment Tool.

Objective: To test the instrument, Nursing Student Perception of Civil and Uncivil Behaviors (NSPCUB) in newly licensed nurses' (NLNs') to create a credible measure of NLNs' perceptions of civil/uncivil behaviors by RNs.

Background: Uncivil behaviors in the workplace result in poor morale, absenteeism, and turnover. When targeted toward NLNs, the outcome of these behaviors can affect not only a job but a future career.

Shift work and hospital employees: A descriptive multi-site study.

Background: Hospitals staff with 12-hour and other shift work patterns to account for daily and seasonal workload requirements. Research in healthcare and industries requiring shift work suggests there may be negative health consequences to the workers related to fatigue and other factors. Due to the 24/7 nature of healthcare, it is important to understand the impact of shift work on employees.

Retrospective Chart Review: Readmission Prediction Ability of the High Acuity Readmission Risk Pediatric Screen (HARRPS) Tool.

Background: Nurse Case Managers utilize adult based readmission risk tools upon admission to identify readmission risk. An evidence-based pediatric readmission tool could not be identified to replicate in the pediatric space, therefore the High Acuity Readmission Risk Pediatric Screen (HARRPS) Tool was developed to fill this gap. The research aim was to develop a risk score algorithm that accurately predicts pediatric readmissions and provide a predictive validation of the HARRPS Tool.

Quality of Sleep in a Pediatric Hospital: A Descriptive Study Based on an Assessment of Interruptions, Perceptions, and the Environment.

Objective: To investigate the amount and type of hospitalized children's nighttime sleep interruptions, perceptions, and efficiency.

Background: Sleep in hospitals is notoriously poor and impedes healing. Pediatric studies have been limited including breadth of diagnoses, age, or measures.

Incivility Toward Nursing Students in Clinical Rotations: Measuring the Incidence and Testing Interventions.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to measure nursing student perceptions of incivility in the clinical learning environment and test interventions that improve these perceptions. The secondary aim was to further test the reliability of the Nursing Student Perception of Civil and Uncivil Behaviors (NSPCUB) tool.

Background: Incidence of incivility in nursing is well documented in the literature; however, there are few evidence-based interventions to combat this phenomenon.

Driving Organizational Change From the Bedside: The AACN Clinical Scene Investigator Academy.

Background: Staff nurses are pivotal in leading change related to quality improvement efforts, although many lack skills to steer change from the bedside. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) staff nurse leadership program, Clinical Scene Investigator (CSI) Academy, teaches and empowers staff nurses in leadership skills and change concepts to translate evidence into practice affecting patient outcomes.

Objectives: To describe the curriculum of the AACN CSI Academy that provides staff nurses with the leadership skills required to create unit-based change projects that positively impact patient/family outcomes.

SIRA+P: Development and Testing.

Objectives: To describe the development of a new skin risk assessment scale called Skin Injury Risk Assessment and Prevention (SIRA+P) and to establish initial reliability and validity of the scale among patients ranging in age from birth, including pre-term, to adulthood, regardless of age or acuity of illness.

Study Design: The single-site study was a retrospective chart review to evaluate the measurement properties of SIRA+P. Charts of 385 patients of all ages and in all units (including the neonatal and pediatric intensive care units) of a free-standing children's hospital were included.

Improving Immunization Rates at an Urban Charter School.

A midwestern children's hospital operates a school-based clinic in an urban charter school. The clinic provides the expertise and knowledge of an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) and offers a structure permitting care coordination and continuity. The APRN created a systematic process for immunization record maintenance.

Development of an Instrument to Measure Civil and Uncivil Behaviors in the Hospital Clinical Environment: Implications for Nurse Leaders.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to develop a valid and reliable instrument to measure nursing students' (NSs') perceptions of civil and uncivil behaviors displayed by direct care nurses in the hospital clinical environment.

Background: Incivility in nursing has been well documented. However, little is known about perceptions of incivility by NSs in the hospital clinical environment and its effects on NSs' transition to professional practice.

The clinical scene investigator academy: the power of staff nurses improving patient and organizational outcomes.

Nurses are in a key position to have an impact on the national quality agenda. However, many lack the quality and safety methods to lead this work. The Clinical Scene Investigator Academy provided 23 nurses from 7 regional hospitals with the knowledge and support necessary to implement nurse-led quality improvement projects.

Developing and testing a clinical information system evaluation tool: prioritizing modifications through end-user input.

Objective: The objectives were to develop and validate the Information System Evaluation Tool (ISET), use feedback to modify the institution's clinical information system (CIS), and determine the modifications' success.

Background: The ability of a CIS to increase patient safety and care quality is dependent on its systems and processes. A survey was needed to provide the specificity necessary to make meaningful system improvements.

Development and testing of an organizational job satisfaction tool: increasing precision for strategic improvements.

Objective: This article describes the development and testing of a new instrument that measures organizational job satisfaction (OJS).

Background: Nurse satisfaction includes 2 different types of satisfaction: OJS and professional work satisfaction. To obtain valid results, each type must be measured correctly.

Nurse-driven programs to improve patient outcomes: transforming care at the bedside, integrated nurse leadership program, and the clinical scene investigator academy.

As the national quality agenda continues to be a key driver in healthcare, more programs are being developed to teach staff nurses how to lead quality change projects. Nurses are in a unique position to do this work; however, they may lack project management and leadership skills to do so. The authors provide a content analysis that compares and contrasts 3 such programs.

Planning and creating a new bi-state nursing workforce center through unique partnerships.

Multiple strategies are needed to address the complex issues related to the nursing shortage. It is not enough to focus on increasing the number of students in the pipeline unless this is met with complimentary work to improve the professional practice environments of nursing staff. In addition, nurse-driven improvement projects that address specific patient and organizational outcomes will elevate the role of nurses from trusted professional to quality agents.