Reducing Blood Loss From Phlebotomy in Adult Neurocritical Care Patients: An Evidence-Based Practice Project.

BACKGROUND : Blood loss from phlebotomy is a significant cause of hospital-acquired anemia. Use of small-volume (Pedi) tubes in adult patients reduces blood loss by 40% and does not increase need for repeated labs. Although this practice is evidencebased, it has not been widely implemented.

Barriers and motivating factors for licensed practical nurses to pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing.

Background: Connecticut License Practical Nurses (LPNs) face unique challenges in pursuing higher education. Understanding these challenges is essential for addressing the current nursing shortage and enhancing the nursing workforce's educational level.

Purpose: This project aimed to identify the barriers preventing Connecticut LPNs from pursuing higher education and the factors motivating them to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN) and Registered Nurse (RN) licensure.

Implementation of a Spaced Learning Program for Educating CRNAs on a Scalpel-Bougie Cricothyrotomy Procedure for Emergency Front of Neck Access.

Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) who are responsible for airway management, may lack adequate continuing education for emergency front of neck access (EFONA), an advanced skill necessary in situations when a patient cannot be intubated and cannot be oxygenated (CICO). The purpose of this study was to improve CRNA knowledge and confidence when performing a scalpel-bougie cricothyrotomy for EFONA in a CICO event through the implementation of a spaced learning intervention. Thirteen CRNAs at a 160-bed community hospital participated in a 3-week educational intervention.

The Standardization of Home Blood Pressure Monitoring in Primary Care: A Quality Improvement Project.

Current guidelines recommend the use of home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) to screen for and manage hypertension. In this study, a quality improvement project was designed to standardize the use of HBPM in a primary care setting and demonstrate improved blood pressure outcomes. Initial systolic and diastolic values were compared to averages from patient logs.

Show and Tell: Photography and Storytelling to Better Understand the End-of-Life Experience of Families in the Intensive Care Unit.

End-of-life in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is common, costly, and can contribute to negative health outcomes for bereaved family members. Insufficient understanding of the family experience results in poor quality, highly variable care riddled with deficiencies including effective identification and application of evidence-based clinical interventions. Successfully managing the multitude of transitions, for example changes in family role or personal identity requires creative practice guided by theory.

Educational needs assessment identifying opportunities to improve sepsis care.

Introduction: In 2015, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services developed a national quality bundle for the management of patients with severe sepsis and septic shock (SEP-1). Despite performance improvement measures, compliance remains low. This needs assessment is the first stage of a quality improvement initiative to improve SEP-1 compliance.

Implementing Delayed Umbilical Cord Clamping in Cesarean Birth Using a Novel Method: A Pilot Study of Feasibility and Safety.

Introduction: Although delayed cord clamping (DCC) is regarded as the standard of care for all vigorous newborns, those born via cesarean birth are less likely to be afforded this option, especially for longer than 30 to 60 seconds. This pilot study was undertaken to determine whether removal of the placenta before cord clamping to allow for DCC of at least 3 minutes during term, uncomplicated cesarean birth is feasible and without apparent safety issues in order to support a large prospective study on the benefits of this method.

Methods: Women having a term, uncomplicated cesarean birth who consented to the study were enrolled.

Practical Health Promotion: Weekly Health Tips for the Faith Community.

Evidence supports that people with higher levels of health literacy report higher levels of wellness. Using the weekly worship service of the faith community as a way to distribute health information is an ideal way to promote congregational knowledge of health issues. this article discusses using the printed church bulletin and other weekly church communications to disseminate parish health tips (PHTs), provides resources for developing PHT, and offers 52 PHT's.