Innovative Strategies for Palliative Care in the Intensive Care Unit.

Palliative care is interdisciplinary care that addresses suffering and improves the quality of care for patients and families when patients are facing a life-threatening illness. Palliative care needs in the intensive care unit include communication regarding diagnosis and prognosis, goals-of-care conversations, multidimensional pain and symptom management, and end-of-life care that may include withdrawal of mechanical ventilation and life support. Registered nurses spend the greatest amount of time with patients and families who are facing death and serious illness, so nurses must be armed with adequate training, knowledge, and necessary tools to address patient and caregiver needs and deliver high-quality, patient-centered palliative care.

Assessing geographic disparities in mental health research participation.

Background: Large geographic health disparities are well-documented within the U.S. Although approximately 60 million Americans-or roughly 20% of the total U.

Strategies for successfully completing a DNP final project.

Completion of a final project is an essential component of Doctor of Nursing Practice programs. Strategies for successful project planning, implementation, and evaluation are outlined, from identifying an evidence-based practice or quality improvement project, advisor, and practice mentor through completion, presentation, and dissemination of your work.

A Stakeholder Evaluation of an RN-to-BSN Academic Progression Program.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate programmatic elements supporting BSN attainment by employed nurses holding associate degrees or diplomas, using a stakeholder involvement approach.

Background: Studies have associated higher percentages of baccalaureate-prepared nurses with improved clinical outcomes. Since 2013, the study organization supported an RN-to-BSN requirement with an academic progression benefit program and achieved an 80% BSN goal by 2021.

Incorporating TeamSTEPPS training to improve staff collaboration in an academic level I emergency and trauma center.

Background: Seamless communication and coordinated teamwork is paramount in high stakes clinical practice settings, such as the emergency department (ED), to prevent medical errors and ensure high quality patient care delivery. Ineffective communication in this fast-paced environment can be detrimental for patient outcomes and staff collaboration.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to evaluate the effect of TeamSTEPPS® training (Team strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety), an evidenced based communication-training toolkit, on staff perception of teamwork and communication in an academic Level I Emergency and Trauma Center.

Multimodal Education Program to Improve Nurses' Knowledge and Confidence on Delirium Recognition in a Surgical-Trauma Intermediate-Care Setting.

Background: High incidence of delirium in hospitalized patients has been reported in the United States and is significantly associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The lack of knowledge and confidence in performing delirium assessment (KCDA) has led to significant underrecognition of delirium by nurses regardless of evidence-based education intervention.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a multimodal educational program (MEP) to enhance nurses' KCDA.

Educational Intervention to Improve Delirium Recognition by Nurses.

Background: Delirium poses increased morbidity and mortality risks for hospitalized patients. Underrecognition by health care providers contributes to poor outcomes for patients. Little has been published about methods used to teach health care providers how to screen for delirium using the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU).

Putting evidence into practice: an update of evidence-based interventions for cancer-related fatigue during and following treatment.

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) has deleterious effects on physical, social, cognitive, and vocational functioning, and causes emotional and spiritual distress for patients and their families; however, it remains under-recognized and undertreated. This article critically reviews and integrates the available empirical evidence supporting the efficacy of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment approaches to CRF, highlighting new evidence since 2007 and 2009 Putting Evidence Into Practice publications. Interventions that are recommended for practice or likely to be effective in improving fatigue outcomes include exercise; screening for treatable risk factors; management of concurrent symptoms; yoga; structured rehabilitation; Wisconsin ginseng; cognitive-behavioral therapies for insomnia, pain, and depression; mindfulness-based stress reduction; and psychoeducational interventions such as anticipatory guidance, psychosocial support, and energy conservation and activity management.