1697 research outputs found
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Improving Colorectal Cancer Screening Referrals in a Rural Health Clinic
Full text linkProblem: Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Preventive screening for colorectal cancer has been associated with early detection and improved 5-year survival rates. The referral rates for colorectal cancer screening at the practicum site were 17.7%, well below the national benchmarks of 71.8%.
Aim of the Project: The aim of this project was to increase the screening referral rates in adults aged 45 to 75 years by 50% over a ten-week period by implementing an evidence-based toolkit.
Review of the Evidence: Literature review highlighted barriers to colorectal cancer screening, such as knowledge deficits of providers and patients, inconsistent screening practices, and the absence of standardized screening practices.
Project Design: The project framework was provided by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Model for Improvement. Three Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles were used over the course of the project. The OhioHealth Change Management Model supported engagement and adoption of change among the clinic staff.
Intervention: A Quality Improvement Toolkit for Busy Office Practices provided a guideline for selecting evidence-based interventions to address the problem. Interventions included clinic staff education about colorectal cancer screening recommendations, implementation of a patient questionnaire to determine colorectal cancer screening eligibility, and distributing bilingual patient education materials.
Significant Findings/Outcomes: Referral rates for patients 45 to 75 years increased from a baseline of 17.7% to 34.1%, representing a 92.7% improvement. All clinic staff completed the education and demonstrated understanding. Due to the option to opt out and failure to screen repeat patients, a total of 77.9% of patients aged 45 to 75 years were screened for eligibility. Patient education materials were made available in 100% of patient encounters.
Implications for Nursing: This project was aligned with the IHI Triple Aim and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Six Aims for improvement of healthcare. Compliance with colorectal cancer screening recommendations supports the IHI Triple Aim by improving population health, reducing costs through early detection of treatable conditions, and improving the experience of care by preventing high-acuity procedures associated with advanced disease processes. The IOM Six Aims are addressed by thoroughly screening all patients in the target population for colorectal cancer screening eligibility efficiently and by referring eligible patients to gastrointestinal specialist within a reasonable timeframe. The results of this project demonstrate that advanced nurse-led, quality improvement initiatives can improve preventive health measures in underserved rural settings
Fall Prevention in Long-Term Care
Full text linkProblem: Falls among older adults residing in long-term care facilities continue to rise, resulting in injuries that contribute to adverse outcomes, a reduced quality of life, and increased healthcare costs. Despite existing safety interventions, falls persist, indicating a gap in effective, sustainable fall prevention strategies. Repeated failures to reduce falls among adults aged 65 years and older highlight the need for a structured, evidence-based approach aimed at addressing this critical patient safety issue.
Aim of the Project: The aim of this project was to reduce falls and fall-related injuries by 25% for older adults residing in a long-term care facility over a 10-week period through the implementation of an evidence-based fall prevention bundle.
Review of the Evidence: A comprehensive literature review supported that multifaceted fall prevention bundles with demonstrated effectiveness exist in long-term care settings. Studies emphasize that fall prevention interventions are more successful when combined with the Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) model for quality improvement (QI) during implementation in clinical settings.
Project Design: This project utilized a QI model aimed at addressing practice challenges in healthcare in conjunction with the OhioHealth Change Management model to facilitate stakeholder engagement. The interdisciplinary team coordinated the planning, education, and implementation of the evidence-based bundle. PSDA cycles were used to drive small tests of change to implement the updated fall prevention bundle. Each successive PDSA cycle strengthened staff engagement, increased the effectiveness of the fall intervention bundle, and fostered continuous improvement in patient safety practices.
Intervention: The evidence-based approach used for this project employed three nursing and team strategies: (1) hourly rounds to ensure the four P’s (pain, placement, potty, and positioning) were addressed, (2) all patient needs were met before leaving the room, and (3) proactive team collaboration to prevent additional falls when patients experience a functional decline or when safety concerns were identified. These strategies promoted consistent care delivery and a safer environment by addressing risks in real time. The team collected data weekly on falls and staff compliance, allowing real-time evaluation and strategy adjustments.
Significant Findings/Outcomes: The evidence-based fall bundle and teamwork contributed to a 32% reduction in falls over 10 weeks and eliminated major injuries. The QI project aligned with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s (IHI) Six Aims for Healthcare Improvement by improving safety, outcomes, and care quality through evidence-based strategies. Sustainability requires ongoing engagement, interprofessional collaboration, and adoption into daily practice. The team continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to sustaining these improvements through active participation, shared accountability, and continued focus on patient safety
Implementing an Evidence-Based Transitional Care Toolkit to Reduce Postpartum Readmissions in Women with Chronic Conditions
Full text linkProblem: Postpartum women with preexisting chronic conditions are at increased risk of hospital readmissions due to fragmented care transitions and poor follow-up adherence. At the project site, the 30-day postpartum readmission rate was 10%, exceeding the national benchmark of 7.15%. Gaps in standardized discharge planning and limited patient engagement were identified as contributing factors.
Aim of the Project: The aim of this quality improvement (QI) project was to reduce 30-day postpartum readmissions in women with chronic health conditions by implementing an evidence-based transitional care toolkit within a women’s outpatient clinic.
Review of the Evidence: Evidence supports the use of structured, evidence-based transitional care to improve maternal outcomes and reduce hospital readmissions. Literature highlights that follow-up appointment adherence and standardized discharge processes significantly enhance continuity of care. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) transitional care toolkit, when adapted and integrated into the women’s health clinical workflows, has been shown to improve transitional care effectiveness.
Project Design: This QI project used the Institute for Healthcare Improvement model and incorporated three Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles to test and refine toolkit implementation. The OhioHealth Change Management Model guided stakeholder engagement, baseline and post-implementation readiness assessments, and strategic communication planning to promote long-term sustainability.
Intervention: The transitional care toolkit was adapted for postpartum use and introduced to clinical and administrative staff over a 12-week period. Components included a Pre-Intervention Assessment, a clinician checklist, a patient Appointment Aide, and structured team education. Weekly huddles and direct observation supported integration into patient encounters.
Significant Findings/Outcome: Following implementation, postpartum readmissions decreased by 2.86%, with toolkit compliance reaching 89.3% and follow-up attendance increasing to 78.6%. Staff engagement and confidence in using the toolkit improved across PDSA cycles. Barriers such as workflow inefficiencies and documentation gaps were addressed through targeted training and leadership support.
Implications for Nursing: The project demonstrates that standardized transitional care improves maternal outcomes and enhances continuity. It aligns with the IOM’s domains of effective, patient-centered, and timely care and supports the IHI Triple Aim by reducing readmissions and promoting safe care transitions in high-risk postpartum populations
Preventing 30-Day Rehospitalization in Congestive Heart Failure Utilizing Transitional Care Teams
Full text linkProblem: Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) continues to be a prevalent and challenging health issue, contributing significantly to hospital readmissions within the first 30 days of patients transitioning to home health care. Rehospitalization affects the patient\u27s quality of life and the agency\u27s revenue, as reimbursements are paused when patients are hospitalized during the first 30 days of admission to a home health agency. The agency experienced a 22% rehospitalization rate within a year, slightly higher than the national average of 10%.
Aim of the Project: The primary objective of this project was to decrease rehospitalization of patients with CHF within the first 30 days of admission to a home health agency.
Review of the Evidence: A comprehensive literature review identified using a discharge checklist tool within a transitional care team model as effective in preventing rehospitalization of patients with CHF.
Project Design: This quality improvement (QI) project used the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) Model for Improvement. Additionally, tools from the OhioHealth Change Management Model helped guide the change process, supporting both the development and execution of the project.
Intervention: The intervention was forming a transitional care team that utilized the discharge tool checklist upon admission to the home health agency. All the patients with CHF admitted to the agency during the 10 weeks were enrolled in the program for 30 days.
Significant Findings/Outcomes: 9 patients were enrolled in the program, and there was no rehospitalization of any CHF patients enrolled in the program. Patient satisfaction also improved, and revenue for the agency increased. This signifies that the transitional care team is a proven tool for preventing rehospitalization of patients with CHF within 30 days of admission to home health.
Implications for Nursing: This quality improvement project has demonstrated that an advanced-practice nurse-led transitional care team with interprofessional collaboration is highly effective in reducing rehospitalizations and healthcare costs and enhancing patient outcomes. Integrating and expanding specialized nursing roles in post-acute care, such as home health, increases evidence-based practice and improves the quality of patient healthcare. The project aligns with the Institute of Medicine’s six effective, patient-centered, and timely care domains. It supports the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Triple Aim by reducing readmissions, promoting patient satisfaction, self-care ability, quality of care, and optimizing agency revenue
OER at Franklin University: Educating the Educators
Full text linkThe Franklin University Library has created a strategic open educational resources (OER) plan. The goal of the library’s OER plan is to increase faculty awareness and use of OER at Franklin University, as well as to better prepare the library to support faculty use of OER.
The first step of the library’s OER plan was to survey faculty regarding their existing knowledge, use, and opinions of OER. This poster presentation presents the results of that faculty survey. It also provides an overview of the library’s OER plan, as well as the benefits using/creating OER can provide to the university community
Instructor and Student at Machine, undated
No full textThis photo features an instructor and student observing the oscilloscope as they work.https://fuse.franklin.edu/ymca/1015/thumbnail.jp
Students in University Cafe, undated
No full textThis photo features students sitting at tables in a university cafeteria.https://fuse.franklin.edu/ymca/1023/thumbnail.jp
Navigating Academic Integrity in the Gen AI Era: Human and AI Editing Tool Use Among Online Professional Practice Doctoral Students
Full text linkGenerative AI editing tools are transforming academic writing, raising critical questions about the appropriateness of pre-Gen AI academic integrity standards in professional practice doctoral programs. The purpose of this study is to understand how online professional practice doctoral students used editing tools between 2022 and 2025 to determine whether pre-Gen AI standards for academic integrity are appropriate. The research will analyze data through an ethical authorship model to provide policymakers with insights into students’ use of AI and human editors in professional practice doctoral writing. As Gen AI tools increasingly support academic writing, from content generation to proofreading, their impact on academic integrity has become increasingly complex. The study aims to provide empirical data on the interaction between AI, human editors, and academic writing by conducting a survey of doctoral students in online professional practice programs. Finally, recommendations for using editors, whether AI or humans, will be offered, emphasizing the need to assess research originality and academic merit separately from manuscript writing and presentation. This approach challenges traditional academic integrity frameworks and calls for policy reevaluation that reflects the evolving landscape of academic writing
A Quantitative Analysis of Grit and Burnout Among Social Workers Well-Being
Full text linkBurnout among social workers continues to be a concern worsened by job demands and emotional stressors. Grit is the passion and persistence toward long-term goals and has been identified as a possible protective factor against burnout. The study aimed to evaluate the relationship between grit, burnout, and well-being among licensed social workers in the United States.
Data was collected through a cross-sectional quantitative design and collect responses from 355 licensed social workers utilizing the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey, the Grit Scale, and the WHO-5. Regression and correlation analyses evaluated the relationship between grit, burnout, and well-being.
Findings showed a negative correlation between grit and burnout, suggesting that social workers with grit report lower levels within the burnout subscales of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Grit was found to increase well-being, suggesting organizations should promote resilience and job satisfaction. Well-being was found to serve as a moderating factor in this study, indicating holistic support methods could decrease the effects of burnout.
Results from the study highlight the need for organizations to create targeted interventions to develop resilience, decrease burnout, and improve overall job satisfaction within the social work field. These understandings could assist in creating policies and training to promote balanced careers in social work