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Increasing Participation for Children with Special Needs
Get PDFThis capstone project focuses on increasing participation for children with special needs through community engagement and social interactions. The purpose of this program is to explore the needs of children with special needs and increase participation of children within the community. The goal of this project is to increase participation in children with special needs, provide opportunities for children to feel more inclusive, promote meaningful relationships between peers, parents, and staff, and improve overall quality of life.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonessummer2024/1041/thumbnail.jp
Increasing Operating Room Efficiency Through Decreased Turnover Times
Get PDFThe Operating Room (OR) is the financial engine of the modern hospital or surgical center. Over 40% of the hospital\u27s cost is invested in the OR, but the facility recoups a monetary return of around 60-70%. Turnover time is a crucial factor in reducing costs. Uncontrolled, it can inflate operating costs, but when managed effectively, it can boost surgeon, patient, and staff satisfaction, enhance patient safety, and significantly reduce operational costs. The literature underscores the importance of reducing the time between operating room turnovers to improve OR efficiency. A key strategy that research consistently shows to be effective is the implementation of structured presurgical briefings, such as TeamSTEPPS. These briefings, with their structured approach, play a crucial role in reducing turnover time in an OR, thereby increasing efficiency. The initial investment in developing a standardized preoperative brief through the TeamSTEPPS program as part of the morning brief has the potential to boost OR productivity and revenue significantly. By reducing the time from wheels out to wheels in for each surgery during the operating room\u27s surgical day, this approach can lead to substantial financial gains.
The project information is collected from 308 surgical cases from various services over three weeks during the project to determine whether conducting a formal TeamSTEPPS style preoperative formatted brief would reduce turnover times (TOTS) in the operating room (OR). The data showed a mean average reduction of slightly over six minutes in mean average turnover times during the project. The data showed that 20% of all scheduled cases had a turnover time greater than 25 minutes. Of the 20% of the cases, 7.6% of the increased TOTs were attributed to processes controlled by the OR staff. The remaining 12.6% of turnover time was attributed to issues related to surgeons, SDS/ APU, and different services in the hospital. The data shows that the effects of a daily organized and standardized presurgical briefing will improve turnover times better than a presurgical briefing without structure or organization
Reducing the Incidence of Frequent Hospital Readmissions in Veterans Population
Get PDFPractice Problem: Veterans hospital readmission problems are challenging, specifically in the heart failure department, which severely impacts the patient\u27s health, mortality, family, and quality of life. Frequent readmissions increase the usage cost, hospital budget, and loss of time from providers to other veterans, and failure to meet the key guidelines of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid for improvement.
PICOT: The PICOT question that guided this project was, in veterans with heart failure and one or more frequent hospital readmissions discharged in the last 30 days(P), does the appointment of a dedicated discharge nurse practitioner as a coordinator(I), compared to standard discharge instructions (C), reduce the 30-day hospital readmission rate from the date of last discharge.
Evidence: Evidence strongly suggested and supported that the implementation of Transitions of Care Coordination with a multidisciplinary collaboration led by a nurse practitioner reduced the readmission rates within the 30-day period from the last discharge.
Intervention: The evidence-based interventions utilized with the appointment of a dedicated nurse practitioner as a discharge coordinator from the time of discharge to follow-up for 30-days while the patients are in their homes by contacting them via video, phone, text, and visiting the patient in person, and setting up follow-up appointments for primary care, specialty care while utilizing community charge nurse resources.
Outcome: Results showed a 10% reduction from 23% to 13% within a 30-day period in the heart failure department. The average readmission rate in the veteran\u27s hospital ranged from 19% to 29%. This is a clear indication that this project has excellent future potential. Additionally, all eleven interventions were successfully implemented at a rate higher than 95%.
Conclusion: The project achieved a heart failure clinic readmission rate that was less than the hospital and national average. The reduction in the percent of 30-day readmissions was statistically and clinically significant between pre-transitional care and post-transitional care of heart failure veterans. The transitions of care 11 interventions were successfully implemented to standardize an evidence-based practice from the hospital to their home
OT’s Role in Facilitating Foster Youth\u27s Transition to College and Career Exploration
Get PDFFoster youths often face numerous adversities, limiting their occupational performance and ability to transition into adulthood, specifically regarding career and education. This poster explores the role of Occupational Therapy (OT) in supporting these youths as they age out of foster care, particularly focusing on college and career exploration. Using the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) and KAWA River models, a needs assessment was conducted in collaboration with Foster Love, a non-profit organization. The assessment revealed gaps in resources and support for foster youths, leading to the development of workshops that foster self-reflection, emotional regulation, and goal setting as they navigate their transition into college and career exploration. This capstone advocates for OT\u27s involvement in providing trauma-informed, client-centered care, ultimately enhancing the educational and career outcomes for foster youths.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonessummer2024/1057/thumbnail.jp
Awareness and Advocacy for the Needs of NFL Athletes: A Qualitative Study
Get PDFThe presentation delves into understanding, investigating, and supporting the occupational needs of NFL athletes. Through thorough research and analysis, it was revealed that these athletes face distinct challenges and demands in their professional and personal lives, specifically in wellness, quality of life, and lifestyle balance. The study results provide knowledge and abilities to address and advocate the unique needs of NFL athletes. The evidence strongly emphasizes the advantages and benefits of occupational therapy services in non-traditional settings such as sports.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2024/1022/thumbnail.jp
Voices Beyond Bars: A Qualitative Study Examining Occupational Participation for Formerly Incarcerated Women
Get PDFThis capstone project addressed the research question: “What are the systemic, societal, and personal barriers and facilitators to occupational participation and engagement that formerly incarcerated women experience in Texas?” The project aimed to advocate for formerly incarcerated women living in Texas by interviewing and collaborating with them to create an advocacy booklet highlighting their lived experiences. Following USAHS IRB approval, recruitment, and screening, 20 participants engaged in a semi-structured interview via Zoom. Insights on their experience post-incarceration in Texas regarding housing, employment, family, healthcare, and change were explored. The data obtained was analyzed and codes and themes were identified. When examining the results of the study, occupational participation and engagement for formerly incarcerated women were influenced by factors on personal, societal, and systemic levels. The Participatory Occupational Justice Framework was used when collaborating with formerly incarcerated women to reflect and collaborate on how to address occupational injustices of occupational imbalance, occupational alienation, and occupational deprivation, as mentioned previously. Through the interview process, the formerly incarcerated women provided incredible insight and reflection on their experience post-incarceration and the changes that need to occur to properly address the occupational injustices they face. The advocacy booklet serves as the mode of collaboration between the participant and the researchers, as it creates an avenue for the voices of the participants to be amplified.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2024/1044/thumbnail.jp
A Qualitative Study on Mother\u27s Occupational Engagement After a NICU Experience
Get PDFMothers who are “at-risk” for complications during pregnancy have an increased probability for mental health conditions following delivery, adversely affecting their engagement in motherhood occupations. This qualitative study identifies how best to address the needs of “at-risk” pregnant women. Through the process of conducting semi-structured interviews with women who have experienced NICU with their babies, and interviews with healthcare practitioners working in the NICU, their narrative addresses what approaches would support women while they are going through their “at-risk” pregnancies to assist them with the transition to their occupational roles as mothers and promote bonding with their baby.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2024/1036/thumbnail.jp
Integrating Nature-Based Occupational Therapy in Traditional Clinical Settings: Addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences
Get PDFAdverse childhood experiences (ACEs) refer to traumatic situations that a child may face during the early developmental stages of life (Felitti et al., 1998). According to research, the detrimental effects of adversity and emotional distress may contribute to poor outcomes in adulthood. Research has shown that exposure to adversity can change a child\u27s molecular and genetic system and influence the development and functioning of their neurological, immune, and endocrine systems. There is a significant public health concern considering the long-term implications of adverse childhood experiences on an individual\u27s overall well-being (Boullier & Blair, 2018). This project aims to conduct a needs assessment to determine an effective program to bring nature indoors. This project aims to raise awareness about the benefits of outdoor therapy for adolescents experiencing trauma receiving treatment indoors. This project will provide an individualized approach to meeting the client\u27s needs through nature-based play.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2024/1061/thumbnail.jp
Home and Community Reintegration in Chronic Phase Guillain Barre Recovery
Get PDFTo improve the transition of individuals with Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) to their homes and communities following the onset of their condition, Avani Johnson, OTS, CPT, in partnership with Able Faith, Inc. and key stakeholders will present a poster presentation on the development of a home and community reintegration program. The overarching goal of this project was to identify the efficacy of community reintegration programs in yielding effective transitions to home and community roles for individuals with (GBS). This was completed through the development and implementation of a home and community reintegration program at a community center located within the Dallas/Fort Worth Metropolitan area. Key disciplines involved included occupational therapy, fitness training, and community center staff/volunteers. Objectives included: the provision of services targeting 1) home evaluation and modification; 2) job matching and job skills training; 3) neurological and motor rehabilitation; 4) hobby and leisure exploration; 5) activities of daily living (ADLs) and independent activities of daily living (IADLs) training; and 6) caregiver education. Outcomes for participants include: 1) increased quality of life; 2) job acquisition and/or improved job performance and maintenance; 3) improved community mobility; 4) increased independence with home and community tasks; and 5) improved hobby, leisure, and social participation. Project deliverables include a manual which guides the development and implementation of the program. This includes recommendations for staffing, equipment, outreach, and structure, as well as professional development and training tools.
The success of this program can propose a new method for filling the gap that often remains after traditional rehabilitation periods, in which individuals with GBS are discharged with persisting functional deficits, which limit a successful return to their home and community roles (Laparidou et al., 2021; Tomita et al., 2016). This project can spearhead the creation of similar programs in community centers nationwide while making a case for extended rehabilitation periods for those with GBS. This project can also identify an area of need for occupational therapy services in a nontraditional setting (community center), increasing the accessibility of healthcare.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2024/1043/thumbnail.jp
An Occupational Therapy Approach to Improving ADL/IADL Performance in Diabetic Adults with Stroke and Upper Extremity Pathologies
Get PDFThis capstone presentation depicts the impact of diabetic management with an occupational therapy approach on upper extremity motor function for the adult stroke population. This program utilizes dietary management, a home exercise program, and task modification strategies to improve ADL and IADL performance.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2024/1053/thumbnail.jp