Students will complete a scholarly DNP project that reflects the synthesis and application of knowledge gained throughout the curriculum. DNP project areas will include quality improvement projects, policy analysis, clinical demonstration projects, clinical program development, and projects focused on improved improving patient care and safety. Some recently completed projects include:
Sample of Pitt Nurse Anesthesia DNP Projects (published)
Except from the 2019 Annual Simulation Report from Washington Health System:
Operating Room
In 2019, 50 in-patient OR staff at Washington Hospital participated in a clinical judgment simulation in the OR where 10 sessions were offered. This simulation was conducted by a University of Pittsburgh Nurse Anesthetist student, Cigi Henderson. The purpose of this simulation was for staff to identify signs of malignant hyperthermia and follow hospital procedure and guidelines instituted by Stanford Anesthesia Cognitive Aid Group.
Practice Changes that occurred as a result of the simulation experience:
1. Movement of cooling fluids from Anesthesia Workroom to central core for access by OR nurses.
2. RNs and OR staff were made aware of the location of MH cart. Typically it is the anesthesia techs job to retrieve the cart when a crisis is called, however if she is not available every needs to be aware of its location.
3. Update in visual aids on the MH cart.
4. Education on the change in formulary from Dantrolene to Ryanodex and its administration.
Dunworth, B. A, Sandberg, W. S, Morrison, S, Lutz, C, Wanderer, J. P, & O'Donnell, J. M. (2018). Implementation of acceleromyography: A quality improvement project designed to increase use of quantitative neuromuscular blockade monitoring. AANA Journal, 86(4).
Easton, A., O’Donnell, J. M, Morrison S., & Lutz, C. (2017). Development of an online, evidence based CRNA preceptor training tutorial (CPiTT): A quality improvement project. AANA Journal, 85(5), 331-339.
Morrison, S. R., O'Donnell, J. M., Ren, D., & Henker, R. H. (2014). Perioperative glucose monitoring and treatment of patients undergoing vascular surgery in a community hospital setting. AANA Journal, 82(6), 427-430.
Ostrowski, A., O’Donnell, J. M., Lutz, C., & Morrison, S. (2019). Development of a training program for PICC placement by certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA) utilizing an n-of-1 methodology, AANA Journal, 87(1), 11-18.
Palmer, L., O’Donnell, J. M., Ren, D., & Henker, R. A. (2014). Comparison of nurse anesthesia student 12 Lead EKG knowledge, interpretation skill, satisfaction and attitude: Traditional instruction vs. asynchronous online video lecture. Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 10(3).
Wiggins, L. L., Morrison S., Lutz, C. T, & O’Donnell, J. M. (2018). Using evidence-based best practices of simulation, checklists, and deliberate practice to develop and improve a regional anesthesia training course. AANA Journal, 86 (2), 119-126.
Sample of 2019 Pitt Nurse Anesthesia DNP Projects (submitted for publication or in press
Heidecker J., Neft, M., Nelson, D., & O’Donnell, J. M. (2019). Training anesthesia providers in cricoid pressure application with an augmented-reality simulator: A quality improvement project.
Schmack, D. J., O’Connell, B., Neft, M. W., Phrampus, P. E., Bircher, N., & O’Donnell, J. M. (2019). Design, implementation and evaluation of a simulation course in difficult airway management: A pilot study.
Patel, S. A., O’Donnell, J. M., & Ren, D. (2019) The validation of the STBUR questionnaire in children aged 2-12 undergoing polysomnography.
Deslate, S., Chasens, E., & Henker, R. (In Press) STOP-BANG as a pre-procedure risk assessment tool to predict intra-procedure airway maneuvers and adverse events in a gastrointestinal laboratory. AANA Journal.
Sasala, L., Crippen, L., & Neft, M. (In Press). Cost analysis of the use of intravenous (IV) propofol monotherapy compared to IV combination sedation in patients undergoing outpatient gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. AANA Journal.
Anderson, S., Miner, L., & Neft, M. (2019). The efficacy of prewarming to reduce perioperative hypothermia in urology cases receiving general anesthesia.
Sohn, D., Henker, R., Lakdawala, L., & Neft, M. (2019). Identifying barriers to screening for obstructive sleep apnea using the STOP-Bang questionnaire and assessing the impact of education on screening rates.
Press, S., & & Neft., M. (2019). Postoperative assessment and safe discharge tool for ambulatory dental surgery for special needs patients.
Perkins, J., Beach, M., Esper, S., Gruen, G., Perera, S., & Neft, M. (2019). Probable delirium as a risk factor for surgical outcomes in geriatric patients with acute hip diagnosis: Pre-operative assessment using a short screening tool.
AANA Presentations of DNP Projects
Tedeschi, E., Henker, R., & Wesmiller, S. (2019). Reducing the incidence of post-operative complications with the use of sugammadex vs. typical reversal agents after general anesthesia. Poster presentation at the 2019 American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Congress, Chicago.
Fatigati, A., Fortune, K., Minahan, C., Henker, R., Klem, M. L., Adams, P., Lim, G., Fortune, S., & Skelton, M. (2019). Development and evaluation of usability of anesthetic recommendations for parturients with fontan palliation. Poster presentation at the 2019 American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Congress, Chicago.
Deslate, S., Chasens, E., Steward, K., & Henker, R. (2019). STOP-BANG as a pre-procedure risk assessment tool in a gastrointestinal laboratory. Oral and Poster presentation at the 2019 American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Congress, Chicago.
Sample of 2020 Pitt Nurse Anesthesia DNP Projects (in process)
Achtzehn M., Bircher, N., Phrampus, P. E., & O’Donnell, J. M. (2020). Retrospective analysis of a tertiary medical center’s in-situ mock code program: Recommendations for system change.
Altmeyer, E., Cade, M., Miara, C., Neft, M. W., Mermigas, J. A., Dill, M., & O’Donnell, J. M. (2020). Implementing a maternal hemorrhage simulation in an obstetrics department to standardize care and improve patient outcomes.
DeLima, D., Dixon, B. A., & Neft, M. (2020) Development and implementation of an ultrasound training program to improve basic ultrasound knowledge and technical skills of anesthesia providers.
Faddish, K., & Henker, R.A. (2020). Needlestick and sharps injuries amongst healthcare workers in Cambodian hospitals.
Feldmiller, A., Mermigas J. A., & Neft, M. E., (2020) Correlation of acute perioperative opioid administration and persistent opioid use following adult colorectal surgery: A retrospective enhanced recovery after surgery cohort study.
Gladysiewski, A., Mermigas, J. A., & Miner, L. A. (2020). A Retrospective analysis of intraoperative methadone administration on post-operative opioid consumption in adult cardiac surgery.
Kostiak, E., Peters, A., Mermigas, J., Goode, J. S., Henker, R. A., & O’Donnell, J. M. (2020). Impact of perioperative-focused BLS/ACLS/PALS training on provider knowledge, skills, and attitudes: A pilot study.
McAtee E., Lupica, K., Hernandez, E., Bircher, N., & O’Donnell, J. M. (2020). The development of a cognitive aid for anesthesia providers to optimize anesthetic technique for intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring.
Fatigati, A., Fortune, K., Minahan, C., Henker, R., Klem, M. L., Adams, P., Lim, G., Fortune, S., & Skelton, M., (2019). Development and evaluation of usability of anesthetic recommendations for parturients with fontan palliation.
Areas of DNP Faculty Expertise
- Epidemiology
- Genetics
- Global health
- Health care policy
- Simulation education
- Translation of clinical guidelines into practice
- Pain
- Patient safety
- Substance abuse screening and intervention
- Patient Awareness