Document Type

Report

Publication Date

2016

Date of Final Presentation

3-2016

Committee Chair

Cara Gallegos

Committee Member

Pam Strohfus

Coordinator/ Chair of DNP Program

Pam Strohfus

Abstract/ Executive Summary

Background: This quality improvement project was conducted at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo (CMHIP) in order to improve glycemic management. In psychiatric inpatient settings, proper glycemic management is inadequate which increases metabolic risk and poor patient outcomes. One way to address this problem is by using practice guidelines and education, which enhances nurses’ efficacy.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to develop and implement a glycemic management guideline to enhance clinical nursing staff knowledge and confidence.

Method: Fifty-five clinical nursing staff attended an in-service and were asked to fill out a survey before and after the in-service to describe their knowledge and confidence in caring for psychiatric patients with hypo/hyperglycemia. Descriptive statistics were used to describe clinical nursing staff's knowledge and confidence. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis.

Results: 92.7% (n = 51) completed a pre and post in-service training questionnaire. Majority were registered nurses (n = 27; 75.5%) and one third (n = 12; 24.0%) had a baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN). Many nurses agreed that having a standard glycemic management guideline was relevant in providing quality patient care to improve outcomes (M = 44.5; 90.8%). An educational session involving nursing staff was effective in improving staff confidence and knowledge and there was a statistically significant difference before and after training (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Clinical guidelines are essential in providing quality care to improve outcomes. Nursing staff educational in-service increases knowledge and confidence, which improves outcomes. In Summary, this Scholarly Project adds to the literature supporting the need for robust use of glycemic management guidelines in psychiatric inpatient settings.

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