First Advisor

Kathleen Whalen

Second Advisor

Patricia Cullen

College

Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

School

Loretto Heights

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Number of Pages

95 pages

Abstract

In the United States, approximately 8 to 10% of patients admitted to an acute care facility receive venous access. Nurses that specialize in vascular access place approximately 3 million peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) lines annually. There is a lack of standard minimum requirements for educating PICC nurses, especially on insertion techniques and maintenance. The goal of the project was to enhance the preparation of nurses who place PICC lines in different healthcare settings in order to improve quality metrics such as CLABSI, UE DVT, and LOS, with a subsequent decrease in cost of care. A pilot study that utilized a quasi-experimental, one-group pre-posttest design with a convenience sample was performed using an online educational PICC course and certification process as the independent variable. The dependent variable, improved vascular access nurse’s knowledge, competence and self-confidence, was measured by a pre-post intervention test and self-efficacy assessment. Collected data were analyzed to determine if a correlation existed between the intervention and dependent variables. The pretest and posttest results were statistically significant (t = -6.069, p = .000), indicating that the participants had improved knowledge/competence post intervention. Results of the pre-post self-efficacy assessment showed that the nurses felt more confident following the program (t = - 2.591, p = .011). The primary investigator of this study recommends future implementation of a formal standardized orientation program, as well as a standardized validation/certification process for all vascular access nurses.

Date of Award

Spring 2019

Location (Creation)

Colorado (state); Denver (county); Denver (inhabited place)

Rights Statement

All content in this Collection is owned by and subject to the exclusive control of Regis University and the authors of the materials. It is available only for research purposes and may not be used in violation of copyright laws or for unlawful purposes. The materials may not be downloaded in whole or in part without permission of the copyright holder or as otherwise authorized in the “fair use” standards of the U.S. copyright laws and regulations.

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