Critically Appraised Topic (CAT) Series, School of Nursing

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https://hdl.handle.net/1920/8125

The objective of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at George Mason University is to prepare graduates for the highest level of nursing practice. Emphasis is placed on evaluating and applying the evidence that supports practice, understanding and creating practice delivery systems based on patient outcomes, and assuming leadership roles in practice settings. Graduates of the program will be able to assume many roles in the health care system, including direct patient care, clinical nursing faculty, practice management, and policy development.

All DNP students take an evidence-based practice course titled Evidence Based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare (NURS 883). This hallmark course for the DNP program builds on knowledge of research methodologies to analyze the selection and evaluation of research underlying evidence based practice. Emphasis is placed on the translation of research in practice, the evaluation of practice and the improvement of the reliability of health care practice and outcomes.

The first assignment students complete is a Critically Appraised Topic (CAT). CATs are mini-systematic reviews and considered a snapshot of the literature on a topic of interest. Students critically appraise literature related to a focused clinical question and summarize the best available research evidence on the topic of interest. CATs conclude with clinical bottom lines for practitioners to quickly take away for consideration in practice.

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Now showing 1 - 12 of 12

Is communication significantly enhanced by the use of cochlear implants versus conventional hearing aids for pediatric patients?
(George Mason University, 2013-07) Jones, Marjorie
Purpose: To identify the existence for a causal relationship of both expressive and receptive language communications for a cochlear implant pediatric population.
Are hemoglobin A1c levels affected if a type II diabetic fasts for religious observance?
(George Mason University, 2013-06-28) Lakhani, Ruhi
Purpose: To explore if hemoglobin A1c values in type II diabetics increase, decrease or remain the same after fasting for Ramadan.
Can comprehensive geriatric assessment compared with standard care help predict and prevent falls among older adults?
(George Mason University, 2013-06-20) John, Ellen
Purpose: To find out if comprehensive geriatric assessment can help predict and prevent falls among the older adults.
Is increased vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy for deficient and non-deficient mother associated with positive pregnancy/neonatal outcomes?
(George Mason University, 2013-06-20) Hussain, Huma
Purpose: To find out if supplementation of Vitamin D in pregnant women has positive pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.
Are adult heterosexuals who are engaging in high risk sexual behaviors, less likely to receive the hepatitis B vaccine due to perceived psychosocial barriers?
(George Mason University, 2013-06-22) Scully, Cathleen
Purpose: Heterosexual adult patients attending STD clinics are at higher risk of contracting Hepatitis B, however this patient population has a low rate of HBV vaccination acceptance. In order to understand and increase the immunization rate, an examination of perceived barriers to acceptance of the HBV vaccine series is warranted.
Do pre-op medical clearances by primary care physicians for outpatient elective surgeries decrease post-op admissions and improve patient outcomes?
(George Mason University, 2013-06-22) Obeid, Maria
Purpose: Long gone are the days of inpatient pre-operative admissions. Outpatient elective surgeries have increased in number and the focus has shifted to prepare the patient on an outpatient basis. Internal medicine practices are relied upon to provide medical clearance which is causing a lack in pre-operative visits. Therefore, patients are coming in the day of surgery without a medical clearance or proper history & physical which may potentially put them at risk preoperatively and/or post operatively.
Does family pressure for non-disclosure of a cancer diagnosis interfere with patients’ ability to cope?
(George Mason University, 2013-02-22) Althoff, Christine
Withholding prognosis information was associated with anxiety and difficulty with patient and family communication. Singapore, Chinese and Japanese patients prefer to be informed of cancer diagnosis and disease progression. Physicians from all three Asian cultures frequently delivered prognosis information to the families and expect the family to make a decision about prognosis disclosure. The patient family groups preferred to hear the information together. The family group is more important than the individual patient. The concept of family centered decision-making being part of the “ principle of autonomy exists, but it is interpreted as concepts of the family rather than self- determination.” Patients expected the physician to provide emotional support to the family.
Does guideline adherence improve patient outcome in outpatient settings?
(George Mason University, 2013-05-07) Ghimire, Prithvi
Purpose: Heart Failure (HF) is a chronic disease associated with substantial morbidity, mortality and healthcare expenditure. According to a study done by Their et al. (2008), the two main reasons that lead to less than optimal outcome, increased cost and higher utilization in patient with chronic diseases like HF are patient medication non-adherence and provider variation in delivery of guideline based care. The question then arises; will the patient have a better prognosis if the providers adhere to standard guidelines in managing HF? The purpose of this CAT is to review the relationship between adherence to outpatient Heart Failure pharmacological guidelines and clinical outcome.
The Role of Patient Attitudes and Beliefs Regarding Depression on Antidepressant Adherence
(George Mason University, 2013-02-19) Johnston, Brenda
Clinical Scenario: According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2012), more than 350 million persons worldwide suffer from depression. Depression is a treatable condition; however, nearly 50% of patients prematurely discontinue antidepressant therapy (Sansone, & Sansone, 2012). Although many studies have concluded that patient adherence to antidepressants is problematic (Sansone, & Sansone, 2012; Warden et al., 2007; Van Geffen et al., 2011; McMullen & Herman, 2009), few studies have focused on the roles of patient attitudes and beliefs regarding depression as a specific reason for non-adherence to antidepressant treatment.
Utilizing Music Therapy in Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories
(George Mason University, 2013-02-28) Nahigian, Courtney
Purpose: To determine if music therapy makes a positive difference in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization.
TeleHealth Insulin Program for Uninsured Type 2 Diabetics
(George Mason University, 2013-02-17) So, Mary June C.
Purpose: To assess the impact of a TeleHealth Insulin Program (TIP) on reducing Hemoglobin A1c (HgbA1c) levels in individuals with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Methods of Non-Invasive Carbon Dioxide Monitoring
(George Mason University, 2013-02-21) Byerly, Kathryn K.
Purpose: To determine which method of noninvasive carbon dioxide (Co2) monitoring - transcutaneous or end-tidal Co2 - more accurately reflects arterial Co2 levels facilitating identification of hypoventilation as evidenced by hypercarbia in adults receiving anesthesia in the peri-procedural setting?

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