Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects
Access Control
Open Access
Degree Program
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Degree Track
Post Master's DNP Completion
Year Degree Awarded
2021
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7275/22710074
Month Degree Awarded
May
Keywords
diabetes mellitus, nurse education or training, diabetes education
Advisor
Constance Flynn
DNP Project Outside Member Name
Vrushali Shah
Abstract
Background: Approximately one in three hospitalized patients have a diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) that requires the high-risk medication insulin in order to maintain blood sugar control. The prevalence of insulin-related medication errors leading to hyper- and hypoglycemic reactions persists despite numerous interventions focused on provider prescriptive practice.
Purpose: This project provides evidence-based education to a cohort of new graduate nurses to increase nursing knowledge of safe insulin administration as well as raise awareness of comprehensive diabetes care.
Methods: The Iowa Model Revised guided this project through implementation of a live educational session provided through a video conference platform. Education focused on pathophysiology, pharmacokinetics, various types of insulin, hold parameters, and essential diabetes-related survival skills to teach patients prior to discharge home. A pre-test and post-test adapted from the Revised Diabetes Knowledge Test (DKT2) assessed nursing knowledge before and after the intervention.
Results: Participants scored 7% higher on the post-test indicating achievement of increased knowledge related to diabetes management and education. Nurses who completed the one-month follow-up survey had increased confidence levels providing care to patients with diabetes.
Conclusion: Nurses are the final line of defense in providing safe medication administration to patients. Providing continuing education to new graduate nurses is essential to improve quality, safety, and accuracy of insulin administration to the diabetic patient.
Keywords: diabetes mellitus, nurse education or training, diabetes education
Creative Commons License
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