Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

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Department

Nursing

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Abstract

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are a leading cause of hospital readmissions in long-term rehabilitation facilities, increasing healthcare costs and patient morbidity. This quality improvement project aimed to reduce UTI-related rehospitalizations in a 200-bed rehabilitation facility in Pennsylvania by implementing the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) UTI Checklist. Using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle, the project involved training nurses on early UTI detection, hydration protocols, catheter management, and infection control measures. Data was collected for four months before and after the intervention to measure its impact. The UTI rehospitalization rate decreased from 77% before the intervention to 11% after implementation. A Z-test analysis confirmed statistical significance (p < 0.0001), demonstrating the effectiveness of the intervention. Implementing the NHSN UTI Checklist significantly reduced hospital readmissions, improved infection control practices, and enhanced nursing staff competency. Future research should explore multi-site studies, long-term impact assessment, and EHR integration to sustain these improvements. This project highlights the importance of evidence-based strategies in reducing preventable UTI-related rehospitalizations in long-term care settings.

Keywords

Urinary tract infections, rehospitalization, NHSN UTI Checklist, long-term care, infection control, quality improvement

Advisor

Dr. Jenny Manry

Date of Award

Spring 2025

Document Type

DNP Project

Rights

© The Author

Additional Files
2025_DNP_Nylander, C Poster.pdf (284 kB)
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