Doctor of Nursing Practice

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Abstract

Impact of Nurse Education Program on 30-Day Readmissions among Ischemic Stroke Patients

by

Mariana Tsucuneli

MS, Walden University, 2018

BS, Davenport University, 2014

Mariana Tsucuneli

Proposal Submitted in Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree of

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Walden University

May 2020

Abstract

Unplanned 30-day readmissions among patients diagnosed with Ischemic stroke (IS) is a major public health problem in the United States (US). The Affordable Healthcare Act introduced financial penalties and incentives for facilities to encourage care plans aimed to reducing 30-day readmissions rates for stroke and other five illnesses. Facilities with high rates of 30-day readmissions for IS patients, are therefore penalized by the centers for Medicare and Medicaid services in addition to receiving poor scores on the quality of care they provide. The proposed project will be a staff education program aimed to improve post-acute stroke transitional care to reduce 30-day readmission rates. The project will be guided by the question; among nurses caring for IS patients, does an educational program focused on active engagement and caring for patients compared to standard practice, reduce the 30-day readmission rates? The design of the educational intervention, its implementation, and evaluation will be guided by the competency, outcomes, and performance assessment (COPA) model focused on the integration of interactive learning, practice-based outcomes, and competency assessment.

Keywords: 30-day readmissions, care bundle, ischemic stroke, educational program.

Impact of a Nurse Education Program on 30-Day Readmissions among Ischemic Stroke Patients

by

Mariana Tsucuneli

MS, Walden University, 2018

BS, Davenport University, 2014

Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree of

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Walden University

May 2020

Table of Contents

1Section 1: Nature of the Project

1Introduction

2Problem Statement

3Purpose

4Nature of the Doctoral Project

6Significance

7Summary

9Section 2: Background and Context

9Introduction

9Concepts, Model and Theories

9Model

11Theory

13Concepts

13Relevance to Nursing Practice

15Local Background and Context

17Role of the DNP Student

18Summary

19Section 3: Collection and Analysis of Evidence

19Introduction

19Practice-focused Question

20Sources of Evidence

22Nature of the Data

22Participants