Publication Date

2024

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Cooke, Marcia

Degree Name

DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice)

Department

School of Nursing

Abstract

Background: Anxiety is one of the most prevalent symptoms oncology patients experience and clinical guidelines support the use of nonpharmacological interventions (NPI) as a primary method for managing anxiety.

Local Problem: At a suburban, community hospital, a nurse perception survey revealed staff were “always” offering medications 69% of the time but NPIs were “never” used anywhere between 38-81% of the time. In a sampling of patients, only 33% recalled they had used NPIs. A Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) tool revealed that 69% of patients had higher than average levels of anxiety on the unit.

Methods: This quality improvement project evaluated the success of implementing a comfort menu to increase utilization of NPIs and the impact on levels of anxiety.

Interventions: The primary intervention was implementation of a comfort menu, over the course of 8-weeks, to increase patient awareness of available NPIs on the unit, and allow them to self-select appropriate interventions.

Results: Utilization of NPIs increased from 33% to 96% of the 50 patients who were offered the comfort menu. In addition, levels of anxiety demonstrated a statistically significant difference between the initial and post PROMIS scores, with post scores averaging 3.260 points lower than initial PROMIS scores.

Conclusions: Implementation of a comfort menu on an oncology unit was successful in increasing utilization of available NPIs and reducing overall levels of anxiety.

Download

Share

COinS