Learn about the research projects currently being conducted by the Abramson Center of Nursing Excellence.
Research Studies
The Path for Women of Color (WOC) to Ascend in Healthcare: Stakeholder Perspectives in Nursing
Study Team: PI- Larissa Morgan MSN, RN, NPD-BC; Co-Is- Rebecca Trotta PhD, RN, Jaya Aysola, MD, MPH; Interviewers – Andrea Blount, MPH, BSN, RN; Georgian Green, BSN, RN-BC; Felicia Morrison, MBA, MSN, RN-BC
Summary: This qualitative study aims to understand the nuanced personal, interpersonal and organizational experiences of Black/African American women, as a representative group of WOC, in one of the largest industries (healthcare), inside one of the largest occupations within that industry (nursing). We seek to understand the pathway for advancement along this trajectory from pre-nursing positions to executive leadership by gathering the stakeholder perspectives. The results of this pilot study will inform strategic interventions designed to mitigate barriers and create opportunities for advancement of WOC along this pathway from pre-nursing positions to executive leadership.
Funding Source: Wharton Center for Leadership and Change Management Diversity and Inclusion Initiative Grant $5,600 2022 Funded Research | Center for Leadership and Change Management
Status: Data collection
Development of a Palliative Care Screening Tool (PCST) for use in Neurology Critical Care
Study Team: PIs – Julia Valenziano, MSN, RN, CCRN; Co-Is - Rebecca Trotta, PhD, RN; Robin Hermann, MSN, RN, CCRP; Barbara Riegel, PhD, FAAN FAHA; Caroline Dougherty, MSN, AGACNP-BC, FACC; Interviewers: Emma Max, BSN, RN, CCRN; Erin Marturano, MSN, MBE, RN
Summary: Although screening tools to identify palliative care (PC) needs for critically ill patients exist, none fully captures the unique needs of neurocritical care patients. This multi-phase study aims to develop a PC screening tool for use by nurses in neurocritical care to help them identify patients’ PC needs. In Phase I, a national Delphi approach was undertaken to determine indicators of potential PC needs for neurocritical care patients, yielding a neurocritical care palliative care-screening tool (NCPCST). In Phase II a mixed methods approach will evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and utility for integration of the NCPCST into nursing practice and understand nurses’ perspectives on the barriers and facilitators of PC in neurocritical care.
Funding Source: $4,000 – Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of AACN (SePA); $5,000 – Agnes Marshall Walker Foundation
Status: Data analysis
An Exploratory Analysis of Factors Associated with Falls Among Neutropenic Hematologic Malignancy Patients Undergoing Autologous Stem Cell Transplant or Induction Chemotherapy
Study Team: PI - Danielle Pollock, BSN, RN, OCN; Co-Is – Rebecca Trotta, PhD, RN; Robin Hermann, MSN, RN, CCRP; Rosemary Polomano, PhD, RN, FAAN
Summary: Neutropenic hematologic malignancy patients hospitalized for stem cell transplant or induction chemotherapy are at high risk for falls. Studies of oncology patients suggest that a cancer diagnosis and receipt of chemotherapy increases fall risk compared to other hospitalized patients. Standard risk factor assessments do not account for these oncology-specific characteristics and therefore may not accurately reflect an oncology patients’ risk of falling. In this exploratory retrospective study, we will review records of oncology patients hospitalized for stem cell transplant or induction chemotherapy to identify likely predictors of falls in this vulnerable oncology population. This will be a foundational step for further research aimed at testing an oncology-specific fall risk prediction scale.
Funding: 2021 Daisy Foundation $7,500 Grants Funded | DAISY Foundation
Status: Data analysis
Adaptation of Heart Failure Self Care and Somatic Perception Instruments for Use with LVAD Patients
Study Team: PI-Lisa Joy Klein MSN, RN; Co-Is Rebecca L. Trotta, PhD, RN, Robin Hermann, MSN, RN, CCRP, and Barbara Riegel, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN
Summary: The SCHFI is an instrument created by Dr. Barbara Riegel that measures heart failure patients’ self-care practices. Self-care is defined as a naturalistic decision-making process that influences actions that maintain physiologic stability, facilitate the perception of symptoms, and direct the management of those symptoms. This theoretically grounded instrument has undergone extensive psychometric testing for use with heart failure patients, but does not fully reflect the self-care experience of heart failure patients with VADs. This study was initiated using Delphi methodology to gain consensus on content, and will be validated for use with VAD patients as part of a larger randomized controlled trial.
Status: Dissemination
Utilizing Motivational Interviewing to Improve Self-care in LVAD Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Study Team: PI-Lisa Joy Klein MSN, RN, AGPCNP-BC; Co-Is Rebecca L. Trotta, PhD, RN, Robin Hermann, MSN, RN, CCRP, and Barbara Riegel, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN. Intervention Nurses – Lisa Joy Klein, MSN, RN, AGPCNP-BC; Michelle Feil, MSN, RN, WCC and Emma Max BSN, RN, CCRN. Data Collection Nurses- Kylie Hibbett, BSN, RN; Robyn Strauss, ACNS-BC,RN,MSN,WCC
Summary: Patients receive LVADs as an advanced therapy for heart failure while awaiting transplant or as destination therapy. LVADs require extensive daily self-care, which can be burdensome and overwhelming for patients. MI is an approach used to support people in achieving their self-care goals through behavior change. It leverages active listening and reflection to increase motivation and decrease barriers to positive behavior change. This study will test the effects of an MI intervention versus standard care on self-care practices, symptom perception, quality of life, and depression
Status: Planning
An Exploratory Analysis of Risk for Central-Line Associated Blood Stream Infections (CLABSIs) in the Adult Acute Myeloid Leukemia Population
Study Team: PI- Theresa Gorman, MSN, RN, AOCNS, BMTCN; Co-Is – Robin Hermann, MSN, RN, CCRP, Rebecca L. Trotta, PhD, RN Rosemary Polomano, PhD, RN, FAAN; Sarah Cutrufello MSN, RN, OCN, Amy Moore, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, AOCNS, WTA-C; and Rachel Mea MSN, RN, OCN
Summary: Oncology patients with central lines are at high risk for blood stream infections. Those infections can have devastating effects. This study will uncover unique early predictors of central line-related blood stream infections (CLABSI) in hospitalized patients with acute myeloid leukemia. These predictors can be used to identify patients at high risk for CLABSI and ensure proactive prevention.
Funding Source: 2017 The Daisy Foundation $5,000. Grants Funded | DAISY Foundation
Status: Dissemination
An Implementation Science Study of Kangaroo Care Practices in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Study Team: PI –Saritha Vangala, MSN, RNC-NIC, Co-Is - Rebecca L. Trotta, PhD, RN, Robin Hermann, MSN, RN, CCRP
Summary: Kangaroo Care (KC), also known as skin-to-skin care, is a decades old practice of holding a newborn directly against a mother (or parent’s) skin. There are well-established benefits of this practice, especially for critically ill neonates, such as promotion of breast feeding, improved neurological development, decreased need for neuroleptic medications, and shorter length of stay, and decreased mortality. Despite the benefits, KC is not fully integrated into practice. This study will focus on understanding and addresses neonatal nurses’ behaviors with regard to KC implementation, and subsequently improve outcomes. Completed Phase I involving baseline practice assessment and use of a behavior change theory to implement interventions. Kangaroo Care rates improved from 10% to 32%.
Status: Dissemination
Validation of the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS) for use in Labor and Delivery Nurses
Study Team: Rosemary Polomano, PhD, RN, FAAN; Rebecca L. Trotta, PhD, RN; Robin Hermann, MSN, RN, CCRP; Erika Nicholls, MSN, RN, C-EFM
Summary: Secondary Traumatic Stress is a phenomenon experienced by health care providers who witness patient trauma that can have lasting negative physical and psychosocial effects. The Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS) was developed to quantify this trauma, and has been validated for use with populations such as social workers, emergency nurses, and first responders. We completed a study of secondary traumatic stress among labor and delivery nurses across Penn Medicine in 2019 (see manuscripts) and are now embarking on validating the instrument for official use in this population of nurses.
Status: Analysis
Contact the Abramson Family Center for Nursing Excellence at HUP.CenterforNursingExcellence@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Interested in supporting the center?
Donate Today!