Papers by Ana-Maria Gallo
Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 2014
Heart failure is increasing in incidence, prevalence, and mortality. The purpose of this study wa... more Heart failure is increasing in incidence, prevalence, and mortality. The purpose of this study was to test the predictive accuracy of a screening tool to identify inpatients with heart failure. The tool demonstrated statistical significance for predictability, with 68.3% sensitivity, 86% specificity, and overall accuracy of 77.5%. The tool facilitated heart failure screening and subsequent implementation of evidence-based therapies.
Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 2013
Catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are common, painful, and potentially life th... more Catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are common, painful, and potentially life threatening to hospital patients. Nurses implemented an evidence-based project to determine if a new protocol would decrease the incidence of CAUTIs. The project included a point prevalence study, healthcare team education and a prompt communicating catheter insertion date, time and removal recommendations. This project was successful as evidenced by post data collection showing CAUTI rate decreases of 1.1/1000 catheter days and a device duration decrease of 0.2 device days/patient days.
Critical Care Nurse, Apr 1, 2010
C ardiac catheterizations are high-risk, highvolume procedures that are performed in the United S... more C ardiac catheterizations are high-risk, highvolume procedures that are performed in the United States more than 1.4 million times per year. 1 Vascular complications are the most common morbidity associated with cardiac catheterizations and have reported incidences as low as 0.1% and as high as 61%. 2,3 Most complications occur in patients who have had a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). 4-6 The American College of Cardiology (ACC) reported vascular complication rates of 1.7% in PCI patients. 7 Cardiac catheterization requires arterial access via a small sheath through either the femoral, brachial, or radial artery. After the sheath is removed, hemostasis is achieved at the insertion site with an internal vascular closure device or via external manual/mechanical compression.
Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing, Nov 1, 2018
Objective: To adopt evidence-based recommendations to delay cord clamping in vigorous preterm neo... more Objective: To adopt evidence-based recommendations to delay cord clamping in vigorous preterm neonates. Design: Evidence-based practice change project with quantitative data. Setting/Local Problem: Delayed cord clamping (DCC) was not a usual practice at the hospital where this project took place, despite research findings that show benefits of DCC for preterm neonates. Participants: Vigorous neonates born before 37 weeks completed gestation. Intervention/Measurement: An interprofessional obstetric team of obstetricians and registered nurses used DCC for up to 1 minute for vigorous preterm neonates. Results: We found that Apgar scores at 1 minute (mean [M] ¼ 8.35, standard deviation [SD] ¼ .551, n ¼ 31) were statistically significantly higher with DCC than at 1 minute with immediate cord clamping (
Journal of Nursing Administration, 2015
This article shares the findings of a qualitative study exploring clinical nurses&amp... more This article shares the findings of a qualitative study exploring clinical nurses' perceptions of teaching nursing students as a preceptor. The results will inform program design and nurse executives in supporting these relationships.
Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing, Apr 1, 2011
For the first time in history, there are 4 distinct generations of nurses working side by side at... more For the first time in history, there are 4 distinct generations of nurses working side by side at the clinical bedside: Veterans, Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Generation Y. All the generations have their unique personalities, beliefs, values, and learning styles. Approach to learning range from the traditional instructional method preferred by the Veteran's nurses to the more advanced technology (eg, Web-based, webinars, simulations, podcasts, and blogs) approach favored by Generation Y. Nurse educators and clinical nurse specialists must consider each generation's style of learning to best engage, stimulate, and promote transference and assimilations of new knowledge. This article briefly describes the generational learning style differences and explores alternative educational modalities to the traditional classroom instruction.
Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing, Mar 1, 2003
Several psychometric tools are available to assess pain in the neonate. Although clinically teste... more Several psychometric tools are available to assess pain in the neonate. Although clinically tested, most of these tools have not been integrated into the assessment of the well newborn. Information is lacking regarding the implementation of such tools and their effects in clinical practice. The Neonatal Infant Pain Scale provides a measure of the intensity of an infant's response to pain. This article describes a hospital's implementation of the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale, including the education provided to nurses and utilization of the tool in the assessment of well newborns.
PACEsetterS, 2011
Documentation compliance on visual gestational weight gain grids by advanced practice nurses did ... more Documentation compliance on visual gestational weight gain grids by advanced practice nurses did not meet newly set performance standards. The innovative performance standard set documentation and use of a visual weight grid at each prenatal visit, instead of each trimester, at a local community-based outpatient prenatal clinic. Advanced practice nurses providing prenatal obstetrical care received an educational intervention intended to increase compliance of such documentation in practice. In addition, the project solicited perceptions from the nurses concerning perceived barriers to their using the grid at each visit with the patient for use in future research. The goal was documentation compliance would increase after the educational intervention across three measurement outcomes to 80%. Methods Two advanced practice nurses provided 98% of the prenatal care at a local non-profit, community hospital-based, outpatient prenatal clinic in California. A random sample of 30% from 150 of the APNs' charts was to be selected, yielding 45 charts to be reviewed retrospectively, before and after an educational intervention. The intervention was re-education of the nurses through PowerPoint lecture, case exercises and documentation scripting, concerning the evidence supporting the use of the visual gestational weight gain grids with the patient for this population. Three measurement outcomes evaluating documentation compliance were used: 1) presence of documentation on the visual weight gain grid and, in the progress notes, 2) documentation addressing grid interpretation and 3) documentation of patient education given. The project outcome focused on the percent improvement in compliance with the newly set standard of documenting and using a visual grid at each prenatal visit by the APN. Results Percentages of documentation compliance increased to statistically significant levels (P < 0.01) across three outcome measurements: 86.4% (grid), 72.7% (grid interpretation), and 59.1% (patient education). Providers reported positive perceptions of the implementation process. Conclusions Although the project did not meet the goal of 80% compliance across all three measurement outcomes, gestational weight gain grid documentation compliance did meet the goal. This outcome demonstrates the reliability of the APN's use of the visual gestational weight grid with the patient at each prenatal visit at this site. Progress note documentation compliance requires further intervention.
Worldviews on Evidence-based Nursing, Feb 8, 2017
Background: The Advancing Research and Clinical practice through close Collaboration (ARCC) model... more Background: The Advancing Research and Clinical practice through close Collaboration (ARCC) model postulates that improvement in nurses' evidence-based practice (EBP) beliefs results in improved EBP implementation, which in turn improves nurse-related outcomes, such as nurses' job satisfaction and group cohesion. However, there is a dearth of interventional studies that evaluate the relationships among these variables. Aims: This study evaluated whether a regional EBP fellowship program improved participants' EBP beliefs, EBP implementation, job satisfaction, group cohesion, and group attractiveness, and examined the relationships among these improvements, using structural equation modeling. Methods: A pretest-posttest design was used among three annual cohorts of a regional, 9-month EBP fellowship program, from 2012 to 2014, in San Diego, California. Matched pretest and posttest questionnaires, including EBP Beliefs, EBP Implementation, Job Satisfaction, Group Cohesion, and Group Attractiveness scales, were analyzed (N = 120). Results: Paired t-tests showed statistically significant improvements in EBP beliefs, EBP implementation, job satisfaction, and group cohesion (p < .05). Structural equation modeling showed that improvement in EBP implementation had no direct effect on improvements in job satisfaction, group cohesion, or group attractiveness. However, improvement in EBP beliefs had direct effects on improvements in job satisfaction (β = .24; p = .002) and group attractiveness (β = .22; p = .010). Linking Evidence to Action: A regional, collaborative EBP fellowship program was effective in improving EBP beliefs, EBP implementation, job satisfaction, and group cohesion. Improvement in EBP beliefs appears to have had direct effects on improvements in job satisfaction and group attractiveness. Regional fellowship programs that educate and support EBP champions and their mentors may enhance EBP adoption in nursing practice across multiple health care institutions.
American Journal of Nursing, Dec 1, 1999
Journal of Nursing Care Quality, Dec 3, 2019
Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing, Nov 1, 2008
Objective-To describe sleep characteristics in high-risk antepartum inpatients. Design-Prospectiv... more Objective-To describe sleep characteristics in high-risk antepartum inpatients. Design-Prospective descriptive design. Setting-Tertiary hospital in southern California. Participants-A convenience sample of 39 antepartum women. Methods-Data were collected from participants' medical records, questionnaires (General Sleep Disturbance Scale [GSDS]), actigraphy on days 3-4 after admission, and a sleep diary that included reasons for awakening and morning and evening fatigue ratings. Results-Weeks gestation ranged from 24-35 weeks. Sleep time varied from 310-492 minutes and averaged 6.7 hours/night. The women were awakened 9-32 times/night and averaged 18 awakenings. They napped an average of 124 minutes throughout the day. Women averaged 3.9 on the GSDS when retrospectively considering 7 days prior to hospitalization and scored 4.1 when considering the current 3 days of hospitalization. In the diary, most rated their sleep quality as Fairly Good or Very Good (62-71%), but 29% said Very Bad on night 2, and 38% said Very Bad on night 3. Conclusion-Frequent interruptions during the night do not allow for mothers to receive the restorative sleep they need.
Nursing administration quarterly, Jul 1, 2022
In the context of declining doctoral admissions and scarce resources, a small, private university... more In the context of declining doctoral admissions and scarce resources, a small, private university in southern California serving a diverse student population created an innovative Same Day Admission event for their doctoral nursing programs. In a collaborative effort between the university's doctoral programs and admissions leadership, the complex and lengthy admission process was reduced and the number of applicants increased. A “1-stop shop” concept improved the efficiency of the application and admission process to the Doctor of Nursing Practice and Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing programs. More than triple the number of applicants in one-fifth the amount of time were admitted for the spring and fall 2022 semesters using the Same Day Admission process compared with offering doctoral information sessions, passive inquiries, and a traditional admission process. The applicants praised the efficient, motivating, and energizing process. Feedback from the faculty and staff involved was extremely positive about the collaboration and was used for process improvement purposes. Additional innovations are planned for the future, including the use of applicant narratives for promotion, and current students sharing their lived doctoral program experiences during the Same Day Admission event.
Journal of Nursing Administration, Apr 1, 2017
This study examined a 6-month follow-up of a regional evidence-based practice (EBP) fellowship pr... more This study examined a 6-month follow-up of a regional evidence-based practice (EBP) fellowship program and the predictors of EBP adoption at hospital units. BACKGROUND: The immediate beneficial effects of a regional EBP program are known, but the mediumterm effects are not certain. METHODS: A matched pretest/posttest study was conducted using a mailed questionnaire 6 months after the completion of a 9-month regional EBP fellowship program among 3 annual cohorts of participants. RESULTS: Statistically significant improvements in the mean scores of EBP beliefs, EBP implementation, and group cohesion were found (P G .05). Of the 47 participants who completed their EBP projects, more than three-quarters reported EBP adoption at their own hospital units, and EBP beliefs were a positive predictor of EBP adoption (odds ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.22; P = .017). CONCLUSIONS: The outcome improvements continued 6 months after the fellowship program, and strong EBP beliefs predicted EBP adoption in the participants_ units.
Gastroenterology Nursing, May 1, 2013
The purpose of this research study was to determine whether specific attributes of endoscopy nurs... more The purpose of this research study was to determine whether specific attributes of endoscopy nurses such as age, body mass, or height contribute to neck, shoulder, or back problems. Study participants included endoscopy nurses who physically assist with endoscopic procedures (hands-on assist). Participants with preexisting neck, shoulder, or back injury prior to employment in endoscopy were excluded. Study participants completed the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire. Results suggested that age or height of less than 68 inches were not contributing factors to neck, shoulder, or back problems. Nurses with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or more had significantly more upper back problems in the past 12 months. Nurses with BMI of 25 or more and/or those who were taller than 68 inches had a significantly higher incidence of upper and lower back problems that prevented work in the previous 12 months and occurred within the previous 7 days. Nurses with a BMI of 25 or more and/or who are 68 inches or taller should be aware of their higher risk for upper and lower back problems, and adjustments need to be made to their work practice and environment.
Several psychometric tools are available to assess pain in the neonate. Although clinically teste... more Several psychometric tools are available to assess pain in the neonate. Although clinically tested, most of these tools have not been integrated into the assessment of the well newborn. Information is lacking regarding the implementation of such tools and their effects in clinical practice. The Neonatal Infant Pain Scale provides a measure of the intensity of an infant’s response to pain. This article describes a hospital’s implementation of the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale, including the education provided to nurses and uti-lization of the tool in the assessment of well newborns.
Critical Care Nurse, 2010
C ardiac catheterizations are high-risk, highvolume procedures that are performed in the United S... more C ardiac catheterizations are high-risk, highvolume procedures that are performed in the United States more than 1.4 million times per year. 1 Vascular complications are the most common morbidity associated with cardiac catheterizations and have reported incidences as low as 0.1% and as high as 61%. 2,3 Most complications occur in patients who have had a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). 4-6 The American College of Cardiology (ACC) reported vascular complication rates of 1.7% in PCI patients. 7 Cardiac catheterization requires arterial access via a small sheath through either the femoral, brachial, or radial artery. After the sheath is removed, hemostasis is achieved at the insertion site with an internal vascular closure device or via external manual/mechanical compression.
Nursing Administration Quarterly
Uploads
Papers by Ana-Maria Gallo