Degree Name
Nursing Practice, DNP
Publication Date
Spring 4-27-2025
Upload Date
4/27/25
First Advisor
Mary Newkirk
Second Advisor
Diane Hare
Abstract
This project aimed to improve the knowledge and usage of virtual patient sitters/tele-sitters for surgical trauma progressive care nurses in the surgical trauma progressive care unit through the implementation of nursing education, utilizing evidenced based teaching strategies. Nurse leaders identified a need for staff education among the surgical trauma registered nurse staff population. The goal of the project was to increase knowledge of virtual patient sitters/tele-sitters and how to order them, improve the understanding of the benefits of utilizing the device and to increase the overall usage of the devices on the surgical trauma progressive care unit patients that would benefit from the device due to being high fall risk. The pre- and post-surveys were utilized to determine staff knowledge base and improvement. Post implementation of education for virtual patient sitters during this project has demonstrated that education significantly improves tele-sitter adoption, enhancing patient safety in the Surgical Trauma PCU. There were notable confidence gains among nurses, showing that the intervention worked as well as the significant increase in utilization rate from 50% to 95%. This project has meaningful implications for nursing in the Surgical Trauma PCU. Improving nurse confidence directly impacted nurse confidence in the implementation and usage of the tele-sitter devices, directly improving patient care by adding an additional safety metric. The education intervention shows nurses can adopt technology with proper training, enhancing care quality. By improving the monitoring of high-risk patients, we have aligned with the hospital’s safety goals, creating a practical change in practice that protects patients and supports nurses in delivering better care in our unit.
Rights Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Stone, Stephanie R., "Quality Improvement Project Improving Tele-Sitter Usage in the Surgical Trauma PCU" (2025). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 109.
https://arch.astate.edu/dnp-projects/109
