Date Approved
4-2015
Graduate Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Nursing (D.N.P.)
Degree Program
College of Nursing
Abstract
Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) represents a new and previously unexplored threat to college campuses across the United States. In the fall of 2014, thousands of international students arrived on college campuses across the nation, but there were few resources for officials in higher education to reference as they sought to manage the threat of an unfamiliar hemorrhagic disease. Preparing for viral outbreaks is an essential task for campus emergency response committees. Colleges and universities are at risk for disease outbreaks because of extensive travel programs and close living quarters. At the same time, colleges must also promote hospitality and avoid stigmatizing individuals and groups. The purpose of this project is to improve the health and safety of a college campus through the generation of an evidence-based EVD preparedness plan for a private Midwestern college. The project utilized three theoretical frameworks and a thorough literature review to develop site-specific emergency guidelines, addressing factors that are unique to the college setting. Donabedian’s Structure-Process Outcome Theory outlines how structures and processes influence outcomes, while the Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) Model and the Transdisciplinary Model of Evidence-Based Practice guide project implementation. The literature review demonstrates the value of deliberate, ongoing, and site-specific preparedness planning. The project utilized a quality improvement team to execute the PDSA model. During the initial phase, the team developed a problem statement, clinical questions, and goals and objectives. The “do” portion of the cycle included the implementation of EVD policy while the “study” stage assessed performance measures and project deliverables. The “act” stage involved the acceptance of the EVD policy and the determination of next steps for quality improvement within the college health center. 8 The scholarly project reveals how the essentials of the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree were applied to policy development and project management. It demonstrates how a transdisciplinary team created, revised, and implemented a campus-specific EVD preparedness plan, stimulating conversations among about disease management. Ultimately, the successful completion of the project objectives resulted in a document that serves as a template for responding to threats to campus health.
ScholarWorks Citation
Cooper, Julie, "The Development of an Evidence-Based Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness Plan for a College Health Center" (2015). Doctoral Dissertations. 31.
https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/dissertations/31
