DNP alumna Mary "Mimi" Jenko published an article entitled "A systems approach to improving care for all bereaved families" in the Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing. The article was co-authored with Nancy Short.

Abstract: Bereavement services for families are an established part of hospice and palliative care. However, patients also die in the acute care and long-term care environments. Often, hospice is not involved, creating a potential gap in care. This article recounts a journey to improve care for all families of deceased patients, despite the presence or absence of hospice. A palliative care clinical nurse specialist led a quality improvement team, which used a systems thinking approach to develop and implement a downloadable bereavement booklet for families. Expected and unexpected outcomes are discussed for this replicable project.

DNP alumna Kelsey Chinnadurai published an article entitled "Implementation of a sustainable ventilator-associated pneumonia protocol in a pediatric intensive care unit in Managua, Nicaragua" in the November/December issue of the Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing. Co-authors include Drs. Lindy Fenlason, Brian Bridges, Sivkumar Chinnadurai and Mana Espahbodi from Vanderbilt, and Jane Blood-Siegfried.

Abstract: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common nosocomial infection in pediatric intensive care units (ICUs). Ventilator-associated pneumonia protocols decrease the incidence of VAP; however, many components of these protocols are not feasible in all settings. This study was done in a large pediatric hospital in Nicaragua. The aim of this study is to implement a sustainable evidence-based VAP protocol, in a different culture, for the purpose of decreasing VAP rates. Implementation of a sustainable VAP protocol in a pediatric ICU in Nicaragua can reduce the incidence of VAP. Multiple barriers and challenges associated with implementation in a resource-constrained environment are discussed.