Date of Graduation
5-2019
Document Type
Capstone
Keywords
Chronic knee pain; Knee replacement; Standardized documentation; Gap analysis; Compliance
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Degree Level
Graduate
Advisor/Mentor
Casida, Jessie
Abstract
The focus of this DNP project was to develop a clinical pathway for treating patients who suffer from chronic knee pain after knee replacement by creating a standardized documentation template. Currently, there are four teams comprised of four physicians and four mid-level providers who treat patients in the clinical setting. Through review of literature, it was determined that laboratory tests ESR, CRP, and synovial fluid assay; physical knee exam, and radiographic imagine are the three necessary components needed to work-up and diagnose patients with this problem. Gap analysis through chart review showed inconsistency between teams with documenting specifically with the knee exam with none of 40 charts having a complete knee exam. By implementing a template that guided the clinician through each of the components, documentation improved for all components with the knee exam improving from 0 to 92.3%. Compliance with use of the template showed to be a significant factor in improving documentation as there were no delinquencies in any of the notes that used the template showed in the post-implementation chart review.
Citation
Thomas, A. T. (2019). Clinical Pathway for Treating Chronic Knee Pain After Total Knee Arthroplasty. The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing DNP Capstone Projects. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/nursstudent/36
