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 Capstone Projects. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/nursstudent/36
