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Phases of the Project (dates activities will occur)
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Activities that will help you create and implement your project
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Who will be in charge?
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Resources needed to complete this phase
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Cost of Phase
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Approximate Time Spent on Phase
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Planning
August 31–September 13, 2026
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The approved faculty instructor and unit nurse manager will meet together to discuss the proposed quality improvement project with the unit nurse and obtain their approval to start the project as outlined in the project timeline, coverage of responsibilities of individuals involved in the project, and review the nurse-led CAUTI prevention bundle.
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Student (Project Leader), Faculty Instructor, Unit Nurse Manager (after confirming participation)
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Approved literature review, capstone proposal, meeting room or Microsoft Teams, project timeline, notebook for meeting minutes
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$0 (Hospital resources)
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6 hours
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Create a uniform CAUTI Prevention Bundle checklist based on current CDC recommendations, evidence-based guidelines and the hospital's current urinary catheter policy. To ensure consistent use of the checklist, practices for inserting the catheter, practices for necessity assessments, practices for maintaining the catheter, documentation practices, and criteria for removal by the nurse will be included.
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Student with Infection Prevention Nurse (after confirmation)
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CDC guideline, hospital catheter policy, Microsoft Word, evidence-based articles
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$0
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5 hours
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Create a professional one-page educational pamphlet detailing the purpose of the nurse-led CAUTI prevention bundle, evidence to support the CAUTI prevention bundle, proper nursing care around the catheter, nursing responsibilities for the CAUTI prevention bundle and the expected nursing benefit for patients' safety. The pamphlet will be reviewed prior to the distribution to the nursing staff.
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Student
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Computer, printer, Microsoft Word or Publisher, hospital education materials
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Printing donated by nursing department (
$0)
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4 hours
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Develop a nursing competency checklist that includes the necessary skills for catheter insertion, maintenance, documentation, aseptic technique and daily assessments of the need for the catheter. The checklist will be utilized to remind staff to adhere to evidence-based practice during staff education and during observational audits.
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Student and Clinical Preceptor (after confirmation)
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Competency template, hospital policy, CAUTI guidelines
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$0
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4 hours
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Get one three ring binder, divider tabs, and sheet protectors for project documents, education, attendance, competency checklists, audit tools, meeting notes and evaluation documents. Having organized documentation will help coordinate the project and in preparing the final report.
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Student
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Binder, dividers, sheet protectors
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$18
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1 hour
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Create education handouts, competency sheets, attendance sheets, audit sheets, reminder cards and evaluation sheets that will be given out during the project. Consistency of materials with the approved CAUTI prevention bundle and project objectives will be reviewed prior to printing.
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Student
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Hospital printer (if permitted), paper, electronic files
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Printing donated (
$0)
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2 hours
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Implementation
September 14–October 25, 2026 (6 weeks)
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Host a 30 minute educational session at a regular nursing staff meeting, to introduce the nurse led CAUTI Prevention Bundle. The presentation will include evidence for the intervention, how to perform correct catheter care, documentation expectations, what to expect for patient safety outcomes, and be open to questions from staff prior to implementing the intervention.
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Student Presenter; Unit Educator (after confirmation)
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PowerPoint presentation, projector, attendance sheet, educational pamphlets
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$0
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6 hours
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Post educational pamphlets, competency checklists and reminder cards among the participating nurses after the education session. Staff will be encouraged to look through the materials at the time of implementation and have any questions answered at the time as to the components of the bundle or the requirements for documentation.
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Student
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Printed educational materials
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Printing donated
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2 hours
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Place reminder posters to remind staff of daily catheter need assessments, proper maintenance of the catheter in an aseptic manner, hand hygiene and appropriate removal of catheter in designated staff work areas, with prior approval from the nurse manager. The posters will be used to support the education during implementation.
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Student; Unit Manager approval required
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Laminated educational posters
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Lamination donated (
$0)
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2 hours
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Follow the CAUTI Prevention Bundle by the nurse and use the bundle during normal nursing care, per hospital policy. The student will observe standardized insertion, maintenance, daily assessment, documentation and nurse driven catheter removal procedures of the bedside nurses and will assist with these procedures as necessary.
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Participating bedside nurses; Student observes implementation
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CAUTI bundle checklist, catheter care supplies, hospital policy
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Existing hospital supplies
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20 hours
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Conduct weekly observational audits (every week) using the standard compliance checklist to measure compliance with each element of the CAUTI prevention bundle. Findings from the audit will be captured, structured and benchmarked weekly to highlight strengths and challenges, as well as opportunities for enhancement during implementation.
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Student with Infection Prevention Nurse (after confirmation)
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Audit forms, clipboard, compliance checklist
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$0
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10 hours
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Offer short weekly audits to the nurses who are participating in which the findings are summarized, and rewards are given for being compliant with the bundle, talk through areas for improvement, answer the nurses questions, and remind them of evidence-based catheter care practices to encourage continued adherence to the bundle during implementation.
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Student
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Compliance summary sheets, audit reports
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$0
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5 hours
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Keep a full project record (Attendance, education materials, completed competency checklists, audit forms, meeting notes, weekly project implementation summaries) in the project binder. Documentation will be used to assist in the evaluation of projects and preparation of the final capstone report.
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Student
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Binder, folders, computer
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Included above
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4 hours
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Evaluation
October 26–November 8, 2026
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Review monthly CAUTI surveillance data and compare to baseline data prior to implementation. The project will be evaluated to see if the project had an impact on the incidence of C.A.U.T.I. and increased evidence-based nursing practice.
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Student; Infection Prevention Department (after confirmation)
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Hospital quality reports, surveillance data, audit results
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$0
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6 hours
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Use completed audit tools to calculate nursing compliance percentage and provide an overview in Microsoft Excel. The compliance with the nurse led CAUTI prevention bundle will be assessed by analyzing the compliance with insertion, maintenance, documentation and timely removal of the catheters.
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Student
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Calculator, Microsoft Excel, completed audit forms
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$0
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4 hours
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Determine if project objectives of the SMART goal of reducing the incidence of CAUTI by 25% within the 16 weeks of the project, and increasing standardized care for catheters was met. Project results will be discussed with the faculty instructor for overall project evaluation.
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Student with Faculty Instructor
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Outcome data, project objectives, evaluation forms
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$0
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3 hours
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Recognize issues that arise in the process of implementation such as workflow challenges, staff compliance concerns, documentation issues, and resource limitations. Practically propose ways to continuously uphold the nurse-led CAUTI prevention bundle following the completion of the capstone project.
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Student; Unit Manager
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Meeting notes, audit findings, staff feedback
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$0
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3 hours
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Reporting
November 9–November 22, 2026
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Create professional graphs, charts and tables for comparison of baseline and post-implementation CAUTI rates, nursing compliance rates and audit results. A culminating report and presentation will include visual displays to effectively convey the outcomes of the project.
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Student
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Microsoft Excel, computer
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$0
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5 hours
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Prepare the final Capstone Project Report in current APA format that describes the quality improvement initiative, process of implementation, educational activities, evaluation methods, and project outcomes, and limitations, recommendations for sustainability and implications for future nursing practice.
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Student
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Computer, APA Manual, project documentation
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$0
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18 hours
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Create a professional PowerPoint presentation summarizing project background, PICOT question, intervention, implementation process, evaluation results, recommendations, and conclusion and present to faculty and other project stakeholders.
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Student
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Microsoft PowerPoint, computer
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$0
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8 hours
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Submit the final quality improvement project, respond to questions about the project, and submit all capstone documents prior to the deadline of the course, following the requirements of the BSN program.
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Student
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Presentation equipment, projector, completed capstone documents
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$0
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4 hours
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senia62592
CapstoneProjectProposalWorkPlanUpdated.docx
