WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Sherry L. Hyland, assistant professor of nursing at Pennsylvania College of Technology, recently completed a doctor of nursing practice degree from Aspen University.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program culminates in an evidence-based practice improvement project. Hyland, who works in the hospital setting in addition to her full-time teaching position, focused on implementation of a standardized oral care protocol for hospital patients in a medical/surgical unit.
Hyland created “We care for you and your smile” window clings that were placed on the whiteboards in patient rooms to remind and raise awareness among patients, family members and staff to perform oral care. She also provided a standardized, color-coded protocol that provided oral care guidelines for staff based on each patient’s situation, including dentures or absent teeth. The protocol was placed in every patient room.
Hyland participated in staff huddles and went on rounds to provide education about the importance of oral care, not only for self-esteem but to prevent hospital-acquired pneumonia, diabetes and hypertension.
“And more recently, poor oral health has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease,” Hyland said.
The project was rolled out over eight weeks, and data was collected eight weeks before and after implementation of the protocol. Hyland found that the protocol made a significant difference in compliance with oral care standards.
Hyland began her work with Penn College in 2013 as a clinical instructor and joined the full-time faculty in 2015.
She earned an associate degree in nursing from Penn College in 2003 and completed a bachelor of science in nursing from Penn State World Campus in 2012, followed by a master’s degree in nursing education from Grand Canyon University in 2014.
In the clinical setting, she has worked in medical/surgical, critical care step down, the emergency department, endoscopy and professional development, and as an innovation specialist.
To learn more about Penn College’s nursing program, which offers associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as a post-master’s certificate in nursing education, call 570-327-4525 or visit www.pct.edu/nursing.
For information about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, visit www.pct.edu, email admissions@pct.edu or call toll-free 800-367-9222.