The curriculum for nurse practitioner (NP) students often overlooks the assessment of the oral cavity. In recognition of this, the HEENT (head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat) assessment was expanded to HEENOT (head, ears, eyes, nose, oral, and throat) through integration of an interprofessional educational (IPE) activity developed for University of Colorado NP and dental students. The aim of this study was to assess NP students’ perceptions of an IPE activity in which dental faculty and students taught NP students how to conduct an oral exam, recognize oral health pathology, and apply fluoride varnish. Afterwards, the NP students completed an evaluation survey focusing on their thoughts, comfort level, organization, and understanding of the activity. This IPE activity was repeated over four semesters from 2014 to 2017, and significant differences among the semesters were compared. All NP students in the four semesters participated in the activity and the survey: semester one N=25, semester two N=31, semester three N=43, and semester four N=25. In all semesters, NP students reported feeling more confident conducting oral health exams after completion of the IPE activity. Semester four students agreed more with the idea of interprofessional collaboration (OR: 0.103) and receiving educational information not learned elsewhere in the curriculum (OR: 0.134) compared to semester one students. Higher odds for the session being well organized and conducted in a suitable time were found for semester four compared to semester two (OR: 0.217). These comparisons reflect improvement in teaching methodologies over the four semesters and an overall increased confidence for NP students in performing an oral health assessment.
Purpose
To provide nurse practitioners (NPs) with a current guide for the diagnosis and treatment of high school wrestlers who present with common skin infections and to familiarize NPs with the National Federation of High School Associations Sports Medicine Advisory Committee return to participation guide and medical release form.
Data sources
Literature review of evidence‐based research, journal articles, and reference texts related to skin lesions and high school wrestlers.
Conclusions
High school wrestlers with skin infections present in a variety of clinical settings. Improperly diagnosed and/or managed skin infections have the potential to get worse and continue to spread among teammates. Accurate diagnosis and treatment in combination with the use of a return to participation guide can improve outcomes and return the wrestler to participation sooner.
Implications for practice
NPs have a responsibility to accurately diagnose and treat skin lesions in a timely, safe, and efficient manner. In wrestling, athletes are exposed to unique opportunities to develop skin infections. With a working knowledge of the clinical presentation, diagnostic testing, and return to participation recommendations for common skin diseases, spread of skin infections to other wrestlers can be prevented and the athlete can return to play safely.
With the emergence and rising prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among individuals in the community, it is imperative to standardize patient care and develop best practices among health care providers. Evidence-based standard patient care guidelines for community-acquired methicillin-resistant S aureus skin and soft tissue infections have the potential to positively impact patient outcomes, decrease health risk, reduce hospitalization from insufficient treatment, and decrease or even prevent further transmission to unaffected individuals. Emergency department providers are in a unique position to lead in the management and prevention of skin and soft tissue infections. It is essential that community-acquired methicillin-resistant S aureus skin and soft tissue infections are consistently treated by evidence-based treatment standards, especially with the growing number of pathogens displaying resistance to antibiotics, rising mortality, rapid spread of antimicrobial resistant microbes, and the escalating health care costs. The purpose of this literature review is to provide health care providers with current evidence-based health care guidelines for the treatment and management of community-acquired methicillin-resistant S aureus skin and soft tissue infections.
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