A Systems-Based Approach to Improving Inpatient Care for Adults with Cirrhosis: An Evidence-Based Practice Initiative
Date of Award/Publication
Spring 2026
Document Type
DNP Project Manuscript
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Abstract
Cirrhosis is a chronic condition with a high risk for developing preventable complications when evidence-based care is not being delivered consistently. Hospitalized adults with cirrhosis are vulnerable to life-threatening decompensatory events such as spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), which often is silent and therefore missed without standardized screening and early intervention (Tapper & Parikh, 2023). Although national guidelines from the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD) outline best practices for the management of cirrhosis and its complications, adherence within a hospital remains inconsistent. This can lead to delays in diagnosis of life-threatening complications, inappropriate antibiotic use, increased morbidity, longer hospital stays, and higher healthcare costs (Biggins et al., 2021)
Recommended Citation
Steo, Renata and Masco Dixon, Natalie, "A Systems-Based Approach to Improving Inpatient Care for Adults with Cirrhosis: An Evidence-Based Practice Initiative" (2026). Nursing Doctoral. Paper 21.
https://fisherpub.sjf.edu/nursing_etd_doctoral/21
Please note that the Recommended Citation provides general citation information and may not be appropriate for your discipline. To receive help in creating a citation based on your discipline, please visit http://libguides.sjfc.edu/citations.