Date of Conferral
8-27-2026
Date of Award
August 2026
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Joan Hahn
Abstract
This Doctor of Nursing Practice project was a nurse-led, evidence-based staff education initiative designed to improve staff knowledge of agranulocytosis, which is an adverse effect of clozapine, generally prescribed for individuals with treatment-resistant schizophrenia. At a local outpatient hospital, there were opportunities to improve infection symptom recognition and improve clinical assessment, symptom documentation, and prompt escalation. The practice-focused question examined whether implementing a nurse-led structured education program on clozapine-induced agranulocytosis, compared to current practice, would improve staff knowledge of this adverse effect. Using the Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice model, consistent moderate quality, Levels II and III evidence was systematically appraised and translated into practice. The project outcome was evaluated through pre- and posteducation assessments where knowledge assessment scores demonstrated a 34.1% increase in the participants’ mean knowledge scores. Given that clozapine is used across outpatient psychiatric services, and serious adverse effects require coordinated recognition by multidisciplinary staff, this blueprint can be replicated for other adverse effects of clozapine in different clinical settings. A more consistent recognition of infection-related warning symptoms; standardized escalation to designated clinical roles; and better documentation of missed absolute neutrophil count (ANC) testing and medication interruptions could lead to social change equity and inclusion as more treatments are accessed by diverse patient populations.
Recommended Citation
Nebangwa, Valentine, "Staff Education to Enhance Knowledge of Clozapine-Induced Agranulocytosis" (2026). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 20746.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/20746
