Digital Commons Network^™

Catholic Studies Newsletter 2024, Sacred Heart University

Catholic Studies Newsletter

Highlights: CS Minor Attends Summer Seminar on Integral Ecology -- Faculty Profile: Anna Ramirez -- The Center for Catholic Studies: Spring Speaker Series and Bergoglio Lectures -- Center for Catholic Studies Awarded $30K Grant for Social Justice Seminar.

Screening For Social Determinants Of Health Screening In The Primary Care Setting: A Quality Improvement Project, Arifa Khan

DNP Projects

Significance and Background: Social determinants play a major role in the overall health of our nation. While screening for social determinants of health (SDOH) in the primary care setting is encouraged, there is no streamlined process in place. Studies have determined that improved SDOH screenings can result in better patient outcomes and a decrease in healthcare costs. A protocol to improve SDOH screenings was needed to guide patient outcomes at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Connecticut.

Purpose: Deliver education to providers and healthcare staff across the health system on significance of social determinants of health and PRAPARE screening …

Spectrum, Volume 52, Issue 11, Sacred Heart University

Newspapers (Obelisk & Spectrum)

Highlights include: SHU Students Not Notified after Swatting Incident at Notre Dame -- Spring Fest Carnival Comes to Curtis on April 27 -- Giving Day Raises $842,430 -- Prof. Joanne Kabak: Writer, Editor, Professor -- Prof. Joanne Kabak: Writer, Editor, Professor -- All My Homies Hate Ticketmaster: Maggie Rogers Revamps Ticket Policy -- Dance Team Dominates in Daytona

Introducing An Evidence-Based Copd Care Bundle To Reduce Readmission Rates: A Quality Improvement Project, Michael Distasio

DNP Projects

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive and debilitating lung condition, and a leading cause of readmission following an acute exacerbation. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (HRRP) determines reimbursement penalties to hospitals when patients admitted with acute exacerbation of COPD are readmitted for any reason within 30 days of discharge. A regional medical facility (MF) identified 30-day readmission rates for COPD patients as a key improvement metric. Several gaps in the standardized care of patients with COPD on a pulmonary-focused medical-surgical unit (MSU) identified by key unit stakeholders provided impetus for …

Spectrum, Volume 52, Issue 10, Sacred Heart University

Newspapers (Obelisk & Spectrum)

Highlights include: Connecticut Sec. of the State Debuts College Voter Initiatives -- Spring Concert Returns, For Real this Time -- SHU Closing St. Vincent’s College and Relaunching Associate Program -- Spring Has Sprung for the English Department -- Camous Life -- Women’s Golf Looks For Three-Peat -- Tennis Coach Mike Guastelle Celebrates 30 years

Implementing The Phq-9 Tool To As A Standard Of Practice In A Mental Health Setting: A Quality Improvement Project, Gabriella Laferriere

DNP Projects

The objective of this project was to implement the Patient Health Questionaire-9 (PHQ-9) tool as a standardized protocol for depression screening on patients being treated at an outpatient mental health facility in Central Connecticut, where there was no depression screening protocol in place. The clinical question being asked was, is there any correlation between use of the PHQ-9 tool and changes being made to a patient’s depression treatment plan?

Methods: A data collection form was completed by the psychiatric nurse practitioner on each patient who met the following criteria: Depression and/or anxiety was the patient’s primary diagnosis and patient was …

Enhancing Primary Care With Progressive Muscle Relaxation For Anxiety, Depression, And Acute Stress: A Quality Improvement Project, Andrew Dudley

DNP Projects

Introduction

Depression affects 1 in 5 individuals during their lifetime (Hidalgo et al., 2021), with 23 million Americans seeking mental health treatment annually (Parish et al., 2023). While guidelines from the AAFP and APA advocate comprehensive care approaches, medication prescriptions for anxiety and depression remain prevalent, particularly among children aged 6-18 (Lester et al., 2022). Direct observation identified a need to bridge gaps in adjunctive therapies between the primary care setting and counseling services for patients who presented with mild or mild to moderate anxiety or depression. Feedback analysis by staff in the setting identified a gap in knowledge and …

Spectrum, Volume 52, Issue 9, Sacred Heart University

Newspapers (Obelisk & Spectrum)

Highlights include: New Dorms Named After Michael McGivney and Catherine of Siena -- New Chosen Name Policy -- The First Lady of Sacred Heart, Dr. Sabina Petillo -- Women’s Lacrosse Unveils 2023 NEC Championship Banner -- The Total Eclipse of the (Sacred) Heart

Dnp Project Proposal: Toolkit For Transition Of Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder (Ya-Asd) To Primary Care, Dawn Boal

DNP Projects

Significance and Background: Young adults (YA) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) transitioning from pediatric to adult care may have more difficulty finding a primary care clinician trained to address their unique medical and mental health needs. Transition resources need to be developed to help these patients and their caregivers while they are still being cared for by their pediatrician.

Purpose: To develop an ASD resource toolkit with resources designed to help YA-ASD and their caregivers with the transition from pediatric care to adult primary care.

Methods: The Model for Healthcare Improvement guided this evidence-based quality improvement project. An evidence …

Implementing A Skin Care Bundle On Hypoperfusion Skin: A Quality Improvement Project, Emily O'Connor

DNP Projects

Significance and Background: Pressure injury rates have increased within the critical care population. Pressure injuries are known to increase pain, infection risk, length of stay leading to decreased quality of life. Thermal imaging cameras highlight areas of hypoperfusion, allowing staff to target these areas as high likelihood to progress to a pressure injury. Foam dressings have been shown to help decrease pressure injury acquisition. Prevention methods should utilize evidence-based skin care bundles and focus on known information and target areas. Combining knowledge from thermal cameras, foam dressings, turning every two hours and accurate use of documentation scale (Braden Scale), a …

Implementing Continuous Glucose Monitoring: A Quality Improvement Project, Molly Suydam

DNP Projects

Significance and Background: Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices are beneficial for assessing blood glucose measurements throughout the day by simply waving a smartphone over the sensor that’s attached to the back of a patient’s arm. Patients with T2DM who check blood glucose measurements via finger-sticks, have to undergo numerous daily finger-sticks. Over time, this action can grow very cumbersome while CGM offers real-time blood glucose measurements without having to pierce the skin repeatedly. CGM use in patients with T2DM may help to improve overall blood glucose measurements.

Purpose: To trial CGM in patients with T2DM and monitor blood glucose measurements …

Implementation Of A Risk Stratification Foot Screening Tool At A Free Outpatient Clinic: A Quality Improvement Project, Joni-Kay Johnson

DNP Projects

Background: Foot conditions and disorders are prevalent concerns for the medically underserved population, that can manifest through chronic illnesses like diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and hypertension, especially if these conditions go undetected or unmanaged for periods of time. This population is faced with complex challenges and are at risk of illness due to inequities and disparities in access to health care services. They are known to suffer from poor health and can be reluctant to seek healthcare except in crisis. Walking is a common mode of transportation among underserved individuals and increased risks of physical injury, poor hygiene, and inadequate …

Implementing Teach Back Heart Failure Education To Improve Self-Care And Reduce Re-Hospitalization: A Quality Improvement Project, Sweata Patel

DNP Projects

Heart failure (HF) is a major health concern. External evidence supports the use of the teach-back method for patient education to promote self-care behaviors in patients with HF which may also reduce rehospitalizations. Patients with HF at one home health agency in New England participated in the quality improvement project which consisted of delivering 20 minute weekly standardized teach-back educational sessions covering topics of HF self-care over six weeks. The existing patient education materials and two new resources, Medication Tracker and Self-Check Plan for HF management, were reviewed. Three questions from the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index were asked during …

Improving Provider Ordered Annual Breast Cancer Screening In Primary Care, Alexis Manzella

DNP Projects

Significance and Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women throughout the United States. Specifically, the state of Connecticut has one of the highest rates of breast cancer in the country. Multiple evidence-based organizations have developed specific guidelines for screening in clinical practice. These guidelines specify when a woman should be screened and how frequently. A project was put in place at a FQHC in Connecticut to increase the number of breast cancer screenings ordered, based on clinical guidelines. Evidence supported the use of provider education to increase the number of mammograms ordered (Marks,2022).

Purpose: Increase the number …

Spectrum, Volume 52, Issue 8, Sacred Heart University

Newspapers (Obelisk & Spectrum)

Highlights include: TikTok: To Ban or Not to Ban -- Student Competes in National Sports Sales Contest -- SHU Professor Receives Fulbright Award -- Relay for Life Raises $9,373 for American Cancer Society -- Relay for Life Raises $9,373 for American Cancer Society -- Women’s Tennis Nets Success in Preparation for NEC Tournament

Spectrum, Volume 52, Issue 7, Sacred Heart University

Newspapers (Obelisk & Spectrum)

Highlights include: Women’s Basketball is “Going Dancing” Second Consecutive NEC Title Sends Pioneers to March Madness -- Measuring Inclusivity: SHU Receives Annual Campus Pride Index Score -- SHU’s Black Student Union Cultivates Community -- New Course Explores Art, Activism, and Social Justice Connections

Spectrum, Volume 52, Issue 6, Sacred Heart University

Newspapers (Obelisk & Spectrum)

Highlights include: Controversial IVF Law in Alabama Raises Questions on Reproductive Freedom - Inside SHU’s Faculty Peer Coaching Program - Faculty Peer Coaching Program - A Look Into The Music Education Program - Multicultural Center Wisdom Wednesdays - The Comfort of Stuffed Animals for College Students - Professor Produces New Film Featuring Students

Spectrum, Volume 52, Issue 5, Sacred Heart University

Newspapers (Obelisk & Spectrum)

Highlights include: New Wing to Sing: Naclerio Commons to Become Performing Arts Wing - Changes to the FAFSA Cause Initial Delays - A Whole New Virtual World at the NeXReality Lab - What’s SHU Listening to? - SHU Alum Premiere’s Film At TCL Chinese Theatre - SHU Influencers Take on Fashion Week

Spectrum, Volume 52, Issue 4, Sacred Heart University

Newspapers (Obelisk & Spectrum)

Highlights include: The Road to Recovery for Student's Facing Addiction - A "Heart to Heart on College Student Mental Health" - "Destination Senior Week" - A Learning “Playground for Everybody” at the IDEA Lab - Embracing Faith Through Sisterhood - A Guide to SHU Global

Spectrum, Volume 52, Issue 3, Sacred Heart University

Newspapers (Obelisk & Spectrum)

Highlights include: SHU to purchase Notre Dame High School for $15 Million -- New Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions --Mixtape Art Gallery, Eco To-Go at 63's Leaves Students Unimpressed -- SHU Shares Because SHU Cares -- Finding Weekly Peace through Guided Meditation -- Celebrating Love and Laughter: Valentine's Day at SHU -- Sports: Men's Golf Teeing Up for Last NEC Season -- The Powerhouse of Pioneers: Women's Wresting

Spectrum, Volume 52, Issue 2, Sacred Heart University

Newspapers (Obelisk & Spectrum)

Highlights include: The Results are in: Student Government Election - SHU's New Distillation Science Certificate Program - Chi-O Goes to Chicago for Leadership Training - FTMA at Sundance - A Heartfelt Impact: Social Work Club - Need to Get Your Nails Done? - Meet 2026 Snowboard Hopeful and SHU Student, Joey Okesson - navigating the News: A Guide to Staying Informed in a Digital Age - Bat Boy Signing at the Edgerton - SHU Celebrates Black History Month - Women's Basketball Leading the NEC

A Positive Light On Covid-19, Ella Anonymous

Community Reflections

Believe it or not, COVID was a breath of fresh air for me. Before the outbreak, I attended a large, public high school and was struggling to find my path. Though I had made efforts to widen my social networks by playing sports and joining clubs, I was not finding my people. Right before quarantine began, I had been struggling through a nasty breakup. Every day I feared coming to school, worrying about rumors going around or who I would see in the hallways. In a time when I was struggling to find my place in a toxic environment, being …

My Covid Experience, Anonymous

Community Reflections

In 2020, our world was shaken by the Covid-19 Pandemic. Everyday life ceased to be what it once was. When Covid-19 began spreading throughout my area I was halfway through my freshman year of high school. I was in school every day from 7:30-2:45 and followed school with going dance. I was still getting comfortable with the change in my life that was being a high school student. Each day was an adjustment, but I was finally beginning to feel the ease of my routine when I received the email from my school that we would have two weeks off …

My Teenage Covid Experience, Anonymous

Community Reflections

It was March 2020 and COVID 19 headlines took over the news. This new disease had the world so frightened. It was quickly becoming a pandemic, which is something I had never seen in my lifetime. In fact, it was sometime that neither had my parents nor grandparents experienced. The funeral home in my town had a huge amount of body bags in anticipation of a massive death toll.

My Life Was Altered, Anonymous

Community Reflections

My life was altered in March of 2020. This pandemic created an unimaginable world. The cause of the COVID-19 pandemic still remains a mystery. My experience began on March 12, 2020, when my school gave us two weeks off to allow time for this illness to pass.

Pennsylvannia Football Player Tackles Covid-19, Anonymous

Community Reflections

My content reflects my high school experience with the pandemic and trying to juggle continuing football training with keeping in touch with friends while abiding current spatial rules.

Covid Reflection, Anonymous

Community Reflections

The first couple of weeks of quarantine from the Covid-19 virus were not that bad. It was nice to spend more time with my parents and be able to just stay at home and do nothing. School was online for the first time and zoom was new to everyone. Teachers were very relaxed with the schoolwork and the zoom meetings. This lead to a lot of free time. I would mostly just play video games or spend time with my family since I couldn’t leave the house, and everyone was on edge about this virus. We would take precautions such …

My Covid-19 Experience, Anonymous

Community Reflections

In this writing I talked about my personal feelings during covid-19 and experiences I went through being a highschool student during a global pandemic.

Remembering Covid-19, Anonymous

Community Reflections

The COVID-19 pandemic changed many aspects of my life, and personally it felt like it was for the better. During this extended period of time when I was at home doing school online, and not able to attend my extracurricular activities, I found out who I really was as a person. The whole quarantine time was like one long therapy session where you could sit and reflect about your past and future, and what you wanted to make of it. One main thing that everyone seemed to go through was finding new hobbies.

Covid-19 Impact, Anonymous

Community Reflections

In March 2020, I was a freshman in high school living one of the most exciting years of my life. Making new friends and quickly adapting to an exciting environment was amazing until it ended. At first I was confused but mostly ecstatic to have two workless weeks at home. Covid-19 was a blessing at first until I realized the fatal threat this pandemic proposed.