Business Administration, Management, and Operations Commons^™

Adaptive Leadership: Nurse Executives Building Organizational Adaptive Capacity During Times Of Crisis, Challenge, And Change, Kristian Poitier

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this exploratory phenomenological study was to identify and describe the strategies used by nurse executives in acute care hospitals to build an adaptive capacity based on the five key characteristics of adaptive leadership identified by Heifetz et al. (2009).

Methodology: This qualitative phenomenological study identified and described the perceived impact of adaptive leadership on building an organization’s adaptive capacity as perceived by nurse executives in acute care hospitals, for-profit and not-for-profit, with the title of chief nursing officer (CNO) or chief nurse executive (CNE) in Southeast, West, and North Florida. The researcher was part of a …

On The Brink: Unveiling The Crisis Of Burnout Among Va Clinic Physicians, Aaron Clarke

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: This study investigates the significant challenge of burnout among physicians at Veterans Affairs (VA) clinics. Characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment, physician burnout is a growing concern that compromises the well-being of the doctors and the quality of healthcare they provide. Recent studies have shown an alarming increase in burnout symptoms among healthcare providers, reflecting systemic issues that adversely affect patient care and the operational efficacy of healthcare institutions.

Purpose of the Study: The research aimed to dissect the intricate effects of physician burnout on medical outcomes within the VA healthcare system’s outpatient settings. …

Impact Of The Methamphetamine Epidemic On Healthcare, Amanda Brumfield

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: The surge in methamphetamine use in the U.S. has presented various challenges for individuals and healthcare systems. Research has shown high relapse rates, oral health issues, and increased susceptibility to blood-borne viruses among users, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Furthermore, the absence of approved pharmacological treatments and systemic barriers to effective treatment highlighted the pressing need for holistic approaches to address this epidemic successfully.

Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this research was to identify the challenges faced by treatment providers specializing in substance use disorder treatment amid rising instances of methamphetamine abuse, including managing heightened relapse …

The Measure Of Efficiency And Effectiveness When Using Artificial Intelligence (Ai) In Radiology, Jordan Watts

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: The use of artificial intelligence in radiology has helped radiologists identify patterns and abnormalities in medical images to diagnose and treat patients. Deep learning and machine learning algorithms have been used to assist physicians in detecting features that are not noticeable to the human eye. The FDA has approved almost 400 AI algorithms for radiology and estimated that the market for AI in medical imaging would grow from $21.48 billion in 2018 to $264.85 billion in 2028.

Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this research was to evaluate the use of artificial intelligence in radiology to determine its …

The Impact Of Telestroke Services On Diagnosis, Patient Outcomes, And Treatment, Dustin Baum

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: In 2011, an estimated 20% of U.S. residents lacked timely access to stroke care. As of 2019, that number plummeted to 4% of patients. A reason for this improved access was the implementation of telestroke services. Telestroke services have utilized remote stroke specialists to help guide local emergency department physicians in reviewing imaging, diagnosing, treating, or transferring patients appropriately.

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to analyze the impact of telestroke implementation in the hospital setting. The study hypothesized the implementation of telestroke services in the hospital setting maintained an accurate stroke diagnosis, decreased inappropriate hospital transfers, reduced …

Bridging The Gap: Evaluating The Impact Of Buprenorphine-Based Prenatal Care On Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome And Maternal Health, Whitney-Lanae Crofcheck-Glenn, Jennifer Nethercutt

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), now known as Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS) by government authorities, is a severe postnatal withdrawal condition caused by opioid exposure during pregnancy. NAS is diagnosed every 25 minutes in the United States. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with buprenorphine was used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) and NAS. The MOTHER trial found that utilizing buprenorphine to treat mother OUD during pregnancy led to significant decreases in LOS and length of therapy.

Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a prenatal care program that integrates buprenorphine-based Medication-Assisted Treatment …

Burnout For General Surgeons, Luke Edwards, Lindsay Mckelvey

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: In the healthcare sector, burnout among surgeons has emerged as a critical issue, impacting both the well-being of medical professionals and the quality outcomes of patient care. Research has consistently shown that long hours, high workloads, demanding results, and mental fatigue make physicians more vulnerable to experiencing burnout than others. Studies have revealed alarming statistical rates, with a significant percentage of surgeons reporting physical exhaustion and mental health repercussions. This trend is further enhanced by the demanding nature of the medical environment, where work-related stress and burnout have become common concerns.

Purpose of the Study: The negative effects of …

How Increased Ransomware Attacks Have Impacted Hospitals In The United States, Mackenzie Dotson

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: The healthcare industry, particularly hospitals, have fallen prey to the alarming rise of ransomware attacks. In recent years, highly sophisticated cybergroups, armed with substantial funds and advanced technology, have intensified their focus on hospitals. Despite the advice against it, most hospitals have paid the ransom in order to regain access to their electronic systems and patient data, underlining the severity of these attacks.

Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effects of ransomware attacks on hospitals in the US to determine if the patients were at risk due to hackers withholding patient information …

The Benefits Of Medical Tetrahydrocannabinol On Glaucoma, Hunter Kane

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: This paper explores the potential therapeutic benefits of medical Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on glaucoma management, particularly in terms of intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction, ocular blood flow, and symptom management. Glaucoma, characterized by increased IOP and progressive optic nerve damage, is a leading cause of irreversible blindness. Current treatments focus on IOP control but may have inadequate efficacy or intolerable side effects, necessitating alternative approaches such as medical THC.

Methods: The study hypothesis posited that medical THC could significantly reduce IOP, enhance ocular blood flow, and improve symptom management in glaucoma patients. To test this hypothesis, a literature review supplemented by …

Developing A Blueprint For Health Equity Programs And Investigating Interventions And Metrics, Belita Strudwick

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Racial and ethnic minority groups and rural and low-income populations are examples of populations who continue to experience health disparities despite policy mandates to eliminate them. This doctoral project will provide a foundational blueprint to aid health plans in addressing and improving health equity internally and with external stakeholders. The blueprint will be based on research comparing the robust health equity initiatives of four states to the NCQA national guidelines. The barriers to achieving and recommendations for advancing the field of health equity by implementing and analyzing policies and data that target health disparities through improved access to quality care …

Healthcare Employees’ Perceptions On The Effects Of Internal Audits, Jeremy Mason

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

With limited research on the perceptions of internal audits, this study was

able to add more literature to the subject. The study’s aim was to survey

employee perceptions of the effects of internal audits. This study will provide organizations with results pertaining to how employees perceive the usefulness of internal audits. The study team conducted a single-site study and invited the healthcare organization's employee population to participate in the study. The survey captured 40 responses from 361 invitees (11%). The survey explored the perceptions on six categories of internal audits: Efficiency, Ethical Behavior, Effectiveness, Auidotr-Auditee Relationship Exchange, Learning from Audit, …

Medicare Shared Savings Performance: Three-Year Pandemic Analysis, Bryan Adams

Theses & Dissertations

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid's (CMS) Office of Actuary predicts that U.S. national health expenditures will surpass U.S. gross domestic product per capita by 1.1% annually until 2028, totaling $6.2 trillion in healthcare spending. A significant portion of this spending, 36%, is attributed to Medicare and Medicaid. To address this issue, CMS has implemented the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) to assist Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) in reducing healthcare costs and improving the quality of care for beneficiaries. The main objectives of this dissertation are twofold. Firstly, it aims to investigate the relationship between various factors, such as quality …

The Impact Of Big Data Utilization On Quality Improvement In Inpatient Facilities, Lakyn Hare

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Poor quality in healthcare has resulted in avoidable patient complications, including readmission rates. Big data in healthcare can be analyzed and built into a tools, with machine learning, to aid in reduced readmission rates and overall positive patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study: The intention of this study was to evaluate the ways that big data can be analyzed to improve healthcare, specifically readmissions, patient outcomes, and show cost savings. This study examined different ways that big data could be used in concordance with machine learning, including predictive analysis, to make these improvements.

Methodology: The hypothesis was the …

The Opioid Epidemic: Effects On Recidivism In West Virginia, Emilee Frye, Elizabeth Williams

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The opioid epidemic began in the 1990s with an increased prescribing of opioids across the nation. Between the years 2013 and 2014, opioid overdose death rates began to increase in West Virginia. By the year 2015, West Virginia held the highest number of opioid overdose death rates in the country. In 2021, fatal overdoses claimed more than 1,417 lives in West Virginia and of those 1,417, an estimated 1,201 of them were due to opioid use.

West Virginia had the highest opioid drug overdose rate in the nation and one of the highest incarceration rates for opioid-dependent individuals. West Virginia …

Benefits Of Medical Thc For Neurological Disorders In The U.S., Andrew Lester, Alexandria Gartin

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: The introduction of THC into the medical field has allowed medical professionals to offer a new treatment option to aid in their patients treatment plan by decreasing their symptoms of side effects of other medications used for their conditions.

Methodology: This study utilized a literature review. Five databases were used to collect 116 total sources. These sources were reviewed and reduced to 33 sources that were used in the written research. Of these, 16 sources were used in the results section.

Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this research was to analyze the prescription use of …

Long Term Substance Abuse Programs And Covid, Randall Craft

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Access to behavioral health care has arisen as both a challenge and an opportunity as America deals with a health care landscape that has been significantly and probably permanently transformed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic increased the need for behavioral health services while creating new hurdles to care for those who already had disorders. The pandemic, however, also spurred innovation, leading to expanded tele-behavioral health treatments and other technological advancements. Also bringing Overdose death rates sky rocketing.

Methodology: This study utilized a literature review and a semi-structured interview. Four databases were used to collect 41 total …

Implications Of Twitter During Its Use In Public Health Practice Involving The Distribution Of The Covid-19 Vaccine, Mia Casingal

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction – There were 4.89 projected billion social media users in 2023. Social media platforms such as Twitter have allowed public health organizations to spread information regarding COVID-19 vaccines to the public. Twitter permits government organizations and public health agencies to release accurate information as a primary level of rapid communication.

Purpose – The purpose of this research was to explore the impact of the social media platform, Twitter, on public health information throughout the COVID-19 pandemic regarding the spread of information involving COVID-19 vaccine distribution to the public.

Methodology – This study utilized a literature review with a semi-structured …

Impact Of State-Led Surveillance Programs On Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, Patricia Lewis

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) has been costly for the healthcare system, for every 24 minutes a baby was diagnosed in 2020. Uniform programs to diagnosis, track and prevent NAS have not been implemented previously. The NCBDDD worked with 6 states to implement a uniform surveillance program. By tracking the NAS incidence rate, the Apgar scores of infants with NAS, the length of stay for those infants, the cost of care for those infants and the percentage of mothers of infants with NAS were participating in Medication Assisted Treatment the effectiveness of the surveillance programs may be assessed.

Methodology: This …

The Epidemic Of Opioid Usage In West Virginia, Kendra Lester, Carrington Hatfield

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The opioid epidemic in West Virginia is a complex interplay of factors, including poverty, low education, and high unemployment rates, which contribute to higher rates of substance use and opioid-related deaths. The number of people injecting drugs has risen from 36% in 2005 to 54% in 2015. WV recorded 871 overdose deaths from all drugs in 2019 with 76.8% involving at least one opioid. The purpose of this qualitative research study was to investigate and analyze the circumstances that contributed to West Virginia's opioid epidemic to determine if sociocultural factors, such as lifestyle, education, and demographics, influenced the epidemic as …

Impact Of Medicaid Expansion On Substance Abuse Treatment, Kyle Chapman

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: The Medicaid expansion has insured millions of Americans since the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010. Among this newly insured population, many of the enrollees have been diagnosed with a substance abuse disorder. Patients who have a substance use disorder diagnosis typically have multiple conditions that are treated simultaneously. When these patients have to seek healthcare services they are often uninsured. Unfortunately, since the patients are uninsured, the most frequent healthcare access points have been through admissions to more expensive areas of healthcare delivery such as the emergency department and subsequent inpatient services. The goals of the …

Understanding Hospital Chargemasters : Impact On Healthcare Finance, Alesia Moorman

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: This research delves into the critical examination of hospital chargemasters, exploring their intricate role in the complex landscape of healthcare finance. As the healthcare industry grapples with the challenges of balancing medical care and fiscal responsibility, the hospital chargemaster emerges as a dynamic entity, reflecting the interplay between healthcare providers, insurers, and patients. Beyond being a mere ledger of prices, the chargemaster influences the entire Revenue Cycle Management (RCM), impacting financial stability, patient satisfaction, and the effectiveness of healthcare delivery. Originating from the necessity to navigate reimbursement complexities, the chargemaster has become central to hospitals' financial strategies, shaping and …

Effects Of Burnout Amongst Primary Care Providers, Summer Payne

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

INTRODUCTION: Physician burnout within the United States has been deemed an epidemic within the healthcare system with nearly 63% of physicians reporting burnout. The rate of burnout amongst Primary Care Providers (PCPs) is higher than other provider types at 70%. The presence of burnout affects the likelihood of medical errors, provider retention, and patient-provider communication. Fifty-six percent of PCPs that reported burnout also associated this burnout with their reason for leaving the practice. Physicians that are burnt out are less likely to find nonadherence in their patients, more likely to refer to specialists, and more likely to prescribe medications unnecessary. …

Distinctiveness In Hospital Safety And Security, Jimmy Reid Rollins Jr.

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to understand leadership and how these ideas feed into a professional dynamic of employee behavior, organizational leadership, motivation, and workplace culture, and how there is a real human interest as employees excel, grow, mature, and become better individuals.

Participants in this study were employees of a regional health organization and employed with the job title of public safety officer, public safety supervisor, or public safety administrator. This research used a mixed methodology approach in an explanatory design. A survey was completed followed by one on one interviews.

Conducting research into the safety and security …

U.S. Army Physician Assistant Retention: A Latent Class Analysis, Robert Greener

Theses & Dissertations

Introduction: Retaining employees is crucial to the success of organizations. While significant effort has been made to model employee retention, models have been unable to significantly predict retention. The purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional study was to develop an improved employee retention model which could be used as a practical guide to improve employee retention. Materials and Methods: The study analyzed a survey created, implemented, and collected by the Statistical Cell at the U.S. Army Center of Excellence. In September of 2020, all 864 active-duty PAs were sent a link to the survey and 290 completed the survey, …

A Managerial Ecosystem For Excellence In Hospital Administration, Denish Gangasingh

Dissertations

Major healthcare systems and hospital organizations face a myriad of challenges in today’s business environment, having to provide very complex and more comprehensive medical care with fewer resources. In this study, we investigate determinants of hospital performance in critical dimensions and propose an information infrastructure intended to promote excellence in clinical performance while sustaining a solid financial footing.

Senior executives must be knowledgeable in both business and clinical aspects of hospital administration because their decisions ultimately affect patient care and clinical outcomes. Key performance indicators (KPI) are necessary on both dimensions to inform their decisions. Financial and operational aspects of …

The Four Agreements Analysis Los Cuatro Acuerdos De Don Miguel Ruíz, Dulce Morales

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The Toltecs were an indigenous Mexican culture of great warriors and artists with a very unique wisdom on life and behavior, that lived around 1000 years ago. Their extended knowledge on life and behavior certainly can be of help on developing a great leader in any organization based on the four agreements they practiced to better themselves spiritually, emotionally and physically. Therefore, Don Miguel Ruiz did some research of the Toltecs Wisdom and learn more about these four agreements:

1. Be impeccable with your word.
2. Don’t take anything personally.
3. Don’t make assumptions.
4. Always do your best.

After learning how to apply …

Social Media By Providers And Patients In Healthcare, Madison K. Howell, Jirakamon Silapabanleng

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter have been used in various industries to create direct-to-consumer interactive opportunities. 74% of the US population were social media active users. Around 40% of adults gather their health information from Facebook, a free social networking site, which has been available on various devices and can help many organizations advertise their services as well as communicate with their patients. Social networks had a powerful influence in making health decisions because it could be used as a means to spread either positive or negative health information.

Purpose of study: The …

Chargemasters In The Age Of Hospital Price Transparency, Anthony Drumm

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: The cost of health care services in the United States (U.S.) varies from state to state and facility to facility. The compilation of such costs and their associated codes is referred to as a chargemaster, or charge description master (CDM), and each is unique to an individual facility. . The implementation of the 2019 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Hospital Price Transparency Rule was an initial step toward consumer empowerment by making services more shoppable but published CDM data failed to present the information most pertinent to patients: total out-of-pocket costs and the availability of lower-cost alternatives. Initiatives …

The Effect Of Magnet Hospitals On Nursing Burnout, Jonathan Settle, Michael Davis

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Burnout has been a problem in health care for many years and it has particularly affected nurses. Nurse burnout was associated with worsened outcomes for nurses such as increased turnover or quitting and lower job satisfaction. There was a question as to how work environment and governance style influenced burnout.

Purpose of the study: The purpose of this research was to examine Magnet-designation status in U.S. hospitals, specifically shared governance and structural empowerment, and its effects on the rates of nurse burnout, nurse turnover, and job satisfaction of nurses.

Methodology: This study utilized a literature review. Four databases as …

Costs And Length Of Stay Associated With Treating Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, Kimberly Stanfield, Kylie Day

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome has been costly for the healthcare system, for every 19 minutes a baby was diagnosed in 2021. Costs and Length of Stay both had been increased for newborns diagnosed. Medically Assisted Treatment for expecting mothers has shown to decrease costs and length of stay for newborns with neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Methodology: This study utilized a literature review and a semi-structured interview. Three databases were used to collect 126 total sources. These sources were reviewed and reduced to 30 total sources that were used in the written research. Of these, 14 sources were used in the results …