Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Simulation Education For Ultrasound Guided Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Insertion, Ronald Mack

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate student registered nurse anesthetist (SRNA) knowledge and confidence of ultrasound guided peripheral intravenous catheter insertion (UGPIV) before and after viewing an educational video. As a basis for developing a single group pre-test and post-test study, the dual coding theory was used. The authors hypothesize that SRNA knowledge and confidence would improve after an educational video intervention. A convenience sample of first, second, and third year SRNAs was used (N=31). The study participants completed a pre-survey to evaluate UGPIV knowledge and confidence, along with demographic questions. Participants were then instructed to view a …

Perioperative Non-Opioid Modalities (Pnom) Questionnaire Implementation And Validation Of Its Psychometric Properties, Liliya Sprisovskiy

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: The opioid epidemic and prescription opioid related deaths continue to grow in the US. Contributing factors to this epidemic include nonrestrictive opioid administration in the perioperative period. Though solutions to the epidemic has been discussed by anesthesia providers, there is no tool to quantiatively evaluate of their beliefs and practices for the perioperative management of pain. Over the past three years, there has been advancement in the science of nurse anesthesia on this front and in 2020 Tucker and Wong completed the development of a quantitative tool aimed at assessing CRNA beliefs and practices with regard to their use …

Implications Of An Education Tool As A Noise Reduction Strategy In The Operating Room, Sona Wardius, Amanda Parker

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Noise in the operating room (OR) can be from many sources, including personnel and medical equipment. Excessive noise is prevalent in the OR and can lead to distractions, interruptions, stress, and medical errors. These distractions have been well-documented in the literature and can reduce the quality of patient care. Awareness and education have proven to be solutions to noise reduction, but there is little evidence in the literature regarding the adoption of a clinical guideline. The goal of this study is to bring awareness of noise levels in the OR, the most common noise distractions, and how these relate to …

A Qualitative Examination Of Opioid Sparing Anesthesia Practices Among Crnas, Stephanie Knell

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

The opioid epidemic has had significant consequences across the healthcare system in the United States. While anesthesia providers have historically provided quality intraoperative analgesia utilizing opioids, research to date suggests that these care experiences may have lasting implications on patients’ long term health outcomes. In contrast, opioid sparing anesthesia can provide patients superb analgesic coverage without the noxious side effects of opioids or the risk of misuse. As an emerging topic, no known study to date has described anesthesia providers’ qualitative experiences with opioid sparing anesthesia. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to conduct semi-structured interviews to …

Implementation Of An Emergency Reflex Action Drill To Improve Perceived Knowledge And Confidence In Intubation Skills Of Nurse Anesthesia Trainees, Amanda Lamacki

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Direct laryngoscopy remains the primary method for achieving intubation of the airway in general anesthesia. Novice laryngoscopists may encounter high stress and cognitive load when unexpectedly faced with a Cormack-Lehane Grade III or IV view in an unfamiliar and time-pressured environment. An Emergency Reflex Action Drill (ERAD) is a specifically designed action sequence intended to execute clinical interventions with minimal cognitive load in the setting of marked time pressure. The purpose of this study was to examine the implementation of the ERAD “Head-Neck-Reset” to improve perceived knowledge and confidence in intubation skills of nurse anesthesia trainees. A convenience sample of …

Fall 2021

Insights

True to Our Foundational Mission; Lourdes Torres Receives Prestigious Award; Fernando De Maio Joins Health Equity Initiative; LAS Professors Named to Faculty Fellow Program; Wilson-Garling Collection Classes and Exhibit; Welcoming the Stranger: The DePaul Migration Collaborative strives to build a better future for immigrants, refugees and asylum-seekers; An Alderpersonal Touch: Maria Hadden is putting her degree in international public service to work in Chicago’s 49th Ward; All In, Chicago: Collaboration powers the work of the Center for Community Health Equity

Simulation Education For Ultrasound Guided Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Insertion, Ryan Lewandowski

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate student registered nurse anesthetist (SRNA) knowledge and confidence of ultrasound guided peripheral intravenous catheter insertion (UGPIV) before and after viewing an educational video. As a basis for developing a single group pre-test and post-test study, the dual coding theory was used. The authors hypothesize that SRNA knowledge and confidence would improve after an educational video intervention. A convenience sample of first, second, and third year SRNAs was used (N=31). The study participants completed a pre-survey to evaluate UGPIV knowledge and confidence, along with demographic questions. Participants were then instructed to view a …

Triangulation And Finite Element Method For A Variational Problem Inspired By Medical Imaging, Tim Komperda, Enrico Au-Yeung

DePaul Discoveries

We implement the finite element method to solve a variational problem that is inspired by medical imaging. In our application, the domain of the image does not need to be a rectangle and can contain a cavity in the middle. The standard approach to solve a variational problem involves formulating the problem as a partial differential equation. Instead, we solve the variational problem directly, using only techniques available to anyone familiar with vector calculus. As part of the computation, we also explore how triangulation is a useful tool in the process.

Small Molecule Inhibitors Of Inflammatory Caspases-1, -4, And -5, Christopher D. Ahlers

DePaul Discoveries

Inflammatory caspases-1, -4, and -5 play critical roles in mediating the innate immune response to pathogen- and damage-associated molecular patterns. Caspase-1 produces the cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β), while caspases-4 and -5 activate the NOD-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome via the non-canonical pathway. Overactivation of these enzymes is associated with an increased risk for inflammatory diseases such as lupus, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Small molecule inhibitors (SMIs) have been developed to attenuate the production of IL-1β, but unfavorable bioavailability and toxicity have provided an insurmountable barrier in clinical trials. This work is concerned with delivering an overview of current progress in the …

Correlation Effects On Intramolecular C-H...Oh And O-H...O Hydrogen Bond Interactions In Azelaic Acid: An Ab Initio Study, Sabina Kalata, Alina Huang, Ruben Parra

DePaul Discoveries

Electron correlation effects on both conventional, O-H…O, and nonconventional, C-H…O, intramolecular hydrogen bonds present in a selected azelaic acid folded conformation were evaluated ab initio using HF and MP2 methodologies. The relative strength of the hydrogen bonds was examined through different indicators derived from geometry, vibrational frequencies, and electron density along the hydrogen bond path. The HF method results in weaker O-H…O and C-H…O hydrogen bonds when compared with the corresponding results using the MP2 method. Additionally, the stability of the folded azelaic conformation is found to depend on the level of theory used. Accordingly, the zero-point corrected energies of …

Assessing Instrumental Weapons Violence Against Teachers, Elena Gonzalez Molina, Kailyn Bare, Kayleigh Zinter, Susan D. Mcmahon

DePaul Discoveries

Violence against teachers is a critical issue for learning communities. Among the most serious forms of harm include weapon violence. While there has been extensive research on weapon carrying and traditional weapon use within schools, there has been little investigation into instrumental weapon violence against teachers. The current study utilizes qualitative survey data to investigate contributing conditions related to teacher’s experiences of instrumental weapon’s violence through direct content analysis. Results from this study aim to expand our understanding of the nature and nuance of teacher-directed instrumental weapon violence.

Voices Of Change: Drivers Of Career Dedication To Health Equity Among Chicago-Area Health Professionals, Claire Sagartz, Elizabeth Bruce, Jessica Jerome

DePaul Discoveries

This study analyzed interviews with accomplished health equity advocates in the Chicagoland area, in order to determine the trends and relationships that influenced these health professionals to become involved in health equity. Early involvement with social justice and significant mentorship opportunities were both mentioned by the majority of participants as informing their career involvement in health equity. Prior studies of health professional’s involvement in health equity have advocated that one way to increase interest in health equity would be to increase medical school offerings in social justice issues. Our findings suggest that interventions introducing health equity at an early developmental …

Insignificant Impacts Of Covid-19 Stay-At-Home Orders On Chicago Air Quality, Adam W.T. Steffeck

DePaul Discoveries

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, reports of air quality improvements around the world resulting from the stay-at-home orders were widespread. However, for Chicago, no significant air quality improvements occurred despite large reductions in private vehicle transportation due to the lack of commuters. The city of Chicago is a nexus for long-haul transportation by trucks and trains, which did not decrease during the pandemic. These transportation sources use mostly diesel fuel engines and emit NO_X, a precursor to tropospheric ozone, and PM_2.5, both of which are harmful air pollutants. Using open access EPA air quality …

Depaul Discoveries Volume 10 Cover Art, Nicolette Listenbee

DePaul Discoveries

No abstract provided.

From The President: At The Intersection Of Mission And Service

DePaul Magazine

DePaul's president announces a joint effort with Sinai Chicago to create community-driven, applied research institute to address health inequities in Chicago. He also announces that he will retire as DePaul president on June 30, 2022.

Examining Provider-Related Factors Associated With Role Competence In Shared Decision Making In Oncology Nurses, Alexandria Tarvainis

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Purpose: To examine provider-related factors associated with higher levels of competence in shared decision-making (SDM) in oncology nurses.

Design: This study is a retrospective secondary data analysis of SDM survey data collected from 230 participants (oncology nurses that are active members of the Oncology Nursing Society) during February 2017 to September 2017.

Methods: Data collected from oncology nurses who actively provide direct care to patients from inpatient and outpatient oncology units in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest. Participants completed an online or mail survey on the following: knowledge, attitudes, communication, and adaptability which scores were derived from a 5-point …

Prevention Of Shaken Baby Syndrome Among High-Risk Neonates: Program Implementation And Evaluation, Rebecca Tortolano

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Abstract Background: Studies suggest that the implementation of high-quality education and support services for caregivers may reduce the incidence of unplanned harm to infants and young children under high-stress circumstances. Purpose: This study evaluates the usefulness of the Period of PURPLE Crying program in a high-acuity NICU at The University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital based on six measurable objectives. Methods: The study utilized a Likert-style pretest-posttest survey design to evaluate how the Period of PURPLE Crying program was perceived by NICU nurses. Nurses were educated on the program content during an in-service aimed to teach participants how to utilize …

Enhancing The Braden Scale Pressure Ulcer Risk Assessment In Long-Term Care Facilities: A Cohort Study, Rachel Deutsch

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

The development of pressure ulcers remains challenging as they are associated with overwhelming costs, pain and suffering, prolonged hospitalization, and morbidity and mortality. In the United States, the Braden scale is the most widely used risk assessment tool among all healthcare organizations to identify high-risk individuals for pressure ulcer development. The objective of risk assessment is to detect high-risk patients, implement immediate interventions, and evaluate patients not at risk who do not require intervention. The purpose of this cohort study is to determine the pressure ulcer predictability of the Braden score in comparison to the Braden score with additional predictor …

The Barriers To The Timely Diagnosis And Treatment Of Adhd By Advanced Practice Nurses In The Pediatric Primary Care Setting, Annette Kowalczyk

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: This purpose of the study was to identify barriers to diagnosing and treating attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder (ADHD) in pediatric primary care. Method: This study utilized a survey tool sent to Advanced Practice Nurse members of the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board in March of 2020 and gathered information from 415 participants. Results: In a linear regression analysis, participants who received ADHD specific training showed a significantly increased level of comfort in overall ADHD management (p<0.001). Providers who are screening, diagnosing and managing ADHD most often, are also the most comfortable in doing so. Discussion: Barriers to the treatment and diagnosis of ADHD include the lack of training as it relates to varying levels of decreased provider comfort, absence of schedule II prescribing authority for APNs in some states and provider bias towards treating and managing ADHD.

Research Focus: Pattern Recognition

In The Loop

A CDM health informatics team joins a global race to advance COVID-19 diagnostics through X-ray insights.

Acute Asthma Exacerbation Treatment And Impact In A Pediatric Emergency Department, Sarah Jindoyan, Paige Barber

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Pediatric asthma exacerbation account for more than 1.8 million Emergency Department visits annually and has been labeled as a global epidemic as the prevalence, morbidity and mortality have significantly increased over the past forty years (Dexheimer et al., 2013). While asthma is recognized as the most common chronic disease in children, issues of under-diagnosis and undertreatment persist (Serebrisky & Wiznia, 2019). Because of the severity of this issue, it is important to further examine the current process in place and what steps can be taken to improve this process.

Acquired knowledge on the research topic is based on objective findings …

Open Neuroscience Initiative, Austin Lim

College of Science and Health Full Text Publications

The Open Neuroscience Initiative is a free-to-use textbook

This project began as a means to overcoming the financial burden that face undergraduate neuroscience students when buying textbooks. By compiling and writing a completely free-to-access textbook that covers the foundations of a typical college introduction to neuroscience course, students would have one less obstacle to overcome in their educational career, allowing them to focus their valuable time and attention on learning rather than finances. To make this project a reality, I began with a humble tweet in May 2019 that managed to gain a tiny bit of traction among the neuroscience …