Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Core Of Social Network Modeling: Industrial Engineering., Shannon C. Roberts, Chaitra Gopalappa, Nazanin Nazanin

Science and Engineering Saturday Seminars

Networks are abound in our everyday lives, from disaster response networks to cellular networks to social networks. In this workshop, we will introduce the different types of networks and how Industrial Engineering is used to model these networks. Next, we will describe current social network modeling research done at UMass. Finally, we will delve into hands-on activities that include social network analysis, such as the clustering of people into groups, and modeling of the spread of ideas in a social network, such as how tweets spread on Twitter.

Roadside Exposure And Inflammation Biomarkers Among A Cohort Of Traffic Police In Kathmandu, Nepal, Kabindra M. Shakya, Richard E. Peltier, Yimin Zhang, Basu D. Pandey

Environmental Health Sciences Faculty Publication Series

Air pollution is a major environmental problem in the Kathmandu Valley. Specifically, roadside and traffic-related air pollution exposure levels were found at very high levels exceeding Nepal air quality standards for daily PM_2.5. In an exposure study involving traffic police officers, we collected 78 blood samples in a highly polluted spring season (16 February 2014–4 April 2014) and 63 blood samples in the less polluted summer season (20 July 2014–22 August 2014). Fourteen biomarkers, i.e., C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukins (IL1-β, IL-2, IL-4, …

Metagenomic Profiling Of Microbial Pathogens In The Little Bighorn River, Montana, Steve Hamner, Bonnie L. Brown, Nur A. Hasan, Michael J. Franklin, John Doyle, Margaret J. Eggers, Rita R. Colwell, Timothy E. Ford

Environmental Health Sciences Faculty Publication Series

The Little Bighorn River is the primary source of water for water treatment plants serving the local Crow Agency population, and has special significance in the spiritual and ceremonial life of the Crow tribe. Unfortunately, the watershed suffers from impaired water quality, with high counts of fecal coliform bacteria routinely measured during run-off events. A metagenomic analysis was carried out to identify potential pathogens in the river water. The Oxford Nanopore MinION platform was used to sequence DNA in near real time to identify both uncultured and a coliform-enriched culture of microbes collected from a popular summer swimming area of …

Does The Root To Shoot Ratio Show A Hormetic Response To Stress? An Ecological And Environmental Perspective, Evgenios Agathokleous, Regina G. Belz, Mitsutoshi Kitao, Takayoshi Koike, Edward J. Calabrese

Environmental Health Sciences Faculty Publication Series

Root/shoot (R/S) ratio is an important index for assessing plant health, and has received increased attention in the last decades as a sensitive indicator of plant stress induced by chemical or physical agents. The R/S ratio has been discussed in the context of ecological theory and its potential importance in ecological succession, where species follow different strategies for above-ground growth for light or below-ground competition for water and nutrients. We present evidence showing the R/S ratio follows a biphasic dose–response relationship under stress, typical of hormesis. The R/S ratio in response to stress has been widely compared among species and …

Associations Between Indoor Air Pollution And Acute Respiratory Infections Among Under-Five Children In Afghanistan: Do Ses And Sex Matter?, Juwel Rana, Jalal Uddin, Richard Peltier, Youssef Oulhote

Environmental Health Sciences Faculty Publication Series

Background: Low-income families often depend on fuels such as wood, coal, and animal dung for cooking. Such solid fuels are highly polluting and are a primary source of indoor air pollutants (IAP). We examined the association between solid fuel use (SFU) and acute respiratory infection (ARI) among under-five children in Afghanistan and the extent to which this association varies by socioeconomic status (SES) and gender. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study based on de-identified data from Afghanistan’s first standard Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) conducted in 2015. The sample consists of ever-married mothers with under-five children in the …

Associations Between Indoor Air Pollution And Acute Respiratory Infections Among Under-Five Children In Afghanistan: Do Ses And Sex Matter?, Juwel Rana, Jalal Uddin, Richard E. Peltier, Youssef Oulhote

Environmental Health Sciences Faculty Publication Series

Background: Low-income families often depend on fuels such as wood, coal, and animal dung for cooking. Such solid fuels are highly polluting and are a primary source of indoor air pollutants (IAP). We examined the association between solid fuel use (SFU) and acute respiratory infection (ARI) among under-five children in Afghanistan and the extent to which this association varies by socioeconomic status (SES) and gender. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study based on de-identified data from Afghanistan’s first standard Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) conducted in 2015. The sample consists of ever-married mothers with under-five children in the …

Curcumin, Hormesis And The Nervous System, Maria Concetta Scuto, Cesare Mancuso, Barbara Tomasello, Maria Laura Ontario, Andrea Cavallaro, Francesco Frasca, Luigi Maiolino, Angela Trovato Salinaro, Edward J. Calabrese, Vittorio Calabrese

Environmental Health Sciences Faculty Publication Series

Curcumin is a polyphenol compound extracted from the rhizome of Curcuma longa Linn (family Zingiberaceae) commonly used as a spice to color and flavor food. Several preclinical studies have suggested beneficial roles for curcumin as an adjuvant therapy in free radical-based diseases, mainly neurodegenerative disorders. Indeed, curcumin belongs to the family of hormetins and the enhancement of the cell stress response, mainly the heme oxygenase-1 system, is actually considered the common denominator for this dual response. However, evidence-based medicine has clearly demonstrated the lack of any therapeutic effect of curcumin to contrast the onset or progression of neurodegeneration and related …

Suicide Education To Support Caregivers In Their Abilities To Care For Suicidal Individuals, Cassandra Lipa

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Purpose: Suicide is a preventable act of lethality yet still remains a public health concern. Suicide can affect individuals from a variety of backgrounds and does not discriminate against age, gender, ethnicity, income, or occupation. Efforts to prevent suicide often focus on supporting the suicidal individual however there is a lack of available resources that focus on supporting those closest such as caregivers. Caregivers can play a pivotal role in their loved one’s trajectory towards recovery. The purpose of this project was to provide caregivers with a suicide toolkit that encompasses basic education, approaches to supporting a loved one who …

Human Trafficking Recognition And Response Training For Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners In New Hampshire Emergency Departments, Carolyn L. Noyes

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Human trafficking is a pervasive yet under-recognized public health epidemic. Traffickers use various forms of manipulation to control their victims for the benefit of the trafficker with little regard for the victims’ well-being. This leads to victims of human trafficking suffering short- and long-term health problems. Trafficking victims may subsequently access healthcare during their time in captivity as a result of a direct harm caused to them due to their victimization from neglect, injury or disease. Unfortunately, victims often do not see themselves as victims or are too afraid to let their healthcare provider know that they need help. Warning …

The Implementation Of A Faith-Based Heart Healthy Education Program For Latinos In Miami, Florida, Cassandra Zacke

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been identified as a leading cause of mortality in the Latino population in the United States. Studies conducted in faith-based settings demonstrate effectiveness in improving the promotion of lifestyle changes.

Methods: This project was a four-week faith-based educational intervention for Latinos meeting weekly at a faith-based organization in Miami-Dade Florida. Classes focused on cardiovascular disease prevention and risk reduction and included PowerPoint presentations, fotonovellas, and interactive activities offered in English and Spanish. Participants were asked to complete cardiovascular disease knowledge questionnaire before and after the educational classes based on the National Institute of Health’s …

Incorporating Complementary Alternative Methods In The Management Of Chronic Pain Into A Primary Care Practice In New York, Vladimir Sher

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Pain is a physical, emotional, and psychological symptom that causes discomfort and leads to physiological consequences that can damage tissue, alter neurological pathways, and cause severe psychological distress. The combined use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies can reduce pain and lead to an improvement in patient health. Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project/evidence-based practice intervention was to review concepts related to pain and analyze the current use of music and massage CAM therapies in a primary care setting.

Methods: The Gate Control Theory was used in this project describing pain as "a category of …

Improving Mental Healthcare For Older Adults: Community Based Screening For Social And Emotional Loneliness And Major Depressive Disorder, Eunice Kowalczyk

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Purpose: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a devastating mental health disorder affecting older adults that is often misdiagnosed or untreated due to a lack of screening and the stigma that MDD symptoms are a normal and expected part of aging. The goal of this quality improvement (QI) project was to implement a community-based screening intervention to identify community-dwelling older adults at risk for or suffering from MDD, and facilitate further evaluation and care.

Methods: Participants were community dwelling older adults, age 56 and older, in Massachusetts. Two screening tools were administered in two sites that screened for social and …

Quality Improvement: Intimate Partner Violence Screen In Nurse Home Visit Program, Masayo Nishiyama

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Purpose: Women are disproportionately impacted from intimate partner violence (IPV). Their children also experience long-term adverse consequences. Effective IPV prevention and intervention efforts are vital. This quality improvement project addressed the lack of an evidence-based IPV training and protocol in a nurse home visit program.

Methods: Stakeholder engagement and an evidence-based practice intervention were implemented. Training effectiveness was examined by the pre-post-training assessments; completed by 17 nurses. To measure the IPV practice change, 196 pre- and 107 post-intervention charts were reviewed.

Results: The training significantly increased nurse knowledge and comfort (t=5.9, p< .001). Only 22% of those referred due to recent IPV history were screened before the intervention; 65% after the intervention. Multivariate analysis of screening rates was performed; predictors included county, mental health status, education, subprogram, and IPV referral reason. Due to low power, a one-tail test was employed. One county was 14 times less likely to screen than the other county (p= .023). 93% of those referred due to IPV history were enrolled in the crisis response subprogram, only offered by the other county. Those referred due to IPV history were three times more likely to be screened (p=.042) than those referred for other reasons. There was no significant change observed on IPV disclosure and intervention practice.

Conclusions: The adoption of an evidence-based IPV training …

Simulation-Based Mental Health Nursing Education, Deanna Dubay

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

• DNP Project Goal: Provide a simulation-based mental health nursing education experience to pre-licensure nursing students prior to participating in a mental health clinical rotation to reduce anxiety and increase confidence in therapeutic communication and care of the patient with mental health needs.
• Background and Review of Literature: Research suggests nursing students feel anxious about participating in mental health clinical rotation and have decreased confidence in treatment and communication with patients.
• Methods: A quality improvement project was conducted utilizing seven nursing students from a BSN program. The participants engaged in a simulation-based mental health nursing education experience, which …

De Novo Cancer Monitoring For Adult Heart Transplant Patients To Improve Early Detection And Intervention, Angelo C. Mabasa

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

“De Novo Cancer Monitoring for Adult Heart Transplant Patients to Improve Early

Detection and Intervention”

Abstract

Background. The surgical advancements in orthotopic heart transplantation along with improvements in immunosuppressive drugs increase the survival rate and quality of life of heart transplant recipients. However, the prolonged use of immunosuppressive medications increases the risk of infection and related cancer. Solid organ transplant recipients have approximately two to three-fold higher risk of developing de novo cancers. Thus, modulation of immunosuppression regimen and cancer screening appear as key factors in preventing and treating de novo cancer among solid organ transplant recipients.

Purpose: The purpose …

Mitigating Prescription Opioid Risk: Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs, Brenda Vigue

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Opioid-related morbidity and mortality is a serious public health issue in the United States. Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) review prior to prescribing opioids has consistently been recommended as best practices for risk mitigation, however, access/utilization of this monitoring program remains low.

Methods: This quality improvement (QI) project for improved PDMP utilization employed a pre-post survey design in a random sample of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses in Arizona. Quantitative measures included online surveys with close-ended responses to salient items from the review of literature and best practices. A follow-up survey was requested of the participants who provided their …

Implementing A Protocol To Monitor Cardiometabolic Syndrome In Patients Prescribed Atypical Antipsychotics, Svetlana Valkovska

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Atypical or second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) are a vital part of the management of many psychotic disorders, as well as behavioral and psychological symptoms. However, these medications have serious cardiometabolic complications, such as an increase in obesity, glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, and can place the patient at serious risk for cardiovascular disease. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA) recommend clinical guidelines for metabolic screening, which requires the regular monitoring of patients treated with SGAs (ADA, 2004). The goal of this quality improvement project was to 1) implement a metabolic screening protocol based on ADA and …

A Public Health Initiative To Support The Development Of A Trauma Informed Care Culture In A Community Organization That Provides Services To Individuals With Developmental And Intellectual Disabilities, Lisa Coenen

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Trauma informed care (TIC) is a socio-ecological theoretical approach for universal practice focus to improve HRQOL and wellbeing outcomes. There is a gap in TIC system implementation for vulnerable populations, including the ID/DD population.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to transfer knowledge to a newly created TIC work group on the use of an existing TIC system implementation tool to plan, develop, and measure the level of TIC systems culture in their community organization.

Methods: Knowledge transference through the utilization of a TIC systems implementation process map, TIC education, and the facilitation of a …

Using Mobile Health To Improve Mild Depression Outcomes In Adult Primary Care, Michele Marek

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Background: Mild depression is a common patient complaint in primary care, potentially impairing role function in multiple dimensions, with risk for escalation to severe Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), a chronic, recurring illness with multiple comorbidities at high emotional and economic cost to individuals, families, and society. Barriers to care include lack of access to Mental Health Specialists, financial constraints and stigma, all of which can cause escalation of symptoms to the point of disability and are magnified in underserved populations.

Purpose: The primary goal of this quality improvement (QI) project was to improve depression symptoms using the evidence-based mobile …

Program Evaluation Of An Easy Access Clinic For Effective Contraception For U.S. Active Duty Women In Okinawa, Japan, Cynthia Kuehner

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Unintended pregnancy in the United States (U.S.) is a significant health problem that takes on additional magnitude in the context of military service. Young, active duty women have higher unintended pregnancy rates compared to the general population, secondary to non-use of contraception or selection and use of the least effective methods (condoms and oral contraceptive pills). The literature validates the problem, identifies access barriers to highest-efficacy contraception options in primary care settings, and offers evidence-based, best practice opportunities to impact this public health challenge.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to evaluate access, utilization, effectiveness, and patient satisfaction …

Promoting Sleep Health Through Identification And Management Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Melissa Vuolo

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: There is a high prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in the United States, which left untreated can lead to increased cardiovascular risk. The current practice standard is to use a questionnaire to evaluate a patients’ sleep health, but this is not done regularly in every clinical setting. This DNP project aimed to bridge the gap in practice by implementing regular screening of obstructive sleep apnea in an urgent care center in Massachusetts.

Methods: This DNP project was conducted by having adult patients complete the Epworth Sleepiness Scale to determine the presence of a sleep health issue. The patients …

Reducing 30-Day Heart Failure Readmission Among Elderly Population In Long-Term Care, Nkechi Ukomadu

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Heart failure is the leading cause of hospitalization in the United States and accounts for more than one million hospitalizations every year. Readmission within 30 days of discharge is an indicator used for measuring the quality of care for heart failure patient. Methods: The goal of this quality improvement project is to reduce the 30-day readmission rate of heart failure patients 60 years and older in a long-term care setting in Texas by using an evidence-based transitional readiness discharge checklist for heart failure. Interventions included staff education on the key components and on the checklist. A pre- and post-test …

Reducing 30-Day Heart Failure Readmission Among Elderly Population In Long-Term Care, Nkechi Ukomadu

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract Background: Heart failure is the leading cause of hospitalization in the United States and accounts for more than one million hospitalizations every year. Readmission within 30 days of discharge is an indicator used for measuring the quality of care for heart failure patient. Methods: The goal of this quality improvement project is to reduce the 30-day readmission rate of heart failure patients 60 years and older in a long-term care setting in Texas by using an evidence-based transitional readiness discharge checklist for heart failure. Interventions included staff education on the key components and on the checklist. A pre- and …

Noncompliance With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus In The African American Community, Comfort Boampong

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

A Culturally-Tailored Diabetes Educational program designed to help increase knowledge in Type 2 Diabetes and enhance compliance with its management.

Incidence Of Pediatric Cannabis Exposure Among Children And Teenagers Aged 0 To 19 Years Before And After Medical Marijuana Legalization In Massachusetts, Jennifer M. Whitehill, Calla Harrington, Cheryl J. Lang, Michael Chary, Waqaas A. Bhutta, Michael D. Burns

Health Promotion and Policy Faculty Publication Series

Importance Pediatric health care contacts due to cannabis exposure increased in Colorado and Washington State after cannabis (marijuana) policies became more liberal, but evidence from other US states is limited.

Objective To document the incidence of pediatric cannabis exposure cases reported to the Regional Center for Poison Control and Prevention (RPC) before and after medical marijuana legalization (MML) in Massachusetts.

Design, Setting, and Participants Cross-sectional comparison of pediatric cannabis exposure cases 4 years before and after MML in Massachusetts. The exposure cases included those of 218 children and teenagers aged between 0 and 19 years, as reported to the RPC …

Reducing 30-Day Heart Failure Readmission Among Elderly Population In Long-Term Care, Nkechi Ukomadu

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Heart failure is the leading cause of hospitalization in the United States and accounts for more than one million hospitalizations every year. Readmission within 30 days of discharge is an indicator used for measuring the quality of care for heart failure patient. Methods: The goal of this quality improvement project is to reduce the 30-day readmission rate of heart failure patients 60 years and older in a long-term care setting in Texas by using an evidence-based transitional readiness discharge checklist for heart failure. Interventions included staff education on the key components and on the checklist. A pre- and post-test …

Stress Relieving Lavender Aromatherapy For Inpatient Nurses, Kaneisha Deburgo

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Lavender essential oil as a form of aromatherapy is proven to be an effective way to relieve occupational stress among nurses, providing them with a healthy self-care outlet. The purpose of this DNP project was to decrease the stress levels of inpatient nurses by implementing lavender essential oil aromatherapy as a self-care initiative. Willing inpatient Registered Nurses within a fast-paced inpatient telemetry unit were given a vial that contained three drops of Young Living lavender essential oil enclosed within at the beginning of their shifts. The nurses were asked to carry it with them during their eight-hour shifts for three …

Increasing Staff Knowledge And Screening Practices For Adverse Childhood Experiences In Primary Care, Angela Mcgraw

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) are important to future health outcomes. Many health care providers lack the knowledge or training to assess for ACE. Purpose. The purpose of this quality improvement project is to increase the identification of ACE among adult clients in a primary care clinic in Saint John New Brunswick Canada, through the delivery of an education session for the health care team members and patient screening for ACE. Methods. Staff at one clinic attended an educational program about ACE. Staff completed a pre and post education survey questionnaire (N = 8). Additionally, clinic patients (N= 32) were screened …

Prevention And Management Of Gastroesophageal Reflux Diseases (Gerd) And Peptic Ulcer Diseases (Pud’S) Among Bhutanese Refugees Utilizing Personalize Patient Education, Sharada Paudel

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Bhutanese refugees in the United States frequently suffer from gastrointestinal diseases especially gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)and peptic ulcer disease (PUD) which may impact on their quality of life. Purpose: This DNP Project utilized individualized patient education to help improve knowledge on prevention and management of GERD to decrease exacerbations. Methods: Three sessions of individualized live patient education with 15 Bhutanese refugee patients living in Western Massachusetts were provided. Pre and post intervention surveys on patient's symptoms, quality of life, degree of patient knowledge about disease and self-care management and number of ambulatory care visits utilizing the GERD …

Utilizing Motivational Interviewing To Encourage Weight Loss In Primary Care, Wendy Sergeant

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Purpose and Background: The purpose of this project was to educate nurse practitioners (NPs) and nurses (RNs) to promote healthy changes in obese individuals using the principles of Motivational interviewing (MI). Obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States with two out of every three adults considered overweight or obese. Their health problems become costly and deadly. Ideally, RNs and NPs are the front line providers in this struggle of obesity because of their philosophy of health promotion. RNs and NPs can screen and address obesity through lifestyle counseling. Motivational interviewing, a proven and effective counseling method, is useful …