Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Sports Broadcasting News Analysis [Career Paper], Jefferson Sanders

Undergraduate Research Award

No abstract provided.

How To Start A Movement: Ted Talk Annotated Resource List, Daulton Cowan

Undergraduate Research Award

No abstract provided.

Nursing: The Career That Saves Lives [Career Paper], Maggie Flanagan

Undergraduate Research Award

No abstract provided.

Lead Exposure In Children Through Water And Soil, Sravya Maru

Environmental Management & Risk Assessment (PH 560)

Lead is a metal which has the ability to spread in the earth’s crust and has corrosive property. It is a naturally occurring metal which is soft in nature. Lead exposure in children is through various pathways and the major concentrated sources are the soil and drinking water. Children are most susceptible to lead exposure is due to their growing/developing bodies which are very sensitive to lead. Lead poisoning in children is a preventable environmental disease affecting many children around the world. This paper discusses how soil and water plays a major role in lead exposure to children’s routine life. …

Practice Matters: Screening And Referring Congregants With Major Depression, Kim Link, Dawn M. Garrett Wright, Mary Branstetter Dnp

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

The purpose of this article is to provide Faith Community Nurses with current recommendations regarding screening and caring for individuals with major depression. Epidemiological data on major depression will be presented, along with recommended screening tools to assist in detecting major depression. Recommendations for the management of major depression will be presented, including the role that the Faith Community Nurse can play when providing care and education to individuals with major depression.

Nurses’ Knowledge And Attitudes Toward Implementation Of Electronic Medical Records, Cathy H. Abell, Tonya Bragg-Underwood, Lori Alexander, Caitlyn Elizabeth Abell, Vanessa Burd

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

With the growth of Faith Community Nursing (FCN), one topic that needs further exploration is documentation. This includes the use of electronic medical records (EMRs). Nurses play a vital role in the planning and implementation of EMRs in the acute care setting and will also play a key role in Faith Community Nursing Programs that stand alone or partner with a health care agency. Individual computer expertise and/or attitude and knowledge of EMRs could be important in the successful implementation. Researchers utilized a modified version of the EMR questionnaire designed by Beiter and colleagues to examine nurses’ knowledge and attitudes …

Demonstration: Development Of A Minimum Set Of Parish Nurse Educational Outcomes And Behavioral Objectives, Deborah Ziebarth

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

A Wisconsin parish nurse educator asked the question, “...who has the authority to say what is parish nursing in the state of Wisconsin and what are the key elements of a parish nurse training curriculum?” This work represents a six year effort to answer that question. This project answers the question by examining the essential core elements of parish nursing (now referred to as faith community nursing) training curriculums taught in the state of Wisconsin. Ultimately the project provided a minimum set of standardized education outcomes and behavioral objectives for training courses throughout the state. The work began with a …

The Role Of The Faith Community Nurse In Fostering Spirituality In Those With Alzheimer's Disease, Verna Carson Phd, Pmh/Cns-Bc

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Alzheimer ’s disease (AD) strips individuals of memories and abilities that have defined them as productive adults throughout their life. While the decline in memory is real and results in a ‘loss of self’ this does not equate to a ‘loss of soul.’ AD patients continue to have spiritual needs throughout their life as do the family, and/or caregivers. This article explores the spiritual needs and care of AD patients and families and the unique opportunity faith community nurses have to help the AD patient and their support system. The Reisberg Functional Assessment Staging System is used to explain the …

Faith Community Nursing – A Specialty Within The Profession Of Nursing, Andrea M. West

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

This article outlines the characteristics of a profession. A discussion of how professional organizations benefit nursing is provided and the rationale for the development of Faith Community Nurses International (FCNI). The goals and future plans of FCNI are reviewed.

Fcni News-October 2015, Beverly Siegrist

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

No abstract provided.

Research Focus: Communication Sciences And Disorders Fall 2015, Jean Neils-Strunjas Department Head

Communication Sciences & Disorders Publications

No abstract provided.

Regional Review: Reaching New Heights In The Region Fall 2015, Heather Garcia , Editor

Regional Campuses Publications

No abstract provided.

Relationship Between Emissions Of Human Activities And Ozone Layer Depletion, Umer Murtaza

Environmental Management & Risk Assessment (PH 560)

Ozone depletion always holds an importance being a protective shield to humans and environment as well. Human activities and man-made substances are playing major role to this depletion which is increasing day by day. In this paper influence of man-made substances on ozone depletion and consequences of this depletion have been discussed. Role of chlorofluorocarbons as depleting agents is more comparatively other substances. Due to ozone depletion life on earth is affecting which are resulting different consequences like skin cancer, eye diseases and destruction of crops and aquatic life. EPA has worked a lot to save the ozone and many …

Mercury Emissions From Coal-Fired Powerplants, Divya Gade

Environmental Management & Risk Assessment (PH 560)

Mercury is a neurotoxic heavy metal that pose a risk to the public as well as the environmental health. It is a naturally occurring element that is released into the environment from the natural or anthropogenic emissions. Among the anthropogenic emissions, coal-fired powerplants account for approximately 50 percent of the emissions because of the lack of regulations for the emissions from these facilities. The other larger sources of mercury emissions such as municipal waste combustors and medical waste incinerators are subjected to the stringent regulations thereby minimizing their total contribution. Mercury is a natural component of coal and is released …

Kentucky Middle School General Education Teachers: Perceptions On Sensory Integration Of Students On The Autism Spectrum, Lynda C. Harrison

Dissertations

This study examines the perceptions of general education teachers in Kentucky middle schools regarding their knowledge concerning Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), and their abilities to implement strategies designed to accommodate students on the spectrum. Participants included both general and special education teachers though the original targeted sampling included general education teachers only. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and a Likert scale survey created by the researcher and distributed through a web based program. Demographic characteristics collected included number of graduate credit hours, age, years of teaching experience, credited hours of training on ASD at …

Reading Intervention Using Interactive Metronome Treatment, Denise Lewis

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this research study was to examine the effects of Interactive Metronome (IM), a non-academic treatment, when integrated with reading intervention. The intention was to analyze the degree to which IM affected fluency when introduced alongside reading intervention. The research questions that guided this study focused on how internal timekeeping affects reading fluency. This study used a multiple baseline across participant’s single-subject design. Three participants were monitored to determine a baseline using Curriculum Based Measures and Correct Word Per Minute data, and then each received a total of 15 hours of Interactive Metronome treatment. Progress was documented with …

Selection Of Pathogen Surrogates And Fresh Produce Safety: Implications For Public Health And Irrigation Water Quality Policy, Ethan Givan

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Foodborne illness continues to be a substantial public health issue in the United States, with fresh produce being one of the leading causes of outbreaks. Understanding routes of contamination of fresh produce and how pathogens survive on plant surfaces is paramount in improving food safety and reducing risk to public health. The objectives of this study were to select environmental E.coli isolates as pathogen surrogates of Salmonella typhimurium and E.coli O157:H7, assess lettuce plant contamination by spray irrigation water, and evaluate a common industry quality control (QC) E.coli strain (ATCC 25922). Selections of E.coli surrogates were made utilizing biofilm and …

Application Of Goldratt’S Thinking Process To Constraints Within An Emergency Department—A Case Study, Augustine O. Amonge

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Emergency department (ED) acts as a feeder to many hospitals as it determines a large proportion of admissions. ED also acts as a buffer zone for many patients who cannot get care in other institutions due to insurance issues. Most hospitals are trying to invest heavily on their EDs, but cannot meet patients’ satisfaction in terms of cost and quality of care. There is great need for EDs to understand customers’ expectation given the rising cost of healthcare.

The focus of this study is at an ED center in Bowling Green Kentucky, using theory of constraints (TOC) thinking process application …

Carter, Tim Lee, 1910-1987 - Relating To (Sc 2931), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 2931. Materials relating to Tim Lee Carter, a Tompkinsville, Kentucky physician and member of the U.S. Congress from 1965-1981. Includes clippings, biographical data, correspondence relating to medical malpractice legislation, and programs, memoranda and publicity relating to the opening of the Carter Congressional Collection at Western Kentucky University. Also includes a pencil sketch of Carter.

Chhs August 2015 E-Newsletter,, Dr. John Bonaguro, Dean, Vashon S. Wells, Editor, College Of Health And Human Services

College of Health & Human Services Publications

No abstract provided.

Practice Matters: Screening And Monitoring Hyperlipidemia, M. Laurie Branstetter Dnp, Maria E. Main, Tonya Bragg-Underwood Dnp

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to provide Faith Community Nurses with current information on hyperlipidemia, a chronic disease responsible for the leading cause of death worldwide. Current guidelines for cholesterol screening and a risk calculator resource for estimating cardiovascular risk are provided. Myths and truths are presented for review with patients. Suggestions and resources for lifestyle modifications and patient education are included. Faith Community Nurses are at the center of community health and actively involved with improving health outcomes related to chronic disease.

The Development Of A Faith Community Nursing Intervention To Promote Health Across The Life Span, Donna M. Callaghan

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Purpose: To report the development of a faith community nursing intervention to promote health across the life span. Studies by Callaghan (2003, 2005, 2006), that investigated the relationships among self-care agency, self-care self-efficacy, and health-promoting self-care behaviors, support the importance of spiritual growth on older adults’, adults’, and adolescents’ initiative and responsibility for self-care. This report will focus on applying these results and the research evidence that supports the integration of these concepts in the development of a health promotion intervention.

Procedures: Data was merged from Callaghan’s studies (2003, 2005, 2006) in order to investigate to what extent do self-care …

Chhs July 2015 E-Newsletter,, Dr. John Bonaguro, Dean, Vashon S. Wells, Editor, College Of Health And Human Services

College of Health & Human Services Publications

No abstract provided.

Faith Community Nurse Education: A Conceptual Model, Cristy Marie Daffron

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

As a specialty practice, faith community nursing embodies knowledge that is unique to the practice and requires both generic and specialty training. Scarce research has been conducted on the effectiveness of basic faith community nurse curricula. As the landscape of education continues to be refined in the faith community nurse specialty practice, coupled with limited available research for the evaluation of effectiveness, a conceptual model for faith community nurse education is needed. Faith Community Nurse Education Conceptual Model incorporates both internal and external factors that impact the environment in which education occurs and acknowledges God as the author and finisher …

Women's Contraceptive Choices: A Look Into The Women Of Warren And Allen Counties, Kentucky, Mollie M. Berger

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

According to the 2013 Census, 76.2 million US women of childbearing age (15 to 50). About half (51%) of the 6.6 million pregnancies in the United States each year (3.4 million) are unintended. Although there is an overwhelming need for contraceptives, not everyone has access. This study seeks to gain information on the motivation behind women’s contraceptive choices in Warren and Allen County, KY. A questionnaire was created and distributed to patients in the clinic waiting rooms of Barren River District Health Department and Allen County Health Department, and additional surveys were sent to Western Kentucky University students enrolled in …

Endothelin-1 Promotes Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cell Proliferation Via A Mapk Pathway: Implications For Keratopathy And Deturgescence, Brandon C. Farmer

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The corneal endothelium is vital in maintaining the functions of the cornea, namely hydration, thickness, and transparency. Diseases that impair the corneal endothelium are currently remedied solely via surgery. These surgeries present obstacles to patients of underserved areas due to cost, ineffectiveness, and lack of access. Trachoma, an infection which can cause corneal opacities, is the leading cause of infectious blindness in the world. In order to eradicate trachoma, epidemiological data is needed. Three villages in Kasigau, Kenya were studied to quantify the occurrence of trachoma in the region. The three villages were found to have adequate access to antibiotics …

The Effect Of Cheese On The Ph Levels In The Oral Cavity, Madison R. Hayden

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

In the Fall of 2014, research was conducted with 20 participants on the campus of Western Kentucky University. Participants were given two ounces of Coca Cola^® to drink and the pH level in their mouth was tested one minute later. After waiting a minute, the participants were given a one ounce square of mild cheddar cheese to eat and the pH level was tested again one minute later. For further study, this project will be expanded to include more subjects as well as an increased exposure time to Coca Cola^®. This research is conducted to help support …

The Correlation Of Childhood Obesity And Dental Caries In South Central Kentucky, Christina Guthrie

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Does obesity have an effect on dental caries in South Central Kentucky Previous research has presented information stating a high prevalence of tooth decay found within the state of Kentucky. In addition, studies have indicated an elevated rate of childhood obesity found within the region. As a future dental hygienist in Kentucky, it is important to understand if a correlation exists between tooth decay and childhood obesity to better educate both patients and caregivers. The investigation will utilize a sample of patient records through a retrospective collection process. A correlation of dental caries and childhood obesity is expected to be …

Ua61/16 White Coat Ceremony Program, Wku Physical Therapy

WKU Archives Records

White coat ceremony program for WKU Physical Therapy class of 2015.

Subgingival Air Polishing In Dentistry, Chelsea T-P. Howell

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Modern statistics have shown that periodontal disease is highly prevalent in today’s society. Periodontal disease has detrimental effects to the oral cavity, including: bone less, recession, and tooth mobility. A strong correlation has been linked to the use of the subgingival air polisher on patients with active periodontal disease and the regression of the disease after being treated with the device. This is being compared to traditional hand-scaling beneath the gingiva margin which is less efficient in removing biofilm subgingivally. Recent studies (Petersilka et al.) are confirming this to be true by treating patients with both hand-scaling and the subgingival …