Assessing The Bioavailability Of Infused Lysine And Rumen-Protected Lysine Supplements Using The Area Under The Curve Technique And The Plasma Free Amino Acid Dose-Response Method, Megan Vetter

Honors Theses and Capstones

The milk production of lactating dairy cows is dependent on factors such as housing conditions, lineage, climate, and health, but the quality of their diets is generally the most influential. Maintaining a proper balance of nutrients is necessary to achieve the greatest milk production at the lowest cost. Maximum feed efficiency is not only critical for increasing the economic profits of an individual farm, but also for increasing food supply without increasing environmental demand. Supplementing cows’ diets with lysine (Lys), an essential amino acid (AA), can aid in maximizing protein synthesis. Providing this nutrient in a rumen-protected (RP) coating can …

Eeg-Based Spanish Language Proficiency Classification: An Eeg Power Spectrum And Cross-Spectrum Analysis, Blaise Xavier O'Mara, Skyler Baumer

Honors Theses and Capstones

Second language proficiency may be predicted with electrophysiological techniques. In a machine learning application, this electrophysiological data may be used for language instructors and language students to assess their language learning. This study identifies how electroencephalogram (EEG) power spectrum and cross spectrum data of the brain cortex relates to Spanish second language (L2) proficiency of 20 Spanish language students of varying proficiency levels at the University of New Hampshire. The two metrics for assessing cortical power and processing were event-related desynchronization (ERD)—a measure of relative change in power—of the alpha (8-12 Hz) brain frequency band, and alpha and beta (13-30Hz) …

Occurrence Of Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (Pfas) In New Hampshire Biosolids, Katherine A. Wieck

Honors Theses and Capstones

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of over 4,000 compounds used in the manufacturing of products including aqueous film forming foams for firefighting, stain repellents, waterproofing agents, and nonstick cookware since their initial development in the 1940s. The long fluorinated carbon chain structure of PFAS causes chemical and thermal stability, and thus resistance to biodegradation. Biosolids produced at wastewater facilities for uses such as agricultural land-applied compost and fertilizer for lawns and athletic fields, as well as sludge disposed in landfills can cause contamination of groundwater and surface water. This poses a significant threat to human and environmental …

Productivity Working From Home During The Pandemic, Jacqueline M. Veglia

Honors Theses and Capstones

I will be focusing my research on productivity during working from home. Specifically I will be focusing on men versus women productivity levels working from home, as well as single women versus women with children. This research is also designed to investigate the extent of work employees do while working at home and their productivity levels. The Covid19 pandemic had a major impact on the working environment. People were stuck inside their houses and were not able to go to their offices for months to years and this is still an ongoing problem we are dealing with today. It can …

Heparin Vs. Saline: Evaluating Evidence-Based Best Practice For Maintaining Patency Of Implanted Ports, Shannon D. Murdock

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background Implanted ports are frequently used for central venous access in the adult oncology population. Maintaining patency of these ports is important for continuing uninterrupted treatment and supportive care for oncologic patients. Historically, heparin solution has been used as a locking solution for implanted ports to prevent occlusion. However, evidence shows that 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline or NS) as a lock solution is equally effective as heparin solution at maintaining implanted port patency and poses less risk to patients.

Local Problem In an ambulatory adult oncology clinic serving Seacoast New Hampshire, a gap was identified between clinical practice where …

Improving Nursing Intake And Output Documentation Utilizing Chart Audits And Staff Education: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Cayla Marie Barretto

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Inaccurate and unreliable fluid balance documentation has been a long-standing issue in nursing. Best practice for “strict intake and output monitoring” is real-time accurate documentation.

Local Problem: Within a medical-surgical microsystem, it was identified that intake and output documentation (I/O) was not being completed thoroughly. A brief chart audit was conducted to identify gaps in documentation. In total, forty charts were audited, and two charts (5%) passed the audit. Common areas where documentation was incomplete included daily weights, output entered as “unmeasured occurrence”, IV fluid administration not totaled, or no intake recorded at all. We aimed to see a …

Enhancing Education To Mitigate Workplace Violence To Increase Staff Safety In A High Acuity Setting: A Quality Improvement Project, Michelle Crowley

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: The current microsystem is a critical access 8 bed Emergency Department with 3 hallway beds. On average it can see anywhere from 30-50 patients in a 24 hour period. Due to the nature of the microsystem, staff are at high risk for experiencing workplace violence (WPV). Within this microsystem staff do not have a readily available communication device on their person in case of an adverse event leaving them susceptible to patient to staff WPV. Staff within this microsystem are Management of Aggressive Behavior (MOAB) 1 and 2 trained, however this does not provide education on risk factors for …

Incorporating Non-Pharmacological Labor Coping Methods To Improve Nursing Care And Reduce Primary Cesarean Section Rates: A Quality Improvement Project, Cait Maccabe

Master's Theses and Capstones

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cesarean sections (c-sections), while life-saving in some circumstances, carry a significantly higher risk of morbidity and mortality than vaginal birth for birthing patients and neonates alike. Despite this, rates of c-section have continued to rise in the US and around the world. As primary cesarean births are highly likely to lead to repeat cesarean births, concerted efforts are being made to reduce them both broadly and within the setting of this quality improvement (QI) project: a labor and delivery unit located within a Level II trauma center in New Hampshire. A literature review provided evidence supporting the use …

Boost Your Brain And Memory Flyer, Michele Kroll

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Coos County 4-H Knowledge Bowl Resources, Christine Whiting

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

A Quick Guide On How To Access Mental Health And Substance Use Disorder Benefits - 2023 Update, Lucy C. Hodder, Marguerite Corvini, Bridget Drake

All Materials

No abstract provided.

Streamlining The Postpartum Educational Process For Safe And Equitable Patient Care: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Shea N. Cook

Master's Theses and Capstones

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Postpartum discharge education is essential in the care of mothers, newborns, and their families as they transition from the hospital setting to home. The U.S Department of Health and Human Services has identified postpartum discharge education content as a public health priority to reduce physical and mood-related postpartum complications. Over half of all serious morbidity and mortality complications occur after a postpartum patient leaves the hospital. It is essential that hospitals utilize the best evidence-based practices to maximize the impact of patient education during maternity care in the hospital.

LOCAL PROBLEM:

Within the given microsystem there is a …

Enhancing Nurses' Self-Efficacy In Smoking Cessation Counseling To Improve Patient- Centered Care At A Federally Funded Urgent Care Center: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Adam N. Waller Ii

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: It is well documented that there is a high prevalence of Veteran tobacco use in the United States. Additionally, providing smoking cessation counseling in an emergency setting is beneficial. The broader Veteran Affairs (VA) macrosystem has a plethora of smoking cessation resources available for Veterans. Within a VA Urgent Care Center (UCC) a quality improvement initiative was conducted that focused on increasing registered nurses (RNs) self-efficacy in providing smoking cessation counseling. Prior to this quality improvement (QI) project, smoking cessation did not occur in this UCC. If RNs have higher self-efficacy more smoking cessation counseling will occur.

Methods …

Using Education To Improve Timeliness And Efficiency Of Medication Administration In An Inpatient Hospital Setting: A Quality Improvement Project, Kevin Christopher Lane

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Timeliness of medication administration is important for optimal patient care. Technology, interdepartmental communication, and nursing workflow influence on-time delivery of medications. Improving knowledge through PowerPoint™ education and visual aids such as medication alert placards improves interdepartmental communication and positively influences nursing workflow leading to improved medication delivery times.

Local Problem: Nurses spend considerable time looking for and administering medications to patients on the unit. A goal was established to reduce the amount of time nurses spent looking for medications by 5% after implementing PowerPoint™ education to improve workflow.

Methods: This project used the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) strategy for implementation. …

Using Education To Improve Nurse Perceptions On Rounding To Increase Patient Safety And Efficiency Of Care On A Behavioral Health Unit: A Quality Improvement Project, Shannon Alty

Master's Theses and Capstones

Abstract

Background: Hourly rounding completed by nursing staff are routinely completed on most inpatient hospital units. Evidence suggests that hourly rounding can improve patient outcomes, patient satisfaction rates, communication, minimize patient requests and improve the nurse patient relationship (Halm, 2009). Additional evidence suggests that inpatient psychiatric patients often feel disconnected from their nurse and hourly rounding is recommended to build the nurse-patient relationship (DaSilva, 2017). However, for successful implementation, nurse perceptions of rounding must be obtained.

Local Problem: Hourly rounding is a standard of practice, however, was not being consistently completed. Assessing the nurse perceptions regarding rounding, was imperative understand …

Promoting Safety Of Medication Administration And Reducing Medication Errors Using Photographic Patient Identification In An Inpatient Psychiatric Setting: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Kyla Kelly

Master's Theses and Capstones

Abstract

Background: Medication errors pertaining to patient wristband workarounds in a behavioral and mental health inpatient unit can affect patient outcomes, safety and can even be fatal. The proper verification of the five rights of medication administration, patient acuity, diagnosis, and unit staffing can impact the need for patient wristband workarounds to occur. Improving staff and patient education and reducing the need for wristband workarounds through the utilization of patient photographic identification significantly reduces the number of medication errors relating to wristband workarounds during the medication administration process. Additionally, a significant reduction in the time it takes to administer medications …

Reducing Instances Of Staff Exposure To Ionizing Radiation In The Pacu, Christina Mcauliffe

Master's Theses and Capstones

Abstract

Background

On the Post Anesthesia Care Unit mobile X-Rays were necessary on site for confirmation of medical device placement. There was an unofficial procedure in place which consisted of announcing when an X-Ray was to be taken, and which bay it was taken in.

Local Problem

Upon observation it was noted that the mobile X-Ray unofficial procedure was only being adhered to for approximately 25% mobile X-Rays taken on the PACU, unnecessarily exposing staff to ionizing radiation. There was also no written procedure or standardized training policy available at the facility.

Methods

Baseline ionizing radiation knowledge was assessed using …

Using Education To Promote Waste Segregation And Waste Reduction In The Operating Room: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Sarah E. Landgraf

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: The operating room (OR) is known to be one of the largest producers of medical waste and of the surgical specialties, orthopedic surgery tends to the largest portion of this. Waste from the OR can be mitigated by recycling non-contaminated materials. This reduces the number of raw materials needed to create new products, decreases landfill use, and lowers hospital costs.

Local Problem: It was observed that a gap in knowledge existed related to recyclables in the OR of a large medical center in New England. Also, it was observed that there was potential for waste and recycling to be …

Improving Initial Pain Assessments Upon Arrival To The Post Anesthesia Care Unit By Implementing The Critical Care Pain Observation Tool, Molly Jacques Ms, Rn

Master's Theses and Capstones

Abstract

Background

Pain assessments in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) are crucial to recovery, the discharge process, patient outcomes, length of stay, and readmission rates. It is one of the main responsibilities of PACU nurses to adequately assess and treat pain when patients are in phase one and two of recovery after surgery. A thorough and accurate pain assessment tool is needed for these critically ill patients because not all of them are able to verbally express discomfort.

Local Problem

The problem that was identified during this quality improvement project was inconsistent initial pain assessments in the PACU. Patients arrive …

Reshaping Nurses’ Attitudes Toward Hourly Rounding To Increase Patient Safety And Instill Values-Based Care: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Jacqueline Juhn

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Hourly rounding is a form of intentional rounding (IR) to standardize care for patients to prevent adverse outcomes. Visiting patient rooms every hour and documenting any changes in client status is used as a general format for hourly rounding. Research reveals consistent hourly rounding is strongly linked with value for performance of this form of IR. Nurses’ Perceptions of Patient Rounding Scale (NPPRS) is a tool for assessing nurses’ value for their work. An educational video combined with NPPRS were utilized to create change for patients to continue to receive care that is safe, high quality, and cost-effective.

Local …

Giving Effective And Timely Hospice Education To Lessen Participant Stress (Get Helps), Caroline Rose Carter

Master's Theses and Capstones

In 2022, 1.72 million people chose to use hospice as their end-of life care. This is a 6.8% increase from 2019, and the number of patients who choose to use hospice is increasing (Summers, 2022). The aim of this quality improvement (QI) study was to decrease levels of stress reported by the patient and informal caretakers by combining the information from the hospice program’s admission packet and other approved handouts, while standardizing the verbiage through a Flesch-Kincaid readability scale to an eighth-grade reading level. Pre-survey perceived stress scores averaged 22.97 on a modified Perceived-Stress Scale, and the mean of the …

Reducing Blood Culture Contamination Rates Through Staff Education: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Kirsten M. Mutuberria

Master's Theses and Capstones

BACKGROUND: Blood cultures are a widely utilized tool that aids in diagnosis and treatment plans. Contaminated cultures are incredibly costly, resulting in increased length of stay, opportunistic infections, pharmacy costs, repeated laboratory tests, and decreased reimbursements. Evidence suggests higher incidence rates of blood culture contaminations (BCCs) are seen in emergency departments (ED) compared to any other unit within a hospital system. The internationally accepted threshold of 3% is not often met, although recent studies suggest a lower rate is possible, even in critical care environments. A literature review resulted in data showing that educational-based interventions focusing on adherence to facility …

Covid-19 Pharmacy Claims Recovery Analysis, Kelly Dixon, Bethany Swanson, Josephine B. Porter, Erica-Lyn Plante, Amy Costello, Lucy Hodder

All Materials

No abstract provided.

Globe Srs Poster Gallery, Globe U.S. Coordination Office

Resources

No abstract provided.

The Current State Of Behavioral Health In Primary Care For Nh Youth, Katherine Lipp, Delitha Watts, Janet Thomas, Bethany Swanson, Erica-Lyn Plante, Felicia Brackett, Corina Chao, Rowan Gelting, Sophie Weider, Jeanne Ryer, Amy Costello, Chris White

All Materials

No abstract provided.

Covid-19 Claims Recovery Analysis, Josephine B. Porter, Amy Costello, Kelly Dixon, Bethany Swanson, Erica-Lyn Plante

All Materials

No abstract provided.

Mental Health Care Access For Nh Youth: A Comparison Of Two Models, Katherine Lipp, Rowan Gelting, Delitha Watts, Erica-Lyn Plante, Jeanne Ryer, Felicia Brackett

All Materials

No abstract provided.

Investing In Primary Care: Advancing Nursing Education Workforce, Marcy Doyle, Kelsi West, Delitha Watts, Erica Plante, Sophie Weider, Molly Umana, Jeanne Ryer, Gene Harkless

All Materials

No abstract provided.

New Hampshire Early Childhood Governance System Infographic, Nh Preschool Development Grant

Preschool Development Grant

No abstract provided.

Strafford County 2022 Annual Report Of The Commissioners, Treasurer, Other County Officers, And The Strafford County Delegation For The Year Ending December 31, 2022., Strafford County Representatives

Strafford County, NH Annual Reports

This is an annual report containing vital statistics for a county in the state of New Hampshire.