Digital Commons Network^™

Prevention Of Medication Errors During The Transcription Process, Angela Huang

Master's Projects and Capstones

Medication administration is a multistep process that involves prescribing, transcribing, dispensing, and administering drugs. The transcription of medication orders during patient admissions have been described as an error prone process by nurses on the unit. An FMEA analysis and unit surveys indicated a need for improvement. The specific aim for this project is to improve the mediation transcription process for new patients with 100% participation from all staff by December 1, 2014. Based on the microsystem system analysis and the research on evidence, strategies approved for testing include mandating the double checking new mediations with another nurse, omitting the use …

Critical Media Literacy: A Curriculum For Middle School English Teachers, Jennifer J. Hale

Master's Projects and Capstones

This project provides an introductory, critical media literacy curriculum for middle school English teachers, which is designed to build upon students’ academic language proficiency and critical-thinking skills through media-based content. The targeted proficiency level ranges from high-intermediate English language learners to native English speakers.

The curriculum focuses on developing the critical-thinking skills needed to analyze complex media messages. This process helps students to discover how media is socially constructed and how it aims to convey particular messages for particular purposes. The teacher’s goal is to facilitate students’ understanding of media in order for them to become more conscientious of their …

Content-Based Instruction And Corpus Linguistics Curriculum For Early Advanced Efl Saudi Students, Ahmed Alattar

Master's Projects and Capstones

For many years now EFL teaching and learning in Saudi Arabia has suffered from a lack of authentic life-related and meaningful materials. Most of the EFL books available, therefore, pay more attention to form and less attention to meaning. This has resulted in many Saudi EFL students having difficulty improving their L2 proficiency. For this reason, I developed a curriculum that incorporates content-based instruction and corpus linguistics. The curriculum is divided into six units. The units focus on the five basic language skills: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. Each unit focuses on different content and includes examples form several corpus …

Increasing Patient Participation In The Medication Reconciliation Process, Andrea Idudhe

Master's Projects and Capstones

It is estimated, that ambulatory care settings have a 25% adverse drug events (ADEs) rate, and 39% of those event were preventable errors (Taché, Sönnichsen, and Ashcroft, 2011). Considering many adverse drug events are related to medication errors, preventing medication errors is fundamental to improving patient safety and outcomes. Medication reconciliation is the process of identifying and resolving medication discrepancies that occur, during transitions in care. Patient participation is a key component to the medication reconciliation process. With the intent to improve patient participation, a patient awareness intervention was implemented in the cardiology outpatient clinic. Data was collected using microsystem …

Empowering Female English Language Learners To Pursue Computer Science Fields: A Practical 4-Hour Workshop For Beginning Teachers In High School, Osaro Althouse

Master's Projects and Capstones

Female English language learners (FELLs) are not taken under consideration when trying to attract new student populations to computer science fields. Frequently, females are studied cohesively without regard to their individual distinctions and challenges. This unique population has to overcome traditional gender perceptions and linguistic confronts when considering the field of computer science. This paper provides a practical four-hour workshop for novice teachers in high school that are eager to empower female English language learners (FELLs) that demonstrate potential or are interested in entering computer science fields. An overview of research within the last ten years is exhibited, which includes …

Biofilm Microenvironment Analysis Systems For Medicine And Agriculture, Jinzi Deng

Doctoral Dissertations

Biofilms are aggregated bacteria embedded in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Biofilms are the dominant growth form of bacteria in most natural environments, and are also important in many industrial and in vivo settings. The function of a biofilm system is inherently different from the function of the same cells dispersed in liquid culture. Existing methods to study biofilm either do not maintain the essential biofilm architecture or do not capture the dynamic nature of their responses. This research describes the development of a set of biofilm microenvironment analysis systems that maintain the essential micro-scale structure of biofilms. These systems are …

Self-Regulation In The Iep Classroom: Developing Lifelong English Language Proficiency, Jeannie Slayton

Doctoral Dissertations

Although students in Intensive English Programs (IEPs) acknowledge the importance of acquiring academic English skills, their primary concern is obtaining an acceptable Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score. In order to continue improving their English skills beyond the last English class, learners need to have the capability of self-regulating their own learning. The problem for IEP teachers is fostering self-regulation in students who tend to be exam-oriented learners.

The conceptual framework for this qualitative study was constructed by examining and synthesizing research from the fields of adult education and educational psychology. This framework informed the interview protocol, …

“Une Image Vaut Bien Mille Mots”: Recherche Sur L’Iconographie Des Textes Allégoriques De Christine De Pizan, Marie-Josee Marquis

Doctoral Dissertations

The following research paper is an iconographic analysis of six allegoric works of Christine the Pizan, including: Epistre Othea, Livre de la Cité des Dames, Livre des Trois Vertus, Livre du Chemin de long estude, Livre de la mutacion de Fortune et Livre de l’advision Cristine. These medieval writings will be analyzed in conjunction with their illuminations allowing as such a more complete understanding of the various details buried within the images. Iconography, codicology and paleography are the three analytic methods utilized in this comprehensive study of selected Christine de Pizan’s allegoric works. Furthermore, this study will illustrate the …

Improving Patient Outcomes And Nurse Satisfaction By Reducing Avoidable Interruptions During Medication Administrations, Roberta Howard

Master's Projects and Capstones

Medication administration is an important part of nursing duties in acute-care settings. The nurse is responsible for prioritizing safe quality care when administering medications but errors do occur. This project addressed interruptions as one of the challenges of safe medication administration. The aims of this project are 1) to determine a standardized medication administration process 2) to identify perceived and actual interruptions on the unit and 3) to address and reduce the avoidable interruptions of calls, pages and call lights at the nurse station. The purpose of this project is to improve patient outcomes, nurse satisfaction and nurse workflow by …

Strategies For Esl Students In Community Colleges To Develop Their Public Speaking Skills, Cheryl I. Watkins

Master's Projects and Capstones

The purpose of this project was to identify strategies for ESL students in community colleges to develop their public speaking skills. Effective oral communication skills are commonly needed by employees in the workplace at all different levels. The project focused on three key areas: 1) ways to reduce the fear and anxiety associated with public speaking; 2) the role of small groups in planning and presenting oral presentations; and 3) the use of feedback and self-help strategies to improve public speaking skills. The project presented a handbook of strategies in each of these areas for students to use as a …

Teaching Health Literacy In Conjunction With Esl, Dora Lee

Master's Projects and Capstones

In the United States, many English as a Second Language (ESL) speakers who have limited English proficiency also have low levels of health literacy. The purpose of this project is to create a curriculum that ESL teachers can implement to improve the English language proficiency and the health literacy skills of adult ESL speakers with limited English proficiency residing in the United States. The curriculum is designed for teachers who work with ESL speakers who may be having trouble obtaining, processing, communicating, or managing health information due to language barriers.

Employee Engagement In The Pacu, Michelle Spadaro

Master's Projects and Capstones

A clear vision is a powerful tool that can help advance employee engagement within nursing units. There is a great need for a compelling vision for the operation of a safe, efficient, equitable, effective, and patient centered healthcare delivery system. It is crucial to identify what actions are needed to achieve this vision and what realistic strategies are necessary for success. The purpose of this vision statement is to achieve excellence in nursing by establishing a common identity and direction that responds to an ever-changing healthcare environment. The project was conducted on a 25 bed peri-operative and post anesthesia care …

Improving The Hcahps Score For Pain Well Controlled, Uwaezu J. Umeh

Master's Projects and Capstones

This project took place on a Renal/Endocrine unit of a northern California Hospital. As observed on this unit, pain was not well controlled and this caused the HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) score for ‘pain well controlled’ to be low. Hence, this project sought to address the underlying reasons why pain was not well controlled and to proffer solutions to raise the HCAHPS score to at least 65% from an average of 55%. In order to find the root causes, the nurses were surveyed, the patients and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) were interviewed, and a 24-hour …

Patient Satisfaction Related To Noise In The Coronary Care Unit, Anjanette S. Dominguez

Master's Projects and Capstones

Background The CCU staff recognized a department trend for low patient-satisfaction score related to environmental noise levels. Based on the Press Ganey score, the patient-satisfaction score plummeted in relation to noise level beginning in March 2014.

Purpose To improve patient satisfaction regarding noise level in the CCU to 100% by November 21, 2014.

Methods Senior & Fleming’s Hard System Model of Change guided this literature search of CINAHL and Fusion for articles published from 2009 to 2014. Specific terms used were noise, critical care, and sleep promotion. From September to November 2014, earplugs were offered to all alert/oriented patients entering …

Increasing Compliance Of Personal Protective Equipment S Election And Use For Isolation Precautions Among Rns & Nas On A Med-Surg Unit, Megan R. Alsmeyer

Master's Projects and Capstones

Background: Due to the high potential of transferring infectious diseases and/or organisms among patients, themselves, and the community, healthcare workers (HCWs) must be knowledgeable and confident in selecting the appropriate type of personal protective equipment (PPE), and the use in technique when putting on (donning) and removing (doffing) PPE based on the level of isolation precautions required for the patient being cared for.

Project Purpose: The purpose of this project is to determine whether assessing the knowledge and actual practice with observing, and utilizing an innovative approach of video and educational tools to isolation precautions would improve the consistency of …

Pronunciation Lesson Plans For Korean Efl University Instructors, Jeongtong (Justin) Choi

Master's Projects and Capstones

This project helps to create lesson plans for instructors who teach Korean ESL/EFL students in English pronunciation part.

Improving Patient Outcomes Through Use Of The Teach-Back Method In The Post Anesthesia Care Unit, Kathleen Osullivan

Master's Projects and Capstones

The setting for this Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) project was the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) at a level I trauma center in the Bay Area. The goal was to improve the discharge education performed by the PACU nurses to improve patient safety and decrease the chance of complications or readmissions to this hospital. With no clear instructions for how discharge teaching should be done, the nurses have many differing styles which leaves room for gaps in discharge planning. This influenced the implementation of the teach-back method during discharge planning in order to ensure proper education and increased patient understanding. …

Safe Patient Handling & No Lift Policy: Reducing The Incidence Of Work-Related Injuries Among Nursing Staff, Marissa N. Scanlon

Master's Projects and Capstones

Background: Patient handling is a major risk factor for work-related injuries among nurses. Inadequate and inappropriate safe patient handling practices contribute to increased work-related injuries, lost/restricted work days, and hospital costs.

Purpose: The focus of this study was to increase the use of mechanical lift equipment and Lift Team to reduce the incidence of work-related injuries among nursing staff involved in patient handling activities on the Medical-Cardiac IICU.

Methodology: The theoretical framework employed for this project was Lippitt’s change theory. Pre-and post-survey self-report evaluations were conducted prior to and following the implementation of the Bedside Mobility Assessment Tool (BMAT) and …

Exploring The Intersection Of Creative Practice Development And Second Language Acquisition In Adult Artists Professionally Connected To Seattle, Megan E. Deangelo

Master's Theses

Artists’ voices are disproportionately being excluded from international discourse because current English language education does not adequately serve this population of learners. This study was conducted as a catalyst for inquiry into the most effective ways artists acquire English so as to inform the development of curricula and programs to address their language learning needs. This study’s theoretical framework is created by Long’s (1981) interaction hypothesis and Skehan’s (1996) theory of task-based learning. The author proposes that artists’ English language learning experiences would be more fruitful if they were patterned after the interactions to which they are accustomed in their …

Combating Hiv/Aids In Marginalized Communities: Papua And West Papua Provinces, Indonesia, Bani Cheema

Master's Theses

My study focuses on foreign aid and local initiatives for HIV/AIDS prevention in eastern Indonesia using the provinces of Papua and West Papua as a case study. The two provinces are home to indigenous tribal groups that are socioeconomically marginalized and most affected by the epidemic. My research investigates behavior change communication as a principal strategy undertaken by multiple organizations for HIV/AIDS prevention in this region. I take a qualitative approach by examining the effectiveness of this strategy in local communities and by revealing social and cultural barriers that impede success. Obstacles that negatively impact prevention efforts include structural violence, …

Berkeley Youth Alternatives Fieldwork Summary Report: Assessing Social Determinants To Improve The Physical Health And Academic Development For Youth In Berkeley, California, Alane M. Cruz

Master's Projects and Capstones

The following paper summarizes the three hundred hour fieldwork experience at Berkeley Youth Alternatives (BYA), a non-profit community-based organization located in Southwest Berkeley that is committed to combating the social determinants that contribute to the prevalent health disparities within their community. The fieldwork internship is a major requirement in completing the Master’s of Public Health (MPH) program at the University of San Francisco (USF), and allows the education and experience gained over the duration of the program to be applied in a real public health setting.

The overall goal of the internship experience was to assess the social determinants of …

Gender, Smoking And Tobacco Reduction And Cessation: A Scoping Review, Joan L. Bottorff, Rebecca Haines-Saah, Mary T. Kelly, John L. Oliffe, Iris Torchalla, Nancy Poole, Lorraine Greaves, Carole A. Robinson, Mary H. H. Ensom, Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli, J. Craig Phillips

Nursing Faculty Publications

Considerations of how gender-related factors influence smoking first appeared over 20 years ago in the work of critical and feminist scholars. This scholarship highlighted the need to consider the social and cultural context of women's tobacco use and the relationships between smoking and gender inequity. Parallel research on men's smoking and masculinities has only recently emerged with some attention being given to gender influences on men's tobacco use. Since that time, a multidisciplinary literature addressing women and men's tobacco use has spanned the social, psychological and medical sciences. To incorporate these gender-related factors into tobacco reduction and cessation interventions, our …

Fall Commencement Ceremonies, University Of North Florida

Commencement Printed Materials

Program for the Fall Commencement ceremonies.

A Study Of The Integration Of Communicative Competence (Cc) Features In Teaching The Oral Skills (Listening And Speaking) To English Majors At The Department Of English, University Of Benghazi/ Libya, Issa Amerife Bldiar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Since its advent in the 1970s, the notion of communicative competence (CC) has a tremendous influence on English language teaching, trends, theories, models, and paradigms. Since the 1970s, applied linguists, second language acquisition (SLA) researchers and educationalists have accepted the notion of communicative competence (CC) as the underpinning theory of second language acquisition, the objective of communicative language teaching approach (CLT), and as a measurement of language learner’s proficiency. The purpose of this study was to investigate the inclusion, teaching and testing of the features of the notion of communicative competence (CC) in teaching the oral skills to the English …

How Disgust Affects Romantic Attraction: How Our Moods Affect Our Judgments Of Attractiveness, Nicholas Phelan

Theses

Facial attractiveness is an important part of our initial judgments of people and in our ability to determine their compatibility as a mating partner. Just as mating is evolutionarily important, the emotion disgust is one of the most evolutionarily beneficial emotions as it helps keep us away from poisonous and possibly infectious substances or foods. We instinctively avoid people with facial scars and other facial deformities because these are seen as a sign of illness or generally poor well-being. Facial attraction is one component of how we choose a mate. The current experiment examined whether or not being disgusted created …

The Geology And Petrology Of Enigmatic Rhyolites At Graveyard And Gordon Buttes, Mount Hood Quadrangle, Oregon, Elizabeth G. Westby

Dissertations and Theses

Rhyolite lava flows are found at two dome complexes at Graveyard Butte and Gordon Butte, Mount Hood Quadrangle, Oregon. At Graveyard Butte, the White River has cut a winding canyon 150 m deep, exposing at its base, a 40-meter-thick outcrop of flow-banded rhyolite (73 wt.% SiO₂, 3.67±0.01 Ma) that laterally extends along the canyon wall for about 1 km. Stratigraphically above the flow-banded rhyolite is locally-erupted iron-rich andesites (lava flows, agglutinate and other pyroclastic rocks as well as clastic debris), a rhyolitic ash-flow tuff (74 wt.% SiO₂), and the 2.77±0.36 Ma tholeiitic basalt lava flows of …

Launching A Virtual Decision Lab: Development And Field-Testing Of A Web-Based Patient Decision Support Research Platform, Aubri S. Hoffman, Hilary A. Llewellyn-Thomas, Anna N. A. Tosteson, Annette M. Oconnor

Dartmouth Scholarship

Over 100 trials show that patient decision aids effectively improve patients’ information comprehension and values-based decision making. However, gaps remain in our understanding of several fundamental and applied questions, particularly related to the design of interactive, personalized decision aids. This paper describes an interdisciplinary development process for, and early field testing of, a web-based patient decision support research platform, or virtual decision lab, to address these questions.

The Empowerment Model Of Coastal Homestay Business Owners In Five Strategic Areas Of National Tourism, Ayat Taufik Arevin, Ma'mun Sarna, Pang S. Asngari, Pudji Mulyono Pudji Mulyono

BISNIS & BIROKRASI: Jurnal Ilmu Administrasi dan Organisasi

This study examines the variables related and having influence on the success of the coastal homestay business owners. The total number of samples is 160 owners in five areas of KSPN (the Strategic Area of Indonesian National Tourism) namely: Pangandaran, Parangtritis, Karangasem, Pulau Untung Jawa, and Tanjung Lesung-UKNP. The hypotheses are: (1) individual and environmental characteristics influence the process of extensions, working-competence, and entrepreneurial behavior; (2) the extension process has real influence on working-competence and business empowerment; (3) working competence positively influence entrepreneurial behavior and empowerment; (4) Entrepreneurial behavior and empowermen directly affect the success of business, and (5) Empowerment …

Exhibition, Featuring, Catherine Duggan

Master's Theses

Exhibition, Featuring is a collection of poems inspired by art, life, and history intertwined with the very center of humanness, convergence of heart and brain. The poems assembled here attempt to recreate the sensation of memory and remembering, and at times, trying to forget. Concerned with language and the ways in which we communicate with others, the lines weave in and out of conversation, evoking daily interac­tions and thoughts carried within us, continuous as breathing. The collection is divided into five parts, each establishing a variance of the whole—all parts a harmony. The reader will discover formal poetry, poems evoking …

Meeting Minutes, Wku Graduate Council

Graduate School

Meeting minutes.