Digital Commons Network^™

Improving Adherence Among Hispanic Adults With Type Ii Diabetes: A Culturally Sensitive Self-Management Program, Beatrice Arozarena Murillo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Low health literacy can lead to a lack of disease perception or understanding of one’s disease process, treatment plan, and state of health, which could potentially lead to nonadherence, further health disparities, and poor health outcomes (Hugtenburg et al., 2013). The purpose of this project was to evaluate whether an online platform that provides Hispanic patients with evidence based and culturally sensitive diabetic education and support in the form of a video, would improve adherence and health outcomes. Upon the completion of the 3-month program that consisted of bi-weekly check-ins, results showed that there were overall improvements in the participants’ …

Effects Of Text Messaging, Educating, And Screening For Postpartum Depression On Participant Knowledge, Engaging In Self-Care Behaviors, And Quality Of Life, Nataliya Melchanova

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a very common medical condition, which can be very dangerous, if left untreated. According to CDC, one in every eight women experiences postpartum depression (CDC, 2020). It has been drawing a lot of medical attention more recently in some of the countries, including the USA. This is caused by the debilitating effects it has on the mother, her bonding with the infant, the family as a unit, as well as other factors. In certain countries, such as the countries of the former USSR, PPD is not considered to be a legitimate medical condition. Therefore, many women …

Impact Of Heart Failure Education Program On Haitian Older Adults With Heart Failure, Farah Cesar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome with various manifestations (Groenewegen, Rutten, Mosterd, & Hoes, 2020). However, self-care for patients with complex illnesses, such as HF, can be very challenging. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] (2020) reported that an estimated 6.2 million adults in the United States had HF. It is generally estimated that between 1% and 2% of adults in developed countries have HF (Groenewegen et al., 2020). Although important advances in managing HF were made before approximately 1990, improvements have been significant since that time (Choi et al., 2019). However, some patients with HF still …

The Effects Of Plant-Based Diets On Hypertension, Jennifer Ezavin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

In 2019, the leading cause of death in the United States was cardiac disease associated with high blood pressure. High blood pressure has had profound consequences on people’s lives leading to stroke and even death. As a preventive measure, providers have encouraged lifestyle changes in order to help alleviate the burden of this condition. One of these consist of altering eating habits to a strictly plant-based diet. With the help of Doctor Sarah Long DNP, ten participants suffering from high blood pressure have volunteered to alter their eating habits for four weeks to further demonstrate the efficacy of plant-based diets. …

The Effect Of A Plant-Based Diet On Cholesterol Levels, Perceived Stress, And Perceived Well-Being Of Patients Diagnosed With Hyperlipidemia: A Quality Improvement Project, Jean-Joseph Rendel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in America. The role of primary care in mitigating the prevalence of heart disease is to identify and reduce risk factors. One of the primary risk factors is atherosclerosis which can lead to coronary arterial disease if uncontrolled. A plant based/vegan diet is the safest and one of the most effective modalities for reducing the risk of or even reversing atherosclerosis and associated heart disease. This DNP project sought to assess the effectiveness of a 6-week plant-based diet intervention on cholesterol, perceived wellbeing, and perceived stress on patients diagnosed with hyperlipidemia. …

Community-Based Approach To Promote Heart Healthy Behaviors In Hispanic Women, Yesenia Gonzalez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), quality improvement (QI) project was to increase heart disease risk awareness while implementing healthy lifestyle behaviors in Hispanic women between the ages of 30-65. The literature presents that all women are at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD); with ethnic minorities being disproportionally affected. Following recruitment, participants attended a weekly wellness program guided by the Pasos Adelante curriculum over a 12 week period. Lifestyle behaviors were assessed by using the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP II) questionnaire, CV knowledge was assessed with a brief true or false questionnaire, and the Godin-Shephard …

The Utilization Of Music Therapy To Improve Patient Anxiety Level, Moriane Joseph

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Mental health conditions such as depression and/or anxiety can be improved through music therapy. In a few studies of patients undergoing invasive procedures, music therapy appeared to reduce depressive symptoms and anxiety levels (Aalbers et al., 2017; Padam et al., 2017). The objective of this clinical quality improvement project was to evaluate the role of music therapy in reducing the anxiety scores among patient with suspected chronic GERD, achalasia, or dysphagia undergoing an invasive procedure such as an esophageal manometry study. The risks to the participants were no different than patients that are currently receiving standard care. Project participants were …

Improving Knowledge And Self-Care Behaviors In Patients Diagnosed With Hypertension In The Primary Care Clinic Setting: A Quality Improvement Project, Leslie Chacko

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

“Out of the 17 million global deaths per year that result from cardiovascular disease, 9.4 million are due to hypertension” (Zinat Motlagh et al., 2016). Hypertension is a chronic disease that has been a major public health concern, leading to further complications including stroke, cardiovascular, and kidney disease. The purpose of this QI project was to both better comprehend hypertension management in the primary care setting and improve patient self-care behaviors. The participants for this project were recruited from a list of patients selected after reviewing patient charts along with the community leader. Those patients who were previously diagnosed with …

Reducing Antibiotic Misuse For Sinusitis In A Pediatric Urgent Care, Delilah Rivera

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Antibiotic misuse has been linked to increased health care costs, potential adverse reactions, and antibiotic resistance (Weddle, 2017). The purpose of this DNP project is to examine if implementation of an Antibiotic Stewardship checklist and algorithm at two After Hours Pediatrics (AHP) urgent care clinics, would affect provider knowledge and prescribing practices in the management of sinusitis. Antibiotic stewardship is the effort to measure antibiotic prescribing, improve antibiotic prescribing by clinicians, minimize diagnoses, and ensure the correct antibiotics are selected when needed (Sanchez et al., 2021). The overall goal is to minimize unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions for sinusitis to reduce the …

Implementation Of A Community Prevention Program To Reduce Cardiovascular Risks, Altavia Evans

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Cardiovascular disease is a serious health condition that affects the blood flow to and from the heart. It is currently one of the leading causes of death globally as it accounts for approximately 32% of deaths each year (WHO, 2021). In Palm Beach County, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death accounting for 23.7% of overall deaths (Palm Beach County, 2022). The risk for developing this disease increases when other comorbidities exist such as diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or an elevated Body Mass Index (BMI). With proper knowledge and lifestyle modifications, risks from complications are lowered. It is for this …

The Effect Of Peer Support On Weight Loss In Young Adults, Astride Honore

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

The current generation of youth may be the first in the United States who dies sooner than their parents and lives sicker. Stereotyping and discrimination may degrade communication between overweight/obese patients and their providers, exacerbating this negative trend. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to determine if participation in online support groups is an effective tool to assist obese young adults in weight management. Six participants followed a low-calorie diet (1500 cal/day for women and 1800 cal/day for men) and engaged in 30 minutes of daily exercise. All participants also filled out the Obesity and Weight Loss Quality …

Cardiovascular Disease (Cvd) Awareness Program And Ct Coronary Artery Calcium Scores Affect On Patient Perception Of Cvd Risk And Behavior Modifications, Theresa St. Philippe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Cardiovascular disease continues to be a medical concern affecting millions globally. 17.9 million people die each year from cardiovascular disease (CVD), representing 32% of all deaths worldwide, (World Health Organization, 2021). Despite medical evidence and continuous awareness efforts in treating CVD, people continue to engage in behaviors and lifestyles that ultimately increase their risk of developing CVD. In effort to help curtail the incline of heart disease, the aim of this quality improvement project was to increase CVD awareness, knowledge of personal atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk profile and encourage behavior modifications that lead to overall risk reduction. This was …

Implementation Of Mobile Health Applications Safety Plan (Mhasp) To Reduce The Risk Of Suicide, Myrbelle F. Joseph

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Suicide is one of the most serious public health issues in the US today. Suicide is of particular interest because it is the tenth leading cause of death for all ages in the United States, the second leading cause of death in ages 10-34, and the fourth leading cause of death in ages 35-54 (CDC, 2020). Despite national goals to lower the suicide rate, several recent reports have documented a steady increase in suicide rates in recent years. Suicide rates continues to rise in almost every state. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe a quality improvement project (QI) …

Increasing Patient Activation At Caridad Center, Isabel Cruz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Type 2 diabetes is a public health challenge. Researchers at the center of disease control and prevention (CDC), report more than 34 million Americans have diabetes (about 1 in 10) (CDC, 2019). Uncontrolled diabetes over a long period of time can result in end-organ damage. End results of poor glycemic control can result in diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy, kidney disease and kidney failure (Sacks, 2017). In type 2 diabetes (T2D) cells do not respond normally to insulin, a condition known as insulin resistance. These results set the stage for pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes often develops in people …

Diabetes Self-Management Program In African Americans, Angelique Orius Joseph

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

As the rate of diagnosed diabetes continues to increase in minority ethnic groups, especially African Americans (AA), the need to implement a diabetes self-care program for African Americans with type 2 diabetes was the purpose of that quality improvement project. The participants were recruited from Duhaney Medical, a private practice in Boca Raton, Florida. All the participants were current patients of Dr. Duhaney, the practice owner. The project lasted eight weeks and all communications happened via phone calls and emails. The participants received via email four different narrated PowerPoint presentations about diabetes. The Diabetes Knowledge Test (DKT) and the Diabetes …

Continued Support Following A Diabetes Self-Management Program On Adherence To Self-Management Behaviors, Distress Levels And Measurable Health Outcomes For Patients With Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus, Olivia Stala

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex and multifactorial disease that can negatively affect a person’s physical and mental health. This disease is rapidly becoming one of the worst healthcare problems in America as rates are predicted to increase by 54%, impacting more than 54.9 million, by the year 2030 (Rowley, et al., 2017). Therefore, it is imperative that the health care system focuses attention on evidence-based measures that can improve diabetes control and prevent disease-related complications. Providing in-depth diabetes self-management education and support (DSME/S) to patients is necessary for them to successfully manage their chronic illness at home. …

The Effects Of Integrating A Palliative Care Screening Tool At An Outpatient Oncology Clinic To Enhance Understanding And Utilization Of Palliative Care Services, Katarzyna E. Rela

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Palliative Care services are underutilized in patients who have cancer primarily due to lack of understanding of what it encompasses by both, the patients and providers. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to facilitate Palliative Care referrals by the use of a Palliative Care screening tool: the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale with the Canadian problem Checklist and the PCQN Distress Screener. The Representational Approach and Jean Watson’s theory of Unitary Caring were utilized in the teaching moment. The screening tool was implemented at initiation and change of treatment during teaching visits by the nurse practitioners with the goal …

Evaluating Certified Nursing Assistants’ Self Efficacy In Caring For Patients With Dementia, Jaimie Geyer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

In 2018, 50 million people were living with dementia worldwide, and this number is expected to increase to 82 million by 2030 (Novotny et al., 2018). The aim of this quality improvement project was to assess Certified Nursing Assistants’ (CNAs) dementia knowledge, self-efficacy in establishing caring relationships, and attitudes toward people living with dementia. In addition to sociodemographic data, measures used to guide development of the education intervention included questions from three measures; the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale (DKAS), Dementia Attitudes Scale (DAS), and Caring Efficacy Scale (CES). The results of the project demonstrated a need for further education of …

The Effect Of A Plant-Based Diet On Cholesterol Levels, Perceived Stress, And Perceived Well-Being Of Patients Diagnosed With Hyperlipidemia: A Quality Improvement Project, Jean-Joseph Rendel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Cardiovascular diseases are an important public health issue that effects all racial/ethnic groups. A plant-based/vegan diet is safe and effective modality for reducing risk of atherosclerosis and heart disease. This DNP project assess the effectiveness of a 6-week plant-based diet intervention on cholesterol, perceived wellbeing, and stress on patients diagnosed with hyperlipidemia.

Evaluation Of A Nursing Home Hospital Transfer Prevention Program, Laverne Mitchell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Background Potentially avoidable nursing home-to-hospital transfers can cause harm to vulnerable residents and are costly (McCarthy et al., 2020). Nursing homes (NH) with an effective hospital transfer prevention program (HTPP) have been shown to keep residents safe, improve health outcomes, and control healthcare expenditures (McCarthy et al., 2020). Studies have shown that many hospital transfers can be avoided with evidence-based interventions (Ouslander et al., 2014). Aim This program evaluation aims to examine the current HTPP at a nursing facility in South Florida to determine its effectiveness in decreasing hospital transfers by evaluating the use of the interventions in place and …

Assessing Clinical Staff Willingness To Learn And Implement The Fies Scale In The Adult Psychiatric Setting, Emani A. Cheng

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

When treating and studying mental health we must identify all of the factors that play a role in mental stability. Basic needs such as access to water, food, and resources can play a significant role in mental stability and can increase or decrease the likelihood of triggering, exacerbating, or eradicating a mental illness. Human beings need their basic needs met in order to have a healthy foundation and tackle mental and medical disorders. Scholarly evidence shows a positive correlation between food insecurity and moderate to high levels of psychological distress. Inadequate access to food increases the probability of disorders, psychotic …

Mindful Reading Strategy For Parents: Impact On Parental Perception Of Behavioral Disorder Problem Behaviors And Parent-Child Relationship, Catalina Aragon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Clinical question: In parents with children 3-5 years of age with reported behavioral disorder problem behaviors (P), how does implementing a mindful reading strategy with their children, (I) compared to traditional reading or no reading (C) effect parents’ perception of problem behaviors and parent-child relationship (O) within 8 weeks (T)? This quality improvement DNP project examined the effectiveness of an online video parent training program, Mindful Reading Strategy for Parents, created based on the recommendations of Susan Hendler Lederer, PhD (Lederer, 2018). The theory of Nursing as Caring by Boykin & Schoenhofer was used to ground this project in caring …

Treasury Inconvenience Yields During The Covid-19 Crisis, Zhiguo He, Stefan Nagel, Zhaogang Song

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

In sharp contrast to most previous crisis episodes, the Treasury market experienced severe stress and illiquidity during the COVID-19 crisis, raising concerns that the safe-haven status of US Treasuries may be eroding. We document large shifts in Treasury ownership and temporary accumulation of Treasury and reverse repo positions on dealer balance sheets during this period. We build a dynamic equilibrium asset pricing model in which dealers subject to regulatory balance sheet constraints intermediate demand/supply shocks from habitat agents and provide repo financing to levered investors. The model predicts that Treasury inconvenience yields, measured as the spread between Treasuries and overnight-index …

Consequences Of Thermal Plasticity For Hypoxic Performance In Coastal Amphipods, Michael Collins, Manuela Truebano, John I. Spicer

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

No abstract provided.

Regulation Of Gene Expression During Ontogeny Of Physiological Function In The Brackishwater Amphipod Gammarus Chevreuxi, C. Mcandry, M. Collins, O. Tills, J. I. Spicer, M. Truebano

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

No abstract provided.

Synchronized Seed Germination And Seedling Growth Of Black Cumin, Mohammed Elsayed El-Mahrouk, Mossad Khairy Maamoun, Yaser Hassan Dewir, Antar Nasr El-Banna, Hail Z. Rihan, Ahmed Salamh, Ahmed A. Al-Aizari, Michael P. Fuller

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Black cumin (Nigella sativa) is an important medicinal plant in the pharmacological industry. It is cultivated on a commercial scale, but its seeds have a slow, unsynchronized germination rate. Enhancing seed germination is crucial for improving the production of black cumin. The influence of presowing treatments [gibberellic acid (GA3), potassium nitrate, salicylic acid, and stratification at 4 °C] on seed germination was assessed. Seed germination was determined daily for 30 days, and germination parameters, including final germination percentage (FGP), corrected germination rate, number of days to reach 50% of FGP, and seedling length vigor index, were evaluated. Endogenous contents of …

Mental Health Interventions For International Seafarers During The Covid-19 Pandemic : A Pilot Study, Sanley Abila, Lijun Tang, Momoko Kitada, Serafin Malecosio, Rhea Subong

Reports

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the key role that seafarers play in the global supply chain. As the pandemic took hold in early 2020 a significant crew change crisis unfolded globally due to border closures, strict quarantine requirements and a faltering vaccination rollout. In normal times the mental health of seafarers has been recognised as crucial to their wellbeing and safety at sea. Stranded aboard their vessels and with an unclear pathway out of the pandemic the mental health of seafarers deteriorated significantly driving some to suicide.

With 400,000 seafarers stranded at sea at one point, the issue was framed …

Cyber-Physical Security For Ports Infrastructure, Iosif Progoulakis, Nikitas Nikitakos, Dimitrios Dalaklis, Razali Yaacob

Conference Papers

Taking advantage of the benefits associated with digital means has become a main priority for ports globally. The effective and smooth integration of Information Technology (IT) applications and those systems that support the conduct of operations (Operational Technology (OT) systems), along with the accurate “adjustment” of the human factor elements should be viewed as a very critical pillar for optimized safe and efficient operations in ports. The afore mentioned assimilation characterizes cyber-physical systems and entails an extended number of IT and OT modules, systems and tasks involving various data transmission routes that are advancing in a technological and operational level …

Automated Lifeboat Manifestation Embarkation System (Almes): Facilitating Evacuation/Manifestation On Passenger And Cruise Vessels, Antonios Andreadakis, Dimitrios Dalaklis, Nikitas Nikitakos, Avtandil Gegenava

Conference Papers

A plethora of catastrophic disasters resulting in numerous life-losses at sea can be noted, while searching and studying Maritime History. On a positive notion, through the course of time, the maritime industry has experienced technological innovations and advancements in many areas that truly metamorphosed the conduct of safe navigation, the radio-communications field and shed light to many chronic issues of the industry. In an epoch of various significant advancements in many areas of the operation of a vessel, it is quite surprising to notice that analogous progress has not been made in the manifestation/evacuation procedures followed today on cruise and …