Digital Commons Network^™

Quality Improvement Project Educating Family Of Patients Dealing With Substance Use Disorder, Emmanuella Edekobi

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) creates significant hardships for individuals and their families. Although families play a vital role in recovery, they may not know how to provide effective support. To address this, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project introduced a structured educational program for non-professional caregivers at an outpatient psychiatric clinic. The goal was to enhance caregivers' confidence and readiness to support their loved ones during recovery (Filiz & Polat, 2022). Participants completed the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE) before and after the intervention. Statistical analysis showed a significant improvement in confidence (t(9) = -26.00, p < .001, Cohen's d = 8.22), supported by the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test (z = -2.88, p = .004) (Rezaie et al., 2022). The project was grounded in Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, using observational learning, reinforcement, and real-life examples. Caregivers gained practical strategies, emotional support, and a clearer understanding of their role (Mardani et al., 2023). Initial uncertainty gave way to increased comfort through group support. These findings suggest that even low-cost, brief interventions can strengthen caregiver self-efficacy. Incorporating family education into addiction treatment may improve outcomes in outpatient mental health settings (Kellar & Kelvin, 2020).

Quality Improvement Project Improving Nurse Self-Efficacy In Completing Person-Centered Care Plans, Divya Iype

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Person-centered care planning (PCCP) is a cornerstone of psychiatric nursing practice, yet many nurses lack the training and confidence to implement it effectively. This quality improvement project addressed a practice gap in nurse self-efficacy regarding PCCP completion at an acute psychiatric hospital. A care plan completion rate of 88%, below the institutional benchmark of 100%, prompted an intervention. This project’s purpose was to enhance nurse self-efficacy in implementing PCCP by providing focused training on trauma-informed care, cultural competence, and person-centered care planning. The project used a pre-post intervention design to assess the impact of the intervention, with self-efficacy measured using …

Quality Improvement Project Implementing A Hand Hygiene Compliance Program, Daisy Jean-Pierre

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Hand hygiene remains a cornerstone of infection prevention in healthcare, yet gaps in compliance persist among nursing staff, contributing to preventable healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and patient harm. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project, conducted at Piedmont Henry Hospital, was to implement and evaluate an educational intervention targeting nurse managers, with the aim of enhancing their knowledge, self-efficacy, and leadership in promoting hand hygiene compliance. The project addressed the identified problem of inconsistent hand hygiene practices among frontline staff, which was linked to insufficient leadership engagement and ongoing barriers such as time constraints and resource limitations. The …

Quality Improvement Project The Impact Of Increased Use Of High-Fidelity Nursing Simulation On Transfer Of Knowledge And The Correlation With Course Pass Rates, Debra Kilcrease

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Ongoing nursing shortages and limited clinical preceptor availability have made it increasingly difficult for nursing programs to secure traditional clinical placements. In response, simulation-based learning (SBL) has gained support as an evidence-based strategy to supplement clinical education while maintaining transfer of knowledge. This quality improvement project examined whether increasing SBL hours, as a partial replacement for traditional clinical hours, impacted course pass rates in a practical nursing program. Course pass rates served as an indicator of knowledge transfer. Guided by the Jeffries Simulation Theory, the intervention emphasized learner engagement, structured simulation design, and debriefing to support clinical reasoning. A retrospective, …

Quality Improvement Project Improving Employee Satisfaction And Retention Through A Structured Training Process, Dawn Lundgren

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The DNP project aimed to evaluate the impact of a structured new-hire training program on employee retention and job satisfaction within a hospice organization. Insufficient training for new employees can lead to a high staff turnover rate, stress, decreased job satisfaction, and poor quality of care. The quality improvement project utilized a pre-post intervention design over an eight-week period, comparing retention rates and job satisfaction scores before and after project implementation. Employee retention was measured as a binary outcome (retained or left), and job satisfaction was assessed through a seven-item survey rated on a five-point Likert scale. A total of …

Quality Improvement Project Impacting Provider Efficiency And Burnout With Standardized Ordering Tools, Carly Meredith

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The adoption of electronic health record (EHR) systems promises better interoperability, transparency, patient safety, and care quality. However, concerns about increased provider stress and burnout are rising, suggesting a link between burnout and EHR use. This project aimed to evaluate whether improving EHR efficiency could reduce burnout rates. While literature highlights the need for enhanced training, effective methods remain unclear and challenge whether there is data supporting improvements or merely the perceived usefulness of these activities as identified through the Technology Acceptance Model. For this project, a preference list was created for commonly used orders with pre-selected defaults to streamline …

Quality Improvement Project Improving The Management Of Diabetes In A Primary Care Setting Through Staff Education, Chibuzo Okereke

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Managing chronic disease, such as type 2 diabetes, requires effective patient education. This quality improvement project aimed to improve staff knowledge and confidence in delivering diabetes education using the evidence-based teach-back method. Eight staff members (physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, medical assistants, and a clinic manager) of a suburban primary care clinic in Houston, Texas, were involved in the project by participating in structured educational sessions. The Always Use Teach-Back Conviction and Confidence Scale (CCS) and a Diabetes Knowledge Test 2 (DKT2) were validated instruments to measure data pre- and post-intervention. A quasi-experimental pre- and post-test design was used, and the …

Enhancing Pre-Licensure Bsn Students' Clinical Knowledge And Confidence In Blood Transfusion Via Postpartum High-Fidelity Simulation, Tresia Rouse

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Blood transfusion administration is a complex nursing skill registered nurses require in bedside settings, regardless of experience level. Nursing students are expected to be practice-ready upon graduation. A significant concern in nursing academia is the insufficient exposure to administering blood products, which many pre-licensure nursing students lack in clinical and educational environments. This gap in nursing curricula can compromise students’ preparedness to perform this skill in real-world scenarios. The core purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement (QI) project was to enhance clinical knowledge and impact self-confidence regarding blood transfusion administration and management, specifically by implementing a …

Quality Improvement Project Evaluating The Impact Of Specialized Blood Pressure Measurement (Bpm) Training On Nursing Faculty's Knowledge And Self-Efficacy In Teaching Bpm, Heba Sadaka

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Accurate blood pressure measurement (BPM) is crucial for the proper diagnosis and management of hypertension. However, BPM errors are common and may lead to under- or overtreatment, negatively impacting patients. The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project was to retrain nursing faculty on BPM practices based on the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) clinical guidelines. A quasi-experimental pre-/post-intervention design was used. The intervention consisted of an online specialized training video developed by the Idaho Diabetes, Heart Disease, and Stroke Prevention Program. Nursing faculty’s BPM knowledge and self-efficacy were measured before and after the training using the …

Quality Improvement Project Enhancing Self-Efficacy In Managing Patient No-Shows: A Staff-Focused Intervention, Aaron Wabang

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

No-shows are widely reported in behavioral health venues. They hinder continuity of care, decrease clinic efficiency, and compromise patient care. The solution requires addressing patients’ behavior and internal facility processes. This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to reduce no-show rates by providing staff with tools and enhancing their self-efficacy in managing appointments. The project was conducted in a rural East Texas behavioral clinic. Clinic staff reported challenges with patient reminders, scheduling, and follow-up issues that cause increased no-shows. The QI project aimed to empower staff by providing evidence-based scheduling strategies and decision support resources to enhance their confidence and attendance …

Donor Support Fuels Enriching Futures For Unh Students, Jeremy Gasowski

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

Apolipoprotein M Attenuates Age-Related Macular Degeneration Phenotypes Via Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Signaling And Lysosomal Lipid Catabolism, Tae Jun Lee, Andrea Santeford, Kristen M Pitts, Carla Valenzuela Ripoll, Ryo Terao, Zhen Guo, Mualla Ozcan, Dagmar Kratky, Christina Christoffersen, Ali Javaheri, Rajendra S Apte

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness in people over 50. AMD and cardiovascular disease share risk factors including age, impaired lipid metabolism, and extracellular lipid deposition. Because of its importance in age-related diseases, we hypothesize that apolipoprotein M (ApoM), a lipocalin that binds sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), might restore lipid homeostasis and retinal function in AMD. In support, we find that human patients with AMD demonstrate significantly reduced ApoM compared to controls. In mice with impaired retinal cholesterol efflux, ApoM improves retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) function and lipotoxicity in an S1P- and S1P receptor 3-dependent manner. Ultrastructural evidence …

A Road Map For Uniform, Comprehensive Long-Term Follow-Up After Curative Therapy For Sickle Cell Disease, Shalini Shenoy, Julie Kanter, Adetola Kassim, Courtney Fitzhugh, Elizabeth Stenger, Monica Bhatia, Lydia Pecker, Lakshmanan Krishnamurti, Allison A King

2020-Current year OA Pubs

An increasing number of allogeneic transplant and autologous gene modification transplant therapies seek to eradicate sickle hemoglobin and the consequent hemolysis, vasculopathy, functional compromise, morbidity, and mortality. Because these modalities are used in parallel, it is important to be able to define the spectrum and stability of correction, long-term effects, and the pros and cons of each modality. A comparison between interventions that will be sought by providers and patients undergoing intervention requires uniform assessments that evaluate disease- and intervention-related effects for informed decision-making. This expert summary outlines a pathway to functional evaluations with timing recommendations, provides broad management guidelines, …

Molecular Landscape Of Sex- And Modality-Specific Exercise Adaptation In Human Skeletal Muscle Through Large-Scale Multi-Omics Integration, Macsue Jacques, Shanie Landen, Adam P. Sharples, Andrew Garnham, Ralf Schittenhelm, Joel Steele, Aino Heikkinen, Elina Sillanpää, Miina Ollikainen, James Broatch, Navabeh Zarekookandeh, Ola Hanson, Ola Ekström, Olof Asplund, Séverine Lamon, Sarah E. Alexander, Cassandra Smith, Carlie Bauer, Mary N. Woessner, Itamar Levinger, Andrew E. Teschendorff, Linn Gillberg, Ida Blom, Jørn Wulff Helge, Nicholas Harvey, Larisa M. Haupt

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

We investigated the molecular mechanisms of exercise adaptations in human muscle by integrating genome, methylome, transcriptome, and proteome data from over 1,000 participants (2,340 muscle samples). We identified distinctive signatures associated with maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), and multi-omics integration uncovered five key genes as robust exercise markers across layers, with transcription factors functioning as activators, synergizing with DNA methylation to regulate gene expression. Minimal sex differences were observed, while modality-specific analysis highlighted distinct pathways for aerobic and resistance exercise, contrasting with muscle disuse patterns. Finally, we created a webtool, OMAx, featuring our individual omics and integration analysis. These findings provide …

Celebrate Disability Pride This July, University Of Dayton

University Libraries Blog Archive

Explore library resources to commemorate the anniversary of a landmark civil rights law, signed 35 years ago.

Dispersive Micro Solid Phase Extraction Of Cadmium On Mil-53(Al)@Batio3 Nanocomposite From Seafood Samples, Mustafa Soylak, Eda Bora, Furkan Uzcan

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

This study’s main goal was to produce a user-friendly dispersive micro solid phase extraction (dmSPE) technique with a MIL-53(Al)@BaTiO3 nanocomposite for the extraction and preconcentration of cadmium (Cd) in various seafood matrices, followed by using high-resolution continuum source flame atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS-FAAS). The MIL-53(Al)@BaTiO3 nanocomposite was synthesized and characterized using a range of techniques, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis. The dmSPE technique involved the dispersion of the MIL-53(Al)@BaTiO3 material in the sample solution, followed by its separation from the sample matrix. The optimized method exhibited a …

A Smart Blockchain-Based Privacy-Preserving Machine Learning Scheme In Iot Healthcare, J. Deepika, Sahana Shetty, A. Selvarani, Saroj Bala, Benita Gracia Thangam J, Pradeep G

Baghdad Science Journal

The idea of Blockchain has infused various fields of study, and its widespread adoption is projected to grow exponentially in the near future. By executing concise pre-defined code snippets known as smart contracts on the Blockchain, the need for intermediaries can be eliminated, and the number of contract executions can be significantly increased. The application of blockchain technology and smart contracts, in conjunction with machine learning methods, to IoMT-based e-healthcare is critically examined in this article. The goal of this project is to investigate how automation and decentralisation might improve healthcare. Integrating these components offers the chance to handle medical …

Successful Treatment Of Recalcitrant Eosinophilic Pustular Folliculitis With Dupilumab, Miguel Mansilla-Polo, Fernando Navarro-Blanco, Javier López-Davia, Rafael Botella-Estrada

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis (EPF) is a chronic inflammatory condition characterised by the appearance of excoriated papules involving the face, neck, trunk, and root of limbs. It is a rare disease, and most treatments rely on reports of isolated cases or small case series. Numerous treatments have been employed throughout history, with variable effectiveness, including indomethacin, corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, dapsone, cyclosporine, tetracyclines, isotretinoin or narrowband ultraviolet B therapy. We report the successful treatment of a 77-year-old female patient who presented to a tertiary care hospital in Valencia, Spain, in 2024 with refractory EPF, which significantly affected her quality of life due …

Identifying And Exploring Successful Leadership Strategies To Improve Nurse Retention, Jennifer Triggs Rickerson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nurse turnover has become a critical concern in healthcare, as low retention rates lead to decreased patient care quality and increased operational costs. A critical issue for hospital stakeholders is that many nursing leaders lack strategies to improve nursing retention. Grounded in the leader-member exchange theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to identify and explore successful leadership strategies used by nurse managers in the Pacific South region of the United States to improve nurse retention. The study included interviews with six nurse managers who successfully implemented retention strategies. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and publicly available …

Bkk1/Bak7 And Tcp21 Form A Positive Feedback Loop To Facilitate Submergence Tolerance In Plants, Yiyi Guo, Yuanbin Zhang, Yuanyuan Li, Jie Liu, Yiyang Hu, Jiazhi Jiang, Qi Li, Yeke Chen, Weizhen Hu, Lixi Jiang, Ronghui Pan, Dezhi Wu, Jie Dong

Publications

Submergence poses a deleterious threat to plant development and the agricultural production of Brassica napus (B. napus), an important worldwide oil crop. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying submergence tolerance in B. napus remain elusive. Here, through a genome-wide association study, we identify a SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS RECEPTOR-LIKE KINASE, BKK1/BAK7, which is crucial for plant survival after submergence stress. Submergence rapidly activates the expression of BAK7 and induces the accumulation of its kinase domain in the nucleus. BAK7 interacts with and phosphorylates class I TEOSINTE BRANCHED1, CYCLOIDEA, PROLIFERATING CELL FACTOR 1 and 2 (TCP) transcription factor TCP21, thereby stabilizing it and modulating …

Gender Differences In Regretted Consensual Sexual Experiences And Problematic Alcohol Use Among First-Year College Students, Shannon Shen, Soyoung Kwon, Sukho Lee

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Regretted sexual behaviors and alcohol use often occur in tandem for college students; however, few studies have examined their interrelationships or the variance across gender. This study tested gender differences in how regretting a consensual sexual experience is related to college students’ alcohol use. One hundred and forty first-year students (63% women, 69% Hispanic) surveyed in 2018 and 2019 reported their sexual behavior and alcohol use (following the Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index [RAPI]). Twenty-one percent of men and 16% of women reported a regretted sexual encounter. Interaction effects from regression models revealed that men with sexual regret had a significantly …

Utility Of Cenegermin For The Management Of Neurotrophic Keratopathy After Penetrating Keratoplasty, Alexandra R. Zaloga, Ashley Khalili, Brandon D. Ayres, Brenton D. Finklea, Beeran B. Meghpara, Christopher J. Rapuano, Zeba A. Syed

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to report the outcomes of patients treated with cenegermin 0.002% for neurotrophic keratopathy (NK) following penetrating keratoplasty (PK).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective case series included patients evaluated at a tertiary care hospital who completed an 8-week course of cenegermin for NK within 12 months following PK. The primary outcome measure was NK stage, while secondary outcomes included complete epithelial healing, epithelial defect size, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at baseline and four time points during and following treatment. We also evaluated disease progression.

RESULTS: Fourteen eyes of 14 patients were included and demonstrated significant improvement …

A Different Mindset For Farm Viability In New England, Nicholas Gosling

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

Changes In Rfi Values Of Omomyid Mandibular Molars In Response To Climatic Shifts, Hannah Vanooteghem

Masters Theses

Molar anatomy reflects the functional demands of food mastication, and dental topography provides a quantitative method for evaluating how molar structure relates to dietary niche. Relief index (RFI), a dental topographic measure, has been successfully used to infer diet in extant and fossil mammals. This study tests two hypotheses regarding mandibular molars of early Eocene omomyids: (1) There is an association between changes in omomyid RFI values of first and second mandibular molars and changes in climatic variables (temperature and precipitation) from Wa0 to Wa5, and (2) The first and second mandibular molar RFI values of omomyid species are significantly …

Brain Scanning: Assessing Emigration Of U.S. Scientific Talent To Surveille Strategic Implications For China’S Dual-Use Technological Capabilities, Diane Dieuliis, James Giordano

Strategic Insights

This commentary analyzes the emigration and remote collaboration of U.S.-trained scientists with China and assesses the strategic implications for Beijing’s dual-use research and development ecosystem. The authors argue that the transfer of scientific talent in fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, synthetic biology, and neurotechnology strengthens China’s Military-Civil Fusion strategy and accelerates both non-kinetic and kinetic capabilities. At the same time, patterns of talent migration and collaboration can serve as indicators of China’s technological priorities, doctrinal shifts, and defense development timelines. The article proposes a balanced U.S. response that combines improved domestic talent retention, refined vetting of international partnerships, …

The Labor Supply Curve Is Upward Sloping: The Effects Of Immigrant-Induced Demand Shocks, Sigurd Galaasen, Andreas Kostøl, Joan Monras, Jonathan Vogel

Upjohn Institute Working Papers

What is the effect of immigration on native labor-market outcomes? An extensive literature identifies the differential impact of immigration on natives employed in jobs that are more exposed to immigrant labor (supply exposure). But immigrants consume in addition to producing output. Despite this, no literature identifies the impact on natives employed in jobs that are more exposed to immigrant consumption (demand exposure). We study native labor market effects of supply and demand exposures to immigration. Theoretically, we formalize both measures of exposure and solve for their effects on native wages. Empirically, we combine employer-employee data with a newly collected data …

Fantasy Novels, Romance, And Book Boyfriends: Romantic Views And Expectations Of Young Adult Women, Kennedy Dawn Morris

Theses and Dissertations

Despite its drop in popularity, reading is a pastime that is enjoyed by many. As with other forms of media, there is the question of how consuming literature impacts individuals. This research study examines how reading fantasy novels impacts the romantic views and expectations of women in emerging adulthood. Social comparison theory and parasocial relationships were utilized in order to examine how young adult women compare their relationships and relationship ideals to those of fictional characters, as well as how young adult women decide which fictional relationships and/or characters are worth their admiration. The findings of this study suggest that …

Lived Experiences Of Black African Non-Denominational Pastor’S Perceptions, Attitudes, And Beliefs Of Mental Health, And Their Referral Practice In The United States, Esther Paul

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The high frequency of mental health issues within the Black African Christians communities and the insufficient use of mental health resources, was the driving forces for this study. This qualitative study aimed to explore the attitudes, beliefs, and lived experiences of non-denominational Black African pastors on mental health and identified potential barriers to mental health care and create culturally appropriate solutions by investigating their experiences. The theoretical basis of this study was centered on Goffman’s social stigma theory, which was created by Erwin Goffman, the social identity theory (SIT), and the role identity theory, the latter which served as the …

Effective Strategies For Empowering Women In Aerospace: Shaping The Future Of Leadership, Mariel R. Forster

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Some aerospace leaders face challenges in implementing effective strategies to advance women in leadership roles in the industry. Executive leaders are concerned with the lack of strategies to retain women, which contributes to their underrepresentation in aerospace leadership. Grounded in transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore the strategies aerospace leaders use to advance women in aerospace leadership. The participants were seven aerospace leaders from the Southeastern United States who had implemented successful retention strategies. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and a review of public documents. Through thematic analysis eight themes were identified: …

Exploring Strategies In Manufacturing To Reduce Loss Of Workers And The Costs Associated With Turnover, Aaron Sterrett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

High employee turnover rates in the U.S. manufacturing firms create significant operational and financial challenges. Leaders of U.S. manufacturing firms seek to address employee turnover, which threatens productivity, profitability, and long-term sustainability. Grounded in the competing values framework, this qualitative pragmatic inquiry project aimed to identify and explore manufacturers' efficient management strategies to reduce employee turnover. The participants were five individuals who work in different management roles within the manufacturing industry and have assisted in developing successful employee retention strategies. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and a review of organizational information. Four themes were identified during qualitative coding analysis: …