Digital Commons Network^™

Cigarette Smoking And Smokeless Tobacco Use Among Male South Asian Migrants In The United Arab Emirates: A Cross-Sectional Study, Raghib Ali, Tom Loney, Mohammed Al-Houqani, Iain Blair, Faisal Aziz, Salma Al Dhaheri, Iffat El Barazi, Elpidoforos S. Soteriades, Syed M. Shah

Department of Family Medicine

Background: Few data were available on smoking and smokeless tobacco use in South Asian migrants in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study aimed to identify the prevalence and correlates of cigarette smoking and smokeless tobacco use in male South Asian migrants in the UAE.
Methods: We used a cross-sectional study to recruit a random representative sample of male South Asian migrants, including Indian (n = 433), Pakistani (n = 383) and Bangladeshi (n = 559) nationalities. We used multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify significant correlates of cigarettes smoking and smokeless tobacco use.
Results: 1375 South Asian migrant adult …

Climate Resilience For A Neighborhood Without Privilege: East Boston, Peter Niels Heller

Masters Theses

This architecture thesis is about climate change and unprivileged populations – sea-level rise in particular, and the neighborhood of East Boston. Across recorded human history, the burdens of climate stress have fallen disproportionately on marginal populations, and today is no different. We don’t have to travel to a South Pacific island to see the risk posed by sea-level rise – that risk can be found right here along the New England coastline. Neighborhoods with a minimum of privilege face challenges to their existence – and those residents want to stay in their homes and preserve their communities just like anybody …

The Effectiveness Of Covid-19 Countermeasure Policy Implementation In Seven Asean Countries, Wahyu Sulistiadi, Sri Rahayu

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

COVID-19, which has spread to almost all countries in the world, force country's leaders to issue COVID-19 countermeasures policy that is the most effective and suitable for their country. The various ways to implement the policy depend on the COVID-19 impact that arises in the country. This study describes the implications of national policies related to COVID-19 case fatality rates up to 29 April 2020 in 7 ASEAN countries. We use analytical descriptive method on COVID-19 data that has been published in online media. The achievement on the implementation of national policy in overcoming COVID-19 in some countries provide new …

‘‘Please Can We Talk About Politics Or Something Controversial, Instead Of My Stomach?’: A Communication Study Of Food Discourse And Identity Construction., Rhonda J. Stewart

Dublin Gastronomy Symposium

The study of food, an integral component of culture, provides insights into our beliefs, customs, and daily life. When our lives revolve around the importance of food, how do we make sense of an interruption in that system? People with food allergies discover ways to make sense of their food allergies and learn how to communicate their stigmatized allergies to others. The reactions of non-allergic people to those with dietary restrictions have implications for allergy sufferers as well. Interviews revealed the taint perceived by food allergy sufferers and the sensemaking process they implemented to confront the taint through three distinct …

Abo Blood Group Type And Susceptibility To Covid-19 Infection, G. Rafael Fernandez-Botran

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

Since December 2019, the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has extended its reach over most of the world, infecting over four million people and causing well over 300,000 deaths so far.[1] A significant percentage of infected patients develop severe symptoms and life-threatening conditions. While COVID-19 infection can affect all ages, available evidence points to older age and pre-existing comorbidities, such as hypertension, diabetes, and coronary heart disease, as important risk factors related to increased mortality rates.[2-4] Moreover, recent reports from China and the U.S. have suggested that susceptibility, and perhaps even mortality, to COVID-19 infection might be influenced by the ABO blood …

2020-05-29_Michiganoverview_Covidsymptoms, Michigan Department Of Health & Human Services

Michigan COVID-19 Syndromic Surveillance System Data

The Syndromic Surveillance System Data report was obtained from Michigan's COVID-19 dashboard, from under the link "​Coronavirus Symptoms": https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus. Data was compiled by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The information was updated daily.

Syndromic Surveillance System data is obtained from approximately 183 facilities participating in syndromic surveillance (132 Emergency Departments (ED), 51 Urgent Cares) across the State of Michigan. The reporting is based on individuals who present at EDs and may not be representative of the overall population. The coronavirus-like symptoms query searches visit free-text (chief complaint, triage notes, and clinical impression) for fever or …

Coronavirus Food Assistance Program For Livestock Producers, Bradley Lubben

Extension Farm and Ranch Management News

United States Congress and the President have approved multiple phases of COVID-19 assistance to date including the $2.3 trillion CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act passed in March that provides financial support for agricultural producers as a small part of the overall relief.

While agricultural producers and agribusinesses are eligible for two programs administered through the Small Business Administration, including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs), the primary support for agriculture is coming from USDA through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). The CARES Act provided $9.5 billion directly to the Secretary of …

A Doctor Goes 'Behind The Curtain' To Reach Those Getting Left Behind During Covid-19, Matt Windsor

Browse All News

No abstract provided.

Maternal Viral Load Monitoring: Coverage And Clinical Action At 4 Kenyan Hospitals., Matthew Sandbulte, Melinda Brown, Catherine Wexler, May Maloba, Brad Gautney, Kathy Goggin, Elizabeth Muchoki, Shadrack Babu, Nicodemus Maosa, Sarah Finocchario-Kessler

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Kenya's guidelines for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) recommend routine viral load (VL) monitoring for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

METHOD: We assessed PMTCT VL monitoring and clinical action occurring between last menstrual period (LMP) and 6 months postpartum at 4 Kenyan government hospitals. Pregnant women enrolled in the HIV Infant Tracking System from May 2016-March 2018 were included. We computed proportions who received VL testing within recommended timeframes and who received clinical action after unsuppressed VL result.

RESULTS: Of 424 participants, any VL testing was documented for 305 (72%) women and repeat VL testing was documented for …

Toxicant Disruption Of Immune Defenses Potential Implications For Fetal Membranes And Pregnancy, Sean M. Harris, Erica Boldenow, Steven E. Domino, Rita Loch-Caruso

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

In addition to providing a physical compartment for gestation, the fetal membranes (FM) are an active immunological barrier that provides defense against pathogenic microorganisms that ascend the gravid reproductive tract. Pathogenic infection of the gestational tissues (FM and placenta) is a leading known cause of preterm birth (PTB). Some environmental toxicants decrease the capacity for organisms to mount an immune defense against pathogens. For example, the immunosuppressive effects of the widespread environmental contaminant trichloroethylene (TCE) are documented for lung infection with Streptococcus zooepidemicus. Group B Streptococcus (GBS; Streptococcus agalactiae) is a bacterial pathogen that is frequently found in the female …

Responding To Health Needs Of Women, Children And Adolescents Within Syria During Conflict: Intervention Coverage, Challenges And Adaptations, Chaza Akik, Aline Semaan, Linda Shaker-Berbari, Zeina Jamaluddine, Ghada E. Saad, Katherine Lopes, Joanne Constantin, Abdulkarim Ekzayez, Neha S. Singh, Karl Blanchet, Jocelyn Dejong, Hala Ghattas Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Background:

Women and children suffer disproportionately in armed-conflicts. Since 2011, the protracted Syrian crisis has fragmented the pre-existing healthcare system. Despite the massive health needs of women and children, the delivery of key reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and nutrition (RMNCAH&N) interventions, and its underlying factors are not well-understood in Syria. Our objective was to document intervention coverage indicators and their implementation challenges inside Syria during conflict.

Methods:

We conducted 1) a desk review to extract RMNCAH&N intervention coverage indicators inside Syria during the conflict; and 2) qualitative interviews with decision makers and health program implementers to …

Outcomes Of Patients Hospitalized With Community-Acquired Pneumonia With Liver Disease Or Cirrhosis., Bibodh Jung Karki, Sravan K. Ponnekanti, Vidyulata Salunkhe, Nishita Tripathi, Mahder A. Tella, Stephen P. Furmanek, Forest W. Arnold

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

Introduction: Liver disease and cirrhosis are common causes of mortality worldwide. Community-acquired pneumonia is recognized as a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in this population of adults. There is a lack of data regarding outcomes or prognosis in patients with liver dysfunction who develop CAP. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics, incidence, and outcomes of hospitalized patients with CAP and liver disease.

Methods: This was a secondary analysis of the University of Louisville Pneumonia Study, which was a prospective population-based cohort study of adults hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia. All patients were divided into three …

A Mobile Phone–Based Sexual And Reproductive Health Intervention For Female Sex Workers In Kenya: Development And Qualitative Study, Frances H. Ampt, Kelly L'Engle, Megan S. C. Lim, Kate F. Plourde, Emily Mangone, Collins Mudogo Mukanya, Peter Gichangi, Griffins Manguro, Margaret Hellard, Walter Jaoko, Paul A. Agius, Marleen Temmerman, Winnie Wangari, Stanley Luchters

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Background: Female sex workers (FSWs) have high rates of both unintended pregnancy and HIV, but few health promotion interventions address their contraceptive needs or other sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) concerns. A broader approach integrates contraceptive promotion with HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention and management, alcohol awareness, gender-based violence and rights, and health care utilization. The Women's Health Intervention using SMS for Preventing Pregnancy (WHISPER) mobile phone intervention uses a participatory development approach and behavior change theory to address these high-priority concerns of FSWs in Mombasa, Kenya.

Objective: This paper aimed to (1) describe …

‘It’S Been A Huge Stress’: An In-Depth, Exploratory Study Of Vaccine Hesitant Parents In Southern California, Mika Kadono

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In 2015, the US experienced a widespread measles outbreak that originated at Disneyland, California and spread to six other states, Mexico, and Canada. That year, California passed Senate Bill 277 (SB 277), which eliminated the personal belief exemption for vaccinations required for school entry; California became the third state in the country to eliminate nonmedical exemptions. In 2019, Washington, Maine, and New York followed suit eliminating all nonmedical exemptions amid the largest measles outbreak in the US in 25 years. Many countries, including the US, are experiencing a rise in vaccine preventable diseases due, in part, to increasing vaccine hesitancy, …

Covid-19 Student Telehealth Support Initiative, Yash Varma, Mary White, Alexandra Leto

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

SKMC students partnered with numerous TJUH departments and developed a telehealth support initiative to:

• Help TJUH patients navigate the telehealth system
• Reduce system-wide appointment delays experienced by patients
• Provide direction to COVID-19 resources

A Volunteer Script was prepared to help patients troubleshoot common issues with accessing the telehealth system and provide up to date recommendations from the CDC to remain safe.

Twilighter Role To Support Primary Team Patient Care, Workflow Efficiency, And Physician Wellbeing, Jesse Edwards, René Daniel, Catriona Harrop

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Objective

Enhance patient care, process efficiency, and physician wellbeing by decompressing primary team workload and reducing the multitasking demands during critical hours of the daily workflow

Ventilator Decision And Allocation Pathway For Surge Conditions, Bridget Gekas, Jerin Juby, Monica Purcell, John Smith, Laura Fantazzi, Raymond Malloy

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

We created a deployment plan of the available ventilator fleet to be deployed during surge conditions. The plan includes appropriate allocation of acute care ventilators to manage complex respiratory patients, while a percentage of stable respiratory patients can be safely managed using a back-up ventilator.

Organizing A System-Wide Effort On Ventilator Supply Management During Covid-19, Jerin Juby, Raymond Malloy, Bridget Gekas, Laura Fantazzi, Monica Purcell, John Smith, Kathryn Sebastian, Lauren Diduch, Melissa Brancolassi, Megan Hennessy, James Fields

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

We developed a concise definition of ventilators to accurately represent them in all reports across the enterprise, and a ventilator deployment plan.

Use Of Mobility And Exercise Videos During Covid-19 To Minimize Deconditioning, Nethra Ankam, Md, Tulasi Gude, Md, Courtney Back, Pt, Monina Florendo, Pt, Elizabeth Hearn, Pt, Morgan Miller, Pt, Kristen Stout, Pt

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

COVID19 patients are at risk for becoming quickly deconditioned, especially in the hospital setting given the nature of the virus and those that get admitted. The concern for deconditioning stems from patients being confined to their room, the need to minimize exposure amongst healthcare providers and the need to conserve PPE.

We wanted to find ways to optimize opportunities for patient mobility, maintain patient and provider safety, all while conserving PPE. We reviewed the Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine guidelines to help develop the exercise program.

Repairing A Damaged Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (Papr) Battery Component Component With 3-D Printing, Robert Ries, Dante Varotsis, Michelle Ho, Kathryn Linder, Jordan Kurzum, Bon Ku, Md, Mpp, Matt Fields, Md, Robert Pugliese, Pharmd, Morgan Hutchinson, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

• A team from the Thomas Jefferson University Health Design Lab worked with local engineers at FKB to create a 3-D replacement model for the faulty component
• A new component was designed to function with existing battery components
• The new component was created using a desktop fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3-D printer with polylactic acid (PLA) filament

Safer Ambu-Bag Manual Ventilation Through Addition Of A Second High Efficiency Particulate Air (Hepa) Filter, Robert Ries, Morgan Hutchinson, Md, Robert Pugliese, Pharmd, Bon Ku, Md, Mpp, Matt Fields, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

• Experts from the Thomas Jefferson University Health Design Lab met with Emergency Medicine and Anesthesia physicians and local engineers
• A design was envisioned in which 3-D printed connectors could be created to add an additional HEPA Filter as shown in Figure 1
• STL Files for the adapters were created based on standard HEPA filter diameters and 3-D printed
• The second HEPA filter was easily assembled by novice users using the adapters
• Ventilation adequacy using the double HEPA filter ambu-bag was similar to single HEPA filtered ambu-bag ventilation based on observed inflation of a test lung

Meeting The Critical Need For Ventilators In Treatment Of Covid-19 Patients, Alessandro Naopli, Nicholas Satterthwaite, Lawrence Husick, Dietrich Gravenstein, Jerin Juby, Monica Purcell, Bridget Gekas, Zvi Grunwald, Mae West, Bon Ku, Chip Malloy, Michael Mahla, Mijail Serruya

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

We have designed and built a microprocessor-controlled valve manifold having a single air input supplied from a standard ventilator, three air outlets (one per patient), and a digital control panel for setting the pressure supplied to each patient as well as the desired respiration rate. The manifold features multiple pressure sensors for system monitoring. Each inspiration limb of the manifold will be fitted with a viral filter. Each expiration limb will have a passive HME in line with a viral filter to prevent patient cross-contamination and spread of virions.

Each patient will receive one epoch of inspiration pressure followed by …

Increasing Polst Documentation For Patient Transfers From Long Term Care Facilities, Jennifer White, Md, Mari Siegel, Chris Haines, Chris Pitsch, Heather Peiritsch, Erica Westlake

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

With an increase in patients from long term care facilities being admitted to the hospital, a lack of goals of care documentation became evident and presented the providers with many unknowns regarding patient care.

Without documentation and sick with COVID, patients cannot always advocate for themselves. This problem is worsened by the ban on visitors, preventing surrogate decision makers from being in the room.

There is a need for providers at long term care facilities to have these goals of care discussions, for COVID specific circumstances and for long term care.

Creation Of A Dedicated Anesthesia Airway Cart For Use In High-Volume Covid-19 Airway Management, Anna Rabinowitz, Alexander M. Olson, Daniel Casey, Elaine Kilmartin

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

The COVID-19-specific approach to intubation required a change in the team structure and workflow for emergent airway management.

1. New need for bulky PPE and the introduction of an aerosol barrier shield for emergent intubations
2. Higher volume of intubations and use of videolaryngoscopy requires additional equipment
3. Concern for Code Cart contamination and wastage of airway equipment
4. Desire for more efficient approach to selecting and customizing equipment

Telemedicine Certified Recovery Specialists For Patients With Opioid Use Disorders In The Emergency Department In Covid-19, Kory S. London, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

COVID-19 is a staggering tragedy in a number of manners, but the lack of available access points to healthcare services due to federal, state, local and institutional regulations and decisions creates higher levels of patient vulnerability.

Patients with opioid use disorders (OUD) are especially vulnerable given high levels of coexistent housing insecurity, food insecurity and lack of primary care at baseline. These patients frequently utilize the emergency department for both medical and non-medical concerns.

Existing pathways to assist these patients utilize in person certified (peer) recovery specialists (CRS) who are not employed by the enterprise. Given the need to limit …

Training New Providers Dobhoff Tube Insertion During Covid-19: Rapid Training And A Novel “Opt In” Approach To Learning, Michele Decastro, Msn, Crnp, Heather M. Etzl, Msn, Rn, Cbc, Jacqueline E. Crawford, Ms, Rn, Accns-P

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

As increasing numbers of Covid-19 patients were admitted to the hospital and progressed thru their disease course, the Division of Hospital Medicine noted an increased need for enteral feeding access for their patients. At the same time, the Nutritional Support Clinical Nurse Specialists were seeing an increase in requests for assistance with use of Cortrak technology for insertion of Dobhoff tube (DHT) insertion for high risk patients diagnosed with Covid-19.

Progression Of Patient Cohorting In Response To Covid-19 At The Jefferson Methodist Emergency Department, Kory S. London, Md, Efrat Kean, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

While COVID-19 and it’s various complications are a source of a substantial number of Emergency Department (ED) visits, many patients still arrive to the ED for non-COVID-19 indications.

Due to pre-existing construction which was halted by the pandemic, external space for a tent configuration was unavailable.

In effort to decrease patient, staff and nurse exposure to COVID, a system of cohorting was created to assure uninterrupted service in a manner as safe as possible for all involved.

Given the uncertainty of patient volumes and the potential for a high burden of disease similar to our colleagues in New York and …

Jefferson Internal Medicine Associates (Jima) Patient Triage Initiative, Mary White, Alexandra Leto, Barry Ziring, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

HOW MIGHT WE:

1. Contact patients to triage them for in-person versus virtual visits and teach them to use telehealth quickly?
2. How might we screen patients who are coming to the office for COVID-19 symptoms and exposures?

Ensure Follow-Up For Functional Issues Post Covid-19, Nethra Ankam, Md, Tulasi Gude, Md, Kristofer Feeko, Do, Shannon Ames, Pt, Catherine Piersol, Ot, Tiffany Prince-Kandrakota, Pt, Erica Rao, Pt, Kristen Stout, Pt, Monina Florendo, Pt

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

What's the Problem?

Patients post COVID-19 infection have functional limitations at home related to the multi-system effects of the infection, in addition to elevated risk for post-intensive care syndrome.

Our goals were to ensure patients had the resources they needed to safely mobilize at home, ensure referral to appropriate agencies for home care and therapies, and provide guidance on return to life activities in the setting of the stay-at-home order, need to self-quarantine, and limited outpatient therapy options.

Disposable Equipment For Efficient Home Sleep Apnea Testing And Minimizing Human Handling At The Sleep Laboratory, Abigail Quintos, Robert Tavella, Karl Doghramji

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

As part of the disease mitigation strategy at the time of the pandemic, the Jefferson sleep laboratory has completely shifted towards utilization of the third-party vendor for HSATs. The vendor specializes in handling, shipping and disinfecting the HSAT equipment. They send the data electronically to the Jefferson sleep laboratory for interpretation.

We propose a single-use, fully disposable HSAT kit (WatchPAT One) to further minimize potential virus exposures and spread. The single-use design allows no return shipment, no charging or downloading, no cleaning and no infection transmission risk.

Since the equipment utilizes a different mechanism - peripheral arterial tone (PAT) signal …