Digital Commons Network^™

Transforming Peripartum Nurse Knowledge Exchange (Nke) Through A Standardized Handoff Guide, Lillian Quach

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: Medical errors and adverse events can result from inconsistent handoffs during patient transfers. As seen in Hospital A’s peripartum unit, there is no formal policy regarding the handoff process, also known as the Nurse Knowledge Exchange (NKE). This quality improvement project aims to introduce a standardized handoff guide to enhance communication and minimize harmful outcomes following patient transfers.

Context: The setting for this project is an urban hospital in Northern California with nine laboring beds and 21 postpartum beds.

Interventions: The project employed a systemic approach involving stakeholder involvement, literature review, and data analysis to identify areas for improvement …

Enhancing Nursing Perspectives And Support Of Stroke Patient Satisfaction Survey, Vanessa Li

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem A stroke diagnosis is associated with high mortality and increased morbidity that affect the quality of life of both patients and caregivers. Higher satisfaction with stroke care could alleviate both patient and caregiver stress, thereby positively affecting their quality of life. Regulatory guidelines underscore the need for a stroke-specific patient satisfaction survey (SPSS). Context Hospital X houses one of the few comprehensive stroke centers (CSC) in the San Francisco Bay Area, serving patients with various stroke etiologies and complexities. Its Neuro Observation Unit (NOU) currently does not administer a SPSS. Intervention An educational presentation using literature evidence in support …

Application Of Lymphedema Education Toolkit For Nurse Coordinators, Julian K. Miranda

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: There is approximately one in five breast cancer survivors affected by breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL), a potentially debilitating condition affecting the physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being of individuals. Context: This Quality Improvement (QI) project was conducted at an outpatient facility of Hospital X’s Women’s Cancer Center. Within this microsystem, there are 24 permanent clinical nurse coordinators and advanced practice providers, with 15 nurse coordinators dedicated to care for patients with breast cancer or gynecological conditions. Intervention: The intervention aims to evaluate if a standardized educational tool improves early interventions for patients with lymphedema and knowledge among healthcare providers …

Empowering Nurse-Driven Removal Of Indwelling Urinary Catheters In The Surgical Intensive Care Unit: A Quality Improvement Project, Ellen Ruby Hann

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem Nurse-driven removal protocols (NRDPs) have been shown to reduce indwelling urinary catheter (IUC) days and prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). Communication barriers prevent consistent implementation of the NDRP, leading to delayed IUC removal and increased risk of CAUTIs. Context The project was conducted in a 16-bed adult surgical intensive care unit (ICU) at a teaching hospital in a major metropolitan area. Interventions Urinary catheter reminder posters displaying IUC days were posted at each bedside to prompt discussion of IUC indication and removal. An email describing the project background was sent to all nurses and physicians by the unit …

Implementation Of Lymphedema Education Toolkit For Nurse Coordinators, Heather Gee

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: Lymphedema is a chronic condition that develops secondary to cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgical removal of affected lymph nodes. This swelling in patient’s limbs can cause discomfort and limit mobility, however lymphedema is often not detected until later stages, delaying treatment and patient education.

Context: This quality improvement project was conducted at Hospital S Women’s Cancer Center, an outpatient center specializing in advanced treatments for breast and gynecological cancers. This center has a multidisciplinary team focusing on both the medical and surgical aspects of oncology treatment.

Interventions: An evidence-based lymphedema education toolkit was created for nurse …

Leveraging Collaboration In Advocacy: An Examination Of The 501(C)(4) Regulatory Framework And Its Utility For Advancing Immigrant Rights, Christine D. Ambegia

Master's Projects and Capstones

The nonprofit sector is uniquely positioned for leading the charge in advocacy through various social justice movements, and their capacity to engage in lobbying work plays a crucial role in advancing policies that contribute to the collective good. The regulations on lobbying that are set forth and enforced by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charities can limit them from aggressively engaging in policy and advocacy work that holds legislators accountable to their constituents. Nonprofit 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations are governed by a regulatory framework that has the potential to expand on 501(c)(3) charities’ work because they …

Nurturing Teacher Agency To Influence Teacher Professionalism Through Teacher Action Research, Karen J. Martin

Interdisciplinary Studies

The research described in this study sought to understand how teacher agency was influenced by engaging teachers in action research-based professional development. Teacher agency is a critical component of teacher professionalism and nurturing teachers to recognize and enact greater agency has the potential to elevate the profession of teaching. A mixed methods methodology was employed to study the lived experience of six teachers who engaged in teacher research in a rural Alaskan school district. The research addressed this overarching question: How does engaging teachers in action research-based professional development about their professional practices influence teacher agency? In addition, data was …

Hiding In Plain Sight: Medical Theses, Slavery, And Reparative Archival Practices, Anna Marie Schuldt

MUSC Conference Papers

Despite the prevalence of the use and abuse of enslaved individuals in the pursuit of medical education at the Medical College of South Carolina during the pre-Civil War era, evidence of the institution's involvement with slavery is scarce in the discoverable archival resources at the Waring Historical Library. The Waring Historical Library Inaugural Theses Project aims to identify and bring these hidden narratives into focus through reparative description work. Key outcomes include enhancing the outdated index, transferring it to a LibGuide format, and improving descriptions, subject headings, and transcripts within catalog records. The project emphasizes how interdisciplinary cooperation between archivists …

White Matter Trajectories Over The Lifespan, Stefania Conte, Dabriel Zimmerman, John E. Richards

Faculty Publications

White matter (WM) changes occur throughout the lifespan at a different rate for each developmental period. We aggregated 10879 structural MRIs and 6186 diffusion-weighted MRIs from participants between 2 weeks to 100 years of age. Age-related changes in gray matter and WM partial volumes and microstructural WM properties, both brain-wide and on 29 reconstructed tracts, were investigated as a function of biological sex and hemisphere, when appropriate. We investigated the curve fit that would best explain age-related differences by fitting linear, cubic, quadratic, and exponential models to macro and microstructural WM properties. Following the first steep increase in WM volume …

Kohlhaas V. State: Encouraging Democratic Reform Through Constitutional Flexibility, Allyson Barkley, Connor Sakati

Alaska Law Review

In the spirit of democracy reform, Alaska recently adopted a jungle primary and ranked choice voting electoral system for all state-wide elections. In Kohlhaas v. State, the Alaska Supreme Court upheld this reform against numerous state and federal constitutional challenges. While doing so, the court avoided rigid constitutional interpretations that would have frozen the electoral system in its current first-past-the-post state. Moreover, the court refused to credit the plaintiff's speculation about the hypothetical malign effects of ranked-choice voting, placing the burden to produce hard evidence of their critiques on RCV's opponents. Alaska can serve as a model for other …

Service Learning To Develop Culturallyappropriate Nutrition Education [Executive Summary], Teresa Buckner

Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The goal of this project is to train students in cultural competency, develop culturally-appropriate nutrition education materials for a diverse audience, and deliver nutrition education to the community of Greeley, CO.

Heat Transfer Techniques In Large-Scale Hydrogen Storage Using Metal Hydride Materials, Seth A. Thomas

Engineering

One of the methods being investigated for storing hydrogen is the use of metal hydride materials. Metal hydrides are able to absorb and release hydrogen, giving them a wide range of potential applications for hydrogen storage. These materials are generally considered to be safe, stable, reusable, and are able to store and release hydrogen at lower pressures and near ambient temperatures. Despite these benefits, there are still existing limitations that hinder their widespread applicability. One of the main issues presented is the necessity for effective heat removal during the absorption process. When hydrogen is being absorbed by the metal hydride …

Volume Cxliii, Number 23, May 17, 2024, Lawrence University

The Lawrentian

No abstract provided.

Implications Of Detachment Promoting Agents, Disinfectants And Flow Hydraulics On Growth And Dispersion Of Bacterial Biofilms In Drinking Water Distribution Systems, Fayzul Kabir

Engineering

Biofilms in water distribution systems (WDS) can adversely affect the effluent water quality and structural integrity of pipes. Current disinfectants and flushing strategies often prove insufficient to mitigate biofilm growth. Long-term monitoring of biofilm growth under varied WDS flow and disinfection conditions is needed (and often overlooked) for improving biofilm management in the WDS. An alternative approach to counter biofilms in the WDS over the traditional approach of using antimicrobials is to target and weaken the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) instead of just the microorganisms in the biofilms - via the use of 'detachment promoting agents' (DPAs) to weaken the …

Refining Triage Documentation Practices In A Metropolitan Emergency Department, Jack A. Moody

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem California ranks ninth nationwide for its lengthy emergency department wait times, presenting a pressing challenge for healthcare facilities. Context This quality improvement project, set in the emergency department of a large urban hospital in the Bay Area, aimed to address this issue by targeting workflow efficiency through the reduction of triage times. Intervention The intervention centered on implementing changes to the triage documentation, informed by staff feedback obtained through an opinion survey. Proposed modifications included the elimination of redundant questions, consolidation of related categories, and a logical reorganization of triage topics. Measures Key measures utilized in the project included …

Increasing Adherence To A Nurse-Driven Removal Protocol To Reduce Indwelling Urinary Catheter Days, Hannah K. Brosnan

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem

Nurse-driven removal protocols (NRDPs) have been shown to reduce indwelling urinary catheter (IUC) days and prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). Communication barriers prevent consistent implementation of the NDRP, leading to delayed IUC removal and increased risk of CAUTIs.

Context

The project was conducted in a 16-bed adult surgical intensive care unit (ICU) at a teaching hospital in a major metropolitan area.

Interventions

Urinary catheter reminder posters displaying IUC days were posted at each bedside to prompt discussion of IUC indication and removal. An email describing the project background was sent to all nurses and physicians by the unit …

Enhancing Pain Documentation In Medical Surgical Units: Integrating Supportive Tools With Pain Nursing Education, Mariana Arias

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: Pain management in in-patient care, particularly involving opioids, is critical due to the associated risks. Proper pain assessment is essential to ensure safe medication administration and mitigate adverse effects.

Context: This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to improve opioid assessment and documentation rate above 90% compliance in two medical-surgical units, focusing on bedside nurses who play a crucial role in patient safety and effective pain management.

Interventions: A baseline survey provided nurses' understanding on compliance criteria and assessment timing. Interventions included visual reminders, informational posters, and instructions on how to access individual compliance reports.

Measures: A post intervention survey …

Enhancing Peripartum Care Through Standardized Nurse Knowledge Exchange, Gabriela Ochoa

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem Inconsistent handoff practices during patient transfers can cause mistakes and adverse outcomes. Hospital A's peripartum unit has no set policy for Nurse Knowledge Exchange (NKE) during transfers. This project will introduce a standard handoff guide to enhance communication and prevent harmful results after patient transfers.

Context The quality improvement project was conducted in a peripartum mesosystem within an urban hospital in Northern California. This specific area of the hospital comprised 21 postpartum rooms and nine laboring rooms.

Intervention The project involved a methodical strategy that encompassed engaging stakeholders, conducting a literature review, and analyzing data to pinpoint areas for …

Titans Stood As Sole Undergrad Presenters At National Science Symposium, Julia Perez

News and Events (Discontinued Series)

No abstract provided.

Symposium Transcript

Richmond Public Interest Law Review

No abstract provided.

Sediment Characteristics And Economic Potential Of Large Methane Seeps In Esieh Lake, Nw, Janelle Marie Sharp

Geosciences

My thesis evaluates lake sediment characteristics and how they have been affected as large geologic methane (CH₄) seeps formed in Esieh Lake (informal name), a lake in Northwest Alaska. I provide extensive background of the lake, including a synthesis of studies and reports that characterize the geology around this lake which, to date, contains the largest known CH₄ seeps in the Arctic. In addition to providing background information on Esieh Lake and characterizing the lake's sediments, I evaluate the economic potential for the CH₄ seeps and compare flux values to natural gas projects which were previously completed in Alaska and …

Asthma And Peak Flow Assessments Based On Nhlbi Asthma Guidelines, Julia Gliceria Almario Regalado

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Asthma exacerbations are consequences of poor asthma control. Asthma guidelines-grounded interventions can improve adherence to asthma guidelines and assessments in primary care settings. The goals of asthma management are to optimize asthma control, minimize the risk of asthma exacerbations, and minimize the adverse effects of asthma medications.

Local Problem: A primary care practice in Northern California had frequent office visits for acute asthma symptoms. Ongoing asthma control monitoring is a key performance indicator of high-quality asthma care.

Methods: The quality improvement evidence-based observational project examined the effectiveness of interventions. The pre-and post-survey assessments collected clinician knowledge and adherence, and …

Nurse-Led Telehealth Visits For Patients With Multiple Sclerosis During The Covid-19 Pandemic And Beyond, Eun Hye Kim

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Nearly one million individuals are affected with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in the United States, and it was estimated the annual economic burden of multiple sclerosis in the U.S. at over $85.4 billion in 2022.

Problem: During the outbreak of COVID-19, the number of nurse-led patient education sessions has decreased due to the conversion of in-person clinic visits to telehealth visits. Despite the widespread use of telehealth for MS patients post-COVID-19 pandemic, limited data is available about the use of nurse-led telehealth visits with a standardized workflow.

Method: A quality improvement project was implemented at the MS clinic in Northern …

Fostering Interprofessional Collaboration In Community College Mental Health Centers: A Quality Improvement Project, Sara Jane Hamilton

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background The worsening mental health rates among college students in the United States highlight the critical need for campuses to have high-quality comprehensive mental health centers (MHC). This necessity is particularly urgent in community college MHCs, which often lack these attributes. Local Problem An MHC within a large California community college recently introduced telepsychiatry services and is considering integrating a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) into their team. However, knowledge gaps and limited interprofessional education (IPE) may hinder effective collaboration within the team. Methods A comprehensive literature review was conducted to assess current research on IPE, community college mental …

Implementing Diabetic Eye Care Education For Healthcare Professionals, Misun Serena Moser

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most common cause of diabetic eye complications and a leading cause of preventable vision loss in American adults. Skaggs et al. (2017) reported that DR screening prevents vision loss by 95%. The evidence reports that only 60% of people with diabetes have attended the recommended DR screenings (Flaxel et al., 2020). Emerging evidence supports patient education about diabetic eye care and its guidelines by health care professionals (HCPs) as the main facilitator to accomplish this goal (Khair et al., 2020; Moinul et al., 2020). Healthcare professionals are pivotal in encouraging or discouraging DR screening …

Understanding Preschool Teachers' Perceptions Of Challenging Behavior: "It's Exhausting", Elizabeth Stapleton

Educational Studies Dissertations

Child maltreatment is a widespread issue across the United States, directly impacting young children’s learning and behavior. Yet, variability found in early education pre-service training does not include focus on this topic. Early education teachers often experience low wages, long work hours, and a lack of support to meet the needs of young children. This mixed methods study sought to understand preschool teachers’ perceptions of challenging behavior in their classrooms and the impact challenging behavior has on relationships within the classroom community. Quantitative data was collected from 30 preschool teachers using the Student-Teacher Relationship Short Form and frequency ratings of …

Genetic Distance Matrices For Mexican Gyrinicola Description, Matthew Walker

Zoology Data Sets

The data set contains .csv files for a paper describing various Gyrinicola for future publication.

Alignments And Tree Files For Mexican Gyrinicola Description, Matthew Walker

Zoology Data Sets

This data set contains the .tree and .nxs files used for the phylogenetic inference portion of a paper for submission.

Code/Result Files For Mexican Gyrinicola Description, Matthew Walker

Zoology Data Sets

The data set contains code/results files in a .pdf format for a paper describing a Gyrinicola from Mexico for future publication.

Controlling Phase Transitions In Mnnige Using Thermal Quenching And Hydrostatic Pressure, Jing Han Chen, Tej Poudel Chhetri, Anthony T. Grant, Xiaojian Bai, Qiang Zhang, Chung Kai Chang, David P. Young, Igor Dubenko, Saikat Talapatra, Naushad Ali, Shane Stadler

Faculty Publications

The phase transitions in MnNiGe compounds were explored by manipulating the heat treatment conditions and through hydrostatic pressure application. As the quenching temperature increased, both the first-order martensitic structural transition temperatures and magnetic transition temperatures decreased relative to those in the slowly-cooled samples. When the samples were quenched from 1200 °C, the first-order martensitic structural transition temperature lowered by more than 200 K. The structural transitions also shifted to lower temperature with the application of hydrostatic pressure during measurement. Temperature-dependent x-ray diffraction results reveal that the changes of the cell parameters resulting from the structural transitions are nearly identical for …