Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Attributes Of Effective Nurse Care Managers In Patient-Centered Medical Home, Susan Corner

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

The burden of chronic disease on our medical system and on society is substantial and adds to the difficulty of managing ever-increasing amounts of patient information as care becomes more complex. It has placed the quality of health care in the United States (US) under scrutiny because of medical errors, lack of coordination, patient frustration and poor outcomes. In response to the many challenges, the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model of care was developed and is designed to increase the value of our health care and to improve the experience for the patient. The role of the Nurse Care Manager …

The Impact Of Timing, Selection, And Dosage Of Preoperative Prophylactic Antibiotics On Preventable Surgical Site Infections, Cathy S. Insana

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a subset of a larger group of infections that are known as hospital acquired infections (HAis). SSIs are a huge financial burden, costing billions of dollars in excess hospital charges every year. There is a considerable amount of evidence-based practice recommendations that can help reduce the incidence of SSIs. Research has supported the efficacy of preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis when appropriately selected and timed according to published guidelines. In addition to these measures, re-dosing of antibiotics must occur for those procedures that last more than four hours in order to continue to maintain tissue perfusion throughout …

Quality Management Of Chemotherapy: Induced Nausea And Vomiting With Minimal Constipation, Mary Ellen Danzer

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

Although clients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) are receiving more advanced and successful chemotherapy treatments, the side effects of these treatments continue to cause anxiety, discomfort, pain, and a diminished quality of life. Treatments must be developed to avoid some of the most unpleasant symptoms a client experiences as a result of these treatments. The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence of constipation related to the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) and to identify treatments that are successful in managing constipation while maintaining effective control of CINV. Constipation can be a significant problem with a …

Socioeconomic Patterning Of Obesity Among African American Women In The Jackson Heart Study, Tonya Moore

All ETDs from UAB

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to expand upon what has been observed in literature about obesity and its ties to socioeconomic status (SES) among African American Women (AAW) participants of the Jackson Heart Study (JHS). Methods: This secondary analysis was a sub-study of the JHS and focused on four SES variables: education, income, occupation and wealth; and five outcome variables: body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). Two analytic samples were created in order to examine data collected during Exam 1 (2000-2004) and Exam 2 (2005-2008). …

Factors Associated With Participant Retention In A Behavioral Weight Loss Study, Cathy C. Roche

All ETDs from UAB

Participant retention in longitudinal research is gaining increasing attention. By identifying factors associated with participant retention, programs can be better designed to promote effective weight loss. This study examines factors associated with participant retention. The Anderson Behavioral Model provided the conceptual framework for the study. The sample consisted of secondary data abstracted from the research records of 316 participants in the University of Alabama at Birmingham cohort of the Look Action for Health in Diabetes (AHEAD) trial. The Look AHEAD trial is a randomized controlled trial designed to investigate the long-term effects of interventions aimed at producing weight loss in …

An Exploration Of Factors Associated With Pre-Diabetes In The Reasons For Geographic And Racial Differences In Stroke (Regards) Study Cohort, Loretta Taylor Lee

All ETDs from UAB

Pre-diabetes is a major contributor to increased morbidity and mortality in the US. Without proper and timely intervention the majority of individuals with pre-diabetes will develop Type 2 diabetes. African Americans (AA) and people living in the Stroke Belt have increased odds of developing pre-diabetes compared to Whites and people living outside the Stroke Belt. While several covariates have been identified as contributors to the increased odds of pre-diabetes there is little consensus on which covariates may be responsible for the disparities of pre-diabetes. The reasons for disparities in pre-diabetes are complex and require further investigation. This study explored the …

Cardiovascular Disease Knowledge And Risk Perception Among Women With Recent Preeclampsia: Interventional Education In Disease Management And Prevention, Patsy M. Spratling

All ETDs from UAB

There is a growing body of evidence linking preeclampsia to future development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although CVD is well-known as the leading cause of death in women, a lack of evidence exists demonstrating that women with preeclampsia are routinely informed of their risks for future CVD. The specific aims of this study were to: (1) examine the levels of CVD knowledge and perception of CVD risk pre-CVD education; (2) explore relationships among age, race, parity, marital status, previous preeclampsia, income, education, CVD knowledge, and perception of CVD risk; and (3) examine the effect of a postpartum CVD educational intervention …

Sleep Quality, Stress, Caregiver Burden, And Quality Of Life In Maternal Caregivers Of Young Children With Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia, Christine A. Feeley

All ETDs from UAB

Mothers are usually the primary caregivers of young children with a chronic illness such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and may have no formal caregiver training. Children with BPD often require complex healthcare at home (complex medication regimens, oxygen via nasal cannula, Gastrostomy feedings, etc.), thus many maternal caregivers experience difficulty balancing the needs of their child with their own needs and other responsibilities. As such, maternal caregivers may report increased levels of stress and caregiver burden, as well as decreased quality of life (QOL). Additionally, a great number of maternal caregivers report poor sleep quality due to nighttime caregiving duties. …

A Phenomenological Study Of Obesity And Its Impact On Functional Status, Life-Space Mobility, And Physical Activity In Southern African American Older Women, Pamela G. Bowen

All ETDs from UAB

The majority of work on health disparities has focused on public policy and identifying disparate conditions. Obesity is a significant public health problem that has reached epidemic proportions, considered the second leading cause of preventable death, encourages a sedentary lifestyle, and can lead to a higher prevalence of functional impairments. Moreover, obesity increases the risk that persons may develop one or more serious medical conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, and osteoarthritis, especially among African Americans. In the United States, African American women are more likely to be classified as overweight or obese. In fact, approximately …

The Effects Of Psychological Stress, Depressive Symptoms, And Cortisol On Body Mass And Central Adiposity In 10-To12-Year-Old Children, Hong-Thuy Lam

All ETDs from UAB

The percentage of children with elevated body mass and central adiposity has tripled in the U.S. over the past thirty years. While physical factors, such as decreased physical activity and poor nutrition, have been noted to influence elevated body mass and central adiposity in school-aged children, less is known about psychological factors, such as psychological stress and depressive symptoms, especially in 10-to12-year-old children. Further, it has been suggested that cortisol, a biomarker of psychological stress, plays a role in the underlying mechanism that links psychological stress and depressive symptoms to increased body mass and central adiposity, but this has not …

Stress And Job Performance: The Roles Of Salivary Cortisol And Social Support, Tracy Shamburger

All ETDs from UAB

Perceived stress may negatively affect job performance. Perceived stress is known to alter physiological responses, including cortisol response. Cortisol affects working memory and may explain how stress affects performance. Aeromedical crewmembers transport wounded soldiers in the austere aeromedical environment. The demands of the Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) may lead to stress and impact job performance. The AE training mission simulates real world operational missions and this setting was used to examine the effects of perceived stress on job performance among aeromedical crewmembers at different time points during the mission (Time 1- baseline, Time 2 - pre-flight, Time 3 - in-flight, Time …

The Mediating Effect Of Distress Caused By Constipation On Predictors Of Quality Of Life Of Hospice Patients With Cancer., Abdel Alkhalouf

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

The Mediating Effect of Distress Caused by Constipation on Predictors of Quality of Life of Hospice Patients with Cancer.

Key positive outcomes for hospice patients include the prevention and alleviation of physical and psychological distress, maintenance of physical and mental functioning and all aspects of quality of life. This research used secondary analysis of previously gathered data to answer new research questions with alternative strategies to examine relationships not previously analyzed. The researchers collected data from 717 cancer patients who had been admitted to one of two private hospices. The aim of their experimental intervention was to define the …

The Effect Of Tight Glycemic Control On Surgical Site Infection Rates In Patients Undergoing Open Heart Surgery, Sierra Gower

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of three different glycemic control conditions (tight, conventional, and standard) in the intraoperative period on: 1) postoperative surgical site infections, and 2) postoperative procalcitonin, and C-reactive protein levels in patients undergoing open-heart surgery. Secondary aims of the study were to investigate the effects of the three glycemic treatment conditions on: 1) intraoperative blood glucose; 2) intraoperative glycemic stability; and 3) intensive care unit length of stay, in patients undergoing open-heart surgery.

An experimental design with a multilevel, single factor, within-subjects design was utilized. Patients were nested within anesthesia provider teams. …

The Emotional Intelligence Profiles And Cognitive Measures Of Nurse Anesthesia Students In The Southeastern United States, Shawn Bryant Collins

Dissertations

Problem. The purpose of this cross-sectional correlational study was to explore the relationship between emotional intelligence and personal and academic factors of nurse anesthesia students at three points in a program: matriculation, at one year of study, and in the last semester of study and the relationship of these to clinical scores and national certification examination (NCE) scores.

Method. An ex-post-facto cross-sectional study design was used to gather data at three critical times in nurse anesthesia (NA) programs to explore the relationships between emotional intelligence scores, preadmission demographics, clinical scores, and NCE scores.

Results. Data from 216 nurse anesthesia students …

Hospice Nurses- Attitudes And Knowledge About Pain Management, Amie Jacqueline Miller

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

It has been well established that many people will suffer with pain at the end of life, and untreated pain contributes to reduced quality of life. Many barriers contribute to this issue including a lack of knowledge in nurses who care for dying patients. Many nurses in general practice settings do not possess adequate knowledge about basic pain management principles; and the same may be true about hospice nurses despite the assumption that hospice nurses are more adept at pain management. Contributing to this problem may be the attitudes that nurses, including hospice nurses, have regarding pain and its management. …

Transition From High School To Associate Degree Nursing Education: A Qualitative Study, Kathy Jessee Mitchell

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

Nursing is facing a critical shortage and retention of nursing students is of paramount importance. Much research has been completed related to retention in nursing education and student success, but there is very little in current literature related to issues associated with the transition from high school to associate degree nursing (ADN) education. The purpose of this study was to explore this phenomenon through qualitative research involving ADN students who entered the nursing programs immediately after graduation from high school. This qualitative study involved students from a rural associate degree program. The intent was to provide a better understanding of …

The Experiences Of Cancer Survivors As They Transition From Chemotherapy Treatment To Life After Cancer, Violet Platt

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study explored and described the experience of people with a diagnosis of cancer, as they transitioned from life as a chemotherapy patient to life after treatment as a cancer survivor. The purpose of this study was to ultimately improve the care of people as they transitioned into life after completion of chemotherapy treatment. There is minimal information related to this phase of the cancer trajectory, therefore this study was intentionally exploratory and descriptive. To achieve the proposed outcome a two-phased approach was undertaken. In Phase One a qualitative approach was followed using Grounded Theory to the descriptive level of …

The Effects Of A Hospitalized Elderly Mobility Pilot Program: A Secondary Analysis, Natalie Alexandrovna Richmeier

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this research is to conduct a secondary analysis of data from an Elderly Inpatient Mobility Program pilot tested in a 545 bed hospital. Mobility and ambulation are essential functions that help people maintain their health. They are especially important for the elderly whose functions may be compromised by age related changes of decreased muscle strength and elasticity, bone fragility, ligaments deterioration, decreased endurance, and acquired chronic conditions.

Paediatric Nursing : An Investigation Of The Effect Of Specialist Paediatric Nurse Education On The Quality Of Children’S Nursing Care In Western Australia, Jonathan Mark Mould

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

In Australia, specialist education in paediatrics is not a requirement for nurses caring for hospitalised children. Thus, nurses can work in paediatrics without any prior knowledge of the unique needs of children such as developmental stages or separation anxiety. As a consequence, there are some clinicians and authors who advocate that when children require health care, they should be cared for by nurses who are educated in, and understand the specific physical, psychological and social needs of children. Despite this, the evidence is lacking as to whether specialist nurse education affects the quality of care in paediatrics. This study investigates …

Portraits Of Nursing Resilience: Listening For A Story, Vicki Cope

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The nursing workforce in Australia is a workforce under pressure. Within in-patient settings, rapidly increasing turnover of more acutely ill or co-morbid patients, and staff retention issues, place those staff that remain under extra pressure to maintain a quality service. In nurse education settings the increasing imperative to recruit more students into the profession combined with financial cutbacks leading to staff retention issues creates a similar tension. Yet many Registered Nurses (RNs) do remain in their chosen work setting displaying tenacity and resilience despite well documented trials and tribulations.

A qualitative approach, Portraiture, was used to construct a collection of …

Covert Violence In Nursing: A Western Australian Experience, Susette Bakker

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Covert violence in the workplace has been extensively theorized amongst social scientists as having negative effects on the worker’s self esteem, job satisfaction and stress, resulting in increased absenteeism and a reduction in productivity, and yet it continues to fester in nursing. The purpose of this research was twofold. The first was to answer the question, ‘What are the characteristics of covert violence experienced by Western Australian nurses?’ and through the description of Western Australian nurses’ experience of covert violence and describe the characteristics related to this to form a definition of covert violence. The second question was ‘What are …

An Investigation Of The Relationship Among Social Support, Motivation, Perceived Competence, And Pursuit Of A Baccalaureate Degree Among Associate Degree Nurse Graduates, Margaret Joyce Reilly

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The Institute of Medicine Reports of the last ten years highlight the increased complexity of health care and the need for new ways for health providers to respond. While other professional programs have adapted to the growing complexity of the healthcare system and implemented increased educational requirements for entry to practice, notably pharmacy and physical therapy, nursing has not, and remains the least educated among health professionals The growing trend towards a two year Associate Degree as the initial nursing education degree is increasing at the same time that patient needs are becoming more complicated and health care is becoming …

Adult Children's Perceptions Of Critical Caregiving Conversations With Their Aging Parents: A Pilot Study, Wendy S. Cregg

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this qualitative pilot study was to describe adult children's perceptions of critical caregiving conversations between themselves and their aging parents; barriers to these conversations; factors that facilitate these conversations; and the support from health care providers that adult children believe would help facilitate critical caregiving conversations between themselves and their aging parents. The overall purpose was to increase understanding of family communication processes that promote health as families age. Focus group interviews using a semi-structured interview guide were conducted with 16 adult children with caregiving experience of their aging parents. Data analysis was conducted utilizing Leininger's phases …

Identifying Patient's Reasons Or Rationales For Choosing To Skip Or Shorten Hemodialysis, Linda Marie Lindberg

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Missed dialysis treatment time has potential to increase morbidity and mortality and reduce life expectancy for people with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) who are dependent on hemodialysis (HD) to live. The purpose of this study was to identify some of the reasons that hemodialysis patients provide when explaining their decision to skip or shorten their prescribed HD treatment time by providing ESRD patients with the opportunity to give voice to their perspectives. A secondary purpose of this project was to increase the health care provider's understanding of the HD patient's perspectives and reasons for choosing to skip or shorten …

The Five P'S Of Type 1 Diabetes, Paula Elizabeth Esteva

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.