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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

Semen Quality In Fertile Men In Relation To Psychosocial Stress, A. Gollenberg, F. Liu, C. Brazil, E. Drobnis, D. Guzick, J. Overstreet, J. Redmon, Amy Sparks, C. Wang, S. Swan Jun 2013

Semen Quality In Fertile Men In Relation To Psychosocial Stress, A. Gollenberg, F. Liu, C. Brazil, E. Drobnis, D. Guzick, J. Overstreet, J. Redmon, Amy Sparks, C. Wang, S. Swan

Amy E.T. Sparks

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between stressful life events and semen parameters. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis in a pregnancy cohort study. SETTING: Prenatal clinics in five U.S. cities. PATIENT(S): Fertile men (n = 744) in the Study for Future Families, a cohort study of pregnant women and their partners. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Sperm concentration, percent motile, and percent normal morphology and classification above/below World Health Organization (WHO) cutoffs for semen quality. RESULT(S): After adjusting for confounders, men reporting 2+ recent stressful life events had an increased risk of being classified below WHO thresholds for "normal" defined by concentration, motility, …


Serum Inhibin-B In Fertile Men Is Strongly Correlated With Low But Not High Sperm Counts: A Coordinated Study Of 1,797 European And Us Men, N. Jorgensen, F. Liu, A. Andersson, M. Vierula, D. Irvine, J. Auger, C. Brazil, E. Drobnis, T. Jensen, P. Jouannet, J. Overstreet, J. Redmon, Amy Sparks, J. Toppari, C. Wang, N. Skakkebaek, S. Swan Jun 2013

Serum Inhibin-B In Fertile Men Is Strongly Correlated With Low But Not High Sperm Counts: A Coordinated Study Of 1,797 European And Us Men, N. Jorgensen, F. Liu, A. Andersson, M. Vierula, D. Irvine, J. Auger, C. Brazil, E. Drobnis, T. Jensen, P. Jouannet, J. Overstreet, J. Redmon, Amy Sparks, J. Toppari, C. Wang, N. Skakkebaek, S. Swan

Amy E.T. Sparks

OBJECTIVE: To describe associations between serum inhibin-b and sperm counts, adjusted for effect of time of blood sampling, in larger cohorts than have been previously reported. DESIGN: Cross-sectional studies of spermatogenesis markers. SETTING: Four European and four US centers. PATIENT(S): Fertile men (1,797) were included and examined from October 1996-February 2005. INTERVENTION(S): The study was observational and therefore without any intervention. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Associations between inhibin-b and semen variables controlled for time of blood sampling and other covariates. RESULT(S): Inhibin-b decreased about 2.00% per hour from 8 am-12 pm and then about 3.25% per hour from 12 pm-4 pm. …


Pilot Data: Association Between Gluteus Medius Weakness And Low Back Pain During Pregnancy, K. Bewyer, D. Bewyer, D. Messenger, Colleen Kennedy May 2013

Pilot Data: Association Between Gluteus Medius Weakness And Low Back Pain During Pregnancy, K. Bewyer, D. Bewyer, D. Messenger, Colleen Kennedy

Colleen Kennedy Stockdale

This cross-sectional study examines whether there is an association between gluteus medius weakness in the presence of low back pain in pregnant women at any stage of gestation. Prevalence of low back pain during pregnancy is high, and identifying potential etiologies and targeted interventions is lacking. Thus, identification of an association between specific muscle weakness and pain would have clinical relevance. Initial pilot data suggests that weakness of the gluteus medius is strongly associated with the presence of low back pain during pregnancy.


Pelvic Floor Symptoms And Lifestyle Factors In Older Women, Catherine Bradley, Colleen Kennedy, I. Nygaard May 2013

Pelvic Floor Symptoms And Lifestyle Factors In Older Women, Catherine Bradley, Colleen Kennedy, I. Nygaard

Colleen Kennedy Stockdale

OBJECTIVES: To measure the prevalence of pelvic floor symptoms in noncare-seeking older women and the association between symptoms and lifestyle factors. METHODS: Women enrolled at one site of the Women's Health Initiative Hormone Therapy clinical trial completed a questionnaire, modified from the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory, on bladder, bowel, and prolapse symptoms. Individual symptoms and symptom groups were examined in a cross-sectional analysis. RESULTS: In the 297 women who participated, mean age was 68.2 years, mean body mass index (BMI) was 30.2 kg/m(2), and median vaginal parity was 3. The median number of symptoms endorsed was 3 (range 0-18). The …


Urinary Incontinence, Depression And Posttraumatic Stress Disorder In Women Veterans, Catherine Bradley, I. Nygaard, M. Mengeling, J. Torner, Colleen Stockdale, B. Booth, A. Sadler May 2013

Urinary Incontinence, Depression And Posttraumatic Stress Disorder In Women Veterans, Catherine Bradley, I. Nygaard, M. Mengeling, J. Torner, Colleen Stockdale, B. Booth, A. Sadler

Colleen Kennedy Stockdale

OBJECTIVE: To study associations between urinary incontinence (UI) symptoms, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder in women veterans. STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional study enrolled women 20 to 52 years of age registered at 2 midwestern US Veterans Affairs Medical Centers or outlying clinics within 5 years preceding study interview. Participants completed a computer-assisted telephone interview assessing urogynecologic, medical, and mental health. Multivariable analyses studied independent associations between stress and urgency UI and depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. RESULTS: Nine hundred sixty-eight women mean aged 38.7 +/- 8.7 years were included. Of these, 191 (19.7%) reported urgency/mixed UI and 183 (18.9%) stress …


Bladder And Bowel Symptoms Among Women With Vulvar Disease: Are They Universal?, Colleen Kennedy, I. Nygaard, Catherine Bradley, R. Galask May 2013

Bladder And Bowel Symptoms Among Women With Vulvar Disease: Are They Universal?, Colleen Kennedy, I. Nygaard, Catherine Bradley, R. Galask

Colleen Kennedy Stockdale

OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of painful bladder syndrome, recurrent urinary tract infections, urinary leakage and irritable bowel syndrome between women with specific vulvar disorders and controls. STUDY DESIGN: Women with a primary diagnosis of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (dysplasia), vulvar vestibulitis (vestibulitis), contact vulvitis, atrophic vulvovaginitis, lichen simplex, lichen sclerosus and lichen planus, were compared to women presenting for annual examinations. RESULTS: As compared to controls, painful bladder syndrome was more prevalent among subjects with dysplasia, vestibulitis and contact vulvitis; a history of recurrent urinary tract infection was more prevalent among subjects with contact vulvitis; and urinary incontinence was less …


Vaginal Microbiota Of Women With Frequent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis, X. Zhou, R. Westman, R. Hickey, M. Hansmann, Colleen Kennedy, T. Osborn, L. Forney May 2013

Vaginal Microbiota Of Women With Frequent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis, X. Zhou, R. Westman, R. Hickey, M. Hansmann, Colleen Kennedy, T. Osborn, L. Forney

Colleen Kennedy Stockdale

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is an insidious infection that afflicts a large proportion of women of all ages, and 5 to 8% of affected women experience recurrent VVC (RVVC). The aim of this study was to explore the possible importance of vaginal bacterial communities in reducing the risk of RVVC. The species composition and diversity of microbial communities were evaluated for 42 women with and without frequent VVC based on profiles of terminal restriction fragment polymorphisms of 16S rRNA genes and phylogenetic analysis of cloned 16S rRNA gene sequences from the numerically dominant microbial populations. The data showed that there were …


Risk Factors For Painful Bladder Syndrome In Women Seeking Gynecologic Care, Colleen Kennedy, Catherine Bradley, R. Galask, I. Nygaard May 2013

Risk Factors For Painful Bladder Syndrome In Women Seeking Gynecologic Care, Colleen Kennedy, Catherine Bradley, R. Galask, I. Nygaard

Colleen Kennedy Stockdale

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to report risk factors for painful bladder syndrome in women. We surveyed 645 women presenting for care to general gynecology clinics and a vulvar specialty clinic using a standardized questionnaire and validated outcome measures. We used two definitions for painful bladder syndrome, based on the O'Leary-Sant interstitial cystitis symptom and problem indices. Of those women surveyed, 29.5% met broader criteria and 8.5% met more restrictive criteria for painful bladder syndrome. After adjusting for confounders, bladder pain was significantly associated with current smoking, irritable bowel syndrome, and a generalized pain disorder. Tobacco use, the …


Embryo Transfer Practices In The United States: A Survey Of Clinics Registered With The Society For Assisted Reproductive Technology, E. Jungheim, Ginny Ryan, E. Levens, A. Cunningham, G. Macones, K. Carson, A. Beltsos, R. Odem May 2013

Embryo Transfer Practices In The United States: A Survey Of Clinics Registered With The Society For Assisted Reproductive Technology, E. Jungheim, Ginny Ryan, E. Levens, A. Cunningham, G. Macones, K. Carson, A. Beltsos, R. Odem

Ginny L. Ryan

OBJECTIVE: To gain a better understanding of factors influencing clinicians' embryo transfer practices. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Web-based survey conducted in December 2008 of individuals practicing IVF in centers registered with the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART). PATIENT(S): None. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Prevalence of clinicians reporting following embryo transfer guidelines recommended by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), prevalence among these clinicians to deviate from ASRM guidelines in commonly encountered clinical scenarios, and practice patterns related to single embryo transfer. RESULT(S): Six percent of respondents reported following their own, independent guidelines for the number of embryos …


Abnormal Glucose Screening In Pregnancy In Patients With Normal Oral Glucose Tolerance Tests As A Screening Test For Fetal Macrosomia, F. Witter, Jennifer Niebyl May 2013

Abnormal Glucose Screening In Pregnancy In Patients With Normal Oral Glucose Tolerance Tests As A Screening Test For Fetal Macrosomia, F. Witter, Jennifer Niebyl

Jennifer R Niebyl

Minor abnormalities of carbohydrate metabolism in pregnancy are a risk factor for delivery of a macrosomic infant. However, the 50-g 1-h oral glucose screen at 28 weeks is not a useful screening test for macrosomia in pregnant patients with normal glucose tolerance tests, because a positive screen does not raise the probability of delivering a macrosomic infant sufficiently to warrant intervention.


Factors Explaining Children's Responses To Intravenous Needle Insertions, Ann Mccarthy, Charmaine Kleiber, Kirsten Hanrahan, M. Zimmerman, N. Westhus, S. Allen Apr 2013

Factors Explaining Children's Responses To Intravenous Needle Insertions, Ann Mccarthy, Charmaine Kleiber, Kirsten Hanrahan, M. Zimmerman, N. Westhus, S. Allen

Kirsten M. Hanrahan

BACKGROUND: Previous research shows that numerous child, parent, and procedural variables affect children's distress responses to procedures. Cognitive-behavioral interventions such as distraction are effective in reducing pain and distress for many children undergoing these procedures. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this report was to examine child, parent, and procedural variables that explain child distress during a scheduled intravenous insertion when parents are distraction coaches for their children. METHODS: A total of 542 children, between 4 and 10 years of age, and their parents participated. Child age, gender, diagnosis, and ethnicity were measured by questions developed for this study. Standardized instruments were …


Vaginal Wall Descensus And Pelvic Floor Symptoms In Older Women, Catherine Bradley, I. Nygaard Apr 2013

Vaginal Wall Descensus And Pelvic Floor Symptoms In Older Women, Catherine Bradley, I. Nygaard

Catherine S. Bradley

OBJECTIVE: To understand the clinical significance of early pelvic organ prolapse in older women, we studied associations between vaginal descensus and pelvic floor symptoms. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 270 women enrolled at one site of the Women's Health Initiative clinical trial completed a questionnaire modified from the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory on pelvic floor symptoms and underwent a Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) examination. We tested associations between symptoms (individual and grouped) with anterior, posterior, uterine, and maximum vaginal descensus. RESULTS: Mean age was 68 years. Ninety-six percent had POP-Q stages I or II. Only obstructive urinary symptoms and …


Urinary Incontinence, Depression And Posttraumatic Stress Disorder In Women Veterans, Catherine Bradley, I. Nygaard, M. Mengeling, J. Torner, Colleen Stockdale, B. Booth, A. Sadler Apr 2013

Urinary Incontinence, Depression And Posttraumatic Stress Disorder In Women Veterans, Catherine Bradley, I. Nygaard, M. Mengeling, J. Torner, Colleen Stockdale, B. Booth, A. Sadler

Catherine S. Bradley

OBJECTIVE: To study associations between urinary incontinence (UI) symptoms, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder in women veterans. STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional study enrolled women 20 to 52 years of age registered at 2 midwestern US Veterans Affairs Medical Centers or outlying clinics within 5 years preceding study interview. Participants completed a computer-assisted telephone interview assessing urogynecologic, medical, and mental health. Multivariable analyses studied independent associations between stress and urgency UI and depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. RESULTS: Nine hundred sixty-eight women mean aged 38.7 +/- 8.7 years were included. Of these, 191 (19.7%) reported urgency/mixed UI and 183 (18.9%) stress …


Bladder And Bowel Symptoms Among Women With Vulvar Disease: Are They Universal?, Colleen Kennedy, I. Nygaard, Catherine Bradley, R. Galask Apr 2013

Bladder And Bowel Symptoms Among Women With Vulvar Disease: Are They Universal?, Colleen Kennedy, I. Nygaard, Catherine Bradley, R. Galask

Catherine S. Bradley

OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of painful bladder syndrome, recurrent urinary tract infections, urinary leakage and irritable bowel syndrome between women with specific vulvar disorders and controls. STUDY DESIGN: Women with a primary diagnosis of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (dysplasia), vulvar vestibulitis (vestibulitis), contact vulvitis, atrophic vulvovaginitis, lichen simplex, lichen sclerosus and lichen planus, were compared to women presenting for annual examinations. RESULTS: As compared to controls, painful bladder syndrome was more prevalent among subjects with dysplasia, vestibulitis and contact vulvitis; a history of recurrent urinary tract infection was more prevalent among subjects with contact vulvitis; and urinary incontinence was less …


Risk Factors For Painful Bladder Syndrome In Women Seeking Gynecologic Care, Colleen Kennedy, Catherine Bradley, R. Galask, I. Nygaard Apr 2013

Risk Factors For Painful Bladder Syndrome In Women Seeking Gynecologic Care, Colleen Kennedy, Catherine Bradley, R. Galask, I. Nygaard

Catherine S. Bradley

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to report risk factors for painful bladder syndrome in women. We surveyed 645 women presenting for care to general gynecology clinics and a vulvar specialty clinic using a standardized questionnaire and validated outcome measures. We used two definitions for painful bladder syndrome, based on the O'Leary-Sant interstitial cystitis symptom and problem indices. Of those women surveyed, 29.5% met broader criteria and 8.5% met more restrictive criteria for painful bladder syndrome. After adjusting for confounders, bladder pain was significantly associated with current smoking, irritable bowel syndrome, and a generalized pain disorder. Tobacco use, the …


The "Costs" Of Urinary Incontinence For Women, L. Subak, J. Brown, S. Kraus, L. Brubaker, F. Lin, H. Richter, Catherine Bradley, D. Grady Apr 2013

The "Costs" Of Urinary Incontinence For Women, L. Subak, J. Brown, S. Kraus, L. Brubaker, F. Lin, H. Richter, Catherine Bradley, D. Grady

Catherine S. Bradley

OBJECTIVE: To estimate costs of routine care for female urinary incontinence, health-related quality of life, and willingness to pay for incontinence improvement. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study at 5 U.S. sites, 293 incontinent women quantified supplies, laundry, and dry cleaning specifically for incontinence. Costs were calculated by multiplying resources used by national resource costs and presented in 2005 United States dollars (2005). Health-related quality of life was estimated with the Health Utilities Index. Participants estimated willingness to pay for 25-100% improvement in incontinence. Potential predictors of these outcomes were examined using multivariable linear regression. RESULTS: Mean age was 56 +/- …


An Exploratory Study Of The Variables Impacting Preterm Birth Rates In New Mexico, K. Gwin, R. Schrader, K. Peters, A. Moreno, K. Thiel, Kimberly Leslie Feb 2013

An Exploratory Study Of The Variables Impacting Preterm Birth Rates In New Mexico, K. Gwin, R. Schrader, K. Peters, A. Moreno, K. Thiel, Kimberly Leslie

Kimberly K. Leslie

BACKGROUND: Preterm birth (PTB) is a substantial health problem that accounts for significant infant morbidity and mortality and poses an economic burden to both individuals and the state of residence. The goal of this study was to identify maternal risk factors for PTB in New Mexico, a poor state with a unique ethnic background, in order to identify populations at increased risk that would benefit from intervention. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional retrospective exploratory analysis of 377,770 singleton live births in the state of New Mexico from 1991-2005. Gestational age of less than 37 weeks was defined as PTB. The …


The Effect Of Work Shift And Sleep Duration On Various Aspects Of Police Officers' Health, Sandra Ramey, Elena Perkhounkova, M. Moon, L. Budde, H. Tseng, M. Clark Jan 2013

The Effect Of Work Shift And Sleep Duration On Various Aspects Of Police Officers' Health, Sandra Ramey, Elena Perkhounkova, M. Moon, L. Budde, H. Tseng, M. Clark

Elena Perkhounkova

Police officers are prone to cardiovascular disease, overweight, and obesity. Because night-shift work affects sleep, a modifiable risk factor linked to chronic disease, the researchers explored the relationship among shift work, sleep, and wellness for police officers. Sleep, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, stress, fatigue, and body mass index were used to compare officers who worked primarily day shifts to those who worked primarily evening or night shifts, and officers who slept less than 6 hours per day to those who slept at least 6 hours per day. A cross-sectional study of 85 male officers, 20 to 63 years old, was …


The Effect Of Work Shift And Sleep Duration On Various Aspects Of Police Officers' Health, Sandra Ramey, Elena Perkhounkova, M. Moon, L. Budde, H. Tseng, M. Clark Jan 2013

The Effect Of Work Shift And Sleep Duration On Various Aspects Of Police Officers' Health, Sandra Ramey, Elena Perkhounkova, M. Moon, L. Budde, H. Tseng, M. Clark

M. Kathleen Clark

Police officers are prone to cardiovascular disease, overweight, and obesity. Because night-shift work affects sleep, a modifiable risk factor linked to chronic disease, the researchers explored the relationship among shift work, sleep, and wellness for police officers. Sleep, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, stress, fatigue, and body mass index were used to compare officers who worked primarily day shifts to those who worked primarily evening or night shifts, and officers who slept less than 6 hours per day to those who slept at least 6 hours per day. A cross-sectional study of 85 male officers, 20 to 63 years old, was …


Nurses' Perception Of Their Manager's Leadership Style And Unit Climate: Are There Generational Differences?, Amany Farag, S. Tullai-Mcguinness, M. Anthony Sep 2012

Nurses' Perception Of Their Manager's Leadership Style And Unit Climate: Are There Generational Differences?, Amany Farag, S. Tullai-Mcguinness, M. Anthony

Amany A. Farag

AIM: To describe and compare how nurses representing four age cohorts perceive their manager's leadership style and unit climate. BACKGROUND: The current workforce consists of nurses representing four generational cohorts. Nursing literature suggests that nurses from each age cohort think, behave and approach work differently. Limited empirical evidence, however, exists about how nurses from each age cohort perceive two aspects of their work environment: their managers' leadership style and unit climate. METHOD: This cross-sectional, descriptive survey was conducted using a convenience sample of 475 registered nurses working in different inpatient units in three community non-magnet hospitals. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Only …


Milwaukee Police Department Retirees: Cardiovascular Disease Risk And Morbidity Among Aging Law Enforcement Officers, Sandra Ramey, Nancy Downing, W. Franke Sep 2012

Milwaukee Police Department Retirees: Cardiovascular Disease Risk And Morbidity Among Aging Law Enforcement Officers, Sandra Ramey, Nancy Downing, W. Franke

Nancy R Downing

This study explored the self-reported prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and accompanying risk factors among 165 male retirees 43 years and older (M = 56.2, SD = 7.1) from the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) compared to 671 individuals of similar age and income who responded to the 2005 Wisconsin Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). CVD and other risk factors were more prevalent in the MPD retirees than the general population (CVD 15.2% vs. 9.5%, p = .036; hypertension 51.5% vs. 36.2%, p = .001; hypercholesterolemia 62.4% vs. 44.4%, p = .001; overweight and obesity 85.1% vs. 74.7%, p = …


The Evidence Base For Case Management Practice, E. Park, Diane Huber, H. Tahan Nov 2011

The Evidence Base For Case Management Practice, E. Park, Diane Huber, H. Tahan

Diane Huber

Little is known about the role performance of case managers, who come from a variety of professional disciplines. The purpose of this secondary analysis is to identify and compare case management (CM) activities and knowledge elements by professions and by work settings. In an online field survey conducted by the Commission for Case Manager Certification in 2004, 4,419 case managers rated the frequency and importance of 103 activities (8 domains) and 64 knowledge statements (6 domains). Nursing and social work showed a relatively similar pattern as to their role activities and knowledge factors for CM practice. Similar patterns were seen …


The Medical Outcomes Study: A Nursing Perspective, K. Kelly, Diane Huber, M. Johnson, J. Mccloskey, Meridean Maas Nov 2011

The Medical Outcomes Study: A Nursing Perspective, K. Kelly, Diane Huber, M. Johnson, J. Mccloskey, Meridean Maas

Diane Huber

The authors analyze the Medical Outcomes Study framework as a means of measuring the effectiveness of a multidimensional, interdisciplinary health care delivery system. The potential for this model to measure outcomes resulting from the interventions of nurses is demonstrated. The similarities between variables in the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) framework and in research in nursing are presented. Modifications in the framework are suggested that would represent the collaboration among physicians, nurses, and allied health practitioners and the influence of their interaction on patient outcomes. The authors also suggest adding the domain of societal outcomes to include such outcome variables as …


Case Managers' Roles And Functions: Commission For Case Manager Certification's 2004 Research, Part I, H. Tahan, Diane Huber, W. Downey Nov 2011

Case Managers' Roles And Functions: Commission For Case Manager Certification's 2004 Research, Part I, H. Tahan, Diane Huber, W. Downey

Diane Huber

The Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC) conducted its third case managers' role and functions study in 2004. The purpose of this research was to validate the currency and relevancy of the certified case manager examination. The results of this study are shared in 2 parts of an article. Part I discusses the process the CCMC used for the development of the Case Manager's Role and Functions Survey Instrument (CMRFSI). The research leads to the identification of 6 new essential functions and 6 new knowledge areas, which describe case management practice. These findings were based on the survey of a …


Exploring Nursing Home Staff's Perceptions Of Communication And Leadership To Facilitate Quality Improvement, Jill Scott-Cawiezell, M. Schenkman, L. Moore, C. Vojir, R. Connoly, M. Pratt, L. Palmer Nov 2011

Exploring Nursing Home Staff's Perceptions Of Communication And Leadership To Facilitate Quality Improvement, Jill Scott-Cawiezell, M. Schenkman, L. Moore, C. Vojir, R. Connoly, M. Pratt, L. Palmer

Jill Scott-Cawiezell

Leadership and clinical staff were surveyed to explore communication and leadership in nursing homes. Registered nurses and other professionals perceived communication as better than their nursing colleagues did. Overall, results suggest all factors of communication could improve. In terms of leadership, licensed practical nurses perceived less clarity of expectations, encouragement of initiative, and support than other groups. The study provides insight into what is organizationally necessary to improve quality of care in nursing homes.


An Exploration Of Nursing Home Organizational Processes, S. Forbes-Thompson, B. Gajewski, Jill Scott-Cawiezell, N. Dunton Nov 2011

An Exploration Of Nursing Home Organizational Processes, S. Forbes-Thompson, B. Gajewski, Jill Scott-Cawiezell, N. Dunton

Jill Scott-Cawiezell

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between nursing home staffs' perceptions of organizational processes (communication, teamwork, and leadership) with characteristics (turnover, tenure, and educational preparation) of the nursing home administrator (NHA) and director of nursing (DON). NHAs and DONs rate communication, teamwork, and leadership significantly higher than direct care staff do (registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nurse aides [CNAs]). CNAs have the lowest ratings of communication and teamwork. Turnover of the NHA and DON is significantly and negatively associated with communication and teamwork. Two thirds of DONs surveyed hold less than a baccalaureate degree; this …


Measuring Organizational Attributes Of Primary Care Practices: Development Of A New Instrument, P. Ohman-Strickland, A. Orzano, P. Nutting, W. Perry Dickinson, Jill Scott-Cawiezell, K. Hahn, M. Gibel, B. Crabtree Nov 2011

Measuring Organizational Attributes Of Primary Care Practices: Development Of A New Instrument, P. Ohman-Strickland, A. Orzano, P. Nutting, W. Perry Dickinson, Jill Scott-Cawiezell, K. Hahn, M. Gibel, B. Crabtree

Jill Scott-Cawiezell

OBJECTIVE: To develop an instrument to measure organizational attributes relevant for family practices using the perspectives of clinicians, nurses, and staff. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING: Clinicians, nurses, and office staff (n=640) from 51 community family medicine practices. DESIGN: A survey, designed to measure a practices' internal resources for change, for use in family medicine practices was created by a multidisciplinary panel of experts in primary care research and health care organizational performance. This survey was administered in a cross-sectional study to a sample of diverse practices participating in an intervention trial. A factor analysis identified groups of questions relating to latent …


Milwaukee Police Department Retirees: Cardiovascular Disease Risk And Morbidity Among Aging Law Enforcement Officers, Sandra L. Ramey, Nancy R. Downing, W. D. Franke Nov 2011

Milwaukee Police Department Retirees: Cardiovascular Disease Risk And Morbidity Among Aging Law Enforcement Officers, Sandra L. Ramey, Nancy R. Downing, W. D. Franke

Sandra L. Ramey

This study explored the self-reported prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and accompanying risk factors among 165 male retirees 43 years and older (M = 56.2, SD = 7.1) from the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) compared to 671 individuals of similar age and income who responded to the 2005 Wisconsin Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). CVD and other risk factors were more prevalent in the MPD retirees than the general population (CVD 15.2% vs. 9.5%, p = .036; hypertension 51.5% vs. 36.2%, p = .001; hypercholesterolemia 62.4% vs. 44.4%, p = .001; overweight and obesity 85.1% vs. 74.7%, p = …


Mother-Infant Breastfeeding Progress Tool: A Guide For Education And Support Of The Breastfeeding Dyad, T. Johnson, Pamela Mulder, K. Strube Oct 2011

Mother-Infant Breastfeeding Progress Tool: A Guide For Education And Support Of The Breastfeeding Dyad, T. Johnson, Pamela Mulder, K. Strube

Pamela J. Mulder

OBJECTIVE: To describe the development of the Mother-Infant Breastfeeding Progress Tool to be used at the bedside by nurses to guide ongoing support and education for the mother-baby dyad. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Community hospital in a Midwestern city. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-two English-speaking mother-infant dyads. METHODS: Three nurse raters (two per session) independently scored the eight characteristics on the Mother-Infant Breastfeeding Progress Tool during 81 breastfeeding sessions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Percent agreement between raters and suggested modifications for the Mother-Infant Breastfeeding Progress Tool. RESULTS: The results support the use of the tool as a checklist for assessment of the breastfeeding mother-infant …


Factors Associated With Academic Achievement In Children With Type 1 Diabetes, Ann Mccarthy, S. Lindgren, M. Mengeling, E. Tsalikian, J. Engvall Oct 2011

Factors Associated With Academic Achievement In Children With Type 1 Diabetes, Ann Mccarthy, S. Lindgren, M. Mengeling, E. Tsalikian, J. Engvall

Ann Marie McCarthy

OBJECTIVE: To examine academic achievement in children with diabetes and to identify predictors of achievement. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Participants were 244 children, ages 8-18 years, with type 1 diabetes. Measures included school-administered standardized achievement tests (Iowa Tests of Basic Skills and Iowa Tests of Educational Development [ITBS/ITED]), grade point averages (GPAs), school absences, behavioral assessment, age at disease onset, hospitalizations, and HbA(1c). Statistical differences between subgroups of children were evaluated using t test and ANOVA, statistically controlling for socioeconomic status. Regression analyses were carried out to examine predictors of academic performance. RESULTS: Reading scores and GPA were lower for …