Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Chancellor Messages_Unwinding From Covid-19, Dannel P. Malloy

Chancellor

Message to the University of Maine System community from Chancellor Dannel P. Malloy regarding the current situation with COVID-19 and University of Maine System responses.

Socioeconomic Status And Cognitive Function: What Is The Role Of Social Stress?, Zoe Prats

Honors College

Higher socioeconomic status (SES), as indicated by income, educational attainment, and/or occupational class, has been consistently related to higher late-life cognition; however, why and how these variables are related remain unclear. As low-SES individuals experience more stressful life events and perceive these events to be more stressful than their higher-SES counterparts, patterns of stress exposures and reactivity may in part explain this gradient. Thus, the goal of this study was to characterize the relationship between educational attainment and global cognition in a sample of older adults and determine whether social stress - a composite of family stress, spouse/partner stress, and …

Assessing State Communication Of Resources And Education Effectiveness For Well Owners In Northern Maine: A Case Study, James Greenwood

Honors College

Private well water is an essential resource in the state of Maine, as over 38% of

the state’s population relies on it every day (Johnson et al. 2020). Unprotected by the provisions of the national Clean Water Act of 1974, which keeps public drinking water sources safe through regulation, well owners have to protect themselves against harmful environmental contaminants that threaten their water. However, as noted by research and leaders in the drinking water field, well owners generally have low well testing behaviors, leaving their safety up to fate. A common reason for this, as research as observed more than …

Covid-19 President Memo_Maine Memo - Giving Thanks For Our Communities, Joan Ferrini-Mundy

Office of the President

Message from Joan Ferrini-Mundy, University of Maine President to the University of Maine community regarding the Thanksgiving break and the increase in COVID-19 cases.

Children's Center_Updated Protocol For Close Contacts-Chapel, Kimberly Dodge-Cummings

Children's Center

Email from Kimberly Dodge-Cummings, University of Maine: Children's Center Director regarding changes to protocols put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Naloxone Administration And Relationship To Opioid Overdose Outcomes, Devon Kane, Allison Mendonca, Leah Wald

Non-Thesis Student Work

This study aimed to look at naloxone administration in opioid overdose patients age 18-35 and its effect on patient outcomes in healthcare settings. From 1999 to 2018, deaths due to opioid overdoses experienced a six-fold increase in the United States. Naloxone is now being used in over 1% of all emergency medical service (EMS) encounters nationwide and EMS use is associated with subsequent overdose due to not receiving the community resources from the local emergency department (ED). Databases used were Umaine One Search, Nursing Reference Center Plus, and Cinahl Full Text Search. Search terms and phrases included, “naloxone availability,” “narcan,” …

Effectiveness Of Harm Reduction On Substance Abuse In Homeless Adults, Isabella I. Farnese, Madison M. Fitts, Bailey T. Carter

Non-Thesis Student Work

In addressing the high-risk substance misuse and addictive disorders that have emerged as a public health crisis over the last 40 years, we looked into the following evidence based PICOT question: In homeless adults are harm reduction therapies compared to preventative therapies effective in reducing the rate of substance abuse in one year? Harm reduction therapy is an alternative approach that aims to decrease direct and indirect harm associated with drug use without necessarily preventing drug consumption. This form of therapy is guided by clinical ethics to institute policies and services, such as naloxone availability and clean needle exchanges for …

Healthcare Workers On A Rotating Schedule Experiencing Burnout, Sunni Holland, Isabelle Boria, Samantha Hamblen

Non-Thesis Student Work

In addressing the burnout symptoms seen in a healthcare workers and how their shift time intensifies those symptoms, we ask the following evidence-based PICOT question: In (P) healthcare workers within the first five years of employment, is there evidence that suggests (I) rotating between night and day shifts compared to (C) a fixed schedule impacts the (O) presence of burnout symptoms? Healthcare professionals work shifts to cover the full 24 hours of care required for patients. The majority of workers will work 12 hour shifts in either the day or night hours. In workers that rotate between the shifts it …

Increased Access To Physical Activity For School-Aged Children In Community Settings, Kathleen Cobb, Alexandra Peary, Ashley Ricker, Leah Wilcox

Non-Thesis Student Work

Childhood obesity has reached unprecedented levels in the United States, which often continues into adulthood. Physical activity (PA) has shown to be an effective strategy in combating obesity in children by improving cardiovascular health and decreasing metabolic disease in adulthood. This literature review explored the effect of increased access to PA opportunities in community settings on the amount of time children ages 5-18 spent being physically active. Search of the literature included Google Scholar and CINAHL databases using the following terms: “child*,” “obesity,” “physical activity OR exercise,” “built environment,” and “school.” Inclusion criteria included peer-reviewed articles published from 2017-2022 with …

Improving Retention Rates Of New Graduate Nurses, Rebekah B. Littlefield, Courtney Kelsey, Sophia Howrey

Non-Thesis Student Work

The purpose of this project is to explore if pairing (P) new grad nurses (I) with a similar personality nurse preceptor (C) as compared to a randomly assigned nurse preceptor (O) improves retention rates (T) over a 24-month period? Nursing has been recognized as a highly stressful profession that can lead to early career burnout. New nurses have reported an intention to leave the profession due to high-stress levels from unrealistic career expectations. Studies have shown that having a supported, planned, and consistent residency program for new nurses will increase retention of the nurses at the beginning of their careers. …

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: Eat, Sleep, Console Vs Methadone, Isabel Henderson, Sarah Callahan, Joy Kempf

Non-Thesis Student Work

In addressing the growing rates of newborn admissions with neonatal abstinence syndrome the following evidence-based PICOT question was addressed: In neonates with neonatal abstinence syndrome, how effective is methadone compared to the eat, sleep, console model in controlling withdrawal symptoms during the postnatal period? The high rate of opioid use across the United States has directly impacted the growing incidence rate of neonatal abstinence syndrome. Diagnoses in the United States have increased from 1.2 per 1000 births in 2000 to 5.8 per 1000 births in 2012 and are still growing (Grossman et al., 2018). Due to this dramatic increase, the …

Decreasing Black Maternal Mortality Rate, Gabriella J. Bermeo, Kate Bragg, Jessica Duranko, Susannah Gaines

Non-Thesis Student Work

Abstract

The drastic difference in Black maternal mortality rates (MMR) compared to White MMR has begged the question: For pregnant Black women, how does access to quality prenatal care and screenings for common pregnancy complications, such as pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), affect the maternal mortality rate compared to pregnant Black women of childbearing age that do not receive quality prenatal care and screenings? Studies have shown the Black MMR to be 3.55 times that of the White MMR, with three in five maternal deaths being preventable. A correlation exists between poor use of prenatal care services and adverse maternal outcomes. …

Seasonal Affective Disorder Treatment: Light Therapy Versus Ssri Therapy, Gabriella M. Hinde, Hannah Dyer, Ash Werner, Michaela Cisowski

Non-Thesis Student Work

To determine the effect of pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments for seasonal depression in college students, we asked the following evidence-based PICO question: In college students (ages 18-25) with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), how does SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) therapy compared to light therapy affect seasonal depression syndrome? Seasonal affective disorder is synonymously used with the terminology seasonal depression due to the clinical manifestations that encompass depression, such as low energy, feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness. SAD begins in the fall months and peaks in the winter months due to a decrease in Vitamin D and ultraviolet (UV) ray …

Psychedelic Therapy Versus Antidepressants For Treating Chronic Depression, Louisy Silva, Lasse Struppe, Jared Proulx

Non-Thesis Student Work

More than 18 million people in the United States suffer from depression, making it the number one cause of disability. Depression is the primary reason why every 14 minutes someone dies from suicide, creating an epidemic. Since the introduction of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) such as Prozac 30 years ago, only minor variations of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) antidepressants have been developed. Unfortunately, over 50% of individuals do not respond to antidepressants. In order to fight back against the mental health epidemic, a need exists to innovate new ways to fight chronic depression. …

Covid-19 President_University Of Maine, University Of Maine At Machias Health And Safety Reminders, Joan Ferrini-Mundy

Office of the President

Message from Joan Ferrini-Mundy, University of Maine President to the University of Maine community regarding the availability of COVID-19 vaccinations.

Covid-19_Health And Safety Guidance_Fall 2022 Webpages, University Of Maine

FAQ & Health Advisory

Screenshots of the University of Maine health and safety guidance webpage with information related to Fall 2022 semester information and updates.

Utilization Of Creativity-Based Interventions To Combat Nursing Burnout, Heather J. Webb, Pamela Burhoe, Ryan Johnson, Brenna Milliken

Non-Thesis Student Work

In addressing the potential for a creative writing practice to serve as an effective intervention against nurse burnout, we ask the following research question: In RNs who have practiced between 2-10 years, does participation in a creative writing program decrease burnout symptoms compared to nurses who do not participate within a time frame of one year. Burnout syndrome is a collective term that encompasses many subcategories that result in negative attitudes towards patients and coworkers, as well as increased turnover rates. Burnout syndrome was already a significant concern before the COVID-19 pandemic because of the high demand and stress of …

Covid-19_Umaine News_Times Record Interviews Wheeler About Covid-19 Wastewater Testing, University Of Maine Division Of Marketing And Communications

Division of Marketing & Communications

Screenshot of UMaine in the News regarding Robert Wheeler, associate professor of microbiology at the Department of Molecular and Biological Sciences, speaking with the Times Record about how wastewater testing helps the presence of COVID-19 in a community.

Children's Center_Chapel Covid-19 Testing, Kimberly Dodge-Cummings

Children's Center

Email from Kimberly Dodge-Cummings, University of Maine: Children's Center Director regarding the Children's Center no longer participating in test-to-stay for the Preschool and Chapel programs which was out in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Covid-19_Umaine News_Umaine Study Finds Connection Between Partisan Politics And Effective Face Mask Production During Pandemic, University Of Maine Division Of Marketing And Communications

Division of Marketing & Communications

Screenshot of UMaine in the News regarding a study published by new faculty Matthew and Natalia Magnani in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Maine found that specifics of homemade face mask production were different depending on a state’s political affiliation and changed throughout the country with increased political polarization.

University Of Maine Athletics_Maine Athletics Announces New, Relaxed Covid Policy Email, University Of Maine Athletics

Athletics Department

UMaine Athletic News email regarding the changing of COVID-19 policies, specifically that was no longer a requirement to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to enter Alfond Arena or The Pit at Memorial Gymnasium. And that face coverings were no longer required.

Collins Center For The Arts_Announcing A New, Relaxed Covid Policy Email, University Of Maine Collins Center For The Arts

Collins Center

Email from the University of Maine's Collins Center for the Arts detailing the relaxing of COVID-19 protocols and guidelines put in place at the Center in response to University of Maine System guidance.

Chancellor Messages_Chancellor's Fall Covid-19 Message, Dannel P. Malloy

Chancellor

Message to the University of Maine System community from Chancellor Dannel P. Malloy regarding the current situation with COVID-19 and University of Maine System responses.

Collins Center For The Arts_Covid-19 Policies Webpage, University Of Maine Collins Center For The Arts

Collins Center

Screenshot of University of Maine's Collins Center for the Arts webpage detailing the relaxing of COVID-19 protocols and guidelines put in place at the Center in response to University of Maine System guidance.

Human Cryptosporidiosis: A Review And Staining Method, Amatullah Ahmad

Honors College

Cryptosporidiosis is increasingly emerging as the most significant cause of infectious diarrhea in humans and livestock. In humans, studies show that Cryptosporidiosis disease is more prevalent in the immunocompromised and young ones. However, outbreaks from contaminated water sources have caused disease in healthy adults, too. Two main species of the protozoan causative agent,Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis are responsible for most human infections. Cattle, pets, mice, and other livestock can transmit theCryptosporidiumparvumvariantsto humans through fecal transmission. Other species of Cryptosporidium can infect domestic animals, but their host range is narrow; therefore, they are not of significant concern to human health. …

Ums_Community Guidance_Students_Covid-19 Fall 2022 Vaccination Requirements, University Of Maine System

Community Guidance

Screenshot of webpage part of the "Together for Maine" University of Maine System providing information regarding vaccination requirements for the fall semester 2022.

Ums_Community Guidance_Employees_University Of Maine System Covid-19 Employee Vaccination Protocols, University Of Maine System

Community Guidance

Screenshot of webpage part of the "Together for Maine" University of Maine System guidance regarding vaccination protocols for employees.

Ums_Community Guidance_Students_Quarantine, Isolation, And Support Services, University Of Maine System

Community Guidance

Screenshot of webpage part of the "Together for Maine" University of Maine System with guidance on quarantine, isolation, and support services for students.

Ums_Community Guidance_Everyone_General Information Regarding Fall 2022 Programs, Visitor Access And Protocols, Visitor And Event Vaccination Requirements, Pandemic Protocols And Overall University Operations, University Of Maine System

Community Guidance

Screenshot of webpage part of the "Together for Maine" University of Maine System general information regarding fall 2022 programs, visitor access and protocols, visitor and event vaccination requirements, pandemic protocols and overall University operations.

Hr_On-Campus Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic June 21–24 Email, University Of Maine Office Of Human Resources

University of Maine Communications

Email from University of Maine Office of Human Resources regarding on-campus COVID-19 vaccination clinic being held on campus from 1:30–3 p.m., June 21–24, 2022.