Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Climate Change And Mental Health: What Can We Do?, Ann N. Welch

VCU Health Nursing

Climate change has been described as the defining health issue of this century. Many aspects of mental health are affected by the events related to the earth's warming climate. This poster presentation will identify ways in which climate change affects mental health and suggest concrete actions that can be taken to help to mitigate these effects.

Using Silicone Mesh To Mitigate Risk Of Forehead Pulse Ox Pressure Injuries, Patrick Alridge

VCU Health Nursing

Introduction

In the intensive care unit (ICU) setting, patients may require the use of a pulse ox probe on the forehead to obtain an appropriate oxygenation saturation reading. The pulse ox probe has two clear plastic sensors, through which the infrared light travels to measure oxygenation. Despite applying the sensor per manufacturer’s instructions and rotating the device location on the forehead more frequently than manufacturer recommendations, the sensor can still cause a medical device-related pressure injury.

Methods

Silicone mesh dressing is commonly used under wet to dry dressings or under negative pressure wound therapy dressings to prevent adherence of the …

What Matters Most: Cna Perspectives On Workforce Education, Professional Identity And Age-Friendly Care, Shannon Arnette, Annie Rhodes, Kimberly Ivey, Christian Bergman, Leland "Bert" Waters

Case Studies from Age in Action

Learning Objectives

1. Identify the gaps in current Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training in relation to Delirium, Dementia(s), and Depression (3D’s).

2. Identify CNA learning preferences.

3. Review the constructed tele-education training sessions that incorporate age-friendly care and What Matters Most (WMM) to participants in regards to the 3D’s.

4. Increase the CNAs’ competency and level of comfort working with individuals living with the 3D’s.

Recognizing And Responding To Abuse In Later Life: Feedback From Virginia’S Frontline, Sarah A. Marrs, Courtney O'Hara

Case Studies from Age in Action

Learning Objectives

1. To describe a research project aimed at understanding the recognition of and response to abuse in later life in the greater Richmond area

2. To discuss the structural factors that contribute to underidentification and under-resourcing of services that address abuse in later life

3. To discuss the relationship between ageism and abuse in later life

Coping With Macular Degeneration: Three Case Studies, Ajit D. Tiwari

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. Learn about the diagnosis and available treatments for Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

2. Explain the differences between Dry and Wet AMD.

3. Understand the impact of vision loss on the lives of older adults.

The Effects Of Clinical Depression On The Oral Health Of College Students, Delorias Perkins, Sarah Peng

Dental Hygiene Student Scholarship

Objectives: Mental health among college students has become a recent concern due to the rising cases of depression. In addition to the stress factors a typical college student often faces, we now have the COVID-19 pandemic that further exacerbates this issue. One’s state of mind has a significant impact on not only their mindset but their body overall. If the body’s health is impacted by depression, then it will influence the immune system and bodily function, ultimately affecting the oral cavity as well. The purpose of this review of literature is to identify the relationship between clinically diagnosed depression and …

Adult-Onset Alexander Disease Uncovered In A Previously Healthy Patient Presenting With Acute Stroke-Like Symptoms, Usaamah M. Khan, Matthew Barrett, Alex Dworetz Do

Graduate Medical Education (GME) Resident and Fellow Research Day Posters

Alexander Disease is a rare, often fatal, leukoencephalopathy of early childhood associated with a heterozygous mutation of the glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) gene. Adult-Onset Alexander Disease (AOAD) is an exceptionally rare leukoencephalopathy that often presents with slowly progressive brainstem and cervical cord dysfunction features. Acute onset of AOAD has only ever been reported three times in the literature. We report a case of acute onset AOAD in a patient that presented with bulbar symptoms and left hemiplegia initially concerning for acute stroke.

Patient And Provider-Level Factors That Underlie Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment Offer And Acceptance In Veterans With Cirrhosis, Nikki Duong

Graduate Medical Education (GME) Resident and Fellow Research Day Posters

Background: Untreated alcohol use disorder (AUD) is associated with poor cirrhosis outcomes. We evaluated factors associated with AUD treatment discussions and initiation in the Veterans Health Administration.

Methods: Chart reviews were conducted for veterans with International Classification of Diseases codes for both cirrhosis and AUD who were receiving care at one of three large medical centers in 2020. Factors associated with a 1-year offer of AUD treatment and its acceptance were assessed using regression models, which included as covariates demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and depression, as measured by the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-2) from the electronic health record.

Results: The cohort …

Characterizing Abdominal Pain In Patients With Gastroparesis, Dylan Vainer, Henry Parkman, Dariush Shahsavari

Graduate Medical Education (GME) Resident and Fellow Research Day Posters

TITLE: CHARACTERIZING ABDOMINAL PAIN IN PATIENTS WITH GASTROPARESIS

AUTHORS (LAST NAME, FIRST NAME): Vainer, Dylan¹; Shahsavari, Dariush²; Parkman, Henry P.²

INSTITUTIONS (ALL): 1. Section of Gastroenterology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States. 2. Temple University Health System Inc, Philadelphia, PA, United States.

ABSTRACT BODY: Introduction: Patients with gastroparesis (Gp) typically present with nausea, vomiting, and early satiety. Abdominal pain can be present in Gp. The cause of abdominal pain in patients with Gp is often unknown. In patients whose predominant symptom is abdominal pain, other causes of abdominal pain …

Lessons Learned From Inspire Super-Performers, Thomas H. Fitzpatrick Iv, Ryan S. Nord

Graduate Medical Education (GME) Resident and Fellow Research Day Posters

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine what demographic factors correlate with greater rates of upper airway stimulation adherence and efficacy.

Study Design: Case control study

Introduction:

Upper airway stimulation (UAS) is emerging as an effective procedure for select patients with obstructive sleep apnea. As initially studied, this procedure is reserved for those exhibiting body mass index (BMI)

Methods:

We queried a single surgeon’s database of UAS cases, totaling 97 at the time of study. The electronic medical record (EMR) was queried for each patient and pertinent demographics were recorded. We began by defining cohorts: super-adherers were …

Antinociceptive Effects Of G-Protein Biased Mu Opioid Receptor Agonists In Male And Female Rats With Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy, Tilak Patel Md

Graduate Medical Education (GME) Resident and Fellow Research Day Posters

Aim: Mu-opioid receptor (MOR) agonists are often prescribed for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy (CIN). Recent drug development strategies have focused on opioids with signaling profiles that “bias” activation of specific intracellular pathways (e.g., G-protein signaling) over others with the aim of increasing therapeutic selectivity. However, it is unknown if the variances in these signaling profiles at the MOR differentially modulate the antinociceptive effects of MOR agonists against neuropathic pain. In the present study, we tested a series of MOR agonists of varying G-protein signaling bias in a rat model of CIN. Methods: CIN was induced in male and female …

Firearm Curriculum For Pediatric Residents Improves Safe Storage Counseling, Hannah Hollon Md, Darina Dinov Do, Benjamin Sandifer Md, Scott Risney Md, Heemali Kamdar Do, Christopher Ferrante Do, Leroy Thacker Phd, Michael S. Ryan Md, Mehp, Elizabeth Wolf Md, Mph

Graduate Medical Education (GME) Resident and Fellow Research Day Posters

Objectives

Firearms are the leading cause of death among children and adolescents. Despite evidence to support physician training in firearm safety counseling, formal curricula are limited in pediatric residency programs. We sought to develop and implement a resident-led, feasible, sustainable, and impactful firearm safety curriculum for pediatric residents.

Methods

A firearm safety curriculum was developed by pediatric residents using Kern’s curriculum development framework and delivered to their peers at a single academic center from 2019 - 2020. The three-part series included workshops on basic firearm safety counseling principles, case-based practice, and advocacy training and a gun lock program in collaboration …

Assessing Opportunities To Improve Sedation/Analgesia Use In Neonatal Patients On Ecmo, Rita Hazboun, Prattyak Mukhopadhyay,, Vaneeza Khan, Miheret Yitayew, Nayef Chahin, Nada Darwish, Lisa Shaver, Jie Xu, Thacker Leroy, Karen Hendricks-Munoz

Graduate Medical Education (GME) Resident and Fellow Research Day Posters

Background: Sedation is used during ECMO to prevent agitation. Analgesia is used to dampen pain perception as neonatal procedural pain related stress is associated with later altered neurodevelopment with poorer perceptual reasoning and visual perception. Common sedatives/analgesics used during ECMO are opiates and benzodiazepines. Studies have shown that lipophilic drugs such as Fentanyl and Midazolam are significantly sequestered in the circuit suggesting opportunities to improve delivery for pain.

Hypothesis and Methods: We hypothesized opportunities to improve sedation/analgesia drug treatment in ECMO patients. Using a retrospective analysis of all neonatal patients receiving ECMO between 2015-2020, we aimed to assess the relationship …

Correlation Between Pitching Velocity And Plyometric Output, Landon Childers

Graduate Research Showcase

Baseball pitchers are constantly trying to find an edge to operate at peak performance. With many training techniques available intended to enhance performance, plyometrics should be strongly considered as this specific technique mirrors the explosive and ballistic nature of baseball. Plyometrics are defined as powerful muscular contractions after a rapid stretch or dynamic loading of the same muscle group. The purpose of this study was to provide further validation of using plyometrics to increase velocity in a baseball player’s pitch. In this study, a plyometrics exercise (vertical jump) was measured along with pitching velocity in 2 different sessions, separated by …

Obesity, Physical Activity And Prostate Cancer: An Overview, Joanna Kruk, Joshua Bernstein, Basil Aboul-Enein

Health & Wellness Department Faculty Publications and Research

Obesity and a lack of sufficient physical activity (PA) are recognized as risk factors for most civilization diseases, including cancer. This study synthesized the current evidence evaluating the relationship between excess body weight and prostate cancer (PCa) in the relation to the disease risk, progression, and mortality, and identifies biological plausibility of the association. We also estimated the importance of PA in intentional body weight loss. Several electronic major databases to identify eligible articles were searched until March 2022. A total 22 observational articles, the literature on the underlying biological mechanisms, and the crucial evidence of a role of PA …

Chargemasters In The Age Of Hospital Price Transparency, Anthony Drumm

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: The cost of health care services in the United States (U.S.) varies from state to state and facility to facility. The compilation of such costs and their associated codes is referred to as a chargemaster, or charge description master (CDM), and each is unique to an individual facility. . The implementation of the 2019 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Hospital Price Transparency Rule was an initial step toward consumer empowerment by making services more shoppable but published CDM data failed to present the information most pertinent to patients: total out-of-pocket costs and the availability of lower-cost alternatives. Initiatives …

The Effect Of Magnet Hospitals On Nursing Burnout, Jonathan Settle, Michael Davis

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Burnout has been a problem in health care for many years and it has particularly affected nurses. Nurse burnout was associated with worsened outcomes for nurses such as increased turnover or quitting and lower job satisfaction. There was a question as to how work environment and governance style influenced burnout.

Purpose of the study: The purpose of this research was to examine Magnet-designation status in U.S. hospitals, specifically shared governance and structural empowerment, and its effects on the rates of nurse burnout, nurse turnover, and job satisfaction of nurses.

Methodology: This study utilized a literature review. Four databases as …

Costs And Length Of Stay Associated With Treating Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, Kimberly Stanfield, Kylie Day

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome has been costly for the healthcare system, for every 19 minutes a baby was diagnosed in 2021. Costs and Length of Stay both had been increased for newborns diagnosed. Medically Assisted Treatment for expecting mothers has shown to decrease costs and length of stay for newborns with neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Methodology: This study utilized a literature review and a semi-structured interview. Three databases were used to collect 126 total sources. These sources were reviewed and reduced to 30 total sources that were used in the written research. Of these, 14 sources were used in the results …

Impact Of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy On Military Suicide Rates, Madison Lett, Jamia Bird

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Suicide has been labeled a serious public health dilemma in the United States. Military personnel have suicide rates greater than non-military individuals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has been used as a means to help military personnel to overcome suicidal thoughts and feelings.

Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on military patients’ mental health and how it affects the rate of suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and deaths by suicide in military patients.

Methodology: This study utilized a literature review and a semi-structured interview with a Veteran Affairs social worker. …

Childhood Obesity And Adverse Childhood Experiences: The Role Of Medicaid Expansion, Sonya Dunlap

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Obesity was defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) over the 95th percentile as determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Childhood obesity has been a worldwide concern, but has disproportionately affected the socioeconomically disadvantaged, racial/ethical minorities, and rural children. The presence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) contributed to social and health problems. ACEs included the areas of domestic violence, mental illness, neighborhood violence, parent or guardian death, divorce or separation, parent or guardian incarceration, and substance misuse.

Purpose of Study: The purpose of this research was to compare the ACEs scores with childhood …

Covid-19 Financial Consequences In United States Hospitals, Hannah T. Osburn, Murat Mert Solakoglu, Gretel Toloza Alvarez

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Since the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, United States (U.S.) hospitals have struggled to stay financially afloat amid the constant battle with unprecedented circumstances and financial consequences from the pandemic. The purpose of this research was to analyze the financial consequences of COVID-19 for U.S. hospitals to determine the impact on the number of inpatient cases, length of stay (LOS), surgeries performed, and operating expenses. The hypothesis was that U.S. hospitals were financially affected by the consequences of COVID-19, having more inpatient cases, increased LOS, fewer surgeries performed, and higher operating expenses.

Methodology: The methodology for this …

Sars-Cov-2 And Its Impact On Emergency Medicine, Abby Fowler

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic impacted hospitals and healthcare workers throughout the world. This research sought to determine how the pandemic affected the mental health of healthcare workers in critical care, primarily because of hospitals’ focus on finances instead of healthcare workers’ mental well-being. This research included extensive literature review as well as a semi-structured interview with an emergency medicine physician in Ashland, KY, who worked before the COVID-19 pandemic and during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was hypothesized that as hospitals attempted to focus primarily on recovering financial losses incurred from the pandemic, the mental health of clinicians fell through the …

Current And Novel Neuroregenerative Therapies, Arrin Brooks

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Underlying the physical and cognitive deficits consequent of many neuropathologies is one common factor, the loss of neurons. While neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, and traumatic brain injury arise from a variety of etiologies, they all ultimately result in injury and/or death of neuronal cells and concomitant functional deficits. In the present work we primarily focus on current and potential treatments for localized lesions, particularly those in the striatum of Parkinson’s disease (PD) or the cortex as in stroke. First, we discuss a new surgical technique for deep brain stimulator (DBS) placement, as DBS is a mainstay treatment for movement disorders including …

The Role Of Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (Ends) Flavorants On Nicotine Addiction And Neurological Function, Skylar Yvette Cooper

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death worldwide, with nearly half a million deaths per year in the United States alone. Of the 70% of adult smokers in the United States that desire to quit, only ~7% are successful. The long-standing use and dependence of these products, despite known health consequences, is primarily attributed to the nicotine-induced neurobiological and neurophysiological adaptations that take place during chronic use. Adolescent nicotine exposure alters the developing brain while also priming the brain for other drug addictions later in life. Though nicotine-induced reinforcement, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) upregulation, and enhanced …

Perceptions Of Directors Of Dietetic Internships Concerning Challenges To Meet Accreditation Council For Education In Nutrition And Dietetics Core Competencies, Timothy David Bender

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Competency-based education is used in several healthcare profession educational programs. Competency-based education has been at the forefront of dietetics education for several years and continues to this day. It is used in the undergraduate programs as well as in dietetic internships. The mastery of these competencies reflects the skillset a student or intern has achieved to be ready to advance to the next level. For an undergraduate student, mastery of all undergraduate competencies would indicate the ability to graduate the program and be eligible to apply to a dietetic internship. For a dietetic intern, mastery of all competencies would indicate …

Investigation Of The Effects Of Prenatal Drug Exposure On Astrocyte-Mediated Synaptogenic Signaling, Taylor Christian Boggess

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

One of the most significant outcomes of the rise in rates of opioid abuse in the United States has been a dramatic increase in the incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), the clinical diagnosis for the collection of withdrawal-like signs and symptoms commonly observed in the newborns of mothers who abused certain drugs, such as opioids, during pregnancy. While a great deal of research has investigated the short-term symptoms and potential treatments for NAS, including my own studies to identify emerging trends among a local population of NAS patients, there remains a critical need to investigate the long-term effects of …

Experiences In Remote Learning: Perceptions Of West Virginia Educators During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Craig Edward Arch

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

In March 2020, the threat of illness caused by Covid-19 prompted West Virginia Governor Jim Justice to abruptly close public schools statewide. Instruction was delivered remotely for the remainder of the 2019 – 2020 school year and sporadically across the state during the 2020-2021 school year with educators holding class meetings and delivering instruction where technology and a reliable internet connection were available. Gaining understanding as it relates to a teacher’s remote learning experience may provide insight into how administrators can prepare for future interruptions in in-person instruction. Identifying specific areas teachers felt were challenging or stressful may provide a …

Adhd In Romantic Relationships: Exploring Relational Dialectics In Mixed-Neurotype Couples, Katherine Dotten

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to understand the way romantic relationship tensions are communicated between partners in couples affected by Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Extant research asserts that the presence of ADHD in one relational partner of romantic relationships is associated with relational dissatisfaction, poor relational communication practices, and a higher risk for dissolution of the relationship (Bruner et al., 2015; Eakin et al., 2004; Robin & Payson, 2002). Little effort has been made to understand what can be done to mitigate these risks. The present study focused on the communication practices at work in four cohabiting, romantic …

A Systems Approach To Dissecting The Role Of The Mucosal Microbiome In Disease, Lexie Christine Blalock

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The microbial community harbored by the mammalian gastrointestinal tract, collectively called the gut microbiota, plays a critical role in host health, metabolism, and immunity. Quantifiable changes in the gut microbiota have been implicated in a myriad of pathologies, including autoimmune, metabolic, and neurodegenerative diseases. Because of the gut microbiota’s plasticity, manipulating this community for therapeutic benefit presents as a novel strategy to combat modern diseases. Yet, only a fraction of the total microbial diversity that exists within the gut has been successfully cultured in a laboratory, leaving the clinical implications and functional attributes of many gut microbes undetermined. To address …

Proposal For A Formal Pediatric Abuse Screening Tool For The Emergency Department, Christina Bolin

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Implementation of a quick, reliable pediatric child abuse assessment tool for use in the emergency department is of great importance. A thorough assessment of all pediatric patients presenting to the emergency department (ED), regardless of complaint, should become second nature in order to recognize the signs of child abuse. Because a tool of this nature is lacking in many ED's, the Escape Instrument is needed. This instrument is a successful, efficient screening tool that can be applied to all pediatric patients during triage in the emergency department. This tool will allow the emergency department staff to quickly identify children under …