Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Research Highlights, Shruti Jain Vij, Charu Sehgal

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Research Highlights

Real-World Impact Of Latanoprostene Bunod Ophthalmic Solution 0.024% In Glaucoma Therapy: A Narrative Review, W. Daniel Stamer, Thomas Chiu, Da-Wen Lu, Tsing Hong Wang, Prin Rojanapongpun, Ngamkae Ruangvaravate, Youn Hye Jo, Marlene R. Moster, Murray Fingeret, Nora Lee Cothran, Jessica Steen, Ian B. Gaddie, Ömür Uçakhan-Gündüz, Wesam S. Shalaby, Cindy M. L. Hutnik

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

Latanoprostene bunod ophthalmic solution (LBN) 0.024% is a topical nitric oxide (NO)-donating prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) analog first approved in November 2017 for reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with ocular hypertension (OHT) or open-angle glaucoma (OAG). This narrative review describes the unique mechanism of action of LBN and summarizes available real-world data. Upon instillation, LBN is metabolized into latanoprost acid and butanediol mononitrate, which is further reduced to NO and an inactive metabolite. Latanoprost acid increases aqueous humor outflow primarily through the uveoscleral (unconventional) pathway, whereas NO increases outflow through the trabecular (conventional) pathway. Eight studies were identified: 2 …

The Emergence Of Human Primordial Germ Cell-Like Cells In Stem Cell-Derived Gastruloids, Jitesh Neupane, Gabriele Lubatti, Theresa Gross-Thebing, Mayra Luisa Ruiz Tejada Segura, Richard Butler, Sargon Gross-Thebing, Sabine Dietmann, Antonio Scialdone, M Azim Surani

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Most advances in early human postimplantation development depend on animal studies and stem cell-based embryo models. Here, we present self-organized three-dimensional human gastruloids (hGs) derived from embryonic stem cells. The transcriptome profile of day 3 hGs aligned with Carnegie stage 7 human gastrula, with cell types and differentiation trajectories consistent with human gastrulation. Notably, we observed the emergence of nascent primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs), but without exogenous bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling, which is essential for the PGCLC fate. A mutation in the

Characterization Of Hepatic Pathology During Azoxymethane-Induced Acute Liver Failure, Shadikchhya Maya Bhattarai, Ashwin Jhawer, Gabriel Frampton, Eleonora Troyanovskaya, Sharon Demorrow, Matthew Mcmillin

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Acute liver failure (ALF) is a loss of liver function due to a severe hepatic insult. Studies utilizing the azoxymethane (AOM) mouse model of ALF, which also generates hepatic encephalopathy, have primarily focused on development of neurological deficits. However, the molecular processes that generate liver damage have not been fully characterized. Therefore, a more comprehensive characterization of the hepatic consequences of AOM toxicity is needed to better understand this disease model.

Aim: To identify molecular pathology contributing to hepatic injury during the progression of AOM-induced ALF.

Methods: C57BL/6 mice were injected with AOM to produce ALF and hepatic encephalopathy. …

Pulmonary Function Testing In Pediatric Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients To Monitor For Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome: A Systematic Review, William A Gower, Maximiliano Tamae-Kakazu, Shivanthan Shanthikumar, Saumini Srinivasan, Erin E Reardon, Amisha V Barochia, Edward Charbek, Charlotte Calvo, Pi Chun Cheng, Shailendra Das, Stella M Davies, Jessica Gross, Ajay Sheshadri, Christoper T Towe, Samuel B Goldfarb, Narayan P Iyer

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) represents a significant source of morbidity and non-relapse mortality among children and young adults treated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT). Pulmonary function testing (PFT) pre- and post-aHSCT may allow for pre-symptomatic detection of BOS, and thus early intervention. Current guidelines and practices vary regarding which tests to perform and timing relative to transplant. A systematic review evaluating PFT before and after pediatric aHSCT was conducted to inform American Thoracic Society clinical practice guidelines on detection of BOS.

Objective: To determine the optimal approach to conducting PFT prior to and after pediatric aHSCT.

Study …

The Influence Of Improved Access To Alcohol-Based Hand Rub And Hand Hygiene Training In Healthcare Facilities On Hand Hygiene Adherence In Belize During Covid-19: June 2021-August 2022., Kelsey Mcdavid, Anh N Ly, Nicholas Bivens, Francis Morey, Gerhaldine Morazan, Russell Manzanero, Melissa Musa-Diaz, Alexandra Medley, Kristy O Murray, Matthew J Lozier

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Access to hand hygiene (HH) resources in clinical settings is important to prevent healthcare-associated infections, including COVID-19. However, many countries, including Belize, have limited national data on the availability of HH resources and healthcare worker (HCW) hand hygiene adherence (HHA) in healthcare facilities (HCFs). We conducted a study in the 11 largest public HCFs across Belize to evaluate access to HH resources and HHA before and after an intervention (provision of alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) wall mounts and HH training). Descriptive statistics and multilevel logistic regressions were used to assess changes in HH resources and HHA from baseline to follow-up …

Enhancing Lymphoma Staging: Unveiling The Potential And Challenges Of Whole-Body Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Mohadese Ahmadzade, Mohammad Ghasemi-Rad

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

In this editorial, we comment on the article by Lambert et al, published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Radiology. The focus of the editorial is to explore the advancements in whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) technology, its current clinical applications, and the challenges that must be addressed to fully realize its potential in oncological imaging. WB-MRI has emerged as a pivotal tool in oncological imaging, offering comprehensive disease assessment without ionizing radiation. Its applications span the detection of bone metastases, evaluation of hematologic malignancies, and staging of a wide range of cancers, including lymphoma, …

Dock2 Deficiency And Gata2 Haploinsufficiency Can Underlie Critical Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Pneumonia, Sajjad Biglari, Leila Youssefian, Mohammad Amin Tabatabaiefar, Amir Hossein Saeidian, Bahareh Abtahi-Naeini, Erfan Khorram, Roya Sherkat, Atefeh Sohanforooshan Moghaddam, Fatemeh Mohaghegh, Maziyar Rahimi, Hamid Rahimi, Sharareh Babaei, Mohammad Shahrooei, Nikoo Mozafari, Shirin Zaresharifi, Fatemeh Vahidnezhad, Vida Homayouni, Lam C Tsoi, Johann E Gudjonsson, Hakon Hakonarson, Jean-Laurent Casanova, Emmanuelle Jouanguy, Vivien Béziat, Qian Zhang, Aurélie Cobat, Hassan Vahidnezhad

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The life-threatening coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affects about 1 in 1,000 healthy people under 50 without underlying conditions. Among patients with critical COVID-19 pneumonia, rare germline variants at genes controlling type I IFN immunity have been reported in up to 5% of patients. Causal etiologies in 80-85% of cases are still unknown. We analyzed two families with hypoxemic COVID-19 pneumonia for known single-gene inborn errors of immunity. In Family 1, two siblings with critical COVID-19 were homozygous for a DOCK2 variant, c.3624+5G>A. DOCK2 deficiency is a known T-cell disorder underlying severe viral diseases. The variant resulted in skipping exon …

Cigarette Smoke Induces Angiogenic Activation In The Cancer Field Through Dysregulation Of An Endothelial Microrna, Asawari Korde, Anuradha Ramaswamy, Seth Anderson, Lei Jin, Jian-Ge Zhang, Buqu Hu, Walter V Velasco, Lixia Diao, Jing Wang, Margaret A Pisani, Maor Sauler, Daniel J Boffa, Jonathan T Puchalski, Xiting Yan, Seyed Javad Moghaddam, Shervin S Takyar

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Cigarette smoke (CS) creates a "cancer field" in the lung that promotes malignant transformation. The molecular changes within this field are not fully characterized. We examined the significance of microRNA-1 (miR-1) downregulation as one of these changes. We found that tumor miR-1 levels in three non-small cell lung cancer cohorts show inverse correlations with the smoking burden. Lung MiR-1 levels follow a spatial gradient, have prognostic significance, and correlate inversely with the molecular markers of injury. In CS-exposed lungs, miR-1 is specifically downregulated in the endothelium. Exposure to CS induces angiogenesis by selectively degrading mature miR-1 via a vascular endothelial …

Sitc Strategic Vision: Prevention, Premalignant Immunity, Host And Environmental Factors, Sasha E Stanton, Kristin G Anderson, Tullia C Bruno, Christian M Capitini, Mary L Disis, Jennifer Mcquade, Laszlo Radvanyi, Claire Vanpouille-Box, Jennifer Wargo, Kelly J Baines, Megan M Y Hong, Adnan Rajeh, Raymond H Kim, Phillip Awadalla, Lauren K Hughes, Saman Maleki Vareki

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Cancer immunotherapy has improved the survival of a subset of patients by harnessing the power of the immune system to find and destroy malignant cells. The immune system also protects the host by destroying developing premalignant and malignant tumors. Advancing our knowledge of premalignant immunity and immune changes seen in lesions that develop into invasive cancer versus those that regress offers an exciting opportunity to leverage the immune system for immune prevention and immune interception of premalignancy. Understanding the immune environment of premalignant lesions and how chronic inflammation plays a central role in the evolution of premalignancy is essential for …

Effects Of Prebiotic Phytocompound Administration In Gestational Diabetic Dams And Its Influence On Offspring Cognitive Outcomes, Gayathri Jagadeesan, Tushar K Das, Jennifer M Mendoza, Ghalya Alrousan, Maria P Blasco-Conesa, Parimelazhagan Thangaraj, Bhanu Priya Ganesh

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GD)-induced gut dysbiosis in pregnant mothers may increase the risk of cognitive impairment and neurological disorders in both the mother and offspring as they age. Restoring gut balance could improve cognitive outcomes for both. Despite advancements in GD treatment, side effects have increased, and long-term neurocognitive impacts on offspring born to GD mothers remain underexplored. This study uses a GD mouse model, inducing pancreatic dysfunction in 3-month-old pregnant C57BL/6J mice with Streptozotocin. The efficacy and mechanism of the prebiotic phytocompound green leaf extract (

Assessing Cancer Therapeutic Efficacy In Vivo Using [2h7]Glucose Deuterium Metabolic Imaging, Mario C Chang, Vinay R Malut, Rohit Mahar, Anna Rushin, Marc A Mcleod, Geraldine L Pierre, Indu R Malut, Stephen J Staklinski, Max E Glanz, Mukundan Ragavan, Gaurav Sharma, Manoj Madheswaran, Arshee Badar, Aparna D Rao, Brian K Law, Michael S Kilberg, James H P Collins, Vikram D Kodibagkar, James A Bankson, Ralph J Deberardinis, Matthew E Merritt

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Metabolic imaging produces powerful visual assessments of organ function in vivo. Current techniques can be improved by safely increasing metabolic contrast. The gold standard, 2-[18F]fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) imaging, is limited by radioactive exposure and sparse assessment of metabolism beyond glucose uptake and retention. Deuterium magnetic resonance imaging (DMRI) with [6,6-2H2]glucose is nonradioactive, achieves tumor metabolic contrast, but can be improved by enriched contrast from deuterated water (HDO) based imaging. Here, we developed a DMRI protocol employing [2H7]glucose. Imaging 2H-signal and measuring HDO production in tumor-bearing mice detected differential glucose utilization across baseline tumors, tumors treated with vehicle control or …

Systemic Antitumor Immune Response Of Doped Yttria Nanoscintillators Under Low-Dose X-Ray Irradiation, Onur Sahin, Yuri Mackeyev, Geraldine V Vijay, Soumyabrata Roy, Ashokkumar Meiyazhagan, Yasmin Zahra, Okan Tezcan, Valeria Gonzalez, Belal Abousaida, Holden R Wagner, Pearl Fernandes, Riaz Mowzoon-Mogharrabi, Bhanu P Venkatesulu, Cheng-En Hsieh, Joseph B K Kim, Subhiksha Raghuram, Xiang Zhang, Kristen A Miller, Guanhui Gao, Pankaj K Singh, Sang Hyun Cho, Rao V L Papineni, Pulickel M Ajayan, Sunil Krishnan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Inadequate light penetration in tissues restricts photodynamic therapy to treating only superficial tumors. To enable x-ray-excited photodynamic therapy (XPDT) that targets deep-seated tumors, we synthesized a nanoscintillator-photosensitizer complex containing 5% Eu-doped Y2O3 fluorescing at 611 nanometers and decorated with SiO2 containing the scintillation-coupled photosensitizer methylene blue and a polyethylene glycol coating [PEGylated Y2O3:Eu@SiO2-methylene blue (pYSM)]. When irradiated, pYSMs generate singlet oxygen species in vitro, causing cytotoxicity with hallmarks of immunogenic cell death (calreticulin translocation to the cell membrane). Intravenously administered pYSMs home passively to pancreatic tumor xenografts and, upon 10 gray irradiation, cause significant tumor regression (P < 0.01). On combining XPDT with anti-PD1 immunotherapy, a distant nonirradiated tumor also regresses via an increase in intratumoral activated CD8+ cytotoxic T cells. Collectively, we advance a systemically delivered XPDT strategy that mediates an antitumor effect in both irradiated and nonirradiated (abscopal) tumors when coupled with immunotherapy, converting an immunologically "cold" tumor to an immunologically "hot" tumor.

Use Of Telemetry In A Non-Critical Care Setting, Edna A. Howerton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This clinical practice guideline (CPG) project was developed for best utilization of telemetry. In order to diagnose arrhythmias and ischemic changes in the heart, continuous cardiac monitoring or telemetry is crucial. The practice-focused question was, “Does the evidence support the development and quality scoring of a CPG using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) instrument, that is also approved for use in the practice setting by end users?” The purpose of this doctoral project was to create a CPG to offer the best evidence for practice and optimal approaches to improve the effective utilization of …

O The Places Rural Children Will Go…To Get Physical Activity: A Cross Sectional Analysis., Bethany Forseth, Jordan A. Carlson, Adrian Ortega, Chelsea Steel, Brittany Lancaster, Lauren Fitzpatrick, Qianxia Jiang, Ann M. Davis

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

PURPOSE: Youth living in rural areas have higher risk for overweight/obesity. It is important to understand where these children engage in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time to encourage or intervene on activity in specific locations. This study compared MVPA and sedentary time across locations among children with overweight/obesity in the rural Midwest of the U.S.

METHODS: Participants wore an accelerometer and Global Positioning System tracker over 7-days to collect data on MVPA, sedentary time, and location. Locations were categorized as Home, Home Neighborhood, School, School Neighborhood, and 'Other'. Differences based on school and non-school days were examined.

RESULTS: …

The Effects Of Situational Variables On Expected Goals: A Case Study In International Football, Panagiotis Ximialis, Vasilis Armatas, Mark Scanlan, Nikolaos P. Rachaniotis

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: In the ever-evolving field of football analytics, understanding the factors influencing expected goals is crucial for gaining deeper insights into team performance. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of match conditions on the expected goals (xG) from defensive and offensive points of view in international elite football matches of the Greek national team. Methods: Twenty-four (24) Greek national team matches during the period between 23 March 2019 and 14 November 2021 were analyzed for the study. In these selected matches the Greek national team took 369 shots and conceded 174 shots, out of which scored …

Amniotic Fluid-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells As A Therapeutic Tool Against Cytokine Storm: A Comparison With Umbilical Cord Counterparts, Salvatore Vaiasicca, David W James, Gianmarco Melone, Omar Saeed, Lewis W Francis, Bruna Corradetti

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Several immunosuppressive therapies have been proposed as key treatment options for critically ill patients since the first appearance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from different sources have been considered for their potential to attenuate the cytokine storm associated to COVID-19 and the consequent multi-organ failure, providing evidence for safe and efficacious treatments. Among them, administration of umbilical cord-derived MSCs (UC-MSCs) has demonstrated a significant increase in survival rates, largely due to their potent immunosuppressive properties.

Methods: We applied next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis to compare the transcriptomic profiles of MSCs isolated from two gestational …

An In Vivo Screen Identifies Nat10 As A Master Regulator Of Brain Metastasis, Jocelyn F Chen, Peng Xu, Wesley L Cai, Huacui Chen, Emily Wingrove, Xiaojian Shi, Wenxue Li, Giulia Biancon, Meiling Zhang, Amer Balabaki, Ethan D Krop, Elianna Asare, Yangyi Zhang, Mingzhu Yin, Toma Tebaldi, Jordan L Meier, Thomas F Westbrook, Stephanie Halene, Yansheng Liu, Hongying Shen, Don X Nguyen, Qin Yan

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Emerging evidence has shown that epigenetic regulation plays a fundamental role in cancer metastasis, the major cause of cancer-related deaths. Here, we conducted an in vivo screen for vulnerabilities of brain metastasis and identified N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10) as a driver of brain metastasis. Knockdown of NAT10 restrains cancer cell proliferation and migration in vitro and tumor growth and brain metastasis in vivo. The poorly characterized RNA helicase domain of NAT10 is critical for cell growth in vitro, while both RNA helicase and NAT domains are essential for primary tumor growth and brain metastasis in vivo. Mechanically, NAT10 promotes the …

The Advantages Of Being A Nurse Extern, Raylynn Broaddus, Elle Covington

Scholars Week

New graduate nurses experience low confidence levels and increased anxiety due to the limited exposure in the hospital. Nurse extern programs allow nursing students to get more hands on experience in the hospital. Is their any advantages to this? Three different research articles show advantages that arise when students complete one of these programs.

Ebp Implementing Telehealth In Outpatient Settings, Kylee Scott, Ellianna Grammer

Scholars Week

This evidence based practice project is researching if the implementation in outpatient settings would be beneficial. Specifically in the emergency department for areas such as triage and collaboration with other physicians.

Benefits Of Patient-Care Simulations For Nurse Education, Emily Pawlak, Macy Mohon, Molly Lewis

Scholars Week

This presentation was created to inform first-semester nursing students about the importance of the simulation labs they will complete throughout their BSN schooling. The research conducted indicated that these mock experiences were substantially beneficial for how nursing students learned bedside manners and clinical skills. Simulations allow students to prepare themselves to interact with patients professionally and safely while working effectively to improve patient outcomes. Although the sim-lab is a controlled environment, the scenarios that students will graded on are very real scenarios they may encounter during their clinical rotations. Our project aimed to inform students about what they can expect …

The Importance Of Nurse Involvement In Hospitalized Patient Smoking Cessation, Eudora Larson

Scholars Week

No abstract provided.

Hospital Passports: A Plan To Improve Care Of Patients With Intellectual Disabilities, Monica Mcmanemin, Kat Mccollum, Brianna Dennis

Scholars Week

Patients with intellectual disabilities frequent hospital settings, but often face barriers in communication and care due to altered needs that cannot be expressed. From these barriers hospital staff also experience frustrations in caring for these patients. Research supports that hospital passports are an excellent solution to improving care for patients with intellectual disabilities. These documents create a clear outline for hospital staff of these patients’ individual needs and allow reasonable adjustments to be made. This ensures that high quality care can be provided to all patients while also relieving stress from the healthcare providers. The goal of this project is …

Enhancing Cauti Prevention Through Daily Catheter Care Charting, Pre-Packaged Wipes, And Targeted Nursing Education, Alexis Bartolo, Hannah Todd, David Wagner

Scholars Week

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are common healthcare-associated infections that increase patient morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. This evidence-based project aims to reduce CAUTIs by implementing daily catheter care charting, using pre-packaged antiseptic wipes, and providing targeted nursing education. These interventions will enhance accountability, improve hygiene practices, and equip nurses with the latest CAUTI prevention techniques. The project evaluates the current catheter care policy, comparing it with evidence-based practices to identify improvements. Guided by Dorothea Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory, the proposed policy changes aim to improve patient safety and care quality. By integrating these interventions into routine practice, the project …

Benefits Of Nursing Touch In Neonates, Lacy Baldwin, Camila Canedo Muzevic

Scholars Week

This paper explores the benefits of nursing neonatal soothing techniques, focusing on their short- and long-term effects in reducing stress and their influence on development. It emphasizes the nursing role through Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort in providing proactive non-pharmacological care. Neonates, particularly preemies, face significant amounts of stress in the clinical setting which can impede proper growth and development, as well as immediate well-being. It is part of the nursing duty to alleviate stress and promote comfort. This project analyzes evidence-based research on soothing techniques, including tactile, kinesthetic, gentle human touch, interactive newborn bathing, etc. It demonstrates the positive outcomes …

The Implementation Of Music Therapy For Dementia Patients, Lauren Holcomb, Jessica Borror, Jenna Schanz

Scholars Week

This research looks into the implementation of music therapy for dementia patients in several different clinical settings. The framework for the research takes a look at person-centered nursing care which focuses on the patient as an individual with specific wants and needs.

After reviewing the research articles, aspects of changing patient care like adding implementations of personal speakers and playing music in group settings were brought up as recommendations for facilities caring for dementia patients.

With these recommendations, we believe that there will be a reduced use of pharmacological interventions for behavioral outbursts and reduce the use of restraints. Most …

Evidence Based Practice Presentation: Proper Use Of Personal Protective Equipment Protecting Health Care Workers, Bella Batts, Kristine Puckett, Jimena Calderon

Scholars Week

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential in safeguarding healthcare workers from exposure to infectious agents, hazardous substances, and physical risks in clinical environments. PPE includes a variety of items such as gloves, masks, face shields, gowns, and respirators, each designed to provide a barrier between healthcare workers and potentially harmful pathogens or environmental hazards. The use of PPE is particularly crucial in settings where healthcare workers are at heightened risk, such as during the treatment of patients with infectious diseases, surgical procedures, or when handling hazardous materials. The importance of PPE extends beyond individual protection, as it helps reduce the …

Mental Activities For Older Adults To Promote Cognitive Function, Paige Kramer, Riley Hancock

Scholars Week

Addressing mental activities for older adults to promote cognitive function while hospitalized. Implementing evidence-based practices that can help promote cognitive function such as crossword puzzles, word searches, art, and music therapy. Providing staff education on why cognitive function is important. Mental activities are essential needs that need to be addressed for patients.

Improving Recovery Nurses’ Satisfaction With Postoperative Transfer Of The Anesthetized Patient With The Utilization Of A Standardized Handoff Checklist, Gemma Nilsson

Scholars Week

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of using a standardized tool during patient handoff, addressing the lack of an organized structure for patient transfers and the risk of miscommunication. Poor communication is a leading cause of medical errors in the hospital and the transfer reports of postoperative patients in the post-anesthesia care unit are often inaccurate or incomplete (Milby, 2014; Salzwedel, 2012).

Design: A handoff tool was developed for anesthesia providers to use during postoperative patient transfers. Using descriptive statistics, the project evaluated subjective survey responses from registered nurses before and after the implementation of the tool. Perception of the tool’s …

Advancing Provider Knowledge On Precedex Use To Prevent Postoperative Delirium Through Targeted Education, Brian Gibbs

Scholars Week

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a serious and multifactorial complication commonly affecting elderly surgical patients. POD is associated with increased morbidity, longer hospital stays, and higher mortality rates. The use of benzodiazepines and opioids during the perioperative period is a significant modifiable risk factor for POD. Despite the potential of Dexmedetomidine (Precedex) to reduce POD incidence due to its sedative, and analgesic properties, it is not widely available in many operating rooms (OR). This project aimed to educate anesthesia providers on the benefits of Precedex and its role in reducing POD in patients over 65 years old. A quality improvement project …