Diseases Commons^™

Optimizing Antibiotic Strategies With A Clinical Pathway Approach: Enhanced Initiation And De-Escalation In Community-Acquired Pneumonia, Ahmad Behzadpour

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains a leading cause of hospitalization, mortality, and health care expenditure worldwide. Inappropriate use of broad-spectrum antibiotics contributes to antimicrobial resistance, adverse drug events, and increased costs. Antibiotic stewardship and standardized clinical pathways are key strategies to improve prescribing practices.

Methods

This quality improvement (QI) initiative was conducted at a 240-bed tertiary care teaching hospital from January 2023 through January 2025. A CAP-specific digital clinical pathway was developed using Curbside Health® and integrated into the electronic health record (EHR), accessible through a structured order set to support real-time clinical decision-making. The intervention included provider education and …

From Tradition To Transition: Evaluating Culinary Medicine As A Tool For Metabolic Health Among Nigerian Immigrants In The United States And The United Kingdom, Simi Oduwole M.S.

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

This scoping review examines existing publications to evaluate whether Culinary Medicine can be used as a tool for metabolic health among Nigerian immigrants in the United States and the United Kingdom. Nigeria is one of the fastest-growing populations globally, with increasing migration to high-income countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom. Evidence suggests that Nigerian immigrants experience a rise in diet-related chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, as duration of residence increases. This phenomenon is often attributed to dietary acculturation and shifts toward Westernized eating patterns. This scoping review evaluates whether culinary medicine can mitigate …

Evaluating The Feasibility And Preliminary Effectiveness Of A Tailored Diabetes Education Program For Rural Residents, Brittany L. Smalls, Oluwatosin Leshi, Suraksha Khanal, Grejika E. Abram-Erby

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Diabetes is a top ten Rural Healthy People 2030 priority for health improvement among rural Americans. Socioeconomic, environmental, geographic and political barriers contribute to the type 2 diabetes (T2D) prevalence and its disparate impact in rural communities. However, promoting proper self-care behaviors via self-management education can help people with diabetes better manage their condition.

Purpose: To account for the social environmental factors that affect rural residents, a tailored diabetes education program was developed, and the program’s effectiveness in improving diabetes knowledge and T2D-related health outcomes was assessed.

Methods: Using data collected from Appalachian Kentucky residents enrolled in a six-week, …

The Effect Of A Low-Glycemic Index Diet On Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Symptoms Among University-Aged Women, Angelika A. Gonzalez, Annalise M. Sankar, Noelle D. Nguyen

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is an endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age and is associated with insulin resistance, menstrual irregularities, hyperandrogenism, and metabolic dysfunction. Dietary modifications targeting glycemic response have emerged as a nonpharmacologic approach for PCOS management. However, long-term randomized controlled trials targeting young adult populations remain limited.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate long-term effects of adherence to a low-glycemic index diet on the frequency and severity of PCOS symptoms among female college students ages 18-22. This 12-month randomized controlled trial will recruit participants meeting the Rotterdam criteria from university health clinics. Participants will be randomly …

Improving Anesthesia Provider Confidence In The Identification, Management, And Treatment Of Postoperative Delirium, Brittany M. Whistle, Charles Dustin Phelps

Scholars Week

Purpose: Postoperative Delirium (POD) is a potentially devastating complication of anesthesia that is poorly understood by clinical staff leading to poor outcomes for surgical patients. This study is meant to determine if a focused knowledge presentation accompanied by visual aids could increase anesthesia providers confidence in identifying, diagnosing, and treating Postoperative Delirium.

Methodology: Utilizing a statistical model to analyze respondents results on a standardized test administered before and after an informational presentation with visual aids on the topic of Postoperative Delirium.

Results: Results indicated a statistically significant difference between pretest and posttest scores, with a p-value of .002, t(11) = …

Advancing Screening For Intimate Partner Violence In Pregnant Individuals Throughout The Perinatal Period To Prevent Adverse Pregnancy And Maternal Outcomes, Emilia R. Valdez

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Intimate Partner Violence experienced by pregnant individuals contributes to adverse pregnancy outcomes and maternal health. A mother’s exposure to Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) can affect their ability to carry a healthy pregnancy to term (38 – 40 weeks gestational age) and places them at risk for comorbidities including; Preterm birth, Intrauterine Growth Restriction, Low Birth Weight/ Small for Gestational Age, Premature Rupture of Membranes and Miscarriage. The incidence of IPV screening is not accessible to all pregnant individuals due to healthcare providers lack of education, time constraints in the workplace, bias and discomfort towards IPV. The implementation of IPV …

Transverse Myelitis, Children's Health School Services

School Guides

Educator guide about how to support students with transverse myelitis.

Neuromyelitis Optica, Children's Health School Services

School Guides

Educator guide about how to support students with neuromyelitis optica.

Optic Neuritis, Children's Health School Services

School Guides

Educator guide about how to support students with optic neuritis.

From Fog To Function: An Occupational Therapist's Guide To Evaluating And Treating Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairments, Lauren E. Toner

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Cancer – related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a common side effect of cancer treatment that interferes with cancer survivors’ occupational performance, independence, and quality of life. Despite its high prevalence, CRCI remains under recognized and inconsistently addressed within oncology care. About 70% of individuals diagnosed with cancer report cognitive changes during or after treatment, yet many do not receive treatment. Occupational therapists are clinically trained to evaluate and treat functional cognition, activities of daily activities, instrumental activities of daily living, and client centered goals, positioning them as key providers in addressing CRCI. However, limited occupational therapy specific resources have hindered …

Lupus, Children's Health School Services

School Guides

Educator guide about how to support students with lupus.

Lymphoma, Children's Health School Services

School Guides

Educator guide about how to support students with lymphoma.

Functional Neurological Disorder, Children's Health School Services

School Guides

Educator guide about how to support students with functional neurological disorder.

A Chronic Pain Self-Management Quality Improvement Bundle For Veterans, Srijana D. Baniya

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Introduction: Veterans often face challenges accessing care services due to limited awareness of available resources for support, Self-care, and mental health (Harding et al., 2019; Patel et al., 2024). Given the high prevalence of Chronic pain and opioid use in this population, Self-management (SM) education and non-pharmacologic interventions are required to address the biological, psychological, and social effects of pain (Bair et al., 2015; Mumba et al., 2024; Nahin, 2017; Higgins et al., 2020). This Quality improvement project aims to determine whether implementing an evidence-based SM bundle for chronic pain improved Pain severity scores and increased understanding of SM strategies. …

Epilepsy, Children's Health School Services

School Guides

Educator guide about how to support students with epilepsy.

Cystic Fibrosis, Children's Health School Services

School Guides

Educator guide about how to support students with cystic fibrosis.

Congenital Heart Defects, Children's Health School Services

School Guides

Educator guide about how to support students with congenital heart defects.

Sickle Cell Disease, Children's Health School Services

School Guides

Educator guide about how to support students with sickle cell disease.

Multiple Sclerosis, Children's Health School Services

School Guides

Educator guide about how to support students with multiple sclerosis.

Enteral Nutrition Guidelines Improve Critically Ill Patients’ Outcomes: A Quasiexperimental Study, Marwa Abdo, Sara Elsayed Hegazy

Nursing

Background: Optimal nutritional support is a fundamental element of treatment for critically ill patients. Adherence to evidence-based enteral nutrition guidelines is essential to promote patient care and prevent potential complications. Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of enteral nutrition guidelines in improving critically ill patients’ outcomes. Method: A quasiexperimental study evaluated 68 critically ill patients divided into 2 groups. The intervention group received their nutrition based on the evidence-based enteral nutrition guidelines, while the control group received their nutrition based on the unit’s routine care. The study was conducted in the surgical intensive care units of Mansoura Emergency Hospital in Egypt. …

Incorporating New Guidelines Into School-Based Asthma Management, Jessica Michala Jindra, Angela Duff Hogan

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Purpose of the Review

The aim of this review is to identify barriers and provide solutions to the implementation of inhaled corticosteroid-formoterol as rescue therapy within schools.

Recent findings

GINA guidelines in 2019 and NAEPP in 2020 recommended inhaled corticosteroids combined with formoterol for a rescue inhaler over the traditional short-acting beta-agonist.

Summary

The findings discussed in this article describe the barriers to the implementation of inhaled corticosteroids combined with formoterol for a rescue inhaler in school systems. Traditional asthma action plans, school nursing and parental education, and differences in dosing are some barriers identified. This paper provides solutions for …

Salt Vs. Scalpel: A Surprisingly Simple Solution To Pyogenic Granulomas, Richard M. Regester, Kimberly Eisenstein

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

Background. Pyogenic granulomas (PGs) are benign vascular lesions commonly encountered in primary care settings. They are often linked to trauma, hormonal changes, infections, or medications. While traditional treatments such as excision, curettage, and silver nitrate application are the treatment of choice, recurrence is possible, and they may result in discomfort, anxiety, or scarring. This case highlights the successful use of salt packing, a low-cost, minimally invasive alternative, for a PG resistant to conventional therapy.

Case. A 57-year-old female presented with a 10 mm PG on the right ventral thumb, which bled intermittently and increased in size over three months. An …

Mentoring First-Year Stem Students Through Collaborative Research In The Haynes Scholars Program, Alex Capaldi, Laura Tipton

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Uptake Among U.S. Medical Residents In High-Exposure-Risk Specialties – A National Study, Madison Oxford, Christina Stetter, Arpit Dave

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

Background. HPV vaccination is not required for the United States (U.S.) medical residents, despite their potentially high risk of iatrogenic exposure to the virus. We aim to evaluate vaccination status, patterns of HPV vaccine uptake, and perceived risk of iatrogenic infection among residents in high-exposure-risk specialties.

Methods. In spring 2023, an anonymous online survey was distributed via program directors and coordinators of all Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited Obstetrics & Gynecology, Family Medicine, Otolaryngology, and Dermatology training programs to assess residents’ vaccination status, HPV exposure, and HPV vaccine knowledge.

Results. Responses from 537 residents at programs located in …

Enhancing Cataract Surgery Outcomes: Optimal Use Of Pre- And Post-Operative Eye Drops, Keith Skolnick M.D., Anu Valiaveedu

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

Many preoperative and postoperative cataract patients struggle with comprehending the use of prescription medication as directed. Language barriers and low health literacy levels are major factors contributing to improper use of prescriptions. To increase patients comprehension, the Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute employed an educational intervention consisting of a live presentation and an instructional video. Results found that 44% of patients were hesitant to ask questions to clinical staff, 32% felt overwhelmed, and nearly 70% lacked confidence in using their prescribed eye drops. Following the intervention, 91% of patients reported increased confidence in their medications, and most indicated that the video …

A Cancer Education Needs Assessment: Informing Middle-Aged Female Patients About The Relationships Between Obesity And Women’S Health Concerns In The Reproductive System, Breast, And Endometrial Health, Batul Mirza

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Obesity significantly impacts women’s health, particularly among middle-aged women, by increasing the risk of hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast, endometrial, and reproductive system cancers. This study examines the educational needs of this demographic group regarding obesity-related cancer risks and explores effective intervention strategies. Obesity-induced mechanisms – hormonal imbalances, chronic inflammation, and insulin resistance – drive cancer susceptibility, emphasizing the need for targeted health education. The study employs a qualitative design, which includes interviews with subject matter experts (SMEs) and surveys of middle-aged women. The goal is to assess awareness, perceived barriers, and preferred learning methods. Findings suggest that with many …

A Literature-Informed Nutrition Patient Communication Toolkit For Hashimoto’S Thyroiditis, Kieren Ritter

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

This project is intended to help bridge the gap in nutrition education and treatment for the autoimmune disease Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT). Current research was synthesized and converted into a communication tool for adults diagnosed with HT. The toolkit was based on 33 articles, from three databases, that passed the inclusion and exclusion criteria for analysis. The education toolkit was intended to be practical and valuable for below a high school reading level. The aforementioned articles reviewed the effects of dietary changes on HT with vitamin D, selenium, gluten removal, dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean diet and Autoimmune Protocol, and …

Engineering A Novel Treg Population To Control Autoimmune Diabetes, Sofia Colon Guzman, Elly Puckett, Mary A. Markiewicz, Ryan T. Fischer

Research Days

We created a model to test the immunosuppressive capacity of Helios+FOXP3+ eTregs compared to nTregs against islet-specific autoreactive T cells. We also showed that nTregs decrease the response of these cytotoxic T cells when co-cultured with BetaLox5 cells.

Variables Affecting Neurodevelopmental Outcome In Infants With Critical Congenital Heart Disease, Elizabeth Loughman, Julie Weiner Do, Marcie Files Md

Research Days

Background: The mortality of cardiac conditions in infancy is improving with advances in surgical planning and medical management. Neurologic morbidity remains significant. Clinically correlating an infant with their neurologic exam, MRI/EEG, and subsequent developmental testing remains a challenge. Counseling regarding neurologic outcomes after cardiac intervention is difficult due to the wide range of findings that can sometimes be clinically irrelevant.

Purpose: The goal of this study is to identify factors associated with poor neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants with critical congenital heart defects (CCHD) as assessed by the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development Edition IV (Bayley).

Methods: This is …

Implementation Of A Weaning Protocol For Inhaled Nitric Oxide In A Level Iv Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Elizabeth Loughman, Julie Weiner Do, Maryam El Tawil, Chris Nitkin Md

Research Days

Background: Decrease time to begin iNO weaning from 13 hours to 9.75 hours by 31 December 2024 in patients with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN).

Methods: Countermeasures include (1) provider education at each disciplinary level, (2) badge reminder cards and laminated copies of the protocol available at the bedside, (3) order set modifications, (4) abnormality tracking at huddles. Data collection will be automated through weekly Business Objects report. The main outcome measure will be time to first wean of iNO after meeting protocol criteria. Feedback regarding the ease of weaning will be generated via Gemba Rounds.

Results: These …