Health and Medical Administration Commons^™

Improvement Of Hpv Vaccination Rate In Pediatric Patients In A Clinic Through Implementation Of A Bundle, Macalah Jenschke

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a major cause of several cancers, and vaccination is a highly effective preventive measure. However, HPV vaccination rates remain suboptimal, particularly in rural pediatric populations. This quality improvement (QI) project aims to enhance HPV vaccination rates through the implementation of a comprehensive vaccination bundle targeting provider education, patient and parent education, appointment reminders, and the use of a vaccine waiver when needed.

Method: This QI project was conducted over twelve weeks in a rural pediatric clinic with approximately 130 patients seen daily. The intervention bundle included provider education on effective communication regarding HPV vaccination, educational …

Improving Glucose Levels In Adults With Type 2 Diabetes, Kaitlin Castillo

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Type 2 diabetes is a growing health crisis, posing significant challenges not only to individual well-being but also to healthcare systems' financial sustainability. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes continues to rise annually, contributing to increased medical costs, hospitalizations, and long-term complications. Houston, Texas, has a diabetes prevalence of 13.5%, exceeding the national average of 10%. A clinical gap exists in providers’ ability to prevent and manage type 2 diabetes. Prioritizing prevention, early intervention, and improved patient monitoring can reduce incidence rates, lower healthcare costs, and enhance overall population health. A Plan Do Study Act model was utilized for the …

“What We Say Matters”: Reducing Drug Use Stigmatization By Healthcare Professionals Through A Narrative-Based Awareness Campaign, Adam M. Traugott

DNP Projects

Background: Stigma towards substance use has been identified as a contributor to poor care and health outcomes amongst people who use drugs (PWUD), a vulnerable population. Healthcare worker stigma negatively affects the outcomes of individual patients and may have greater public health implications. Methods of addressing drug-use stigma have previously been implemented in a variety of clinical settings. Presenting the lived experience of PWUD to healthcare workers via emotionally compelling narratives has been found to be an effective means of stigma reduction.

Purpose: This study utilized two psychometrically validated tools to measure (1) the baseline prevalence of drug use stigma …

Improving Neuromuscular Blockade Surveillance In Anesthesia Care With Quantitative Train Of Four Monitoring, Carley S. Blair

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Problem Statement: Despite the availability of quantitative train of four (TOF) monitoring, anesthesia providers more frequently rely on tactile (qualitative) TOF monitoring, which is associated with underestimation of recovery from muscle relaxation. Inadequate recovery from muscle relaxants results in residual weakness and its associated complications in the postoperative period, including compromised respiratory function (Thilen et al., 2023).

Background: Neuromuscular blockade (NMB) drugs are required to facilitate endotracheal intubation and allow for surgical manipulation. When these drugs are used, train of four (TOF) stimulations are used to monitor and assess the depth and recovery from NMB. TwitchView monitors (quantitative monitoring) is …

Closed Vs Open Icu Models & Their Trauma Patient Outcomes A Level Ii Trauma Center & Community Hospital Perspective, Prabhleen Kaur, Amber Hendricks, Nicholas Druar, Roxanne Tapley, Carina Biggs

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Enhancing Patient Safety Through Simulated Safety Event Analysis (Ssea) In Graduate Medical Education, Mustafa Tahir, Anthony Furiato, Salman Muddassir, Olu Oyesanmi

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Top Quality Metric Articles In Myocardial Ischemia: A Bibliometric Study, Abdullah Sahyouni, Amanda Feliciano, Vishakha Sharma, Maya Khodor, Christian Zellner, Michael Tedla, Robert Subbiondo, Yizhi Lin, Laura Murray

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Pre And Post-Distribution Outcomes Of The Intern Guidebook, Joyce Smith, Sam Mellits

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Clinical Outcomes And 30-Day Readmission Following Heart Failure Hospitalization In Patients Previously Treated For Obesity With Glp-1 Agonist Versus Bariatric Surgery, Nameer Ascandar, Bobby Malik, Waqas Qureshi, Aysu Erdemir, Eduardo J. Lazaro, Olu Oyesanmi, Sabry Omar, Robert J. Subbiondo, Michael Schandorf-Lartey

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

How Do Patient-Provider Relationships Affect Patient Satisfaction?, Rose D. Lightspeed

Anthós

This article reviews studies on patient satisfaction within the U.S. healthcare system to investigate how physicians’ behavior influences patients’ reported quality of care. Medical negligence, neglect, and cognitive biases are identified from the reviewed literature as physician behaviors that affect the patient-provider relationship and patient satisfaction. Emphasizing patient satisfaction and involvement in their care as important considerations when evaluating patient-provider relationships, Lightspeed underscores how the complex dynamic between patient and provider–including physicians’ reported feeling of inadequate interpersonal skills and patients’ sensitivity to dismissive communication–contributes to reduced satisfaction rates. Lightspeed argues that increasing physician awareness of these factors that influence patient …

A Worker's Struggle, Sakan Binte Imran, Shadman Mahmood Khan Pathan

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

[Introduction] The casualty department at Sir Salimullah Medical College Mitford Hospital was crowded, as it always was. The air smelled of antiseptics, and hurried footsteps echoed through the narrow corridors. It was another day of internship, and I had just finished checking on a patient when a nurse called me over.

“There’s a new case in Trauma. Factory worker. Severe hand injury.”

I hurried over and found a man sitting on the examination table. His face was pale, and his forehead was glistening with sweat. His right hand was wrapped in a blood-soaked cloth. His left hand trembled as he …

Drone-Based Medication Delivery For Rural, Flood-Prone Coastal Cities, Yin-Hsuen Chen, Amro M. El-Adle, Kevin J. O'Brien, Taylor Wentworth, Heather G. Richter

Center for Geospatial Science, Education & Analytics Faculty Publications

Access to healthcare remains a critical challenge for rural populations, particularly in flood-prone coastal communities where transportation barriers limit access to essential medical services. This study evaluates the effectiveness of drone-based medication delivery in improving healthcare accessibility for vulnerable populations on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Compared to traditional personal vehicle travel, drone delivery reduced trip times from up to 50 minutes to under 10 minutes for more than 80% of the population, including elderly patients. Using publicly available datasets, we developed two transportation vulnerability indices that incorporate age, travel time, and flood risk to prioritize patients for drone-based pharmaceutical delivery. These …

Iimproving Discharges Within The Monitored Pod Units Of A Regional Health Center In Bryan, Tx, Paul R. Russell Iii

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

IMPROVING DISCHARGE RATES WITHIN THE MONITORED POD UNITS OF A REGIONAL HEALTH CENTER IN BRYAN, TX

Purpose

The purpose of this scholarly project was to improve discharges by 11:00 a.m. within the Monitored Pod Units located in a regional hospital in Bryan, Texas.

Background

The current discharge rate by 1100 for the monitored pod units at the regional health center was below the health system goal of 50%. The impacts of delayed discharges are broad and can be seen throughout the regional health center. Delayed discharges have a direct effect on staff satisfaction, patient satisfaction, and decreased revenue.

Methodology

This …

The Quick Dash Reformed: Increasing The Holisticity And Occupational Nature Of Upper Extremity Therapeutic Evaluation, Lauren E. Garcia

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: The QuickDASH is one of the most common upper extremity (UE) focused patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) utilized within current practice. Despite its high utilization rate, there are still many concerns surrounding the QuickDASH, including its applicability to certain populations, difficulty with cross-cultural adaptation, and limited psychosocial evaluation. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop and implement a reformed version of the QuickDASH, the OT-DASH, that included modernized and occupation-focused language to achieve increased client applicability and yield more accurate comparisons between client perceptions of dysfunction and their true clinical presentations. Theoretical framework: The Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance model was utilized …

The Impact Of Onboarding During Transition To Practice For Newly Credentialed Athletic Trainers, Ashley B. Thrasher, Stacy E. Walker, Julie M. Cavallario

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context

As new athletic trainers (ATs) transition into their roles, some employers provide extensive orientation and onboarding to assist with the transition to practice (TTP); however, onboarding practices are inconsistent. Understanding how onboarding affects TTP can help employers implement impactful onboarding tactics.

Objective

Examine how the onboarding experience impacted the TTP and the effects of the process on individuals.

Design

Grounded theory.

Setting

Secondary school, hospital/clinic, college/university.

Patients or Other Participants

Seventeen newly credentialed, employed ATs who had graduated from professional masters' programs (11 female, 6 male; age = 25.6 ± 2.2 years) participated in this grounded theory study.

Data …

Closing Racial And Ethnic Disparity Gaps In Pediatric Asthma Follow Up Care - A Quality Improvement Initiative, Ayodele Ayeko

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

ABSTRACT

Closing racial and ethnic disparity gaps in pediatric asthma follow up care - A quality improvement initiative

Ayodele Ayeko

Introduction/Background: Inadequate management of asthma significantly contributes to poor asthma control, poor quality of life (QOL), and high hospitalization rates among pediatric patients. The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines offer recommendations designed to enhance asthma control and improve the quality of life for those affected (2015), including recommendations for close follow up care. At WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital (WVUMCH), insufficient asthma control has been associated with lower clinic follow-up rates and an increase in hospitalization. Although educational initiatives …

Electronic Health Records In Non-Hospital Settings Of Developing Economies: A Systematic Review On Enablers And Barriers, Bejie Rodriguez, Joenelyn Kaye Demoral, Jan Jacob Carpio, Alan Napoleon Gultia, Gloria Shiela Coyoca, Cecilio Garciano, Lemuel Clark Velasco

Institute of Philippine Culture (IPC)

In recent years, rapid advancements in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) have greatly transformed the healthcare landscape by streamlining health data management and providing decision-makers with secure and convenient access to health records. In developing economies, limited resources hinder healthcare access. Implementing EHRs in non-hospital settings is essential for enhancing healthcare quality and accessibility. While existing literature supports EHR use, further research is needed to pinpoint specific barriers and enablers. Using PRISMA guidelines, 18 relevant articles were systematically analyzed with the Human, Organization, and Technology Fit (HOT-fit) framework to examine these factors in non-hospital settings within developing economies. This study …

A Governance-Centric Framework For Strengthening Healthcare Cybersecurity: A Systems Perspective, Sujatha Alla, Sai Gireesh Komaragiri, Teresa Duvall, Satluk Karahan, Nagesh Bheesetty, Vijay Kumar Chattu

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

Healthcare systems face unprecedented security and privacy challenges due to increasing digitization and interconnectedness. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of these challenges by examining various cyberattacks, defensive mechanisms, and governance frameworks within modern healthcare infrastructure. The research systematically categorizes prevalent security threats, such as ransomware, insider threats, and data breaches, identifying vulnerabilities specific to healthcare systems. Furthermore, the study evaluates current defensive strategies, including encryption techniques, access control systems, and intrusion detection tools, assessing their effectiveness against complex cyber threats. A key focus is placed on governance structures and their role in cybersecurity resilience. The research explores how regulatory …

Financial Health Literacy Of Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Qualitative Research Study, Kimberly Davis

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Financial health literacy (FHL) is an emerging concept with unique application to older adults. Multiple complexities converge in older age that create increased financial vulnerability (e.g., retirement, chronic disease). However, low financial and health literacy are common in older adults, impacting their ability to self-manage. The AWV’s focus on prevention offers an opportunity to incorporate a proactive approach to financial-related assessment. This study will explore the perceived value of assessing FHL in primary care settings and the financial-related barriers and facilitators to implementing the personalized prevention plan.

Methods: The conceptual framework was guided by the Individual and Family Self-Management …

Taking The Temperature: What The Acd 2025 Survey Reveals, Mike Graham, Suzan Pitman

Journal of the American College of Dentists

The American College of Dentists surveyed its Fellows to help leadership better understand how our Fellows perceive and interact with the College. The results will be used to determine organizational priorities and help guide the continued implementation of the strategic plan. The key takeaways of the survey were that (1) the 2023 Strategic Plan implementation is on the right track, (2) Fellows value their connection to the ACD, (3) communication between the organization and Fellows has improved, and (4) leadership and staff must continue to develop a better-defined knowledge base to support local leaders.

Exploring Patient-Provider Communication In Indian American Populations: A Scoping Review, Pranav S. Nadella

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Effective provider-patient communication directly influences patient satisfaction, treatment adherence, and health outcomes, yet the unique experiences of Indian Americans—one of the fastest-growing U.S. populations—remain underexplored in communication research. This scoping review, following Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines, systematically mapped the existing literature on provider-patient communication involving Indian Americans. Eleven studies met inclusion criteria, with data extracted on methods, populations, and seven coded aspects related to communication.

Findings revealed a narrow focus on first-generation immigrants and women, leaving men’s experiences and second-generation voices largely unexamined. Communication was shaped by language discordance, cultural stigma, family involvement, trust dynamics, and health literacy. No studies …

From Tricare To Medicaid: Dental Insurance Disparities Among U.S. Veterans And Active Duty Service Members, Madeline K. Mcnutt Ms

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Oral health plays a critical role in systemic well-being, yet dental care access in the United States remains deeply unequal, particularly among low-income and historically marginalized populations. Among those significantly affected are military veterans, who frequently experience barriers to oral healthcare due to eligibility restrictions within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system. This study offers a comparative analysis of dental insurance satisfaction between recipients of Medicaid and the TRICARE Active Duty Dental Program (ADDP), two federally funded programs that reflect the divide between civilian and military healthcare access. While TRICARE ADDP provides comprehensive and uniform coverage for Active Duty …

Improving Safe And Effective Management Of Pain At Home, Alayna V. Olivarez

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Pain is the most common clinical symptom in individuals with a cancer diagnosis. Additionally, home is the preferred place for cancer care which introduces numerous challenges for cancer pain management. The primary purpose of this literature review is to identify support interventions to enhance pain control, prevent exacerbations in pain, and optimize quality of life in individuals with cancer transitioning from the acute care setting to home. The secondary purpose of this review is to analyze patient-specific barriers influencing self-efficacy of pain management and overall health outcomes in the target population. A systematic literature search was conducted using CINAHL, EBSCOhost, …

Development And Validation Of An Accurate And Precise Skin Color Scale, Henry Lim, Christina Guo, Reem Ayoub, Rafael Do Valle, Kristina Kafle, Ysabelle Martinez, Dana Olsen, Marshall Hall, Christian Scheufele, Michael Carletti, Stephen Weis

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Introduction: Utilization of the Fitzpatrick scale to describe skin color does not adequately account for variations in pigmentation that are reflective of skin color characteristics of persons from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. This study aims to create a better way to describe skin color. Methods: We developed an 11-point color scale. This Skin Color Scale (SCS) was reproduced onto a physical card that could be placed onto a research participant’s inner arms for independent scale interpretation. Participants and two investigators selected the best matching scale interpretation value for each arm. Self-acquired and investigator assessed Fitzpatrick scores were taken. These …

Implementation Of A Process To Improve Compliance With A Nurse Driven Foley Catheter Removal Protocol In Nursing Staff Of A Medicine Intensive Care Unit, Kendall L. Pfister

DNP Projects

Background: Catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are the most prevalent healthcare acquired infection (HAI) in the acute care setting. Unfortunately, CAUTIs can lead to high morbidity and mortality rates, longer length of stay (LOS) and increased healthcare costs. Unfortunately, in critically ill patients which often suffer multi-organ failure/injury, there remains an increased risk for infection and poor outcomes.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to increase medical intensive care unit (MICU) nursing staffs’ knowledge of existing nurse driven indwelling urinary catheter removal protocol and to implement an electronic medical record (EMR) prompt for removal of unnecessary urinary catheters …

Evaluating The Effect Of A Mindfulness App On Pediatric Nurses Caring For Adolescent Patients Diagnosed With Disordered Eating, Kaitlyn Green

DNP Projects

Abstract

Background. The health and wellbeing of nurses are affected by the demands of their workplace and the people that they care for. In turn, nurses’ wellbeing affects their work and patient outcomes. There are opportunities to address certain workplace structures, systems, and policies that create stressors and lead to burnout, fatigue, and poor mental and physical health. For nurses to continue to provide quality care in environments that have increasing demands, they must first feel healthy, well, and supported themselves. Healthcare leaders have a role in ensuring the wellbeing of their nursing staff. Compassion fatigue is a large focus …

Evaluating The Impact Of Epic Integration And Dual Registered Nurse Check-Off On Pressure Injury Prevention Workflow Compliance, Darlene Y. Olowu

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Background

Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs), particularly sacral and heel injuries, remain a persistent challenge in critical care settings, leading to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs.

Purpose

This quality improvement project aimed to improve compliance with a pressure injury prevention (PIP) workflow by integrating a dual RN check-off system within EPIC, thereby reducing sacral and heel pressure injuries. The project sought to enhance accountability, standardize documentation, and optimize compliance with evidence-based PIP measures.

Methodology

A Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework guided the project implementation in an oncologic intensive care unit (ICU). Key interventions included: (1) EPIC integration of a dual RN check-off …

Navigating Sexual And Gender Diversity: A Quality Improvement Project To Increase Provider Cultural Competencies For Sexual And Gender Minorities In Mental Health Outpatient Facilities, Shermeen Chandani

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose: Sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations experience healthcare disparities related to stigma, discrimination, and limited provider cultural competency. In outpatient psychiatric settings, non-affirming practices can negatively affect patient engagement, trust, and continuity of care. This quality improvement project aimed to enhance staff sexual and gender minority cultural competency (SGMCC) and strengthen affirming clinical processes.

Background: The project was implemented across two outpatient psychiatric clinics with approximately 28 multidisciplinary staff members. At baseline, no formal SGM cultural competency training or standardized documentation practices for preferred names and pronouns existed.

Methodology: A Plan–Do–Study–Act framework with a pre/post-test design was used. The …

A Modern Optimization Approach With Data-Driven Analytical Modeling For The Healthcare Business Segment (Hbs) From The S&P 500, Aditya Chakraborty, Chris Tsokos

Epidemiology, Biostatistics, & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Introduction: The S&P consists of eleven business segments, which are classified according to the type of industry. The current study focuses on developing a non-linear analytical model for the Healthcare Business Segment (HBS) of the S&P 500, as a function of different economic & financial indicators. Materials and Methods: The analytical model used six financial indicators together with four economic indicators to predict the weekly average closing price (WCP) of HBS stocks. Johnson’s SB transformation corrected skewness, while desirability-based optimization identified indicator values maximizing WCP. The model’s performance and generalizability were validated through repeated 10-fold cross-validation. Results: All attributable contributors …

Learning Dissemination Strategies: Lessons From The Covid-19 Pandemic In Training Healthcare Professionals In Disease Management, Kishan Vishanagra

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The COVID-19 pandemic presented many challenges for global healthcare systems, requiring rapid training and dissemination of disease management strategies among healthcare professionals. This study conducts a systematic review of 37 studies to examine the learning dissemination methods created and utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on just-in-time training for disease management. This study identifies four core training topics: airway management, infection control, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and patient triage. This study also categorizes delivery methods into in-situ simulation-based training, online e-learning platforms, online simulation-based training, and hybrid training models. Findings highlight that simulation-based training methods proved effective for invasive high-risk procedures, while …