Medical Education Commons^™

Nursing Students’ Perceptions Of The Impact Of Teamwork And Collaboration On Patient Care, Riana Square

Honors College Theses

Teamwork and communication are two topics that a vast majority of nursing students are introduced to in their first semester of nursing school. Many nursing students have a desire to improve their communication skills and have a better understanding of the inner workings of interdisciplinary collaboration. A study across multiple cohorts of Georgia Southern Nursing students was conducted to explore their perceptions of the correlation between teamwork and patient care outcomes. This study also explores nursing students’ readiness to communicate with other healthcare professionals and the effectiveness of the means to practice these communication skills while in nursing school. It …

Implementation Of An Education Program To Decrease Inpatient Falls, Elizabeth M. Carpenter, Jewyl Gibson

Graduate Publications and Other Selected Works - Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

BACKGROUND: Inpatient falls are affecting 1 million patients across the United States every year with 25% of fall resulting in injury. Approximately 25% of falls are preventable with accurate assessment and appropriate fall precaution interventions. According to the literature, obtaining an accurate fall risk assessment is the first step in inpatient fall prevention.

LOCAL PROBLEM: Patient falls increased on 2 cardiac stepdown units in a level III trauma center in Knoxville, Tennessee. From 2020- 2022, the combined units experienced a 48% increase in patient falls. Nursing leadership identified staff knowledge deficits and inaccurate scoring of fall assessments as primary contributors …

Initiating Culturally-Directed Education For Hispanic Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Marie Davis, Jennifer Smith, Mandy Horner

Graduate Publications and Other Selected Works - Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

BACKGROUND:

The U.S. Hispanic population has the highest rate of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which is influenced by socio-economic status and language barriers. Current evidence suggests that the delivery of culturally-directed Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) with the use of an interpreter can reduce diabetes-associated complications.

LOCAL PROBLEM:

The project took place at a free clinic in North Carolina. The purposes of this project was to create a culturally-directed DSME bundle for Hispanic adults with the use of a Spanish interpreter to improve understanding of T2DM management.

METHODS:

The Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice Model (JHNEBP) was …

Working Under Pressure: Evidence-Based Risk Assessment And Pressure Injury Prevention In The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, James A. Hutcheson Iv, Allyson M. Neal

Graduate Publications and Other Selected Works - Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Background: The hospital-acquired pressure injury (HAPI) can have physiologic, psychologic, and financial sequelae. Children are at increased risk secondary to immature physiology, developmental differences, and severity of illness. Evidence suggests presence of medical devices exponentiates HAPI risk.

Local Problem: Upward trends in HAPIs revealed nearly 50% are device related in the project setting, an urban Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. The Braden QD Scale was identified as best evidence for HAPI risk assessment. This initiative aimed to observe the ability of the Braden QD Scale as a predictor of HAPI risk as compared to current practice utilizing the Braden Q …

Antibiotic Stewardship In Patients With Viral Upper Respiratory Illness: Improving Quality Measures In Retail Health, Meredith A. Nolan, Robin Harris, Clay Smith

Graduate Publications and Other Selected Works - Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

BACKGROUND: Millions of people will die from antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections in the next 30 years. Retail health providers are pivotal in this global epidemiological problem.

LOCAL PROBLEM: Setting included 15 retail health clinics operated by Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Middle Tennessee. Project examined provider education, patient engagement, and commitment to antibiotic stewardship, components of the CDC's Core Elements of Outpatient Antibiotic Stewardship framework. Specific aims were that providers would have a significant reduction in the percentage of antibiotics prescribed for viral illness over the study period.

METHODS: Using the Evidence-Based Practice Improvement Model, a Quality Improvement …

Reducing Copd Readmissions Through The Implementation Of A Guideline-Based Clinical Pathway: An Evidence-Based Practice Improvement Project, Hannah F. Hall, Allyson Neal, Samantha Bauer

Graduate Publications and Other Selected Works - Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of death worldwide. It is characterized by airway inflammation and damage that inhibits appropriate airflow. Exacerbations of COPD (ECOPD) hasten disease progression and have profound impacts on the patients.

Local Problem: East Tennesseans experience higher rates of COPD than the rest of the state. Community members at the project site identified that the inpatient management of ECOPD is inconsistent and discordant with the 2023 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines. The purpose of this project was to reduce readmissions and increase guideline concordance by developing an algorithm …

How Soon Is Too Soon? A Quality Improvement Approach To Postoperative Length Of Stay Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement, David Brian Jones, Robin Harris, Paul N. Fiorilli Md, Allyson Neal

Graduate Publications and Other Selected Works - Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

BACKGROUND: Heart valve disease prevalence is expected to rapidly increase over the next twenty years. Aortic stenosis, the most common valvular disorder, is a significant cause of heart failure hospital admissions and high mortality if left untreated. Treatment options include surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and the more popular transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The rapid increase of TAVR procedures generates hospital bed capacity issues, and there is no recommendation defining the minimum length of stay (LOS) following TAVR.

LOCAL PROBLEM: The setting was a 1,100-bed academic medical center in southeastern Pennsylvania with an average annual TAVR volume …

Measuring The Impact Of Primary Care Team Composition On Patient Activation Utilizing Electronic Health Record Big Data Analytics, Kristen K. Will, Yue Liang, Chih-Lin Chi, Gerri Lamb, Michael Todd, Connie Delaney

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose

Team-based care has been linked to key outcomes associated with the Quadruple Aim and a key driver of high-value patient-centered care. Use of the electronic health record (EHR) and machine learning have significant potential to overcome previous barriers to studying the impact of teams, including delays in accessing data to improve teamwork and optimize patient outcomes.

Methods

This study utilized a large EHR dataset (n = 316,542) from an urban health system to explore the relationship between team composition and patient activation, a key driver of patient engagement. Teams were operationalized using consensus definitions of teamwork from the literature. …

A Systematic Review: Mirror Neurons & Schizophrenia, Yashesvi Sharma, Surajit Dey

Annual Research Symposium

This research project establishes a link between Mirror Neuron System (MNS) activity and this information's implications in treating and understanding schizophrenia, specifically, schizophrenic patients with negative symptoms.

The Impact Of Kangaroo Care On The Weight Gain Of Premature Infants, Heather Vincequere

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

Premature birth remains a global health concern, affecting approximately 15 million infants annually (WHO, 2023). Kangaroo Care (KC), involving skin-to-skin contact between caregivers and infants, was developed as a promising intervention to mitigate the adverse effects of prematurity. This study aimed to investigate the impact of KC on weight gain among preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Doctors Hospital of Augusta (DHOA). A quasi-experimental quantitative posttest-only design was employed, with eight preterm infants (< 37 weeks gestation) participating in KC for at least 30 minutes daily. Daily weight measurements were collected over a four-week period and compared to the expected weight gain for infants receiving traditional incubator care. Results revealed a statistically significant increase in weight gain among infants receiving KC compared to the historical average for infants in traditional incubator care (t (7) = 2.443, p = 0.022). A large effect size (Cohen's d = 0.864) further supported the significance of these findings. Despite limitations such as a small sample size and convenience sampling, this study emphasizes that KC enhances weight gain in preterm infants, thus improving overall health outcomes. Implementation of KC requires ongoing support from nurse leaders to ensure proper education and successful integration into routine care practices. Nonetheless, continued research with larger samples and improved randomization is warranted to fully understand the long-term benefits of KC in neonatal care settings.

Undergraduate Nursing Education Simulation Training Using Virtual Reality Goggles And Teamstepps Methodology, Jennifer Koalenz

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

Abstract

Due to changes in educational processes during global pandemic restrictions and the rapid pace of innovation and developments in virtual reality technology, this modality of education is expected to become a common presence in healthcare education. Immersive simulation activities can be an effective way to facilitate collaboration and communication skills in a constructivist-based classroom. Evidence shows that virtual simulation improves critical thinking skills, psychomotor skills, and decision making (Padilha et al., 2019). In addition, the availability of an on-demand, customizable scenario is highly useful to supplement clinical learning when necessary. But many caution that virtual simulation, just like any …

Utilizing Social Media To Increase Skill Confidence In Parenteral Medication Administration In Undergraduate Practical Nursing Students, Natalie K. Hernandez

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

A major shift in education developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students and educators were forced to stay home, and new ways of learning emerged. Nursing is a hands on field and many skills must be learned hands on such as the technique for administering parenteral medications. To master a skill such as this you need to be able to hold the supplies and understand how to properly dose a medication.This was definitely a challenge to teach students hands-on skills when being in a hands on skill lab environment was not allowed. Nurse educators started to create innovative ways to teach …

Building The Future: New Grad Residency As A Response To The Staffing Crisis, Caitlin Silva, Geri Harmon

Providence Nursing Research Conference 2023 – Present

Purpose:

An innovative nursing project was created to evaluate if increasing the total number of nurses entering the Transition into Practice (TIP) program would decrease traveler utilization, resulting in cost savings for the hospital.

Relevance/Significance:

Nursing shortages reached a critical level during the pandemic, and many hospitals throughout the country have not recovered. Many nurses have either left the bedside entirely or moved to the competitive pay of travel nursing requiring hospitals to create competitive hiring practices. The utilization of travel nurses results in increased costs and can have negative patient outcomes.

Strategy/Implementation/Methods:

The clinical education team collaborated with leadership …

Coping Strategies And Stress Of The Undergraduate Nursing Student In The Clinical Setting: An Evidence Based Practice Quantitative Study, Ashley Calverley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The assessment of perceived stress and coping behaviors related to first-semester clinical might benefit students in nursing education. The assessment of most common coping behaviors and perceived stress related to the clinical setting is essential due to difference in personalities, learning abilities, and coping behaviors among nursing students today. Previous research has suggested the initial clinical period results in adverse outcomes, such as poor academic performance, elevated burnout levels, and diminished personal well-being. These factors are detrimental to academic success in nursing programs. Evidence supports that helping students develop positive stress/coping abilities will aid in adapting in both the academic …

The Implementation Of Student Success Coaches At Augusta Technical College To Foster The Development Of Diverse And Competent Nurses, Heather R. Vincequere

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

Abstract

This project explores the implementation of Student Success Coaches at Augusta Technical College (Augusta Tech) and their potential impact on the rates of overall program completion and the rate of diverse student program completion. Framed within the GROW model and Sociocultural Learning Theory, the project aims to determine if coaching interventions address barriers to completion and foster a supportive learning environment. A mixed-methods exploratory approach was employed, combining empirical data such as retention rates and demographics with qualitative information from surveys. Anticipated results suggest an increase in overall completion rates from 55.34% to 80% and an increase in diverse …

Revolutionizing Denture Excellence: An Invigorating In-Vitro Exploration Of Organic Products In Prosthetic Rehabilitation, Nighila Ravindran, Sneha Joseph, Aswani Surya K

Annual Research Symposium

The denture base comes into contact with diverse substances in the oral cavity, acting as a reservoir for microorganisms like corynebacterium, streptococcus, lactobacillus, and candida. This colonization elevates the risk of complications such as denture stomatitis and candidiasis. Commercial denture cleaners have explored the use of natural ingredients, less commonly employed but offering various advantages. These ingredients aim to mitigate the potential issues associated with microbial colonization on denture surfaces, contributing to improved oral hygiene for denture wearers. The exploration of natural elements reflects a nuanced approach to denture care, considering both efficacy and less conventional alternatives.

Investigating Racial And Ethnic Healthcare Disparities In Screenable Ob/Gyn-Related Cancers, Lara Laughrey

Annual Research Symposium

This is a scoping review of peer-reviewed literature addressing healthcare inequity based on race and ethnicity with a specific focus on Ob/Gyn-related management and treatment of screenable cancers.

Assessment Of Emotional Intelligence Among Students In Dental College, Gowri Nandana S Final Year Student, Sudeep C. B Professor And Head Of The Department Of Public Health Dentistry

Annual Research Symposium

Over an extended period, the examination of intelligence predominantly centered on the adaptive deployment of cognitive abilities. In more recent times, scholars such as Gardner (1983) and Sternberg (1988) have proposed comprehensive frameworks for comprehending intelligence. Pioneering the concept of "emotional intelligence," Salovey and Mayer (1990) posited that emotional intelligence encompasses three distinct categories of adaptive capabilities: the evaluation and expression of emotions, the regulation of emotions, and the utilization of emotions in problem-solving. The objective is to evaluate emotional intelligence among dental students across various educational institutions.

Quality Of Life In Orthodontics, Claudia Eisenhuth, Gabriel Eisenhuth, Connor Schwartz, Amir Mohajeri, Man Hung, Tiffany Nelson, Ryann Glenn

Annual Research Symposium

Orthodontic treatment goes beyond mere cosmetic enhancement; it significantly impacts various aspects of an individual's quality of life. Beyond the physical benefits of improved oral function and prevention of dental issues, orthodontics also yields profound psychological benefits. Aligned teeth enhance self-confidence, reduce social anxiety, and contribute to better relationships and professional opportunities. Moreover, addressing dental concerns through orthodontic treatment reduces psychological distress and promotes overall happiness and satisfaction. Real-life case studies vividly illustrate the transformative effects of orthodontic interventions, emphasizing the importance of considering quality of life outcomes in dental care.

Exploring The Interconnected Role Of The Oral Microbiome And Periodontal Disease In The Development And Progression Of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Malak Al-Regib, Claudia M. Tellez Freitas

Annual Research Symposium

This comprehensive review explores the complex linkage among the oral microbiome, periodontal disease, and the onset and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Investigating The Role Of Chaos In Minimizing Tumor Growth, Maxwell Geiger

Annual Research Symposium

Chaos is a type of motion found in mathematical systems that is highly sensitive to initial conditions. While many biological systems described in literature have been analyzed for the presence of chaotic dynamics, there are still many that are yet to be discovered. The goal of this project is to reassess Itik and Banks’ discovery of chaotic behavior in their population dynamics model of cancer growth. Once chaotic behavior is confirmed, we want to investigate how chaos could possibly be controlled to minimize tumor growth and discover novel treatments for cancer patients.

Ligaplant: Recreating Natural From Artificial, Disha Kamavisdar

Annual Research Symposium

Missing teeth can be substituted by the use of the dental implants. The most widely used implants in the current scenario are the osseointegrated implants with various shortcomings and the most prominent one is the lack of the periodontal ligament. To overcome this, implants with periodontal ligaments can be procured and this can be possible by the application of the tissue engineering concept along with suitable implant material.

Application Of In-Silico Computational Biology Strategies To Demonstrate Mechanism Of Oral Cancer Cell Death By Natural Peptide, Dr Dominic Augustine

Annual Research Symposium

This research work is designed to identify biomolecules from Earthworm Coelomic Fluid (ECF) of Eudrilus Eugeniae (EE) that can inhibit oral cancer cells from proliferating. The study aims to construct a homology model of the 18 kDa protein from ECF of EE (18-ECFP) with molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) to enable its molecular docking with pro-apoptotic caspase receptors with determination of binding energy scores. The study also evaluates the anti-cancer potential of 18-ECFP on SCC-9 cells in vitro by wet lab techniques.

Pathogenic Implications Of Candidal Species In Both Oral Cancer And Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders - A Review, Dr Dominic Augustine, Sowmya Sv, Kuntala Mondal

Annual Research Symposium

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the 6th most common cancer in worldwide. Cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and betel quid chewing are its major risk factors other factors that can lead to OSCC include excessive sun exposure, viral or fungal infection, poor nutrition, and poor oral hygiene. The carcinogenesis of OSCC occurs gradually and oral epithelial dysplasia is considered a potential histologic precursor of OSCC. Most OSCC cases are preceded by clinically evident oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). The aim of this review is to correlate the association between Candida species and oral potentially malignant disorders and its possible mechanisms …

Immunohistochemical Expression Of Cyclin D1 In Dentigerous Cyst, Odontogenic Keratocyst And Unicystic Ameloblastoma- An In-Vitro Study, Kuntala Mondal, Sv Sowmya, Dominic Augustine

Annual Research Symposium

Cyclin D1, a G1 cyclin member, regulates the transition of the cell cycle from the G1 phase to the S phase. The uncontrolled and elevated expression of cyclin D1 has been associated with rapid growth, heightened proliferative activity and increased histologic aggressiveness. Unicystic ameloblastoma pertains to cystic lesions that present clinical, radiographic, or gross features akin to jaw cysts. Nevertheless, upon histological scrutiny, these lesions display a distinctive ameloblastomatous epithelium lining the cystic cavity, with or without luminal or mural proliferation. This cystic variant of tumor bears substantial resemblances to dentigerous cysts, and occasionally, both entities can become indistinguishable upon …

An Immunohistochemical Panel For The Accurate Differentiation Between Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma And Pleomorphic Adenoma, Kuntala Mondal, Sv Sowmya, Dominic Augustine

Annual Research Symposium

Salivary Gland Tumors (SGTs) are a diverse group of neoplasms, with a wide range of histological subtypes, some of which can exhibit overlapping features. Amongst this group of tumors, Pleomorphic Adenoma (PA) and Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma (MEC) stand out as prevalent entities originating from the salivary glands. The accurate differentiation between these two entities is crucial for treatment planning, as it influences decisions regarding the extent of surgical resection. Because of the overlapping histopathological features, it is difficult to differentiate these two lesions with the help of conventional Hematoxylin & Eosin (H& E). The evaluation of Immunohistochemical (IHC) markers holds pivotal …

Cheiloscopic Characteristics Detection And Pattern Classification By Machine Learning Technique, Dr Dominic Augustine, Sowmya Sv

Annual Research Symposium

Machine Learning (ML) is a field enhancing the rapid growth of technology. Though use of digital softwares for cheiloscopic investigations have been attempted with limited success, the use of ML based techniques are scarce and seldom have been employed in forensic odontology. The present study aimed to identify cheiloscopic patterns through machine learning based methods and to correlate the segmented patterns with age and gender of individuals.

Association Between Abo Blood Grouping And Odontometry: An Unexplored Evidence In Forensics, Dr Dominic Augustine, Sowmya Sv

Annual Research Symposium

Recent research has exhibited a strong association between ABO blood groups and susceptibility to diseases. Extraoral and intraoral hard tissue landmarks provide a stable and reliable record for odontological and anthropological analysis, forensic investigations and identification. The association between anthropometric indices and ABO blood grouping have been reported in the past, however, the association between ABO blood groups and odontometric indices is yet to be comprehensively explored. This study aimed to establish the correlation of ABO blood groups with odontometric indices and extraoral hard tissue landmarks for personnel identification.

Advanced Techniques For Tooth Pulp Rna Extraction In Forensic Investigations-A Systematic Review, Kuntala Mondal, Sv Sowmya, Dominic Augustine

Annual Research Symposium

Teeth are fundamental structures in a forensic context due to their high strength and specificity. It is challenging to obtain high quality RNA from pulpal tissues. It has been described that pulp RNA degradation could be an indicator of post-mortem interval. Researchers have been in the quest to develop optimal techniques for tooth RNA extraction. The systematic review aimed to determine the most reliable method of RNA extraction from dental tooth pulp for forensic investigations.

Assessment Of Micrometastasis In Lymph Nodes Of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma –Attaining Excellence Through Immunohistochemistry, Dr Dominic Augustine, Sowmya Sv, Kuntala Mondal

Annual Research Symposium

Cervical lymph node metastasis is the most important prognostic factor in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck (SCCHN). Lymph node prognostic determinants hold immense significance in influencing both patient’s survival outcomes and the propensity for recurrence. The current study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of Cyclin D1 and Pan-CK for the detection of lymph node micrometastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma tissue sections and re-evaluate the tumor staging.