Nursing Commons^™

Reimagining Supportive Approaches At The Intersection Of Mandatory Reporting Policies For The Mother–Infant Dyad Affected By Substance Use, Kelly Mcglothen-Bell, Diana Cartagena, Kathryn J. Malin, Dorothy Vittner, Jacqueline M. Mcgrath, Rebecca Koerner, Ashlee J. Vance, Allison Crawford

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background: As rates of substance use during pregnancy persist, the health and optimal development of infants with prenatal substance exposure remain a key priority. Nurses are tasked with identifying and reporting suspected cases of child maltreatment, including abuse and neglect, which is often assumed to be synonymous with substance use during pregnancy. While policies aimed at protecting infants from child abuse and neglect are well intentioned, literature regarding the short- and long-term social and legal implications of mandatory reporting policies is emerging.

Purpose: In this article, we explore the intersections between the condition of substance use in pregnancy and policies …

Impact Of Social Risk Screening On Discharge Care Processes And Postdischarge Outcomes A Pragmatic Mixed-Methods Clinical Trial During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Andrea S. Wallace, Alycia A. Bristol, Erin Phinney Johnson, Catherine E. Elmore, Sonja E. Raaum, Angela Presson, Kaleb Eppich, Mackenzie Elliott, Sumin Park, Benjamin S. Brooke, Marianne E. Weiss

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background: 

Social risk screening during inpatient care is required in new CMS regulations, yet its impact on inpatient care and patient outcomes is unknown.

Objectives: 

To evaluate whether implementing a social risk screening protocol improves discharge processes, patient-reported outcomes, and 30-day service use.

Research Design: 

Pragmatic mixed-methods clinical trial.

Subjects: 

Overall, 4130 patient discharges (2383 preimplementation and 1747 postimplementation) from general medicine and surgical services at a 528-bed academic medical center in the Intermountain United States and 15 attending physicians.

Measures: 

Documented family interaction, late discharge, patient-reported readiness for hospital discharge and postdischarge coping difficulties, readmission and emergency department visits …

Lessons Learned From Ventilated And Proned Patients With Covid-19: A Multisite Retrospective Study To Identify Predictive Factors For Facial Pressure Injuries, Jeanne Hlebichuk, Elissa Buck, Angeline L. Brooker, Julie K. Mackenzie, Maharaj Singh

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Many patients critically ill with COVID-19 develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) necessitating mechanical ventilation and proning. Although proning is lifesaving, it has been linked to the occurrence of facial pressure injuries (PIs).

Objectives

To evaluate the incidence and use of prevention strategies and identify predictors of facial PIs in patients who received ventilator and proning treatments in COVID-designated intensive care units at 2 large quaternary medical centers in the Midwest.

Method

This was a retrospective cohort study using data extracted from an electronic health record between October 2020 and February 2022. Demographics, clinical and care variables, and PI …

Change In Expectations: A Policy Recommendation For Future And Current Nurse Educators, Kylateia Farrar-Stern, Amber Young-Brice

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Currently, there are no standardized requirements for pedagogical preparation for nurse educators at the state and national level. Various stakeholders have identified an issue in the preparation of nurse educators in academia. Current recommendations are that faculty have a master's or doctoral degree in nursing (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2017); however, requirements do not include educational preparation prior to or concurrent with starting a faculty position. This policy paper highlights a recommendation to require one of the following: the Certified Nurse Educator credential or certificate in teaching for educators without prior formal education in pedagogy. Outcomes of such …

A Scoping Review Of The Role Of Policy In Mitigating Childhood Obesity In Underserved Populations Using The Re-Aim Framework, Bonnie Gance-Cleveland, Marilyn Frenn, Nancy T. Browne, Cindy Smith Greenberg, Julia A. Snethen, Eric A. Hodges, Alissa Fial, Leigh Small, Sharon Y. Irving

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Childhood obesity is an escalating crisis in the United States. Health policy may impact this epidemic which disproportionally affects underserved populations.

Aim

The aim was to use the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance (RE-AIM) framework to assess health policy impact on preventing or treating school-aged children (5 > 18 years) with obesity in underserved populations.

Methods

A scoping review of 842 articles was conducted. Twenty-four articles met the inclusion criteria and underwent data extraction.

Results

Twelve studies included subgroup analysis, with four suggesting an impact of policy on at-risk groups. None of the 24 studies fully applied the RE-AIM …

Mass Media Exposure And Sociodemographic Factors Associated With Malaria Vaccine Awareness Among Women Of Childbearing Age In Ghana, Emmanuel Angmorteh Mensah, Henry Ofori Duah, Charles Olomofe, Megan Quinn

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background The development, approval and adoption of the malaria vaccine has provided effective supplemental protection against malaria for children in Ghana. However, heightened awareness of the new vaccine will play a critical role in its mass deployment and acceptance among potential recipients. This study therefore determined the sociodemographic characteristics associated with malaria vaccine awareness and ascertained the influence of traditional media exposure on awareness in Ghana. Methods The study used the Demographic and Health Survey 2019 Malaria Indicator Survey Data. After necessary recoding, chi-square and complex survey bivariate/multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed using STATA 18.0. Results Among the participants, …

“It Is Like A Curse”. The Lived Experiences Of The Intersection Of Intergenerational Violence, Pregnancy, And Intimate Partner Violence Among Urban Wisconsin Indigenous Women, Jeneile Luebke, Nicole Thomas, Yamikani B. Nkhoma, Angela R. Fernandez, Kaylen M. Moore, Alexa A. Lopez, Lucy Mkandawire-Valhmu

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a significant public health concern that disproportionately impacts Indigenous American women more than any other ethnic/racial group in the United States.

Purpose

This study aims to inform the work of nurses and allied health professionals by providing insight into the lived realities of Indigenous women in urban areas and how IPV manifests in the lives of Indigenous women.

Methods

Postcolonial and Indigenous feminist frameworks informed this qualitative study. Using thematic analysis, we analyzed data from semi-structured individual interviews with 34 Indigenous women in large urban areas in the upper Midwest.

Findings

This manuscript discusses …

Assessing Nurse Practitioner Student Competence Using A Modified Creighton Competency Evaluation Instrument, Katie L. Mcdermott

Dissertations (1934 -)

Nursing education programs are faced with urgent demands to transition to competency-based education (CBE) to address the limitations of the nursing workforce. The AACN (2021) has developed the Essentials, or the core competencies for graduating entry- and advanced-level nurses to inform CBE. A concept analysis of Foundational Competence was developed by this researcher offers a refined perspective on the definition (McDermott & Dreifuerst, 2022). Foundational Competence is the competence of nursing student graduates at the end of an education program at the time of transition to practice. Assessment of competence has been identified as the biggest challenge facing CBE operationalization, …

Using Implementation Science To Improve Short Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Outcomes, Mary Hook, Aimee A. Woda, Kelsey Bohr, Cailin Ford, Maharaj Singh

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Short peripheral intravenous catheters (short PIVCs) are commonly used in acute care, guided by evidence-based policy with interventions to limit premature failure. Research on how nurses use evidence and change processes to optimize outcomes is needed. The study objective was to use a theory-based implementation science approach to evaluate and improve short PIVC insertion and care processes and reduce removals for adverse outcomes in acute care. This mixed-methods study was conducted with inpatient nursing units (n = 23) at a large urban quaternary medical center. Units identified and implemented one PIVC care intervention that could lower catheter removals for adverse …

No Difference In Surgical Outcomes Between Stand-Alone Devices And Anterior Plating For 1-2 Level Anterior Cervical Discectomy And Fusion: A 1:1 Exact Matched Analysis, Xu Tao, Abhijith V. Matur, Seth Street, Geet Shukla, Julia Garcia-Vargas, Jay P. Mehta, Kelly Childress, Henry Ofori Duah, Justin Gibson, Daryn Cass, Andrew Wu, Benjamin Motley, Joseph Cheng, Owoicho Adogwa

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Study Design. 

Retrospective cohort.

Objective. 

To compare rates of all-cause surgical and medical complications between zero-profile (ZP; stand-alone) implants versus any graft type with an anterior plate in patients undergoing 1-2 level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for treatment of degenerative cervical myeloradiculopathy.

Summary of Background Data. 

Degenerative cervical myeloradiculopathy is increasingly prevalent in older adults. ACDF is a common surgical procedure for decompression of neural structures and stabilization and has been shown to have excellent outcomes. Although ACDFs performed with graft and plate have been the gold standard, more recently, ZP implants were developed to decrease implant-related complications, …

Optimal Fat-Modified Diet Duration For The Treatment Of Postoperative Chylothorax In Children, Melissa M. Winder, Stephanie Schwartz, Jason R. Buckley, Kristi L. Fogg, Megan Matiasek, Alissa Lyman, Alisa Tortorich, Kathy Holmes, Deborah U. Frank, Mandy Nasworthy, Piyagarnt E. Vichayavilas, Rebecca A. Bertrandt, Cam Kasmai, Jill C. Kuester, Tia T. Raymond, Lawrence E. Greiten, Ron W. Reeder, David K. Bailly

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Dietary modification is the mainstay of treatment for postoperative cyclothorax in children. However, optimal fat-modified diet (FMD) duration to prevent recurrence is unknown. Our aim was to determine the association between FMD duration and chylothorax recurrence.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study conducted across 6 pediatric cardiac intensive care units within the United States. Patients aged < 18 years who developed chylothorax within 30 days after cardiac surgery between January 2020 and April 2022 were included. Patients with a Fontan palliation, who died, or were lost to follow-up or within 30 days of resuming a regular diet were excluded. FMD duration was defined as the first day of a FMD when chest tube output was < 10 mL/kg/d without increasing until the resumption of a regular diet. Patients were classified into 3 groups (< 3 weeks, 3-5 weeks, >5 weeks) based on FMD duration.

Results

A total of 105 patients were included: < 3 weeks (n = 61) 3-5 weeks (n = 18), and >5 weeks (n = 26). Demographic, surgical, and hospitalization characteristics were not different across groups. In the >5 weeks group, chest tube duration was longer compared with the < 3 weeks and 3-5 weeks groups (median, 17.5 days [interquartile range, 9-31] vs 10 and 10.5 days; P = .04). …

Correlations Of Physical And Psychological Health In Parents Of Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Norah L. Johnson, Abir K. Bekhet, Emily Zint, June Wang, Sylvia Peña, Amy V. Van Hecke, Mauricio Garnier-Villarreal, Alexander V. Ng

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background: Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have social communication difficulties and restricted, repetitive, and/or sensory behaviors or interests. The prevalence of ASD is now 1 in 36 individuals. Parents of individuals with ASD face challenges that can affect their physical and psychological wellbeing.

Objective: With the long-term goal to tailor an exercise program, the purpose of this study was 2-fold: (1) establish the baseline physical and mental health of parents of individuals with ASD and (2) estimate the relationship of physiologic variables with psychological variables of health for parents of individuals with ASD.

Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study (N …

A Guide To Understanding Big Data For The Nurse Scientist: A Discursive Paper, Henry Ofori Duah, Samantha J. Boch, Sara Arter, Nichole Nidey, Joshua Lambert

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Big data refers to extremely large data generated at high volume, velocity, variety, and veracity. The nurse scientist is uniquely positioned to leverage big data to suggest novel hypotheses on patient care and the healthcare system. The purpose of this paper is to provide an introductory guide to understanding the use and capability of big data for nurse scientists. Herein, we discuss the practical, ethical, social, and educational implications of using big data in nursing research. Some practical challenges with the use of big data include data accessibility, data quality, missing data, variable data standards, fragmentation of health data, and …

Sex Workers’ Experiences Of Screening For Intimate Partner Violence, Jessica L. Zemlak, Kamila A. Alexander, Deborah Wilson, Randi B. Singer, Joni S. Williams, Susan G. Sherman

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Objective

To examine experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) screening among women who sell sex.

Design

A qualitative descriptive study.

Setting

Telephone interviews during the COVID-19 pandemic (June 2020 to October 2020).

Participants

Women aged 18 to 49 years who sold or traded sex for food, drugs, money, or shelter at least three times during the past 3 months before recruitment (N = 22).

Methods

We used individual, semistructured telephone interviews to collect data about participants’ experiences with IPV and IPV screening during health care encounters. We used reflexive thematic analysis to examine these data.

Results

We identified two …

Sharps Injuries Among Healthcare Workers In Liberia And Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Survey, Laura Jean Ridge, John Arko-Mensah, Josh Lambert, Lydia Aziato, G. Clinton Zeantoe, Henry Ofori Duah, Marjorie Mccullagh

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

There are little data on sharps injuries among healthcare workers in West Africa despite the region’s high rate of hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency virus. The purpose of this study is to investigate healthcare workers’ history of sharps injuries in Liberia and Ghana. An electronic cross-sectional survey was conducted among healthcare workers in Liberia and Ghana from February to June 2022. A link to the survey was texted to participants through professional association membership lists, including nursing, midwifery, and physician assistant organizations in both Liberia and Ghana and a physician organization in Ghana only. Five hundred and nine participants reported …

Trauma- And Violence-Informed Empowering Care For Sexual Assault Survivors, L. B. Klein, Jessica Melnik, Kimberly Curran, Jeneile Luebke, Kaylen M. Moore, Ashley Ruiz, Cassilynn Brown, Diara Parker, Isabel Hernandez-White, Kate Walsh

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Forensic nurse examiners, including sexual assault nurse examiners, provide care for survivors holistically through healthcare, emotional support, connection to follow-up care, safety planning, and, if desired, evidence collection to aid in the prosecution of sexual assault. There is increasing recognition that trauma-informed care must also include an understanding of the impacts of structural violence on minoritized patients to ensure health equity.

Aim

To help address this guidance gap, we expanded Campbell and colleagues' empowering care model using a trauma- and violence-informed care (TVIC) lens.

Methods

We used an iterative discussion-based process that included five joint meetings between a seven-member …

Contraceptive Use Among Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence And Reproductive Coercion: The Moderating Role Of Ptsd And Depression, Jessica L. Zemlak, Lea Marineau, Tiara C. Willie, Helena Addison, Gabrielle Edwards, Trace S. Kershaw, Kamila A. Alexander

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Women experiencing reproductive coercion (RC) report more unintended pregnancies and mental health symptoms that can influence contraceptive use patterns. We examined associations between RC and contraceptive use among intimate partner violence (IPV) exposed women aged 18–35 (N = 283). We tested depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and co-morbid depression and PTSD as effect modifiers. Though no association was found between RC and contraception, PTSD significantly modified this relationship. Among Black women (n = 112), those reporting RC and either PTSD or comorbid PTSD and depression were less likely to use partner-independent contraception compared to those reporting RC without …

Telehealth Resources And Utilization Interest Among Women Who Sell Sex: An Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Study, Jessica L. Zemlak, Randi Beth Singer, Jacqueline Christianson, Madeline Stenersen, Maharaj Singh, Stacee M. Lerret

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Objective

Among a sample of women who sell sex (WSS), we examined unmet health needs, resources for telehealth, utilization interest, and attributes associated with interest in using telehealth.

Study design

Explanatory sequential mixed methods.

Methods

WSS (N = 52) completed a fixed choice survey and focus group (N = 6, 26 individuals) from drop-in centers serving WSS. Chi-square/t-tests and results from the survey data informed the semi-structured focus group interview guide. Thematic analysis of focus group data was conducted to identify themes.

Results

Over half (58%) of participants expressed interest in using telehealth; however, some lack the necessary resources for …

Psychometric Properties Of The Positive Thinking Skills Scale Among Undergraduate Nursing Students, Ruth A. Engbers, Abir K. Bekhet, Teresa Jerofke-Owen, Norah L. Johnson, Maharaj Singh

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Increasing the resilience of undergraduate nursing students is essential for the individual student's well-being and the healthcare system dealing with a looming nursing shortage. Undergraduate nursing students have reported that positive thinking and positive reframing are ways of coping with exposure to suffering, but measurement of these skills remains limited in this population. This is the first study to examine the psychometric properties of the Positive Thinking Skills Scale specifically in undergraduate nursing students and in a sample that includes students from both public and private universities. Internal consistency was demonstrated with a Chronbach's alpha of 0.824, convergent validity was …

Nailing The Diagnosis: Using Screen-Based Simulation To Improve Factors Of Diagnostic Reasoning In Family Nurse Practitioner Education, Sarah L. Beebe, Angela M. Mcnelis, Majeda El-Banna, Kristina T. Dreifuerst, Quiping Pearl Zhou

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Providers’ diagnostic skills and reasoning are essential to the health and safety of patients and the healthcare system. Simulation is a promising modality for improving diagnostic reasoning, with the ability to practice, receive feedback, and reflect in a safe learning environment.

Methods

This study used a quasi-experimental, pretest/posttest one group design to investigate the effect of a 5-week intervention screen-based simulation intervention on metacognitive awareness, knowledge, and diagnostic reasoning factors in family nurse practitioner students in their final semester of clinical coursework. Univariate descriptive statistics were used to describe demographic data and study variables. Paired sample t-tests were used …

Surgeon Experience Matters: An Exact Matched Analysis Of Tlif Outcomes Demonstrates No Difference In Surgical Outcomes Between Experienced Neurosurgeons And Orthopedic Surgeons, Geet Shukla, Abhijith V. Matur, Kelly Childress, Xu Tao, Julia Garcia-Vargas, Jay P. Mehta, Rebecca Garner, Justin Gibson, Daryn Cass, Phillip Vorster, Andrew Wu, Seth Street, Henry Ofori Duah, Benjamin Motley, Joseph Cheng, Owoicho Adogwa

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Study Design:  Retrospective cohort study. Objective:  To compare surgical and medical complications profile between neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons after transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) procedures. Background:  Studies comparing the impact of spine surgeon specialty (neurosurgery vs. orthopedic spine) on TLIF outcomes have been inconclusive and failed to control for operative learning curves and surgical maturity. Orthopedic spine surgeons perform fewer spine procedures in residency, although these differences may be attenuated by mandatory fellowship before starting practice. Any observed differences are likely attenuated with increasing surgeon experience. Materials and Methods:  Using an all-payer claims database, PearlDiver Mariner, 120 million patient records …

Depression And Its Associated Factors Among People Living With Hiv In The Volta Region Of Ghana, Jerry John Nutor, Robert Kaba Alhassan, Rachel G.A. Thompson, David Ayangba Asakitogum, Henry Ofori Duah, Tiarney D. Ritchwood, Nkothula Nkosi, Ntombifikile Klaas, Sampson Opoku Agyemang, Akua O. Gyamerah

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Depression among people living with HIV/AIDS in higher-income countries is associated with suboptimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy and though counterintuitive. Yet, less is known regarding how depression, social support, and other sociodemographic factors influence outcomes among people living with HIV, particularly in resource-limited settings like Ghana. In view of this gap, this study investigated factors associated with depressive symptoms among people living with HIV in the Volta region of Ghana. A total of 181 people living with HIV from a local antiretroviral clinic was purposively sampled for the study. The questionnaire included the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, the …

Understanding The ‘Dancing Nurses Of Tiktok’, Jacqueline Christianson, Sarah Marie Calonder, Jessica Leiberg, Virginia F. Riggs

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Judgment by nursing leaders is the wrong response.

Synthetic Interbody Devices And Traditional Bone Graft Are Associated With A Similar Rate Of Surgical Complications After 1-2 Level Anterior Cervical Discectomy And Fusions, Geet Shukla, Abhijith V. Matur, Xu Tao, Syed Khalid, Rebecca Garner, Justin Gibson, Daryn Cass, Andrew Wu, Seth Street, Julia Garcia-Vargas, Jay P. Mehta, Kelly Childress, Henry Ofori Duah, Benjamin Motley, Joseph Cheng, Owoicho Adogwa

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Study Design:  Retrospective cohort. Objective:  To compare the rates of all-cause surgical complications of synthetic interbody devices versus allograft or autograft in patients undergoing 1-2 levels anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) procedures. Summary of Background Data:  Cervical degenerative disorders affect up to 60% of older adults in the United States. Both traditional allograft or autograft and synthetic interbody devices (polyetheretherketone or titanium) are used for decompression and arthrodesis, with increasing utilization of the latter. However, the differences in their postsurgical complication profiles are not well-characterized. Patients and Methods:  Patients who underwent 1-2 level ACDFs for cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy …

Situation Awareness Preparation And Prebriefing: Fostering The Cognitive Processes Of Thinking Like A Nurse In Simulation, Amanda Lynn Potter

Dissertations (1934 -)

Situation awareness (SA) is linked with actionable decision-making and clinical judgment in nursing practice. The cognitive processes used in developing SA, outlined in Endsley’s (1995) model, is the framework underpinning this study and are interwoven into the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (NCJMM). Cultivating these cognitive processes through prebriefing and simulation designed to intentionally develop SA, is a recommended practice currently seen in aviation and military training. There is a lack of vigorous research testing whether a specific intervention during clinical simulation can develop SA in nursing students. In addition, fostering SA in the …

Psychometric Evaluation Of The “Providing Validation” Measure In Vascular Anomalies, Bryan A. Sisk, Anna M. Kerr, Amy R. Newman, Dandan Chen, Jennifer W. Mack, Bryce B. Reeve

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

We assessed the psychometric properties of the “providing validation” subscale of PedCOM measures for parents of children with vascular anomalies and adult patients. A total of 139 adult patients and 78 parents completed surveys. The mean score for patients was 3.7 (standard deviation 1.0), and for parents was 4.0 (standard deviation 0.9). “Providing validation” measures demonstrated high internal consistency and good model fit to a unidimensional model for both patients and parents using confirmatory factor analysis. The measures also demonstrated convergent validity with co-administered measures. This study demonstrated the validity of “providing validation” measures for parents and adult patients with …

Preparing Nursing Students To Manage Acculturative Stress Experienced During Study Abroad Experiences: Novel Use Of Immersive Simulation And Cognitive Behavioral Strategies, Theresa Schnable, Christine A. Schindler, Jeffrey D. Roche, Karli Webster, Christopher E. Larkee, Maharaj Singh, John F. Ladisa

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

This pilot study adds to the understanding of interventions to manage acculturative stress experienced during undergraduate study abroad programs. It was designed to evaluate the impact of cognitive behavioral strategy training combined with intentional practice during mixed reality (MR) simulations on acculturative stress. Participants included a convenience sample of undergraduate nursing students enrolled in a faculty-led study abroad course. Students participated in two MR simulations within a virtual environment over back-to-back days. Simulations were written by nursing faculty experts to reproduce realistic clinical situations students may encounter while studying in Peru. The Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Slater-Usoh-Steed …

Cannabis Use Is Associated With Higher Rates Of Pseudarthrosis Following Tlif: A Multi-Institutional Matched-Cohort Study, Xu Tao, Abhijith V. Matur, Syed Khalid, Geet Shukla, Phillip Vorster, Kelly Childress, Rebecca Garner, Justin Gibson, Daryn Cass, Juan C. Mejia Munne, Kyle Mcgrath, Natalie Ivey, Julia Garcia-Vargas, Andrew Wu, Seth Street, Jay P. Mehta, Louisa Onyewadume, Henry Ofori Duah, Benjamin Motley, Joseph S. Cheng, Owoicho Adogwa

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Study Design.  This was a retrospective cohort study. Objective.  To compare the rates of pseudarthrosis in patients undergoing 1 to 3 level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) procedures between cannabis users and noncannabis users. Summary of Background Data.  Recreational use of cannabis is common, though it remains poorly studied and legally ambiguous in the United States. Patients with back pain may turn to adjunctive use of cannabis to manage their pain. However, the implications of cannabis use on the achievement of bony fusion are not well-characterized. Methods.  Patients who underwent 1 to 3 level TLIF for degenerative disc disease or …

Ensuring Intervention Fidelity Of An Attention Control Arm In A Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial, Amy R. Newman, Karen M. Moody, Kerri Becktell, Erin Connelly, Cynthia Holladay, Katie Parisio, Jonathan L. Powell, Verna L. Hendricks-Ferguson

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Intervention fidelity is a critical element of randomized controlled trials, yet reporting of intervention fidelity among attention control arms is limited. Lack of fidelity to attention control procedures can affect study outcomes by either overestimating or underestimating the efficacy of the intervention under examination.

Objectives

This brief report describes the approach researchers took to promote fidelity to the attention control arm of a pediatric palliative care randomized controlled trial funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Methods

The Informational Meetings for Planning and Coordinating Treatment trial aims to determine the efficacy of a communication intervention that uses care team …

Correlation Between Rod Fracture And Shear Stress: A Novel Parameter, Seth Street, Abhijith V. Matur, Xu Tao, Geet Shukla, Julia Garcia-Vargas, Jay P. Mehta, Kelly Childress, Justin Gibson, Daryn Cass, Andrew Wu, Henry Ofori Duah, Benjamin Motley, Daniel Webb, Joseph Cheng, Owoicho Adogwa

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background We sought to assess the accuracy of a novel parameter proportional to the rod shear stress (RSS) in identifying patients at risk of rod fracture (RF) after surgery for correction of adult spinal deformity. Methods We performed a retrospective medical record review of patients aged ≥18 years treated for adult spinal deformity between 2004 and 2014 with ≥24 months of follow-up. The primary outcome was RFs identified radiographically. Patient weight (w), number of instrumented levels (N), and minimum rod diameter (d) were recorded and used to calculate the RSS parameter (). Receiver operating characteristic curves were produced and the …