Patient Safety Commons^™

Improving Nurse Knowledge And Attitudes Through Education On Integrative Pain Management In A Medical-Surgical Unit: A Quality Improvement Project, Samantha Hamilton

Master's Theses and Capstones

Abstract

Background: Pain management in medical-surgical microsystems is complex, with many patients experiencing acute and chronic pain that can be difficult to control. Nurses often receive limited continuing education on integrative and comprehensive pain management strategies, highlighting a need to improve their knowledge and attitudes toward evidence-based, multimodal approaches.

Local Problem: Nurses in this 38-bed medical-surgical microsystem identified a gap in education related to integrative pain management strategies. This may lead to a reliance on pharmacological interventions and missed opportunities for holistic, patient-centered care

Methods: A 25-day quality improvement project was conducted using an asynchronous educational PowerPoint on integrative …

The Impact Of State-Mandated Certification Of Surgical Technologists On Surgical Site Infection Rates: Evaluating Policy, Practice, And Patient Outcomes, Katherine E. Geiger

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Abstract

Chairperson: Matthew Schertz, Ph.D.

Committee Member: Morgen J Alwell, Ph.D.

Committee Member: Jill Davis, M.Ed.

As a surgical technology instructor, I have witnessed firsthand the impact that certified surgical technologists (CSTs) have on patient safety, particularly in the prevention of surgical site infections (SSIs). This professional paper investigates the relationship between state-mandated certification of surgical technologists and SSI rates, with a focus on how standardized education and credentialing influence clinical outcomes. SSIs remain a significant concern in surgical environments, contributing to increased morbidity, longer hospital stays, and greater healthcare costs. The research presented here examines certification requirements across various …

The Impact Of Immigrants On The Number And Type Of Births, Neset Gumusburun, Ergun Mendes

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Although cesarean section is a life-saving procedure in certain situations, it may result in complications for maternal and infant health when conducted, especially for nonmedical purposes. The civil war in Syria has significantly modified the demographic and ethnic structure of Turkey, which has affected the number and type of births occurring here. In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of the increasing Syrian refugee patient population on primary cesarean section rates in Kilis/Turkey.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, pregnant women who gave birth at the State Hospital in the Kilis province in Turkiye between …

Development And Evaluation Of An Implementation Strategy To Increase Hpv Vaccination Among Underserved Youth Across Texas: A Protocol Paper, Paula M Cuccaro, Jihye Choi, Lara S Savas, Efrat K Gabay, Mayra Aguilar Mcbride, Amy Montelongo Eldridge, Timothy J Walker

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: All for Them is a theory-based and evidence-informed multilevel, multicomponent program delivered through schools to increase HPV vaccination among medically underserved youth across Texas. Given the potential logistical challenges of program implementation, understanding how to best support the implementation and sustainment of the program is critical. The overall goals of this study are twofold: 1) develop a multifaceted implementation strategy, Implementing All for Them (IM-AFT); and 2) evaluate the impact of IM-AFT on implementation outcomes for schools and healthcare providers to successfully implement All for Them in their respective settings.

METHODS: This study is underpinned by a comprehensive and …

Addressing Over-The-Counter Proton Pump Inhibitor Overuse: Strategies For Pharmacists To Enhance Patient Care, Brenna Hissong, Giang Nguyen, Alexander Defranco, Layla Dials, Jordyn Linfield, Haley Brown, Joshua Honaker, Samantha Mccord, Alaina Kortokrax

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most commonly prescribed and widely used medications for the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. PPIs irreversibly inhibit the H+/K+-ATPase enzyme, effectively reducing gastric acid secretion and providing sustained relief for acid-related conditions. With the approval of over-the-counter (OTC) PPIs, the number of individuals taking these medications for prolonged periods of time without routine monitoring for the appropriateness of therapy has increased. The overuse of OTC PPIs can be attributed to a number of factors, including ease of access, perceived safety, inadequate understanding of OTC PPI treatment intervals, and a lack of awareness regarding …

Fda Approves Neffy®- First Nasal Spray For Anaphylaxis, Abigail Carter, Penlope Mazivanhanga, Haylee Whyde, Rileigh Rahrig, Ashley Jacob, Anna Spalvieri, Joshua Honaker, Samantha Mccord, Andrew Roecker

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

Between 1.6 and 5.1% of the United States population have experienced anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction.1 Anaphylaxis occurs when someone is exposed to an allergen, most commonly foods, medications, and insect venom. Epinephrine is the first-line agent for anaphylaxis treatment, and it is critical to administer this medication immediately after the onset of anaphylactic symptoms to prevent worsening that could lead to death. Epinephrine, more commonly known as EpiPen® or Auvi-Q®, has historically only been available as an intramuscular (IM) injection. Many people are afraid, anxious, or uneducated on how to properly give someone an IM injection, causing anaphylaxis treatment …

The Living Document: Medical Records As A Malleable Presence, Camilla Lyckblad

Proceedings from the Document Academy

Understanding why individuals might safeguard information or keep secrets in working documents such as medical records is essential for the development of good quality care, fostering an environment where both patients and staff feel secure to part with sensitive information, encouraging more honest and open communication as well as improved quality of care. This ongoing research aims to deepen comprehension of information behavior in clinical contexts, where the contemporary medical record, with its increasing properties such as open record access for patients, can be viewed as an entity that both listens and influences. This examination sheds light on the complex …

The Evidence Is In: Breast Implants Are Making People Sick Increasingly Women Find When They Have Their Implants Removed, Their Symptoms Improve—Or Disappear., Pamela J. Appea

Capstones

Over the years, breast implants have been associated with a wide range of health issues, including cancer and autoimmune diseases, but surprisingly these issues are not well known to the public. In 1992, health concerns led the FDA to halt the use of silicone gel breast implants for cosmetic surgeries, although implants containing saline remained available (it was during this period that the Oprah segment that Gmitro remembered ran on TV). In 2006, after more research, which some experts believe was insufficient, the FDA re-approved the use of silicone implants. In 2019, a novel “textured” breast implant manufactured …

Examining The Effects Of Language Barriers For Non-Native English Speakers In The Healthcare System In Northwest Ohio, Sarah Witt

Honors Projects

Hundreds of thousands of people in the state of Ohio speak a language other than English, and communication in a predominantly English-speaking state can prove not only cumbersome, but dangerous as well. Patients who have difficulties communicating with their healthcare providers experience higher rates of medical error, adverse medical reactions because of improper drug use, longer hospital stays, and more hospital readmissions than the general population. Additionally, they experience high rates of anxiety and frustration when receiving medical care, which causes resentment and mistrust of the healthcare system. This study investigated language barriers in healthcare systems across Northwest Ohio by …

Prepared To Protect: Improving Cardiac Emergency Response In Youth Club Sports, Melissa Garcia

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a medical emergency where the heart unexpectedly stops beating due to an electrical malfunction. A person experiencing a cardiac arrest collapses, loses consciousness, and ceases breathing (American Heart Association, 2022).

Exercise offers numerous benefits to the cardiovascular system and a person’s overall health. However, there are incidents of sports-related cardiac arrest in apparently healthy athletes, including children and young adults. Athletes may be exposed to dehydration, adrenic surges, electrolyte imbalances, acid/base disturbances, and trauma which increases their risk of experiencing a cardiac event (Wasfy et al., 2016).

Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of …

A Comprehensive Analysis Of In-Hospital Adverse Events After Scopolamine Administration: Insights From A Retrospective Cohort Study Using A Large Nationwide Inpatient Database, George Sun, Marc Torjman, Kevin Min

Department of Anesthesiology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Scopolamine is a widely used antiemetic in anesthetic practice, particularly for postoperative and post-discharge nausea and vomiting. Despite its frequent usage and recognized efficacy, concerns have emerged regarding the potential for increased side effects, particularly in elderly patients. Further research is needed to assess safety and determine age thresholds for adverse events. This study hypothesizes associations between perioperative scopolamine use, worse clinical outcomes, increased pneumonia, delirium, urinary retention, and readmissions.

METHODS: A large, retrospective cohort study was performed using the TriNetX Analytics Network database on patients undergoing major surgical procedures between Jan 1, 2009, and March 21, 2018, to …

Neurohospitalist Core Competencies, Jana J Wold, Jetter Robertson, Jerome A Jeevarajan, Molly G Knox, Prateek Thatikunta, Guillermo E Solorzano, Kristin Galetta, Shefali Dujari, Tarini Goyal, Matthew E Ehrlich, Jonathan P Donnelly, Elizabeth Marriott, Vishal A Mandge, Roshni S Dhoot, Matthew W Luedke, Matthew B Maas, Margaret Y Yu, Michel Toledano, Rafid Mustafa, Jamie L Palaganas, Kathryn Kvam, Rachelle Dugue, Ethan Meltzer, Lahoud Touma, Maulik P Shah, Vanja C Douglas, Karen Orjuela, Brian J Scott, Joshua P Klein, David J Likosky, Jennifer R Simpson, Megan B Richie, Carolin Dohle, Jane G Morris, Carl A Gold

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The Neurohospitalist Core Competencies comprise a set of competency-based learning objectives that encapsulate the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of neurohospitalitists who specialize in the care of hospitalized patients with neurologic conditions. These competencies serve to characterize the rapidly expanding field of neurohospitalist medicine. The 27 chapters are divided into 3 sections entitled: neurological conditions, clinical interventions and interpretation of ancillary studies, and neurohospitalist role in the healthcare system. Each individual learning objective in the chapters describes a specific concept with an action verb to illustrate the behavior that the neurohospitalist exhibits. The individual neurohospitalist may not exhibit mastery in each …

Understanding The Impact Of Covid-19 On Yoga Instruction: Examining Teaching Methodology, Class Components, And Injury Patterns In The Northeastern Us, Sojung Kim, June Solow, Donald H Lein, Harshvardhan Singh

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the impact of COVID-19 on the perspectives of yoga instructors (YIs) regarding teaching methodology, class components, and yoga-related injuries among their clients DESIGN: A cross-sectional design in this study.

SETTING: A total of 407 YIs from Northeastern United States completed a customized, web-based survey.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Chi-square tests were carried out to determine changes in yoga teaching format before and during the pandemic, as well as the counts of yoga related injuries between face-to-face (FtoF) and online teaching format. Independent t tests were used to compare the characteristics of yoga teaching elements.

RESULTS: …

Enhancing Patient Safety: The Role Of Interdisciplinary Teams In Reducing Blood Culture Contamination, Austin Patrick Eisenberg, Fady M. Awad, Brian Watson, Mohammed Faris

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Blood cultures are vital to diagnostic workups among many hospitalized patients, providing valuable information about bloodstream infections (BSIs), which cause roughly 250 000 deaths annually between North America and Europe. Despite advances in health care, blood culture contamination remains a substantial problem, with deleterious effects on patient mortality, patient and hospital costs, and microbial resistance. This article reviews the repercussions of blood culture contamination on the health care system and delineates evidence-based strategies to decrease contamination rates.

Methods

To reduce blood culture contamination rates, our health care facility undertook a quality improvement initiative. A task force was created, consisting …

Inpatient Falls: Epidemiology, Risk Assessment, And Prevention Measures. A Narrative Review, Taylor Locklear, Jeannie Kontos, Callaham A. Brock, Alexander B. Holland, Rachel Hemsath, Anna Deal, Shannon Leonard, Carsten Steinmetz, Saptarshi Biswas

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Patient falls are a common inpatient dilemma and comprise the largest category of preventable adverse events in hospitalized patients. These events place a clinical burden on the patient, such as increased morbidity and reduced quality of life, in addition to an economic burden on the hospital system. Fall prevention strategies have the opportunity to decrease inpatient health care costs and length of stay. Several risk factors have been identified that contribute to inpatient falls and several strategies have been identified to minimize this risk. These risk factors are typically characterized as intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Intrinsic factors include characteristics such …

Preventing The Next Fall: The Power Of A Simple Checklist In Reducing Patient Falls, Ryan P. Bialaszewski, Michael Sander, Maria Hincapie, Rita Garza, Aurora Cavazos

MEDI 9331 Scholarly Activities Clinical Years

Background:
Preventable medical errors and adverse events in US hospitals are far too common and contribute to an estimated $17 billion annually in healthcare expenditures. Falls comprise the majority of these preventable adverse events and are a significant cause of increased healthcare costs, prolonged hospital stays, and patient morbidity and mortality. The average cost per hospital fall is estimated at $62,521 ($35,365 direct costs). Despite numerous preventative measures, the complexity of managing multiple interventions can lead to inconsistent application. Inspired by the success of surgical "time-out" checklists in operating rooms, we hypothesized that a standardized checklist for fall prevention could …

Physician Perspectives About The Diagnosis And Management Of Acute Chest Syndrome, Neha Bhasin, Dana Marie Leblanc, Sean Yates, Quentin Eichbaum, An Pham, Deva Sharma, Li Zhang, Elliott P. Vichinsky, Ravi Sarode

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is the leading cause of mortality, accounting for 25% of all deaths among individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD). There is a lack of evidence-based laboratory and clinical risk stratification guidelines for the diagnosis and management of ACS. Study Design and Methods: To better understand physician practices for the management of ACS in the United States, we created an ACS Working Group including hematology and transfusion medicine physicians from four different SCD treatment centers in the United States. The working group created a physician survey that included physician demographics and ACS diagnostic criteria that they …

Health Matters! Coloring And Activity Booklet (16-Pages), Your Very Favorite, Children's Health, Lorraine Sheldon, May Bressler

English

Health Matters! is a English-language health literacy resource designed for pediatric patients and their families. Written at an approximately 6th-grade reading level, it supports patient education through engaging coloring and activity pages.

This booklet version includes a smaller selection of materials from the larger Health Matters! book. Developed for use in both hospital settings and the broader community, the resource promotes learning through interactive, age-appropriate activities.

This printable PDF version contains the complete collection of activities and comprises 16 pages. The resource was commissioned by Children's Health and prepared by Your Very Favorite.

All Kinds Of People, One Caring Place (Spanish), Your Very Favorite, Children's Health

Spanish

two-pages, Spanish

Blood, Heart, And Circulation, Your Very Favorite, Children's Health

English

single-page

Brain And Nerves, Your Very Favorite, Children's Health

English

single-page

Digestive System, Your Very Favorite, Children's Health

English

single-page

Ear, Nose, And Throat, Your Very Favorite, Children's Health

English

single-page

Endocrine System, Your Very Favorite, Children's Health

English

single-page

Eyes And Vision, Your Very Favorite, Children's Health

English

single-page

Hair, Skin, And Nails, Your Very Favorite, Children's Health

English

single-page

Immune System, Your Very Favorite, Children's Health

English

single-page

Kidneys, And Urinary System, Your Very Favorite, Children's Health

English

single-page

Lungs And Breathing, Your Very Favorite, Children's Health

English

single-page

Mouth And Teeth, Your Very Favorite, Children's Health

English

single-page