Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment Commons^™

From Evidence To Practice: Improving Diabetic Patient Outcomes By Increasing Statin Utilization, Elizabeth Mcfalls

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention in patients with diabetes is essential, as heart disease remains the leading cause of death within this population (American Diabetes Association, n.d.). The purpose of this evidence-based project is to improve patient outcomes by enhancing adherence to statin therapy. A thorough literature review yielded 246 pieces of moderate-to-high-quality evidence; of these, eight articles were appraised in detail and selected for project inclusion. The strongest evidence identified four meaningful interventions. Thus, a multimodal approach was indicated for this project. This included addressing barriers to therapy, creating practice nudges, implementing a shared decision-making (SDM) tool, and utilizing clinical …

Comparing The Use Of Measured And Smoothed Data In Forecasting Visual Field Tests Using Deep Learning, Ashkan Abbasi, Sowjanya Gowrisankaran, Wei-Chun Lin, Xubo Song, Bhavna Josephine Antony, Gadi Wollstein, Joel Schuman, Hiroshi Ishikawa

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of training and testing deep learning (DL) models for visual field (VF) forecasting using input-target pairs in which the target is either the measured VF test result, or its smoothed counterpart constructed via linear regression.

DESIGN: A retrospective data analysis study evaluating DL models for VF forecasting under multiple training and testing configurations.

SUBJECTS AND CONTROLS: A total of 1400 subjects (healthy and glaucoma patients) with 19 437 reliable Humphrey VF (24-2 Swedish Interactive Threshold Algorithm) tests collected from longitudinal cohorts at the University of Pittsburgh and New York University.

METHODS: Three DL-based pointwise VF …

Multi-Grader Validation Of The Telemedicine Retinopathy Of Prematurity Severity Score, Harrison W. Pratt, Sarthak V. Shah, Cindy S. Zhao, Arthur R. Brant, Caroline R. Baumal, Cagri G. Besirli, Audina M. Berrocal, Kimberley A. Drenser, Anna L. Ells, Clio Armitage Harper, G. Baker Hubbard, Eric D. Nudleman, Polly Quiram, Irena Tsui, Edward Wood, Yoshihiro Yonekawa, Tatiana Rosenblatt, Jochen Kumm, Darius M. Moshfeghi

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

We aimed to statefully validate Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) grading by evaluating intergrader variability over age-matched simulated exams. In a prospective retinal photographic grading cohort study, both eyes of twenty patients with five images per eye per visit were graded by twelve expert graders across six weekly visits. For each eye visit, ROP experts graded the Zone, Stage, and Plus, from which the Telemedicine ROP Severity Score (tROP-SS) was calculated. Graders retained knowledge of prior assessments for a given eye and followed International Classification of ROP rules. Intergrader coefficient of variation (CoV) for Zone, Stage, Plus, and tROP-SS remained below …

Nanoparticle-Based Therapy For Peripheral Artery Disease: Evaluation Of Collagen Reduction And Fibrosis Mitigation In Ischemic Tissue, Tresha Nguyen

2026 Spring Honors Capstones Projects

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is characterized by reduced blood flow, ischemic injury, and fibrosis, which collectively impair tissue function. Current treatment strategies are limited in their ability to target fibrotic tissue and restore normal function effectively. This study evaluates the therapeutic potential of drug-loaded nanoparticles to reduce fibrosis in ischemic tissue. Nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized for in vivo application. Tissue samples from experimental groups, including saline control, blank nanoparticles, free drug, and drug-loaded nanoparticles, were analyzed using Masson’s Trichrome staining to quantify collagen deposition. Histological images were processed using image analysis software to determine the percentage of collagen area. …

A History Of Native Medical Auxiliaries, Tanzania:1920s To The 1960s, Irene Gabriel Ndosi, Ashura Jackson Ngoya

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

This paper examines the role and evolution of Native Medical Auxiliaries (NMAs) in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, during British colonial rule between the 1920s and 1960s. It argues that NMAs were not merely subordinates within the colonial medical system but active agents who negotiated and blended Western medical practices with indigenous healing knowledge. Drawing on archival records and oral histories, the paper finds that NMAs filled critical gaps in healthcare delivery, particularly in rural areas, while simultaneously preserving local therapeutic traditions. By applying Local Agency Theory, the paper highlights the NMAs’ strategic engagement with colonial structures and their contribution to shaping hybrid …

Hyposense: Multimodal Physiologic And Voc Wearable For Early Hypoglycemia Detection, Nidhi R. Patel

Honors Theses

Hypoglycemia remains a significant safety concern for insulin-dependent individuals, especially when blood glucose declines rapidly during exercise, sleep, or periods of impaired hypoglycemia awareness. Current continuous glucose monitors and automated insulin delivery systems have helped to improve diabetes management, but these technologies primarily respond to glucose trends after they have already started and may not actually provide sufficient warning before symptoms occur. This thesis describes the development of HypoSense, a noninvasive wrist worn wearable concept that is designed to support earlier hypoglycemia risk detection through multimodal physiologic and volatile organic compound emission sensing. HypoSense combines volatile organic compounds/gas sensing with …

Implementation Of A Planned Extubation Nurse-Led Safety Bundle In A Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Broderick Sutton

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose: To implement and evaluate a nurse-led planned extubation safety bundle designed to improve nurse preparedness, interdisciplinary communication, workflow consistency, and confidence during planned extubation events in a pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU).

Background: Planned extubation in critically ill pediatric cardiac patients requires effective interdisciplinary coordination. Variability in nurse preparation, communication, and knowledge of sedation pharmacokinetics contributed to workflow inefficiencies and patient safety concerns. Evidence supports standardized nurse-led protocols to improve extubation readiness and reduce practice variability.

Methodology: A prospective pre-post quality improvement project was conducted over eight weeks in a pediatric CICU. The intervention included a nurse-led planned …

Transition To Noninvasive Testing From The Gold Standard Of Liver Biopsy, Heidi Bien, Sabina Choudhry, Christine Pocha, University Of South Dakota Sanford School Of Medicine & Avera Health System

Scholarship Pathways Program

Purpose: Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, represents a rapidly growing public health concern, affecting roughly 30% of the global population. MASLD encompasses a spectrum from simple steatosis to its more progressive form, metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Early and accurate assessment of liver disease is critical for risk stratification and management, yet the current gold standard-liver biopsy remains invasive, costly, and limited by sampling variability and interpretive subjectivity. Noninvasive imaging modalities, particularly magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), have emerged as promising alternatives, but their concordance with biopsy in real-world clinical practice remains underexplored.

 Methods: …

Menstrual Hygiene Screening Needs Assessment In South Dakota, Mariah Shafer, Denyelle Kenyon

Scholarship Pathways Program

Menstrual Hygiene Screening Needs Assessment In South Dakota

Mariah M. Shafer, MD | DenYelle Kenyon Ph.D. Assoc Dean, Community Health and Engagement, MPH Program Director.

 Introduction: Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is essential to women’s reproductive health; literature demonstrates there are mental, social, and economic consequences to inadequate MHM in rural and developing countries. Emerging studies show that US women who are impoverished, experiencing homelessness, or incarcerated also face poor MHM. To understand implications of poor MHM in South Dakota, a largely rural state, a thorough gynecologic health history is essential; this needs assessment explores the scope of MHM questions asked …

Evaluating Headache Treatment Efficacy Across Rural And Urban Emergency Departments, Logan Stacey, Alan Sazama, Benjamin Aaker

Scholarship Pathways Program

Evaluating Headache Treatment Efficacy Across Rural and Urban Emergency Departments

Logan Stacey, MD | Alan Sazama, MD, Benjamin Aaker, MD

Introduction: Headaches are a common chief complaint in emergency departments (EDs), with rural patients facing unique challenges such as geographic isolation and limited access to care. This study aims to compare treatment efficacy for this top five ED chief complaints between rural and urban EDs.

Methods: Patients treated for headaches from 2020-2023 were identified using diagnosis codes and electronic health records. Treatment plans and patient demographics were abstracted from identified charts. EDs were categorized as rural (populations under 50,000) or …

A Critically Appraised Topic: Effectiveness Of Hydrogen-Rich Water Therapies In Reducing Inflammation, Bill Craig, Dawn Hammerschmidt, Jay Albrecht

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Inflammation is an important part of healing, but prolonged inflammation or inflammatory disease can cause excess pain and tissue damage. Hydrogen-rich water therapies have shown to have positive effects on this wide variety of conditions and may have a role in future therapeutic intervention for inflammatory conditions and acute injury care. Hydrogen is a commonly known element that has recently been the subject of scientific studies to analyze its beneficial properties when used as a therapeutic intervention. Hydrogen is physically the smallest element on the periodic table, and when two hydrogen atoms combine to form H2, it is known as …

What Are The Specific Parameters Of Cold-Water Immersion On Its Positive Effects On Recovery And Sleep In The Physically Active Population?, Landyn L. James, Jay Albrecht, Dawn Hammerschmidt

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Cold-water immersion (CWI) is widely used in athletic and rehabilitative settings to enhance post‑exercise recovery, yet optimal treatment parameters remain inconsistent across clinical practice. Physically active individuals frequently seek recovery strategies that improve muscle function and sleep quality, creating a need to evaluate the evidence supporting specific CWI protocols. Focused Clinical Question: The purpose of this critically appraised topic (CAT) was to determine which temperature and duration parameters of CWI most effectively improve muscle recovery and sleep in physically active populations. A focused clinical question was developed using the PICO framework. Search Strategies: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses were identified through …

The Cadaver As The First Patient: Early Integration Of Pathology In The Preclinical Anatomy Laboratory, Sruthi Shriram, Lauren Desantis, Tulika Singhal, Kevin Ta, Courtney Shields, Muhammad Jawwad Arshad, Varna Taranikanti, Madison Konja

Posters

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Blue Light From Technology On Sleep Health In Adolescents And Young Adults: A Literature Review, Matthew F. Dilloian, Dianne Langford Ph.D., Charalampos Papachristou Ph.D.

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Digital screens, such as smartphones, computers, and tablets, emit blue light in the short wavelength range of ~400–500 nm. This exposure impacts the suprachiasmatic nucleus, the brain's biological clock, which regulates the sleep-wake cycle via melatonin secretion from the pineal gland. Blue light is known to suppress melatonin, potentially leading to poor sleep quality and sleep disruptions. Significance: With approximately 90% of Americans using electronic devices within one hour of bedtime, understanding these effects is critical for public health. Previous research often excluded young adults, specific target populations, like athletes, or focused solely on the biochemistry of blue …

Evaluating The Efficacy Of The Confusion Assessment Method For The Icu (Cam-Icu) In Reducing Length Of Stay Among Critically Ill Patients: A Scoping Review, John Simmons, Fay Nelson, Keith Hunt, Lindsey Waller, Tracy Mcclinton Dnp, Aprn, Agacnp-Bc, Hget-C, Ebp-C

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background

Delirium is a prevalent complication among critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs), associated with increased mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and higher healthcare costs. The Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU) is a validated tool designed to aid in the early identification of delirium; however, systematic screening remains low among healthcare professionals. This scoping review aims to evaluate the efficacy of the CAM-ICU in identifying delirium and its potential impact on reducing ICU length of stay.

Method

            This scoping review began by establishing inclusion criteria to ensure the results were applicable to the researchers’ patient population, including …

Medication-Assisted Treatment For Patients With Substance Use Disorder And Depression: A Scoping Review, Josiane Deguenon Bsn-Rn, Elisabeth Fritz Bsn-Rn, Jesse Jean Bsn-Rn, Tucker Mckinney Bsn-Rn, Laura Reed Dnp, Aprn, Fnp-Bc, Cne, Fnap

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background

Substance use disorder (SUD) frequently co-occurs with depression and increases relapse risk and healthcare utilization. Although medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an evidence-based intervention for SUD, outcomes for adults with co-occurring depression remain inconsistently reported due to variation in study designs, treatment settings, and measures. This scoping review examines evidence on MAT use among adults with co-occurring depression and SUD and summarized reported clinical and healthcare utilization outcomes.

Methods

From August 2023 to November 2025, a scoping literature review was conducted on PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library, using MeSH search terms and Boolean operators to link the concepts defined …

Brief Review : Listening Closely--Stethoscopes, Hygiene Gaps, And The Unfinished Work Of Healthcare-Associated Infection Prevention, James Espinosa, Swet Patel, Robin Lahr, Sergey Medlenov, Russell Mordecai, James Lee, Alan Lucerna, Henry Schuitema

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a persistent patient safety challenge. While hand hygiene has received sustained institutional focus, stethoscope hygiene remains inconsistently addressed despite longstanding evidence of contamination. Stethoscopes function as portable, patient-to-patient devices that may serve as under-recognized fomites in emergency and inpatient settings. Prior pilot work demonstrated that clinicians were unable to reliably distinguish between disposable and standard stethoscopes, and that perceived acoustic degradation from a diaphragm barrier was minimal. These findings suggest that acoustic concerns may not represent a primary barrier to hygiene-enhancing strategies. This brief review examines the literature surrounding stethoscope contamination and cleaning behavior, frames the …

Procedural Narration As An Important Cognitive Adjunct To Analgesia: Naming And Neurobiologically Grounding An Established Emergency Medicine Practice, James Espinosa, Alan Lucerna

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Experienced emergency physicians routinely provide real-time verbal guidance during procedures. Although widespread and intuitive, this practice has not been commonly conceptualized within pain neuroscience.

Objective: To name and mechanistically ground procedural narration as a form of cognitive analgesia, and to promote its intentional use and teaching in Emergency Medicine.

Methods: Narrative review integrating predictive coding theory, placebo/nocebo research, affective neuroscience, descending inhibitory pathway literature, and attentional modulation studies.

Results: Procedural narration reduces uncertainty, aligns expectation with sensation, modulates limbic threat processing, engages prefrontal cortical regulation, and supports descending inhibitory control of nociception.

Conclusion: Procedural narration is not a novel …

Stroke Mimics And Stroke Chameleons: Leveraging The False Positive/False Negative Diagnostic Schema In Resident Teaching, James Espinosa, Alan Lucerna

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background

Stroke mimics and stroke chameleons contribute significantly to diagnostic uncertainty in Emergency Medicine. Traditional teaching often relies on enumerating examples, yet residents struggle to internalize these distinctions.

Objective

To present a conceptual teaching framework that maps stroke mimics to false positives and stroke chameleons to false negatives, leveraging pre-existing diagnostic schemas.

Methods

Using representative cases—including hypoglycemic hemiparesis and spinal epidural lipomatosis presenting as stroke mimic—we developed an explanation for residents involving framing mimics as false positives and chameleons as false negatives.

Results

Framing mimics as false positives and chameleons as false negatives activates existing learner schemas related to sensitivity …

X-Ray Versus Ct For Femoral Landmark Identification: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Akash B. Patel, Marzieh Saeedi-Hosseiny, Mohammad Abedin-Nasab

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background Accurate femoral bone landmark identification is essential for orthopedic surgical planning, deformity correction, and fracture risk assessment. Radiography offers accessibility and low cost, while CT provides superior spatial resolution and three-dimensional visualization. Despite technological advances, no quantitative synthesis has compared these modalities specifically for femoral landmark identification.

Hypothesis CT provides superior measurement accuracy and interobserver reliability compared to radiography for femoral bone landmark identification.

Methods Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, Embase, Scopus, and PubMed were searched from 2015-2025. Studies comparing radiography and CT for femoral landmark identification with quantitative outcomes were included. Dual-reviewer screening of 604 records yielded 27 studies …