Nursing Commons^™

Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D, Calcium, And Calcium-Regulating Hormones In Preeclamptics And Controls During First Day Postpartum, Ahmed Dalmar, Hershel Raff, Suneet P. Chauhan, Maharaj Singh, Danish S. Siddiqui

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

The evidence for a link between vitamin D and preeclampsia is conflicting. There is a paucity of studies reporting simultaneous 25-hydroxyvitamin D (inactive form) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (biologically active form). We investigated if levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, calcium-regulating hormones (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone), and calcium differ significantly between preeclamptics and controls. On postpartum day one, 98 subjects (44 with preeclampsia, 54 controls) were recruited among women admitted to the postdelivery unit, and their serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone, serum calcium, and serum albumin levels were prospectively measured. The majority of participants (70 %) had serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D …

Cultural Competency In The Medical Workplace: A Look At Outpatient Clinic Nurses At A Children's Hospital In New England, Evelyn S. Callahan

Honors Scholar Theses

This paper analyzes the current state of progress toward cultural competency in the medical workplace, specifically in the hospital setting. It compares the current writing on the topic to research done at a large New England children’s hospital. The nurses are all individuals who work in an out patient setting so they often see the same patients regularly for longer periods of time. This differs from the in-patient or floor nurses who only spend limited time with a constantly changing population of patients. The research involved one-on-one interviews and a focus group with nurses at the hospital. The focus group …

A Sleep Apnea Program For Commercial Drivers, Gayla Ann Dace

Dissertations

Sleepy driving is a major contributing factor to the motor vehicle crash risk associated with commercial drivers (Pack et al., 2006). In commercial vehicles, approximately 31% to 41% of major crashes can be linked to sleepy driving (Gurubhagavatula et al., 2004). An average non-fatality crash involving a commercial motor vehicle costs about $75,637 while a fatality crash averages about $3.54 million (Gurubhagavatula et al., 2004). A contributing factor to sleepy driving is obstructive sleep apnea (Pack et al., 2006). The purposes of this study were to: (1) determine how many commercial motor vehicle drivers referred to a sleep center as …

An Examination Of Correctional Nursing Competencies For Improved Patient Care, Bing Zheng

Honors Scholar Theses

The concept of this honors project was to explore correctional nursing competency, working closely with my advisor and the research team. Key findings from the initial competency assessment evaluation phase were compiled, organized, and analyzed. A podium presentation “Advancing Correctional Nurse Competencies for Quality Care: Evaluation of Simulation Learning and Satisfaction” was given at the 2013 American Correctional Health Services Association (ACHSA) Multidisciplinary Educational Conference on Correctional Healthcare: Ring a Bell. Additionally, a poster presentation, “Correctional Nurse Competencies: Evaluation of Simulation Learning and Satisfaction,” was given at the 2013 Frontiers conference. A poster presentation was given at the University of …

Medication Adherence And Intervention To Create Success In Hypertensive African Americans In A Rural Setting, Laneita Davis

DNP Projects

Hypertension is a chronic disease that has been a major problem in the African American community for decades. Although numerous research studies have examined interventions to combat this disease, there has been very little research published that focused on African Americans with hypertension in a rural setting. Rural residents experience many difficulties in accessing healthcare services. This difficult access is a disadvantage that results in higher morbidity and mortality rates compared to those of their urban counterparts. Being from a small town in Mississippi, I have witnessed first hand the many barriers that are encountered. Individuals who live in a …

Engaging Staff To Change A Culture, Mary Kunkel, Erin Joyce Rn

Patient Care Services / Nursing

No abstract provided.

Environmental Cleaning In The Emergency Department, Jenny Vang

Celebrating Scholarship & Creativity Day (2011-2017)

Emergency Departments (ED) have protocols in place for cleaning rooms vacated by patients in order to reduce the spread of infection. What is the health care staff’s responsibility to ensure these protocols are being updated and implemented as part of infection control? The principle objective of this project is to re-educate healthcare staff on the importance of the environmental cleaning policy in the ED to decrease transmission of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO). Secondary objectives include a review of the literature to provide evidence on the most effective disinfectant wipe to reduce MDROs, and best methods for evaluating cleanliness. Data will …

The Use Of Original Song-Writing To Help Families Cope With Hospice Care, Kelsey Mcquillan

Celebrating Scholarship & Creativity Day (2011-2017)

No abstract provided.

Coming Home: The Use Of Skilled Nursing Visits On Recently Discharged Nicu Patients, Brittany Mattson

Celebrating Scholarship & Creativity Day (2011-2017)

This research analyzes the facility’s use of skilled nursing visits of premature infants and recommends the best practice to support positive patient outcomes.

Evaluation Of A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (Sane) Program On Sexual Assault Criminal Case Outcomes, Julie Valentine, Alyssa Lark, Michael Worthington

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of a community-based sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) program on sexual assault criminal case outcomes in Salt Lake County, Utah.

Exploring The Influence Of Charge Nurses On Patient Safety, Charity Rowley, Dr. Katreena Merrill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In 2010, The Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that adverse events during hospitalization contribute to the deaths of 180,000 patients each year! The study at hand was based on these findings and aims to improve the safety in the hospital environment.

The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, Kathryn E. Brackett

Senior Honors Theses

Abstract

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a worldwide movement started by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) that is aimed at providing hospitals with a certification that guarantees the best possible patient-centered care for mothers and infants. It focuses on breastfeeding as optimal infant nutrition, and implements strategies to encourage and support mothers to breastfeed their infants exclusively for six months after birth. The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding are a set of 10 simple, easy to understand guidelines developed by WHO and UNICEF for implementing this initiative in the hospital setting and …

Home Care Role In Reducing Re-Hospitalization For Patients With Chf And Pneumonia Within 30 Days Of Discharge, Janelle (Nelli) Hodorff

Celebrating Scholarship & Creativity Day (2011-2017)

No abstract provided.

Adults With Type I Diabetes: Lifetime Support And Management, Jordan Lynne Prescott, Dr. Donna Freeborn

Journal of Undergraduate Research

To explore the effects of family support and how that relates to personal management of people diagnosed with Type I DM.

Vaccination Perceptions Of School Employees In A Rural School District, Jennifer Orton, Dr. Beth Luthy

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Comparing the pre-vaccine rates to the 2010 rates, vaccine preventable diseases have decreased by 98% or greater for diseases such as smallpox, diphtheria, measles, mumps, and rubella (American Academy of Microbiology [AAM], 2010). High vaccination rates are required to maintain low disease prevalence, and all 50 states have legislated mandates with childhood vaccination requirements before enrolling in public schools in an effort to maintain high vaccination rates (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2011). Conversely, adult vaccination rates are low and many adults are unsure of their vaccination status (Johnson, Nichol, & Lipczynski, 2008) or are not completely vaccinated …

Nursing Home Staff Perceptions Of Older Adults With End-Stage Dementia, Camille Tranter, Dr. Barbara Heise Phd, Aprn, Bc, Cne

Journal of Undergraduate Research

According to the Alzheimer’s Association (2012), one in eight older adults has Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and by 2050, someone will develop AD every 33 seconds doubling the current number of people suffering from AD. The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the impact of an end-of-life educational module on nursing home staff perceptions of end-stage dementia care. End-of-life education may improve the quality of care for nursing home residents with advanced dementia.

What Do Nursing Students Know About Quality And Safety? A Pilot Study, Arlene S. N. Johnston, Dr. Katreena Collette Merrill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Quality and patient safety has become a strong focus in the hospitals. However, academic institutions vary in their approach to preparing student nurses in the areas of quality and patient safety. Quality and Safety Education in Nursing (QSEN) was initiated in 2007 with the charge to prepare student nurses with the knowledge, skills and attitudes (KSAs) necessary to improve healthcare quality and patient safety. Six QSEN competencies were developed. These QSEN competencies are patient centered care, teamwork and collaboration, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, informatics, and safety. These QSEN competencies are beginning to be implemented across nursing curriculums. Emphasis has been …

Accuracy Of Blood And Fluid Loss Estimation In The Adult Patient: A Comparison Among Healthcare Team Members, Diana Carter, James E. Kohl

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The ability of registered nurses and healthcare providers to correctly quantify blood and fluid loss is an important factor in providing quality care as it often directs healthcare interventions. Underestimation of blood and fluid loss can lead to delays in treatment and can be detrimental to the patient. Overestimation can lead to needless, wasteful, costly and often times dangerous treatments placing the patient at risk for harm and additional comorbidities. Multiple studies have shown that blood loss is overestimated in small amounts, and underestimated in large amounts. As blood and fluids are lost, the mean arterial pressure may decrease to …

Religiosity, Spirituality, And Family Hardiness In Parents: Raising A Child With A Disability, Brittni Carr, Dr. Barbara Mandleco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

According to Cohn, the number of children in the United States with a disability has increased to 5.2 million, making 1 in every 12 children disabled (2002). This number continues to rise with every passing decade, so more research is being done concerning the parenting of these children. While some studies have been done relating to religiosity and coping, there is a falling out in the literature on religiosity’s correlation to family hardiness. These two variables greatly influence the upbringing and development of CWD. Some researchers have assessed that a parent’s faith helps him or her through stressful situations (Dura-Vila, …

The Intersection Of Child Abuse And Parenting Self-Efficacy In A Teen Population: A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Madeline Goodfellow, Dr. Janelle Macintosh

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Over three quarters (79.6%) of rape victims are assaulted before the age of 25 years (Black et al., 2011). In a nationwide survey, 11.8 percent of female high school students report being abused (hit, slapped, or physically hurt on purpose) by their significant other in the last year (Eaton et al., 2012). It has been suggested that traumatic childhood experiences affect many adjustment processes (Liang, Williams, & Siegel, 2006). Although teen pregnancy rates are the lowest they have been in years, teens that have experienced maltreatment, abuse, or sexual abuse are at a higher risk for becoming pregnant (Noll, Shenk, …