9806 research outputs found
Sort by
The Prevention of Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections by Implementing Noble-Metal Coated Urinary Catheters.
Catheter associated urinary tract infections, otherwise known as “CAUTI”, are one of the most frequent healthcare-associated infections. Some outcomes of CAUTI’s include increased mortality, prolonged hospital stay, as well as increased healthcare costs related to infections. (CDC, 2024). Urinary tract infections due to urinary catheterization had the highest number of infections, greater than 560,000, compared to other healthcare-associated infections. (CDC, 2024). Additionally, deaths associated with catheter associated urinary tract infections had estimates of over 13,000, with a mortality rate of 2.3%. (CDC, 2024). To combat the incidence of CAUTI in healthcare, noble metal alloy coated catheters were introduced as an alternative to catheters without noble metal alloy coating. The purpose of noble metal alloy coated catheters is to reduce the risk of bacterial colonization within the body system by acting against the biofilm over the indwelling catheter ((Kai-Larsen, Y. et al., 2021; Sun, Y. et al., 2020). Through analyzing research, results of studies on patients receiving short-term urinary catheterization had a positive outcome as a result of the usage of noble-metal alloy coating. In conclusion, the use of noble-metal alloy urinary catheters is an effective intervention in reducing bacteriuria and CAUTI in patients requiring short-term urinary catheterization. (Sun, Y. et al., 2020)
Medical Chatbot
The Medical Chatbot is designed to help healthcare providers, especially nurses and doctors, quickly acquire health information and diagnose symptoms. This application aims to assist healthcare practitioners in gathering necessary patient information, streamlining the diagnosing process, and providing guidance for various medical diseases. The chatbot\u27s conversational features let healthcare workers swiftly access information, validate symptom lists, and provide decision support for patient assessment. The project aims to deliver a secure, accurate, and user-friendly system that meets healthcare data standards and clinical needs. The chatbot aims to enhance healthcare workflows by swiftly providing precise information while respecting patient anonymity. The Medical Chatbot aims to enhance patient care and workflow efficiency by reducing data retrieval time and providing insights via a responsive digital assistant
Women In The Workforce - Wage Gap
This essay explores the unfortunate modern-day issue women face of the wage gap between genders in the workplace, proposing solutions such as transparency laws, corporate policy changes, and investment in women leaders. After researching the issue, when comparing women and men, it is clear that a lot of progress is needed before we as a country can say that women and men have equal pay. The wage gap is evident when you see that women on average make about 16% less than men when doing the same jobs (Forbes.com). The gender wage gap women face is further complicated by race, ethnicity, and caregiving responsibilities, creating extreme challenges for many women in the workforce to be respected as equal. There needs to be serious changes implemented soon if we as a society are really taking this issue seriously. Some possible solutions that can be put into action to counteract the wage gap would be creating transparency laws, changes in corporate policies, and investment in women leaders. These are just some of the many ways that the wage gap can decrease and become an even playing field but progress in this issue does not have to be limited to these specific solutions. There are a wide variety of ways that this issue can be solved but the top priority before any real change can occur is for the wage gap to have more publicity. The wage gap is not something that is covered heavily by large news outlets such as CNN or FOX. Before anything can get done in regard to the wage gap, people need to be made aware of the problems women like ourselves face in corporate America and in businesses throughout the country and the world
The Utility of Teletherapy in the Treatment and Assessment of Pediatric Speech and Language Disorders
Access to high-quality speech-language therapy is critical for children with speech and language disorders, yet barriers such as geographic limitations and provider shortages often delay intervention. Teletherapy has emerged as a viable alternative, offering cost-effective and accessible services. This literature review compares the efficacy of teletherapy versus traditional in-person therapy, evaluating post-therapy outcomes, cost efficiency, and family/provider satisfaction. Findings suggest that teletherapy is equally effective, with some studies reporting superior outcomes in teletherapy groups. Additionally, teletherapy proves to be significantly more cost-efficient over time and enhances family engagement by reducing missed sessions. While challenges exist, particularly in receptive language improvements for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a hybrid approach combining teletherapy and in-person services may optimize outcomes. These results support teletherapy as a practical and efficient model for pediatric speech-language therapy, especially for underserved populations
Lung Cancer Outcomes in Relation to Socioeconomic Status
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. While many factors affect diagnosis and treatment, socioeconomic status (SES) plays a critical role. People from lower-income backgrounds often face more barriers to timely diagnosis, access to care, and effective treatment, which can lead to worse outcomes. In this study, we examined the relationship between income and lung cancer prevalence among U.S. adults using secondary data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Our analysis included 4,073 adult respondents and focused on annual family income and self-reported lung cancer diagnoses.
Overall, 3.2% of participants reported a lung cancer diagnosis. When arranged by income, individuals earning between 100,000. A Chi-square test confirmed the difference was statistically significant (p \u3c 0.001), showing a clear association between lower income and increased risk. Adults in lower-income households were more than twice as likely to report a lung cancer diagnosis than those in higher-income households. This pattern held across gender and racial subgroups, even though most identified as White.
In conclusion, our study highlights a strong link between low income and lung cancer prevalence. To reduce these disparities, public health efforts should focus on improving access to affordable screening, addressing structural and environmental barriers, and increasing education around the social determinants of health. Future research should continue exploring how factors like race, education, and geographic location intersect with income to influence lung cancer outcomes
Burnout Rates in School versus Medical Settings for Speech-Language Pathologists
Burnout among Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) is an increasingly recognized concern, characterized by emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion stemming from overwhelming work demands and stress. This literature review aims to investigate and compare burnout rates among SLPs in school and medical settings, focusing on factors such as job satisfaction, caseload size, and resilience strategies. A systematic literature review was performed using the Sacred Heart University library databases. Studies were analyzed based on their design, methodology, and findings, using the PEDro scale for quality assessment. Findings indicate that SLPs in medical settings generally experience higher burnout rates due to larger caseloads and emotional strain, although individual experiences vary significantly based on clinician background and workplace dynamics. Survey data predominantly highlighted that high caseloads correlate with decreased job satisfaction and self-efficacy.
Burnout is prevalent among SLPs, influenced by factors like caseload size and workplace environment. Implementing stress reduction techniques—such as mindfulness, physical activity, and adequate rest—can aid clinicians in managing stress levels effectively. This review provides insights into necessary interventions to enhance job satisfaction and reduce burnout among SLPs across different settings
Effects of Food Insecurity on Depression and Anxiety in College Students
An estimated 30-40% of college students experience food insecurity and over 60% meet criteria for at least one mental health condition. This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between food security and mental health outcomes in college students. Participants included 252 students at Sacred Heart University’s College of Health Professions who participated in the 2021 Pioneer Student Health and Well-Being Survey. Food security status was measured using the USDA Food Security 6-Item Short Form. Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire and anxiety was assessed using the General Anxiety Disorder Survey. Results showed that approximately 40.4% of the students experienced low to very low food security. Chi-square analyses revealed a statistically significant inverse relationship between food security status and both depression and anxiety severity (
Influence of Musculoskeletal Factors on the Biomechanics of Running
The trunk, composed of thoracic and lumbar spine and surrounding muscles act as a key stabilizer and link between upper and lower body movement during running. Efficient trunk movement minimizes excessive rotation and lateral flexion is associated with improved running economy and reduced injury risk. This study serves the purpose of assessing the relationship between lateral trunk musculature endurance and trunk kinematics during running utilizing the side bridge hold time as a measure of core endurance and marker less capture to evaluate trunk kinematics. Nineteen Division 1 track athletes (ages 18-23) completed a side plank test and ran at three progressively faster speeds on an instrumented treadmill. Bilateral trunk rotation (BTR) and lateral flexion (LF) at foot contact were the kinematics selected for this study and were analyzed using three-dimensional markerless motion capture (Theia 3D; Visual 3D software). Kinovea video analysis software was used to quantify trunk instability during the side plank, using pixel-based displacement tracking from a marker placed on the anterior superior illiac spine. Using this information the average pixel displacement per second was determined, which was used to assess the athlete’s ability to stabilize during the side bridge. Normative data was generated by calculating percentile rankings for side plank hold times and corresponding average displacement, providing a benchmark for future comparisons in Division 1 running populations. Correlational analysis revealed a moderate positive relationship between side bridge hold times and left lateral flexion (r= 0.401), while other kinematic measures showed a weak or negligible correlation. These results suggest that static core endurance may not have a major influence over BTR and LF at foot contact during running, rather dynamic core endurance may possess a better correlation with these previously assessed kinematics