2270 research outputs found
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Policy Mapping Tool for Celina Insurance Group
No full textAs part of my capstone project with Celina Insurance Group\u27s data analytics team, I developed a mapping tool to enhance the company’s ability to visualize its business geographically at a policy level. The project addressed a key challenge: the lack of a quick and efficient way to analyze policy information across different locations and territories. To achieve this, I gathered and cleaned essential data, such as policy addresses and coverage amounts, ensuring accuracy and consistency. Using Microsoft Power BI, I built an interactive mapping dashboard that displays all active policies with dynamic filters to refine data views based on key business criteria. Additionally, the tool allows users to input a proposed policy location and instantly access data on the existing coverage in that area. Throughout development, I collaborated with company stakeholders through regular feedback sessions, refining the dashboard to align with their needs. The final product provides Celina Insurance Group with a powerful visualization tool to support strategic decision-making. By offering a clearer geographic perspective on policy distribution, the dashboard helps identify market opportunities, and improve overall business insights
Enhancing Healthcare-Associated Infection Prevention: The Role of Hand Hygiene, PPE, Isolation, and Vaccination Education
No full textBackground: Healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) are a growing concern in hospital settings. Compliance with hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, and isolation precautions is essential to prevent infections and protect patients and staff.
Methods: Lima Memorial Health System implemented several initiatives to combat HAIs in 2024. First, hospital infection prevention policies were reviewed and clarified. Then, hand hygiene and PPE audits were conducted across multiple hospital floors, and educational materials were distributed to staff. Isolation (ISO) carts were inspected to ensure proper PPE availability. Additional infection prevention measures, including enhanced sanitation practices, were introduced. Vaccination documentation was encouraged during the fall 2024 influenza season, and an educational presentation on vaccine hesitancy was developed. Fourth-quarter data were analyzed to assess HAIs and vaccination rates.
Results: A correlation was found between HAIs and lapses in hygiene protocols. In the last quarter of 2024, 21 nurses failed to follow hand hygiene protocols, and 39 instances of improper or missing PPE use were recorded. These lapses contributed to infections such as Clostridium difficile, surgical site infections, and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). Education sessions had a 96.2% nurse participation rate. Influenza vaccination rates varied, with 42.3% of associates, 81.6% of providers, and 95% of students, volunteers, and other staff immunized.
Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of proper hygiene, PPE adherence, and vaccination in preventing HAIs. Addressing noncompliance and vaccine hesitancy through education and policy reinforcement is crucial for improving infection control practices and patient safety in healthcare settings
Get Your Head in the Game: Mental Health Training for Coaches and Parents of Young Athletes
No full textBackground
According to the Hardin County 2020-22 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), 36% of Hardin County youth felt sad or hopeless almost every day for 2 weeks. mental health was identified as one of the main priorities to be addressed within the community in the coming years. The CHIP included intentions to conduct mental health first aid trainings for community members that may have more exposure to Hardin County youth and, therefore, the opportunity to identify and address mental health concerns. Our project plans to contribute to this effort by holding training sessions in partnership with the Hardin County YMCA and the Ohio State University Extension Office in Hardin County. These training will help raise awareness and educate youth coaches and parents on how to best assess and assist children’s mental health. We believe this is a critical target audience as children spend much of their time in extracurricular activities, specifically sports, and therefore the coaches are often key figures in their lives. The goal of these training sessions is to help coaches and parents identify mental health issues within their young athletes and be able to provide tools and resources to help.
Methods
Mental health training participants will complete the session through the OSU Extension Office, and data will be collected from participants through a pre and post-survey. These surveys assess their knowledge and understanding of various mental health topics, such as their confidence in their ability to address mental health issues in the youth and identify appropriate mental health resources. The pre-survey will be given to participants before the mental health first aid training begins to collect baseline knowledge and attitudes toward mental health in their student-athletes. The post-survey will be given following the completion of the class that will measure what they have learned and any perspective changes on the topic.
Results: Research in Progress
Conclusion/Future Directions: Research in Progres
Volatile Phosphorus Compounds from Analogs of Schreibersite
No full textVolatile phosphorus compounds are a potential biosignature as well as potentially important compounds in the development of early life on Earth. Phosphine (PH3) was recently detected in the cloud deck of Venus without any known abiotic formation pathway. This study investigates the production of phosphine from analogs of the meteoritic mineral schreibersite ((Fe,Ni)3P). Identification of PH3 and diphosphine (P2H4) was accomplished by GC-MS and quantification by GC-FPD. Calibration of FPD signals remains a challenge, but utilization of Zn3P2 in NaOH is showing promising results. A schrebersite analog, Fe3P, was examined under various conditions and both P2H4 production was found in all samples. The presence of organic compounds increased both P2H4 and Fe2+ in samples after 7 d. These results indicate that schrebersite may have provided a readily available source of P for early life on Earth and may suggest an as-yet unstudied pathway for abiotic formation of volatile P in the Venutian cloud deck
Impact of Pharmacy Student Collaboration with Mobile Mammography Unit on Improving Access to Women\u27s Preventative Health Services in Rural Communities
No full textUpon assessing the needs of the Hardin County community, we identified a gap in women’s healthcare access. Hardin County is a healthcare desert, leaving a significant portion of local women who are unable to access necessary preventative care services. Research shows that women living in rural areas are more likely to be diagnosed with a later stage of breast cancer compared to those who live in urban areas. Improving access to recommended breast cancer screenings in rural areas could help these women receive an earlier diagnosis, and mobile mammography units are shown to be an effective way to reach rural and underserved populations. It is expected that offering mobile mammography services to women in rural and underserved areas, where access to traditional mammogram facilities is limited, will lead to improved adherence to recommended preventative screening guidelines. We are utilizing the OhioHealth Mobile Mammography Unit to provide mammograms to the residents of Hardin County and surrounding areas. The research portion of the event involves patients completing a survey. The survey questions are designed to identify financial, cultural, educational, and transportation barriers that these women may face when attempting to access women’s preventative healthcare services. This study will primarily assess the survey questions to produce qualitative data points that may be used to guide future rural health initiatives. After concluding the research and analysis, we will gain an understanding of what barriers keep women who live in rural areas from accessing life-saving, preventative healthcare screenings
Synthesis and Metalation of [O, N, O] Ligands for Polymerization and Anticancer Applications
No full textSynthesis and Metalation of [O, N, O] Ligands for Polymerization and Anticancer Applications
Key Words
Symmetrical Ligand
Asymmetrical ligand
Metalation
Mannich Reaction
Titanium (IV) isopropoxide
Benzylamine
2,4-ditert butylphenol
Proton NMR
Abstract-
Asymmetrical and symmetrical [O, N, O] ligands were synthesized via the Mannich reaction using benzylamine and various reactants. Due to challenges in the synthesis and purification of asymmetrical ligands, further metalation reactions were conducted exclusively with the symmetrical ligand. A symmetrical [O, N, O] ligand was successfully synthesized using benzylamine, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, and formaldehyde, yielding a high-purity product in a significant quantity. This ligand was complexed with titanium(IV) isopropoxide through metalation to form two distinct ligand-metal complexes. The first complex was synthesized using a 1:1 ligand-to-catalyst ratio and was employed in lactide polymerization. The second complex, synthesized in a 2:1 ligand-to-catalyst ratio,and when successfully synthesized, can exhibit anticancer properties, suggesting potential applications in cancer treatment
Implementation of the ABCDEF Bundle in the Intensive Care Unit
No full textProblem: Prolonged mechanically ventilated patients have increased rates of delirium, muscle atrophy, respiratory depression, and prolonged ICU stay. Studies have shown that patients who are removed from the ventilator, when medically stable, have decreased delirium, muscle atrophy, respiratory depression, and prolonged ICU stay. The ABCDEF bundle may be used as a method to decrease the number of ventilator days, which will improve the quality of the patient\u27s hospital stay.
Purpose: The purpose of this project is to determine if using the ABCDEF bundle in critical care settings would improve patient outcomes, and decreases ventilation time, over-sedation, delirium, and muscle atrophy.
Methods: The study design will be a pre/post intervention retrospective chart review, in a 10 bed CVICU over a span of six months. Nurses will receive training on the ABCDEF bundle prior to implementation. Compliance will be monitored by nurse managers to ensure the bundle is being used appropriatley. Progress of the patient\u27s care will be viewed in the chart through pain assessments, spontaneous breathing trials, medication administration, a confusion assessment, ICU mobility scale, and monitor who is accompanying the patient at the bedside.
Conclusion: The ABCDEF bundle will improve client experience. Studies have shown the use of the ABCDEF bundle improved likelihood of survival, decreased days in coma, promoted lighter sedation, decreased incidences of delirium, decreased physical restraint use, decreased ventilator time, decreased the incidence of ICU readmission. Health systems should adopt the ABCDEF bundle in order to improve outcomes and reduce costs related to mechanically ventilated patients
A Retrospective Study Comparing Infection Rates in Intermittent vs. Indwelling Catheterization in Hospitalized Patients
No full textProblem:
Catheter-associated urinary tract infections are a common infection in hospitalized patients, contributing to increased morbidity, length of stay, and overall healthcare costs. While intermittent and indwelling catheterization are both used for urinary management, differences in infection rates remain a concern, highlighting the importance of researching the safest and most effective option for hospitalized patients.
Aim:
The purpose of this research is to determine if there is a decreased incidence of urinary tract infections in patients who use intermittent catheterization compared to patients who use indwelling catheterization.
Methods:
This study will use a retrospective chart review to assess infection rates in hospitalized patients requiring urinary catheterization. The independent variable of this study is the type of catheterization (intermittent vs indwelling). The dependent variable of this study is incidence of catheter-associated urinary tract infections, determined by clinical symptoms(fever, dysuria, increased WBC count) and positive urine cultures. Patient medical records will be reviewed for catheter type, duration of use, documented symptoms of infection, and microbiology results. Infection rates will be compared between the two groups over the hospital stay and 48 hours after the catheter is removed.
Conclusion:
This study has the potential to impact evidence based practice regarding catheter use in hospitalized patients. Findings may support lower infection rates with the use of intermittent catheters compared to indwelling catheters
Spiritual Care Lowering Anxiety and Depression in Palliative Care Patients
No full textProblem: Patients receiving palliative care report increased anxiety and depression. Currently most patients are treated with anti-anxiety and depression medications, and some therapy. Spiritual care is another avenue that may be used to decrease anxiety and depression in palliative care.
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore if spiritual care provided daily at 5 minute mindfulness and once a week group talk sessions helps lower the anxiety and depression of patients in palliative programs.
Methods: Questionnaires that will be used are Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) for anxiety assessment, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for depression, and Patient’s Spiritual Well-Being Scale (PtSpWBS) for spiritual assessment. These questionnaires will be performed per and post spiritual care activities. The sample population will be from St. Rita’s Palliative Care.
Conclusion: Spiritual care can be used to decrease anxiety and depression and improve the quality of life for those who have severe chronic illness, or terminal illness, without more medications and treatments. This helps reach the goal of lower involvement in treatments and focuses on mental and spiritual care