1697 research outputs found
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Instructor and Student at Radio Machine, undated
No full textThis photo features an instructor and a student standing in a machine classroom.https://fuse.franklin.edu/ymca/1013/thumbnail.jp
Student and Staff Member, undated
No full textThis photo features a student and staff member browsing books on a table.https://fuse.franklin.edu/ymca/1022/thumbnail.jp
Home Care Staffing Shortage: Impact on Older Adult Independence
Full text linkThe independence of community-dwelling older adults is impacted by disease, chronic conditions, and the ability to care for oneself with or without support. The ability to accomplish daily living tasks is essential for an older adult to remain independent. The older adult population is expanding along with the need for assistance with daily living tasks which will not be accomplished with the current formal home care workforce. Independence declines for older adults during episodes of disease as well as when symptoms from chronic conditions exacerbate. However, it is not clear to what degree the formal home care workforce shortage is impacting older adult independence. The focus of this research is to determine if the formal home care staffing shortage impacts older adult independence. This study will involve qualitative research which will allow for a deeper understanding of older adults and events that are happening related to their independence. A recorded semi-structured interview will be conducted in the older adults\u27 residence along with an observation. The research design will be qualitative as there will be instruments involved to document the interview and observation, so that data may be collected and analyzed. The sample will be that of a randomized one-group posttest-only design since no pretest will be utilized. The sampling method involves probability sampling as participants will be recruited using a sampling frame that involves selection from the population receiving home care services. Older adults interviewed in this study will likely create findings that show the home care staffing shortage does impact their independence. The findings will contribute to supporting the establishment of alternative formal home care models.
Home Care Staffing Shortage: Impact on Older Adult Independenc
Implementing the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 to Improve Referral Rates to Mental Healthcare Through Routine Depression Screening
Full text linkProblem: Primary care settings often encounter patients with depression symptoms, characterized by feelings of sadness, lack of interest in activities, and functional impairment, impacting quality of life. At the project site, the PHQ-9 was only used during annual or new patient visits, resulting in low screening rates of 12% and a 33% referral rate. The lack of routine screening led to missed opportunities for mental health referrals and detection of depression.
Aim of the Project: The aim of the project was to increase mental health referral rates through early identification of depression symptoms by implementing routine PHQ-2 screens.
Review of the Evidence: Literature supports the use of the PHQ-2 as a validated and brief pre-screening tool for patients at risk for depression. When followed by the PHQ-9 diagnostic accuracy is increased and timely referrals can be made. Literature demonstrates the positive impact on outcomes and integration into primary care when utilizing this two-step screening process.
Project Design: A quality improvement (QI) initiative using the OhioHealth Change Management (OHCM) Model and two Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles guided the implementation. A multi-disciplinary team included administrative leadership, a physician, nurse practitioners, LPN, front desk staff, and IT. Weekly data review and capture of stakeholder feedback occurred throughout implementation.
Intervention: PHQ-2 screening was integrated into the electronic health record (EHR) for every patient visit. PDSA Cycle 1 solved a workflow gap ensuring that positive PHQ-2 results triggered the PHQ-9. PDSA Cycle 2 addressed onboarding new staff using education to inform the workflow and using teach-back methods to ensure comprehension for new staff.
Significant Findings/Outcomes: Rates of screening increased from 12% to 100%, and the referral rate from 33% to 47.4%. Final change readiness surveys showed full confidence by all staff in the workflow and availability of resources.
Implications for Nursing: This nurse-led QI project showed that a structured workflow, validated screening tools and stakeholder engagement improved mental health referrals and detection of depression in a primary care setting. The QI project aligned with the IHI Triple Aim as well as the IOM Six Aims by supporting access, timeliness, and patient-centeredness of care delivery
Firefighters in Higher Education: A Qualitative Study of Barriers and Incentives
No full textThe Columbus Division of Fire provides tuition reimbursement to the members of the division. The purpose of this study was to examine the barriers that firefighters face in utilizing tuition reimbursement and the potential incentives that would entice them into using the tuition reimbursement. Data were collected from the members of the Columbus Division of Fire. Quantitative data were gathered through a multiple-choice survey distributed to each member of the division for basic descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were gathered through two sets of semi-structured interviews with members of the division, one set with those that had not used tuition reimbursement and one set with those that have used tuition reimbursement, which volunteered following participation in the survey. The analysis of the quantitative data were for descriptive statistics. The analysis of the qualitative data showed time, lack of information, mindset, and finance as barriers. The analysis of the qualitative data went on to show extra pay, additional education time, higher education requirements, and bonus point on a promotional as incentives that would entice firefighters to utilize tuition reimbursement. Policy recommendations based on the findings were to increase the visibility of the tuition reimbursement program, streamline the paperwork, and implement a pay incentive program
Franklin University Sign, undated
No full textThis photo features the Franklin University sign located at the intersection of South Grant Avenue and East Rich Street.https://fuse.franklin.edu/campusscences/1003/thumbnail.jp
COVID – 19 Pandemic Exposes a Syndemic of Mental Health During the Public Health Emergency
No full textThis quantitative study examines nationwide mental health service utilization trends from 2018 to 2022, spanning pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic periods. This research utilizes a convenience sample of 33,906 participants to study and track fluctuations in mental health diagnoses and treatment engagement across diverse demographic and geographic populations. Key variables include age, regional distribution, and specific mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Findings highlight significant shifts in access to and use of mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing disparities based on socioeconomic and geographic factors. Notably, the top three mental health diagnoses account for approximately 65% of the total CMS mental health budget, which itself represents around 12% of CMS’s total healthcare expenditures. Medicaid alone spends an estimated $27.6 billion annually on mental health treatments, with anxiety, depression, and PTSD comprising a substantial share of these costs. Research suggests that Medicaid beneficiaries with PTSD incur 4.2% higher healthcare costs compared to those with major depressive disorder, further emphasizing the financial burden of untreated mental health conditions. This study contributes to understanding how large-scale disruptions impact mental health service engagement and informs future policy and resource allocation to improve mental health accessibility nationwide
Lobby of Student Services Center, undated
No full textThis photo features the entrance and lobby of the Student Services Center.https://fuse.franklin.edu/studentservices/1009/thumbnail.jp
Reducing Aspiration Pneumonia by Implementing an Enhanced Oral Care Toolkit
No full textProblem: Oral care is essential for reducing bacteria and preventing aspiration pneumonia. The risk of aspiration pneumonia increases when protocols are not followed. In 2024, a regional hospital in the Midwest United States spent approximately one million dollars on the preventable healthcare-associated infection known as aspiration pneumonia. A pre-project chart audit of 100 random patient charts on a medical/surgical step-down unit revealed that only 1 of the 100 charts had oral care documented as completed.
Aim of the Project: The primary aims of this project were to increase nursing documentation of oral care by 50% and to decrease aspiration pneumonia cases by 10%.
Review of the Evidence: Evidence suggests that oral care completed at least twice daily is an effective strategy for reducing bacteria in the mouth. Riding the mouth of stationary bacteria prevents the bacteria from spreading and potentially being aspirated into the lungs, causing aspiration pneumonia.
Project Design: The Ohio Health Change Management Model (OHCMM), a three-cycle Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) framework from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Oral Care Toolkit initiative were used to implement the QI project.
Intervention: Nursing staff on a medical/surgical step-down unit were instructed to complete and document oral care twice daily for each patient admitted, in accordance with evidence-based recommendations. The nursing interventions included targeted education, weekly chart audits to monitor compliance, twice-daily reminders about the project expectations, and announcements of weekly chart audit compliance during nursing huddle reports, face-to-face project leadership rounding, and two presentations to the Nursing Shared Governance.
Significant Findings/Outcomes: A 26% increase in documentation compliance indicated the success of the interventions compared to a baseline compliance rate of 1%. A total of 11 aspiration pneumonia cases were diagnosed during the project, revealing a 39% decrease compared to the baseline data of 18 aspiration pneumonia cases. The interventions resulted in an estimated cost avoidance of $70,210.
Implications for Nursing: The QI initiative emphasized the importance of completing oral care twice daily for each patient. Recurring reminders of the protocol recommendations foster accountability and repetition, enhancing staff confidence through repeated practice, which ultimately leads to the sustained delivery of high-quality care
Multimedia Professional Development for STEM Equity: A Mixed Methods Evaluation of Educators\u27 Intentions Using the Theory of Planned Behavior
No full textPersistent gender inequities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) restrict female-identifying students and professionals. Differences emerge in early adolescence through family dynamics, classroom methods, environmental factors, and social norms. This research investigates gender disparities in STEM equity, as these issues are most documented in academic literature. Many professional development (PD) programs for educators are inaccessible because they are too expensive, lengthy, or inconvenient. This study addressed that gap through the development and assessment of the Online Learning Interactive STEM Equity Course (OLISEC), a short-form, theory-based training for STEM educators.
The two-phase embedded mixed methods study examined the usability and impact of the OLISEC. Phase One used observations with quantitative and qualitative feedback from six educators to evaluate navigation, design, and clarity. The course architecture applied Mayer’s Multimedia Learning Theory (MLT) to maximize cognitive alignment. Using the redesigned OLISEC informed by Phase One, Phase Two employed mixed-methods pre- and post-surveys based on Ajzen\u27s Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to assess behavioral outcomes. Thirty-three in-service STEM educators teaching Grades 4-12 across the United States participated.
Educators demonstrated statistically significant growth in intentions to use equitable teaching methods, t(32) = -19.00, p \u3c .001, d = 3.31, indicating a large effect. Participants found the training materials useful and easy to understand. This research adds value to STEM equity studies while providing a framework for scalable teacher training. The OLISEC demonstrated potential as a replicable tool for promoting inclusive STEM classrooms through its strategic combination of behavioral science theory and instructional design principles