LAIR: Lenoir-Rhyne Academic Institutional Repository
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Emotional and Social Geographies in Polish Literature: Spaces of Reflection and Transformation. Emotional and Social Learning through Literacy Education: Developing and Testing Materials for Schools, Universities and Self-Study in Transformational Projects
Get PDFPoster Presentation March 2024
DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.16075.16163
Conference: 6th Congress of Polish Studies „Upheavals – New Beginnings“, TU Dresden, March 14-17, 2024At: TU Dresden, Dresden, GermanyAbstract: Polish literature will be explored from the perspective of the three participating nations in its significance for pedagogical work with emotional and social themes, representative of other literatures that play a role in today's increasingly multicultural societies. This exploration is a further development of lifeworld (Lebenswelt)-oriented didactics and builds on earlier German-Polish projects during the Cold War. It addresses German-American scientific cooperation as well. The poster presents a selection of Polish literary works and illustrates how these selections can open learning spaces to emotional and social issues. the focus on life themes and techniques of existence of younger and older people in their living spaces is characteristic of lifeworld (Lebenswelt)-oriented didactics resulting in the creation of transitions into subject-oriented learning processes. Polish literature contains a wealth of emotionally and socially relevant topics that are suitable for linking subject-centered learning with curricular learning. The selection of literary texts within a school context requires attention to the target group and learning situation. The complexity of the content or the formal characteristics of a work in its entirety cannot be fully captured in a poster. However, a range of significant individual topics are provided on the poster with regard to emotional and social geographies
Implementation of the Ontario Family History Assessment Tool to Identify Patients at Increased Risk for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer
Get PDFBackground: Breast and ovarian cancers present significant public health challenges in the United States. Genetic mutations in BRCA1/BRCA2 contribute notably to these cancers, yet routine genetic risk assessment is inconsistently implemented, leading to missed opportunities for identifying at-risk individuals.
Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project was to increase the use of standardized screening for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer in female. The secondary outcome was to increase referrals for genetic counseling.
Interventions: A standardized screening tool, The Ontario Family History Assessment Tool (FHAT), was implemented during annual wellness examinations of females between the ages of 18 and 60 with no prior history of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer or genetic counseling.
Results: A Two-Tailed Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test revealed a significant difference between pre and post implementation scores with pre implementation scores being significantly lower (p < .001). There was 100% compliance with referral guidelines based on screening scores.
Conclusion: This QI project demonstrated the efficacy of the Ontario-FHAT in improving screening and referral rates for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC), highlighting the critical role of standardized tools in early detection and intervention.
Keywords: hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome, standardized screening for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, genetic counseling, BRCA1, BRCA2, genetic screening for hereditary cancer, Ontario Family History Assessment Too
From the President
Get PDFIn this column, NCLA President Dawn Behrend describes the financial outcomes of the 2023 Biennial Conference and celebrates the 25th anniversary of the NCLA Endowment
Implementation of STOPP/START Review Tool to Minimize Polypharmacy in the Elderly
Get PDFBackground: Polypharmacy poses a significant challenge in the elderly, leading to adverse drug reactions, increased healthcare costs, and diminished quality of life for older adults. Effective interventions are needed to optimize medication management in this population.
Purpose: The primary objective of the Quality Improvement (QI) project was to identify potentially inappropriate medications (PIMS) using the STOPP tool, with a secondary aim to identify potentially prescribing omissions (PPOs) through the application of the START tool. This initiative aimed to enhance medication management practices ultimately reducing the incidence of polypharmacy and improving patient outcomes.
Method: This QI project implemented STOPP and START tools for medication review in a skilled nursing facility. A retrospective chart review compared medication changes before and after the intervention, using a two-tailed Wilcoxon signed-rank test statistical analysis.
Intervention: A sole provider conducted quarterly medication reviews using STOPP and START tools. These evidence-based criteria identified PIMs and PPOs, enabling targeted interventions.
Results: A significant reduction in medications following implementation (p = .003), using the STOPP tool was found. A secondary analysis of medications that were started using the START tool shows there was no indication that the review tool had a statistical impact (p=.891).
Conclusion: This project demonstrates the potential of evidence-based interventions to improve medication management in skilled nursing facilities, enhancing patient outcomes and quality of care for older adults
Length of Labor with Induced and Spontaneous Labor
Get PDFThe purpose of this research study was to determine if there is a difference between length of labor for women with spontaneous labor and women with induced labor. This topic is significant because educated decisions can be made to prevent and treat prolonged labor. Length of labor varies, and prolonged labor can be associated with maternal and fetal complications. Preventing and treating prolonged labor decreases the risk of complications for the mother and baby.
Examining the correlation between type of labor and length of labor adds to the body of knowledge for nursing. This knowledge allows nurses to educate women on interventions for decreasing length of labor. Educating laboring women is important for nurses so that the best outcome can be reached during the birth process.
The study examined 30 induced and 30 spontaneous labors using a retrospective chart review. An independent t test was conducted to determine if there was a difference in length of labor for spontaneous versus induced labors. Results determined there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups for the present study (t = -2.630, p = 0.011). An incidental finding was identified from the study. There was a statistically significant relationship between age and parity (r = 0.359, p = 0.005). This finding suggests that parity increases as age increases. These findings allow nurses to help laboring women weigh the risks and benefits of interventions like oxytocin administration to improve birth outcomes and satisfaction
The Effects of Maternal Smoking During Pregnancy on Newborn Weight
Get PDFSmoking is known to wreak havoc on the human body and has been established as a health and pregnancy risk factor for decades (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2023). Smoking during pregnancy has been proven to increase the risk of adverse outcomes to both mother and child. The CDC describes these outcomes, such as delayed fetal development, premature birth, birth defects, and abnormal bleeding during delivery (2023). This study investigated the relationship between maternal smoking during pregnancy and newborn weight. Research was conducted via a retrospective chart review of 60 mothers admitted to the labor and delivery unit of an acute care facility in western North Carolina along with each mothers’ newborn. The mothers included in this study were ages 18 to 35 with 50% having smoked during pregnancy and 50% that did not
Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Strength Characteristics Compared to Division I College Athletes, an Evaluation of Army Physical Fitness Training
Get PDFCommon tasks of military operations include lifting from the ground, pulling, pushing, jumping and lunging which have been identified as strength-dependent movements. The Army employs their training process based on the notion “train as you fight.” This maxim implies Army training should be developing strength through movements that include lifting from the ground, pulling, pushing, and jumping. A comparison of Division I athletes and male cadets provides information about the development of physical characteristics as a response to Army ROTC physical fitness training. Results suggest male ROTC cadets are weaker and do not jump as high as baseball and men’s soccer athletes. The male cadets have similar strength measures and jump a similar height as men’s golf, men’s tennis, and women’s volleyball athletes. The differences seen between male ROTC cadets and Division I athletes suggests there are different strength and power requirements between sport athletes and cadets, although, high levels of strength and power have been suggested to improve both soldier and athlete’s performance. The data also shows females can obtain similar strength and power characteristics as male cadets, suggesting females may be able to handle combat positions with their male counterparts
Time to Ambulation and Length of Stay in Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit Post CABG Patients
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to determine if there is a difference between time on mechanical ventilation for men versus women diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The importance of this research was to determine if there was an additional need for interventions or resources for one gender over the other when given the diagnosis of COPD. Also, this research study will help guide healthcare providers in the approach of aggressive treatment for COPD patients with a gender focus.
This study was completed using a retrospective chart review. Data was collected at an acute care facility located in Western North Carolina. The Institutional Review Board of Lenoir-Rhyne University and the acute care facility approved the completion of this research project. The primary investigator completed the Protecting Human Research Participants online training as part of the process of requirements involving human subjects.
The data collected included gender, age, and time spent on mechanical ventilation. Sixty participants were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Thirty men (50%) and thirty women (50%) created the sample for this research study. The study showed no significant evidence that men or women were on the ventilator longer when they were diagnosed with COPD. The t-test results were t = -1.056 and p = 0.457, which shows that men do not spend longer on the ventilator when compared to women and vice versa. However, the data did show that the average time on the ventilator for women was longer than the time on the ventilator for men. The average length of time for men on the ventilator was 3.167 days (SD = 4.037) while the average time on the ventilator for women was 4.23 days (SD = 3.79)
Detection of Female Sexual Dysfunction
No full textMethod: This project aimed to increase the number of screenings conducted for female sexual dysfunction at a rural women’s health clinic in NC. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-6) tool was used during annual physical exams and for patients taking antidepressants. If the screening results were positive, patients were offered treatment, and an FSFI-6 posttest was conducted during a follow-up appointment scheduled after two to three months. Additionally, a demographic survey was also completed.
Results: Ninety one percent of the participants experienced female sexual dysfunction and half of the participants were taking antidepressants. An ANOVA analysis revealed a significant difference between the total FSFI-6 scores and the use of antidepressants (p-value=0.024), indicating that patients taking antidepressants were more likely to have female sexual dysfunction. Another ANOVA analysis showed a significant difference between the total posttest FSFI-6 scores and antidepressant use (p-value .046). These results suggest that a intervention change in antidepressants can improve FSFI-6 scores.
Conclusion: Using the FSFI-6 assessment tool and providing intervention for female patients taking antidepressants can help in improving female sexual dysfunction in daily practice. As a result of this project, there was a 100% increase in the number of screenings
The Difference Between Length of Time on Mechanical Ventilation for Men and Women with COVID-19
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the role that COVID-19 has on the length of time on mechanical ventilation for men and women Since COVID-19 was such a prevalent disease it is important to see what factor length of time on the mechanical ventilator has for patient outcome