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Reducing Healthcare-Acquired Pneumonia in a Geriatric Long-Term Care Facility
Get PDFProblem: Healthcare-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is a nosocomial infection that poses a serious threat in geriatric long-term care facilities due to its high morbidity and mortality.
Context: This evidence-based quality improvement project seeks to reduce the incidence of HAP in a geriatric long-term care facility in the San Francisco Bay Area by utilizing findings
from existing literature.
Interventions: Key interventions include improving and standardizing oral care techniques and promoting education on HAP prevention to allow patients and their families to be more proactive in preventing this complication.
Measures: Outcome measures include HAP diagnosis rates after implementation, any costs saved for the facility, and interviews with randomized samples of patients regarding the oral care regimen they received prior to and after implementation of the project.
Results: After one month of implementation, the interventions in this project have resulted in an average of 4 new HAP diagnoses at this facility, reducing it to 1.1% from 1.9%.
Conclusions: In conclusion, while this project may have reduced HAP rates at this facility, more research should be conducted and more information should be disseminated to reduce the incidence of HAP nationwide
The Socioeconomic Costs of Water Pollution in Genesee County as Reflected in Unemployment Rates
Get PDFThis study explores how water pollution and unemployment are connected in Genesee County, Michigan, after a major water crisis. On April 25, 2014, Flint switched its water supply from Lake Huron to the Flint River, causing widespread pollution as old pipes released lead and other harmful substances into the water. The water source was changed back to Lake Huron in 2016, and laws like the Families of Flint Act (H.R.4479) were put in place, yet long-term worries about public health and the economy still linger.
This research looks at unemployment data from after the crisis to understand the economic costs of water pollution in Genesee County. It seeks to shed light on the wider effects of environmental disasters on local economies and evaluate the effectiveness of government interventions. We expect to find that unemployment initially rose due to businesses shutting down or moving, health problems among residents, and damage to the area’s reputation. Over time, government and NGO efforts to fix infrastructure and improve community health are expected to help by creating jobs in different sectors. The long-term economic health of the region may depend on how well it can diversify its economy and strengthen community resilience. This study underscores the importance of strong crisis management and recovery plans to tackle the socioeconomic issues that arise after disasters
Trauma-informed Care: A Therapeutic Approach in Communication
Get PDFAs medical providers, it is crucial to use therapeutic communication when building relationships with patients. Bias, stigma, and judgment often manifest through a provider’s body language and choice of words, exacerbating patient trauma and leading to health disparities. Trauma-informed care (TIC) addresses these issues by emphasizing respect, compassion, and empathy. TIC has been extensively studied in high-income regions such as Australia, Europe and the United States, but its application in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) such as Kenya, is less understood. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and skills of nurses working in a rural community clinic in Chogoria, Kenya. Objectives were achieved through pre- and post-workshop surveys and exploratory qualitative interviews conducted after an in-service workshop on Trauma-Informed Care (TIC). Healthcare workers demonstrated a 3% increase in knowledge, attitudes, and skills in postsurvey results following an in-service workshop on TIC. Analysis of focus group narrative data revealed three themes: relevance, cultural stigma and bias, and additional needs in the community. TIC’s therapeutic communication helps to mitigate biases and stigma, foster empathy, and address patient trauma, ultimately reducing health disparities. The findings of this study indicate further research regarding TIC should be conducted in LMIC to identify ways in which providers can enhance the quality of health care delivery and promote holistic healing.
Keywords: adult trauma, adverse childhood events, harm reduction, trauma-informed car
Female Biology
Get PDFOver twenty years ago I developed a course for the upper- level biology major at the University of San Francisco called
Female Biology. This was from what I perceived as a gap in the undergraduate biology curriculum- students were not learning about the evolutionary aspects of being female and studying the specific health-related issues unique to women. The information in the most widely used general biology textbooks written from a male perspective, focuses on research gained from male models by work conducted in male-led laboratories. There still exists a problem with a lack of adequate representation of women in biomedical research. The focus of the course is the unique biological aspects of the female sex. There is also an emphasis on the inequities experienced by female scientists. Topics covered include evolution and genetics of sex, gender identity, sexuality, reproduction, anatomy, and physiology. Additionally, an effort is made in this course to recognize disparities in healthcare across marginalized female and transgender populations.
Female Biology Copyright © 2023 by Jennifer A. Dever is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted
Female Biology
Get PDFOver twenty years ago I developed a course for the upper- level biology major at the University of San Francisco called
Female Biology. This was from what I perceived as a gap in the undergraduate biology curriculum- students were not learning about the evolutionary aspects of being female and studying the specific health-related issues unique to women. The information in the most widely used general biology textbooks written from a male perspective, focuses on research gained from male models by work conducted in male-led laboratories. There still exists a problem with a lack of adequate representation of women in biomedical research. The focus of the course is the unique biological aspects of the female sex. There is also an emphasis on the inequities experienced by female scientists. Topics covered include evolution and genetics of sex, gender identity, sexuality, reproduction, anatomy, and physiology. Additionally, an effort is made in this course to recognize disparities in healthcare across marginalized female and transgender populations.
Book available for free download in PDF and epub format - compatible with most eReaders.
Female Biology Copyright © 2023 by Jennifer A. Dever is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.https://repository.usfca.edu/faculty_books_all/1102/thumbnail.jp
Fan Networks in Women’s Sport: An Egocentric Analysis of Social Fans and IsoFans
No full textGuided by network theory, the purpose of this paper is to explore the consumption networks of Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) fans. Through an egocentric network analysis, the authors utilize hierarchical linear modeling to examine the strength of consumption ties among WNBA fans during the 2019 season. Initial results revealed an unexpected finding – the presence of participants who reported having no fan-to-fan ties, whom we term IsoFans. A second sample of men’s basketball fans was then collected to serve as a comparative confirmation of the unexpected result, whereby IsoFans occurred in the men’s sport sample at a much lower rate. In the third step of the study, the authors examine the differences between WNBA fans consuming in isolation, IsoFans, and WNBA fans consuming with alters, whom we call Social Fans. Results from the hierarchical linear modeling of Social Fans revealed that attributes of both ego (i.e., focal fan) and alter (i.e., individual with whom ego shares a tie) affect the strength of fan-to-fan ties within the women’s sport context
Empowering Schools: Suicide Prevention Education for School Nurses
No full textIntroduction: Suicide among adolescents and youth is such a serious issue that immediate, appropriate interventions are needed to reduce rates of suicide ideation and suicide mortality. The increasing rate of suicide among this population profoundly affects families, friends, and the community. Identifying and implementing appropriate interventions in schools could identify individuals who are suffering from mental illness and support suicide prevention.
Aim: The purpose of this integrative literature review was to examine the literature on suicide prevention interventions for young adolescents and teenagers aged 12-17 years old and identify the best, evidence-based practices for the school setting. The aim is to enhance school nurses knowledge and confidence to assist in reducing suicidal ideation (SI) and attempts.
Method: A search of the APA PsycInfo®, CINAHL, PubMed, and Scopus databases was conducted for primary studies, conducted in the United States, published in English, on suicide prevention tools for children and adolescents
Results: Results suggest that educating school staff and school nurses on suicide prevention could lead to earlier recognition of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among school-aged children.
Discussion: This literature review examined screening adolescents for risk of suicide, suicide associated with bullying and cyberbullying, suicide prevention in schools, and gatekeeper training. The literature supports educating school nurses on suicide prevention to address the rising rate of suicide morbidity and mortality among youth.
Implications for Practice: School-based suicide prevention education for school nurses is imperative when one understands that suicide is the second highest cause of death among youth aged 10-14 years old. School nurses are well-positioned to recognize suicidal behavior because they are primary care providers in the school setting and have frequent contact with students. Suicide prevention education and screening align with their scope of nursing practice, allowing them to advocate for youth, identify early prevention interventions, and create a supportive safe environment.
Keywords: Suicide, children and adolescents, school nurses, primary providers, mental health, yout
Batok in the East, Aloha in the West: Intellectual Property Protections of Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines and United States
No full textEnhancing Ethical Leadership: The Impact of Governance Mechanisms on Nonprofit Organizations
Get PDFThis research is dedicated to uncovering the complex connections between ethics and effective governance within nonprofit organizations. The study focuses on identifying factors that influence ethical behavior, addressing ethical challenges specific to the nonprofit sector, and developing strategies to encourage ethical practices within these entities. By integrating literature reviews, case studies, and expert interviews, the research underscores the vital link between ethical decision-making and organizational efficiency, as well as public trust. The study aims to enrich the ongoing discourse on nonprofit governance, providing key insights and actionable recommendations for board members, executives, professionals, volunteers, and scholars to strengthen governance and ethical conduct.
Additionally, the research examines the critical function of board oversight in preserving organizational integrity, using examples of unethical behavior in nonprofit contexts to illustrate key points. The conclusion offers impactful strategies to increase accountability and transparency, making this study a valuable resource for improving the effectiveness of nonprofit organizations and reinforcing public confidence in the sector.
Overall, this comprehensive research provides a multifaceted approach to understanding and addressing the ethical challenges faced by nonprofits to enhance the sector\u27s governance, integrity, and public trust
Practicing Responses to Acute Clinical Troubles: Initiative through Clinical Education (P.R.A.C.T.I.C.E.) to Improve Medical Emergency Response Increasing Nurse Confidence and Preparedness Through Low-Stakes Clinical Education
Get PDFA newly established pediatric outpatient infusion center in Los Angeles does not have immediate access to a Code Blue Team or a Rapid Response Team, and instead relies on the Staff Assist protocol to manage medical emergencies. Via direct interviews, registered nurses at the infusion center report feeling underprepared and lacking confidence to respond to medical emergencies that must be escalated to code blue. Microsystem assessment tools determined the root cause to be limited clinical exposure and limited opportunities for skills development. To address the nurses\u27 concerns, Practicing Responses to Acute Clinical Troubles: Initiative through Clinical Education (P.R.A.C.T.I.C.E.) was implemented and studied. This intervention aimed to improve the confidence and preparedness of nurses to respond to medical emergencies through frequent, low-stakes training. Additionally, the objectives of the simulations focused on improving team communication and collaboration. Pre- and post-intervention survey results demonstrate a significant increase in the nurses’ self-reported confidence and preparedness to respond to medical emergencies. This intervention strengthens nursing knowledge, and will contribute to a positive impact on patient safety and outcomes