Idun
Not a member yet
1923 research outputs found
Sort by
Cycle Syncing: Optimizing Women\u27s Quality of Life
Get PDFA woman’s hormones are in constant fluctuation throughout the menstrual cycle. This 28-day, on average, fluctuation can cause major shifts in mood, cognition, exercise tolerance, and nutrition needs. Because of this, there is potential to optimize quality of life if each phase is synced with diet, exercise, and complementary medicine utilizing holistic methods. Implications for further research include a need for additional longitudinal and prospective studies. Factors that need to be addressed include further analysis of the windows of vulnerability over the menstrual cycle according to female hormone fluctuations, effects of hormonal contraceptives, and effects of pathology on the cycle
Tiered Skills Acquisitioin Model Pilot for New Graduate Registered Nurses
No full textIneffective new graduate registered nurse (NG RN) orientation models have grim effects on individuals and health care systems and can result in unsuccessful completion and termination of employment, which is costly and can present safety implications. Joswiak’s Tiered Skills Acquisition Model (TSAM) is an evidence-based practice (EBP) nursing orientation model that utilizes Benner’s Novice to Expert theory as a theoretical foundation. The Tiered Skills Acquisition Model allows NG RNs to progressively advance through orientation by using tiers of skills and nursing competencies with specialty-trained TSAM RN preceptors. This project illustrates how a nursing leader of an acute care unit in the Midwest identified a gap with the traditional ineffective NG RN orientation model, advocated, and was offered system support for the development of a TSAM pilot program guided by change management methodologies. A TSAM pilot group was developed to include RN preceptors, an NG RN, and a TSAM leadership team, including a system project manager, chief nursing officer (CNO), nursing director, nursing educator, and nursing manager. Measures to evaluate success include outcomes related to cost savings, patient safety, and burnout/retention rates. Data collection to measure the success of the pilot utilizes Likert scale pre and post surveys to evaluate the TSAM pilot, NG RN confidence levels, and RN preceptor satisfaction. New graduate registered nurse first-year turnover rates, critical safety events, orientation hours, and number of patient interactions will also demonstrate the desired outcome of the TSAM pilot
Power and Control Wheel Tactics: Assessing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Epistemology Among Domestic Violence Survivors
Get PDFDomestic violence affects more than 10 million adults in the United States annually (National Network to End Domestic Violence, 2020). The Power and Control Wheel (PCW) places power and control at the center of physical and sexual violence, with eight surrounding tactics representing the abusive behaviors perpetrators use to retain power and control over survivors. Although the PCW has been extended to understand various abusive relationships, and the PCW tactics have been examined in both Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Non-Intimate Partner Violence (NPV; Basile et al., 2004; Scott, 2018), limited research compares tactics used based on the perpetrator’s relationship to the survivor. The current study investigated how perpetrators of IPV and NPV, including family members and acquaintances (e.g., bosses), use the PCW tactics, and the impact of these behaviors on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Using the 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) dataset, this study found a significant effect of the type of relationship on the variety of PCW tactics used. IPV survivors endorsed a wider variety of PCW tactics used against them as compared to NPV survivors harmed by an mmediate family member and NPV survivors harmed by an acquaintance. Examining specific PCW tactics, emotional abuse experienced by NPV-Immediate Family Member was not endorsed at a higher prevalence compared to NPV-Acquaintance. Similarly, the use of intimidation tactics was also not endorsed as a higher prevalence by NPV-Acquaintance than NPV-Immediate Family Member. As predicted, survivors who endorsed being harmed by a wider variety of PCW tactics also reported more PTSD symptoms. Type of domestic violence did not significantly moderate the effects of number of PCW tactics on PTSD symptoms. Future research in this area could examine each PCW tactic to capture the interconnected nature of abusive behaviors within differing dynamics of NPV and IPV
Conversations on Self-care: Supporting the Well-Being of Peer Mental Health Care Workers
No full textAs health systems work to save lives and prevent death, it is vital to recognize the resulting stressors upon health care workers (HCWs) and seek ways to reduce stress and improve health for all. Health care workers are exposed to the crisis of their patients resulting in accumulating stressors, rising mental health concerns, and suicidality. Self-care practices can reduce stress and improve well-being. This project supported the well-being of peer mental HCWs in Midwestern settings through conversations about self-care. A psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) utilized experiences, theory, and literature to develop a project model, conversations, and surveys about self-care for peer mental HCWs. The conversations and surveys provided the PMHNP insights and served as an opportunity to reflect on well-being practices. Eight peer mental HCWs across four mental health systems shared similar stressors. Self-care was defined differently among these HCWs, yet each described theirs as a journey. All felt their well-being depended on their follow through with self-care, yet feeling supported and comfortable talking about stress and self-care with co-workers was limited. Peer conversations can support HCWs’ well-being, so they are well when taking care of others. As a PMHNP, being a presence of wellness for others through conversations and by exemplifying what self-care means can create an energy of well-being for all
Care as Harm Reduction: Transcultural Nursing and Drug Use
No full textPeople marginalized by drug use experience increased morbidity and mortality. Community-based networks of care developed and endorsed by people who use drugs demonstrate a beneficial impact on health outcomes and the reduction of harm, morbidity, and mortality. In contrast, clinical health and medical services are seen as a risk environment by people marginalized by drug use, which demonstrates ineffective patterns of access and results in poor health outcomes. There must be a paradigm shift within clinical health and medical services to overcome structural barriers and stigma embedded in care settings in proximity to drug use. Educational and reflective offerings that integrate health practices increase capacity and offset bias and the marginalization of drug use in care settings. Through an educational module based on Madeleine Leininger’s Theory of Culture Care Diversity and Universality, caregivers across a major metropolitan area of the Midwest will increase their capacity to have dialogue and information sharing with people who use drugs. The goal of the module is to increase knowledge and comfort levels in initiating and engaging in open conversations with people marginalized by drug use about the conditions and healthways in which individual episodes of drug use occur. Feedback through pre and post surveys is collected, and responses are made available to attendees for reflection and future learning. People marginalized by drug use must receive more integrated care in clinical health and medical settings to advance their health and wellness and prolong life
A Review of the Literature on the Utilization of Stem Cells in Knee Osteoarthritis
Get PDFBackground: This literature review evaluates the utilization of various types of stem cells in the treatment of osteoarthritis.
Purpose: To assess the different types of stem cell therapy available in an attempt to determine its effectiveness and viability as a long term therapy option.
Methods: Articles were found by searching Augsburg Library Services, Google Scholar, and PubMed for recent, original studies using both allogeneic or autologous stem cells from a variety of cell lines including bone marrow and adipose tissue.
Conclusions: The utilization of stem cells as a viable treatment option for osteoarthritis shows improvement in pain management and return of function. Most studies showed an improvement in Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) pain scores, but did not show improvement to cartilage or bone features, evaluated by Kellgren-Lawrence scale. Despite this, stem cell use could provide a more effective alternative to therapy and pain management as well as a less costly, less invasive treatment than knee replacement surgery. The utilization of autologous stem cells helps with the accessibility of the treatment, however allogeneic options should still be pursued for those who may not be able to provide autologous cells. Further studies will need to be done to fully assess the long term effectiveness and viability of stem cells as a treatment option for osteoarthritis of the knee
Worst Practices: Departmental Predictors of Police-Involved Deaths in Minnesota, 2013–2022
Get PDFFor decades, police departments in every part of the United States have been scrutinized for incidents of excessive and unjustified force. Some departments kill more of the citizenry than others, both with and without justification. Attention is drawn to Minnesota in the decade since the advent of the Black Lives Matter movement, through and after the murder of George Floyd and subsequent racial reckoning. Existing scholarship categorizes factors as individual and contextual, both of which are included in partial least squares regression performed on crowdsourced data and responses to Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics surveys from 29 departments in Minnesota. This study examines how agency organization, personnel diversity, and area socioeconomic distress affect the occurrence of police-involved death. Implications of significant findings on diversity, staffing, and funding are discussed for departments and local governments
Antibiotic Resistance in Livestock: A Literature Review of Its Consequences and International Effort on Human Antimicrobial Agents Resistant Crisis
Get PDFBackground: Despite their benefits, the overuse of antibiotics in livestock has resulted in negative consequences to human health and the augmenting of an antibiotic-resistant crisis. Countries worldwide have conducted analyses and confirmed the growth of bacterial strains immune to most antibiotics. The widespread use of antibiotics is shown in various sectors, including human medicine and agriculture, leading to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains.
Purpose: This comprehensive literature review focuses on finding the connection between the usage of antibiotics in livestock, the transfer of antibiotic resistance to humans through consumption and exposure, and international efforts to find solutions to antimicrobial alternatives.
Methods: A review of literature on Antibiotic resistance in livestock was conducted using the NIH and Google Scholar databases to identify relevant peer-reviewed articles and reports on antimicrobial use and resistance. Inclusion criteria were studies showing how antibiotic use in livestock impacts human health through meat consumption and farming exposure, and exclusion criteria were analysis of environmental contamination issues.
Conclusion: Antibiotic usage in livestock causes the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, which harms humans and wildlife populations. Therefore, limitations and regulations on the use of antibiotics are set to avoid drug-resistant evolution. In addition, some alternatives to antibiotics include pre-and-probiotics, vaccines, and essential oils to protect livestock against common diseases. Other alternatives to antibiotics may be more cost-efficient and may not be therapeutically effective as a lifelong course of antibiotics. However, it is an entirely separate problem to develop a feasible program for the subsidization of non-antibiotic treatment by the agricultural industry
The Effects of Medical Respite on Healthcare Systems for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
No full textBackground: Homelessness is associated with elevated risks of mortality and morbidity due to infections, substance abuse, and untreated mental health conditions. Individuals experiencing homelessness often seek healthcare primarily through emergency departments, leading to increased hospital admissions and longer stays due to poor discharge planning. Medical respite care is a potential solution, providing a space for patients that are too ill for shelters, but not ill enough to stay inpatient. Purpose:The purpose of this research is to evaluate the impacts on the healthcare system when medical respite programs are available for patients facing homelessness. Methods: The current review was synthesized using data from peer-reviewed articles accessed through CINAHL, Google Scholar, and Augsburg University’s Lindell Library. Keywords included “Homelessness,” “Medical Respite,” and “Health Utilization.” Conclusions:The financial impact of medical respite programs was a recurring theme, highlighting their potential to alleviate the burden on the healthcare system. Various studies also showed that respite programs could reduce hospital readmission rates and overall healthcare costs by providing necessary post-discharge services. Long-term benefits such as improved continuity of care were also shown. Essentially, medical respite care can bridge gaps in care, improve health outcomes, and contribute to the effective management of healthcare resources when available for patients facing homelessness
Maternal Mortality in American Indian and Alaska Native Women: It Is Time to Prevent the Preventable
Get PDFBackground: A concerning disparity exists between maternal mortality rates of American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) women and White women. Contributing factors include historical trauma, systemic inequities, inadequate funding, and deprioritization of the health of AIAN people.
Purpose: This literature review aims to address the research question: “Why were American Indian and Alaska Native women two times more likely to die of pregnancy-related causes than White women in the US during the period of 2017 through 2019?” The review explores historical context, current evidence, potential causes and interventions that can address AIAN maternal mortality.
Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using Google Scholar and Lindell Library Journals by Title using the search terms “prenatal care AIAN, perinatal care AIAN, postnatal care AIAN, maternal mortality AIAN, maternal mental health outcomes AIAN”. Inclusion criteria focused on studies that added historical context, provided further evidence of the maternal mortality health gap, or discussed current or potential interventions and their effectiveness.
Conclusions: Preventable factors like late initiation of prenatal care, inadequate monitoring for postpartum hemorrhage, and limited mental health resources significantly contribute to maternal mortality rates. Addressing this disparity requires targeted interventions, increased IHS funding, and culturally sensitive healthcare practices