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Presenters & Abstracts: College of Professional Studies
Decreasing Non-Ventilator Hospital Acquired Pneumonia
- Regina TaylorNursingUndergraduate Student
Evidence shows that patients who receive oral care two to four times daily, have their chances of acquiring non-ventilator hospital acquired pneumonia (NV-HAP) decreased by thirty-seven percent. To make this a successful program at our hospital, it would be prudent to create a policy for oral care, train nursing staff and patients of proper oral care and be sure to document in the electronic medical records that oral care has been done. Pneumonia is the number one hospital acquired infection. This information points to a greater need for nurses to perform oral care with patients.
Decreasing patient readmission rates.
- Anna BransonNursingUndergraduate Student
Patient readmissions within 30 days of discharge not only cost hospitals around 15,000 dollars per incident but also indicate increased mortality rates and worse patient outcomes. Readmissions occur for multiple reasons such as, lack of clear discharge instruction, delayed primary care follow-up, medication issues, or worsening symptoms. Hospitals must take a multidisciplinary approach to addressing this issue. Interventions can be implemented to improve readmission rates, like discharge calls within 48 hours, creation of hospital policy to guide the call, and primary care follow-up within 10 days. With better transition from hospital to primary care, patient readmissions will decrease.
Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) and Different Recovery Methods for Decreasing DOMS
- Blaine Edward WestKinesiologyUndergraduate Student
- Abby MillerKinesiologyUndergraduate Student
In this fictional study, Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) is explained, and different recovery methods are investigated in order to research the decreasing effects of DOMS. Methods that are explored include different types of cool down recoveries such as a cool down with static stretching, a cool down with a combination of static stretching and foam rolling (a type of massage), or no cooldown performed at all. This study demonstrates how a combination of static stretching and foam rolling could be major factors in decreasing the effects of DOMS and perceived effects of DOMS. This presentation is in regards to the KINS 379 class assignment.
Delirium at end of life: Improving outcomes
- Hilary BagnellNursingUndergraduate Student
Terminal delirium is a common condition seen in the hospice setting. Unlike delirium, terminal delirium is usually not reversible. It manifests in the final days or weeks of life and typically causes distress and safety issues for caregivers and patients. Caregivers depend on nurses to educate them on what to expect as their loved one declines. Since terminal delirium is a common occurrence, preparing these caregivers ahead of time is essential. Since terminal agitation can be difficult to assess, organizations may adopt an assessment tool, training nurses on its use. Organizations may also create a nurse-driven protocol that utilizes evidence-based interventions.
Depressive Symptomology Mediates the Relationship Between Self-stigma and Mental Health Help-seeking Intention
Carrie Aigner, Psychology Faculty
- JenaCrucesPsychologyGraduate Student
- KimPolanco-MendozaPsychologyUndergraduate Student
- KyleRuelasPsychologyUndergraduate Student
Undergraduate students (N=712) completed an online survey about help-seeking, stigma, and depression symptomatology. Mental health self-stigma was found to partially mediate the relationship between depression and help-seeking intentions, controlling for gender. This study suggests that the nature of depression itself may present a barrier to help-seeking, adding important context to outreach efforts on campuses.
Designing a Measure of Academic Help Seeking
- Danielle SiegelPsychologyUndergraduate Student
- Henry PantiPsychologyUndergraduate Student
- Christopher MorenoPsychology
Existing studies on academic help seeking suggest that students only seek help if they are already academically confident. To examine these findings, The Humboldt Academic Help Seeking Scale (HAHSS) was developed in order to assess student's academic help seeking motivations and behaviors. The HAHSS was found to be reliable, and provided evidence for validity with criterion, convergent, and discriminant measures. It was also found that high scores on the HAHSS were significantly correlated with higher grade point averages. Real-world applications are discussed, such as implementing more effective online help programs in order to aid students intimidated by seeking in-person help.
Destigmatizing Care In Pregnant People with Substance Use Disorder
Nicky Edwards, Nursing Undergraduate Student
College of Professional StudiesPregnant people and families with substance use disorder who receive care at local rural clinics and hospitals need more recovery resources. Community nurses can assist by educating parents and families about proper Narcan use and first aid. Public health departments can assist by utilizing a collaborative referral system for additional resources. Physicians can be educated about compassionate care practices in communicating with patients. These interventions will lead to goals of pregnant people feeling safe seeking support from their providers, fewer newborns experiencing withdrawal symptoms, and less children being placed with child protective services thus keeping families together.
DETERMINE THE EFFECTS OF HIGH-INCLINE WALKING ON BIOMECHANICAL VARIABLES AND EMG PATTERNS ON DIFFERENT TREADMILL DECK SYSTEMS
ROHIT KUNDU, School of Applied Health Graduate Student
College of Professional StudiesWhile walking on the ground and using a treadmill are the standard mode of exercise, treadmill walking has gained popularity recently. Treadmills are more efficient and reliable because of the better control of speed, and grade, and can be used in all weather conditions. Even though multiple studies looked over the impact of surfaces at different inclines at biomechanics (gait, impact forces, tibial acceleration, and muscle activation), still the impact of surfaces has not been examined using different treadmill manufacturers while comparing high-incline (20%) with low-incline (1%).
Development and Psychometric Characteristics of the Chocolate Craving Inventory
- Haley WhithamPsychologyGraduate Student
One of the most popularly craved foods in the United States is chocolate. Yet, current definitions and ways to assess chocolate craving vary from study to study. The purpose of this investigation was to create a reliable and valid measure that can be used to assess problematic chocolate craving and its correlates. Preliminary findings indicate that the Chocolate Craving Inventory (CCI) is both a reliable and valid measure. Our investigation yielded high internal consistency and test-retest reliability in a college sample (N = 100). In addition, evidence for convergent and discriminant validity were also found. Future studies will further assess the psychometric properties of the CCI.
Development and Psychometric Properties of the College Help-Seeking Behavior Scale
- Zahra S. ShinePsychologyUndergraduate Student
- Megan KissingerPsychologyUndergraduate Student
- Sarah OlivarriaPsychologyUndergraduate Student
Although college students have access to many free or low-cost services, a majority do not take advantage of these resources. For decades, researchers have sought solutions to this misalignment of service availability, need, and utilization. Impeding this goal is the lack of a sufficiently broad psychometric instrument that can measure and predict help-seeking in an individual. At this time, no such measure currently exists. The purpose of this study was to develop the College Help-Seeking Behavior Scale (CHSB) to assess college students’ intention and past behavior regarding seeking help from social networks and on-campus services for various problems.