Defying the Gravity of Falls on MSU

Falls are a leading cause of injury and death for adult males in the United States and have been an ongoing problem on the Medical Surgical Unit (MSU). Therefore, the aim of this project is to increase fall prevention education and communication on MSU in order to ultimately improve fall rates. Although there are currently fall prevention processes already in place, these may not be sufficient as demonstrated by recent fall metrics. Many RNs on MSU are fairly new nurses; and their enthusiasm and adaptability may be an advantage for this evidence-based project. Furthermore, the management team seems to be well respected and has already begun to facilitate a culture of safety over the last two years. Based on the gathered data and a literature review, it was obvious that staff and patient education and communication were the areas that needed to be addressed. Interventions were implemented in three phases that consisted of an educational in-service, a patient education sheet and contract, a communication board, and S.B.A.R. emails to staff. Pre-intervention data was gathered from multiple sources including the incident report system, the electronic health record (EHR), bedside audits, nurse surveys, and patient surveys. Data from the same sources will also be gathered post-implementation. There has been a downtrend of fall occurrences on MSU since the initiation of the interventions. The fall prevention team anticipates increased utilization of general prevention measures (bed alarm, patient belongings at bedside, etc.), increased staff awareness of the frequency of falls, improved nurse perception regarding the adequacy of patient fall education, and increased patient education. Through this project, the student was able to exercise the many different CNL roles in an environment he was unfamiliar with. By utilizing the proper frameworks, and with guidance and support from leadership, he was able to facilitate change by converting evidence-based literature into practice

user-friendly interaction with data as exemplified using pharmacological package- insert textbases

Student Number : 9808961X - MSc research report - School of Electrical and Information Engineering - Faculty of Engineering and the Built EnvironmentThe Medical field is vast and dynamic. To be effective in their professions, doctors are required to keep track of the constant growth in knowledge that is taking place, although it is unrealistic to expect them to do so fully. The knowledge in this field is inherently descriptive and thus an unlikely candidate for storage in traditional databases, but instead are found in textbases. In spite of the limitations of databases, they are still used in the medical profession as they remain the standard means of storing information. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that it is possible to provide a single interface to medical knowledge in its more natural form, a textbase. This was achieved by investigating the relevant areas, creating models for the various elements of the system, and subsequently constructing such a system for demonstration. Through the use of data interaction models, this work shows that the doctor’s knowledge can be adequately supplemented, as validated by testing, enabling them to make correct decisions using the information provided. Thus the opportunity exists to implement the methodology in other areas where descriptive knowledge exists

Cleavage of organosiloxanes by metal halides

The aim of the present research is therefore to investigate the clevage of organosiloxanes by several metal halides that were omitted from consideration in previous experminetal work

Passive Balancing Battery Management System for Cal Poly Racing\u27s Formula SAE Electric Vehicle

This senior project aims to replace the current battery management system (BMS) on Cal Poly’s Formula SAE electric vehicle with a more versatile, advanced, and reliable system. A BMS manages a rechargeable battery by ensuring the battery device operator’s safety, protecting battery cell integrity, prolonging battery lifetime, maintaining functional design requirements, and sending optimal usage information to the application controller. Passive balancing maximizes a battery pack’s capacity by dissipating excess energy through heat to regulate cell state of charge

Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Insertion for Nurse Practitioners

Problem Intravenous (IV) catheter insertion is a necessary skill in the emergency department (ED) for indications such as medications, fluids, and blood transfusions. Occasionally, patients present with difficult IV access (DIVA), requiring multiple insertion attempts and central venous catheter (CVC) placements. Due to the invasive nature of these procedures, patients can experience a great deal of pain and discomfort. Furthermore, although CVCs are necessary in critically ill patients that require hemodynamic monitoring or vasopressor infusions, they can cause several problems. For instance, central-line associated blood stream infections are some of the most common complications and result in increased costs and risks for mortality. Therefore, CVC insertions must be avoided when possible. Surprisingly, one study described that CVCs were actually preventable in 85% of patients with DIVA. Ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous catheter insertion (USGPIV) is an alternative option for patients with DIVA, and have proven to increase insertion success rates, decrease number of attempts, decrease cannulation times, reduce pain, and improve patient satisfaction. Context Due to their bedside training as registered nurses and their additional leadership education at the graduate level, nurse practitioners (NPs) are in a unique position to utilize and champion innovative procedures such as USGPIV insertion to improve patient outcomes. Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) are mainly trained to work in primary care. However, well over half of FNPs that do not work in primary care settings are employed in high acuity EDs (Hoyt & Proehl, 2015). Furthermore, Hoyt & Proehl described that 78% of nurse practitioners had FNP certifications while 10% had acute care nurse practitioner certifications. Due to the presence of FNPs in EDs and the lack of emergency procedural training in primary care curriculum, there is a need for USGPIV education for FNPs that have an interest in working in the ED. The location for this project was online. Intervention The intervention involved the development, implementation, and evaluation of a 40-minute pre-recorded USGPIV course video for NPs. Based on the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (2019), the intervention covered the following areas: 1) basic doppler techniques, 2) ultrasound imaging techniques and orientation, 3) techniques for ultrasound guided vascular access, 4) transducer and sterilization techniques, 5) procedure documentation, and 6) competency. Best practices by Gottlieb et al. (2017) were also included, and Sister Simone Roach’s (2002) six attributes of caring behaviors (compassion, competence, confidence, conscience, commitment, and comportment) were incorporated throughout the project. Additionally, information about how to develop and implement an USGPIV program in the ED was discussed. A convenience sample was enrolled from the University of San Francisco Family Nurse Practitioner Program and from the professional career website, LinkedIn.com. Measures The primary outcome was the effect of the intervention on participant knowledge of USGPIVs. This was measured by comparing pre- and post-intervention knowledge test scores with a desired improvement goal of 30%. The secondary outcomes measured the effect of learner attitudes of USGPIVs related to the six attributes of caring. Six 5-point Likert items were used for this measure, and the desired goal for these responses was also an increase of 30%. Further participant information including area of practice, desire to work in the ED, and previous USGPIV education were also gathered. Finally, participant satisfaction with the training was assessed. Results Out of the 35 candidates that were approached from the University of San Francisco FNP program and LinkedIn.com, 14 responded and were ultimately enrolled. There was a clear difference in the mean test scores before and after the intervention, which was an increase from 48.57 to 95% (46.43%). Therefore, the primary goal of at least a 30% improvement in participant knowledge of USGPIVs was met. The second goal, which was a 30% improvement in attitudes of USGPIVs based on six attributes of caring (Roach, 2002), was also met. The pre-intervention mean responses ranged from 1.29 to 3.86 and significantly increased from 4.36 to 5.00 post-intervention. Conclusions This project aimed to provide FNPs with an evidence-based resource to learn about USGPIV insertion and the tools to develop an USGPIV program in their own ED if desired. By using a pre-recorded video, evidence-based information was provided based on the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (2019) guidelines and best practices by Gottlieb et al. (2017), and the six attributes of caring behaviors explained by Sister Simone Roach (2002). The ultimate goals were to achieve a 30% increase in participant knowledge and a 30% mean improvement in participant attitudes of USGPIV, which were both met. Although there were some limitations, including a small sample size, a convenience sample, and limited course delivery options, the data and analysis clearly showed that the intervention was effective. Future iterations of this project should include an in-person class with live demonstrations, hands-on practice, and larger sample sizes

Recognizing and celebrating Xhosa traditional music in South Africa

The recognition and celebration of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) as a way forward to promote democracy and inclusivity continues to be part of South Africa\u27s nation building process. One effective platform for this to take place is through community music making as music making in Africa is a way of life. Since democracy in 1994 many initiatives were set up to explore and foster traditional music. This paper presents a brief contextualization of IKS, identity and community music making. It reports on the a Xhosa music research project (2004-2006) as an ethnographic study which is descriptive and interpretive as a holistic cultural portrait. Participants in the project included post-graduate music students, community culture bearers and academics. Only some significant aspects of the Xhose music project at the University of Fort Hare will be reported on. We contextualize the recognition and celebration of IKS within the parameters of the music and the culture of the amaMpondo within the Xhosa people. The paper specifically focuses on the ritual life of the amaMpondo. It also describes the indigenous bow instruments of the Uhadi and Umrhubhe as unique examples of South Africa\u27s traditional music. As this initiative proved a worthy undertaking, we challenge whether such a project could strengthen local IKS elsewhere and be a pathway for tertiary institutions to engage effectively with local community music practitioners in order to prepare students effectively as holistic music educators.<br /

Influencing Technology Education Teachers to Accept Teaching Positions

Technology education is facing a significant teacher shortage. The purpose of this study was to address the technology education teacher shortage by examining the factors that influence technology education teachers to accept teaching positions. The population for the study consisted of technology education teachers and administrators. A survey instrument was developed that asked participants to indicate their level of agreement on 28 factors influence on whether a technology education teacher accepts a teaching position. A five point Likert scale was used to determine level of agreement. The results of the study revealed that the factors believed to most influence a technology education teacher to accept a teaching position included having resources available for the classrooms and labs, having resources for professional development, and a collaborative work environment. Discussions include recommendations for the development of technology education teacher recruitment programs, as well as policies that positively impact recruitment