Urban Populations of Queen Snakes (Regina Septemvittata) and Northern Watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon sipedon)

Undergraduate Basi

Integrating Research and Quality Improvement Using TeamSTEPPS: A Health Team Communication Project to Improve Hospital Discharge

Purpose/Objectives: The purpose of this article is to describe an innovative approach to the integration of quality improvement and research processes. A project with the objective of improving health team communication about hospital discharge provides an exemplar case. Description of the Project/Program: The TeamSTEPPS 10-step action planning guide provided the structure for planning, developing, and evaluating a redesign of interprofessional health team communication to improve hospital discharge led by 2 clinical nurse specialists. The redesign involved development of processes for team bedside rounding, registered nurse bedside shift reports, and briefing tools to support the rounding processes. Outcome: Using the TeamSTEPPS process, a 4-phase combined quality improvement and research project was designed and implemented. Implementation is ongoing, supported by process evaluation for continuing process improvement. Longitudinal analysis of research outcomes will follow in the future. Conclusions: Led by unit-based clinical nurse specialists, use of an integrated process of quality improvement and research creates evidence-based innovation to solve interprofessional practice problems. Incorporating research within the project design allows for data-based decisions to inform the clinical process improvement, as well as documentation of both the processes and outcomes of the local improvements that can inform replications in other sites

Long-Term Study on the Population Ecology of Urban Queen Snakes (Regina septemvittata) in Central Virginia

As parts of the world are becoming more urbanized, species living in urban habitat fragments are more at risk of extirpation. We conducted, in an urban environment, a 12-year (2008-2019) mark/recapture study on a Queen snake (Regina septemvittata) population in Rock Castle Creek, Lynchburg, VA to determine population viability. Ninety-nine individual Queen snakes were marked to determine stable population estimates (range 3 - 43 snakes) and an annual survival rate of 52%. Our research found that despite the challenges of urban living, this population is stable and similar to rural Queen snake population studies. Certain life-history traits are advantageous to urban Queen snakes\u27 survivability, but other traits make them extremely vulnerable should habitat quality change in the future

Organic Reactions in Ionic Liquids

Much attention has been given recently to the use of ionic liquids as highly effective reaction solvents in organic syntheses. We have found that the ionic liquid l-butyl-3- methylimadazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Bmim] [NTf2]) is capable of acting as an efficient medium for several Michael reactions using benzylamine as the Michael donor. The use of [Bmim] [NTf2] allows the reaction to take place without volatile organic solvents. In addition, [Bmim] [NTf2] is able to be reused at least three times. These two factors make the reaction greener by reducing waste and the release of organic compounds into the environment

Effects of Implementing a Health Team Communication Redesign on Hospital Readmissions Within 30 Days

Background and Rationale Poor communication between health team members can interfere with timely, coordinated preparation for hospital discharge. Research on daily bedside interprofessional health team rounds and nursing bedside shift handoff reports provides evidence that these strategies can improve communication. Aims To improve health team communication and collaboration about hospital discharge; improve patient experience of discharge measured by patient‐reported quality of discharge teaching, readiness for discharge, and postdischarge coping difficulty; and reduce readmissions and emergency department (ED) visits postdischarge. Methods A two‐sample pre‐ and postintervention design provided baseline data for redesign of health team communication processes and comparison data for evaluation of the new process’ impact. Health team members (n = 105 [pre], n = 95 [post]) from two surgical units of an academic medical center in the midwestern United States provided data on discharge‐related communication and collaboration. Patients (n = 413 [pre], n = 191 [post]) provided data on their discharge experience (quality of discharge teaching, readiness for discharge, postdischarge coping difficulty) and outcomes (readmissions, ED visits). Chi‐square and t tests were used for unadjusted pre‐ and postintervention comparisons. Logistic regression of readmissions with a matched pre‐ and postintervention sample included adjustments for patient characteristics and hospitalization factors. Results Readmissions decreased from 18% to 12% (p \u3c .001); ED visits decreased from 4.4% to 1.5% (p \u3c .001). Changes in health team communication and collaboration and patients’ experience of discharge were minimal. Discussion The targeted outcomes of readmission and ED visits improved after the health team communication process redesign. The process indicators did not improve; potential explanations include unmeasured hospital and unit discharge, and other care process changes during the study timeframe. Linking Evidence to Practice Evidence from daily interprofessional team bedside rounding and bedside shift report studies was translated into a redesign of health team communication for discharge. These strategies support readmission reduction efforts

Glassford & Henderson: Curating 18th Century History from Store Ledgers

AMH 4110 – Colonial American History Class Project. Partnership with History Revealed, Inc. John Glassford & Alexander Henderson – proprietors of store in 1750s and 1760s in Colchester, Virginia.https://stars.library.ucf.edu/curatingacrosscurriculum-workshops/1004/thumbnail.jp

Integration of Public Policy into Civil Engineering Undergraduate Curricula: Review of Civil Engineering Body of Knowledge and Course Application

The field of civil and environmental engineering directly ties with serving the needs of the public through infrastructure development and improvements in sustainable environments. Integrating this reciprocal connection between public policy and civil engineering into undergraduate civil engineering education is critical for the preparation of the next generation of engineers. This project, first, reviews the guidance of public policy in civil engineering programs, such as ASCE’s Civil Engineering Body of Knowledge. Then, a pedagogical application is presented that focuses on the integration of public policy concepts, methods, assessment tools and techniques in a required, upper level course in civil and environmental engineering at Bucknell University. Iterations of this course integration have been taught for over a decade, and experiences on how to engage students around this timely topic is included. Specific course materials including discussion strategies are presented, as well as methods to maintain up-to-date connections with critical ever-changing topics such as climate change. Also, case studies related to ASCE Policy Statements are shared, and summative assessments that tie directly to ABET criteria are presented, in order to showcase ways that public policy can be taught at the undergraduate level at institutions throughout the United States. Within the lesson material, both a combination of regulation and market-based instruments are presented using civil and environmental engineering examples to spur interest in field and practical applications. Lastly, opportunities within the engineering and public policy arena, in terms of graduate programs and career pathways, are introduced to spark future career interests. As more undergraduate engineers are exposed to the topic of public policy, they can begin their careers with a more well-rounded and holistic understanding of how they can lead and potentially improve the field of civil engineering in serving the public, economy, and the environment