Utilization of the Nurse Practitioner Skillset in Partnership with the Medical Device Industry

BACKGROUND: Millions of nurse practitioners (NP), physician assistants (PA), and registered nurses (RN) are optimistic that their current employers will help them reach their full potential. One area that can add value to the hospital and empower employees to work to the full scope of their practice, and utilize the skillsets like that of an NP, is to train these providers to support medical device equipment in the operating room instead of relying on medical device representatives (MDRs) of medical device companies. METHODS: Training NPs, PAs, or RNs how to support neurological medical device equipment will better utilize the skillset of these providers, ensure patient safety, and allow operating rooms to reduce spending and function autonomously. Literature review for evidence was performed focusing on the impact MDRs have on the operating room and implications for patient care and hospital efficiency. A pilot neurological medical device support training program for NPs, PAs and RNs was developed and evaluated. INTERVENTION: Medical device training was developed utilizing literature on best practices. Offsite medical device training commenced at corporate headquarters followed by onsite training in the operating room at Swedish Cherry Hill in Seattle, WA. At two intervals, post-offsite and post-onsite training, a 5-point Likert survey was e-mailed to the trained staff at SCH evaluating the effectiveness of the training and each trainees confidence level to support the neurological medical device equipment. RESULTS: Three SCH employees were trained to support neurological navigation medical devices (2 PAs, 1 RN). All trainees reported positive Likert responses, \u3e 4 (agree), regarding their confidence and independence level supporting the neurological medical device technology for spine surgery following offsite training. CONCLUSION: This project provides a successful example for future trainings of a hospital and medical device company aligned to support the training of healthcare professionals. Additionally, it informs hospital administrators of a new avenue to save money while simultaneously developing and empowering their employees

UPenn Green Living Certification

In 2013, the University of Pennsylvania launched a new sustainability certification for on-campus residents called “Green Living.” The program offers students the opportunity to receive a certification and earn rewards for making choices that reduce their environmental footprint and contribute to Penn’s Climate Action Plan goals. In order to become certified, students are asked to fill out an online survey about their habits, which gives them a gold, silver, or bronze score based on their responses. The point values assigned to each of the habits in the survey vary, similar to USGBC’s LEED certification for buildings. The certification includes actions related to waste, energy, water, transportation, purchasing, and community involvement. In addition to giving certified students a sticker acknowledging their accomplishment, the program also includes prize incentives. Prizes for becoming certified depend on the level of certification and include coupons from local businesses and a reusable ceramic mug. Several local restaurants engaged in purchasing and operational sustainability initiatives have partnered with the university to provide coupons to certified students. 150 students were certified in the program’s first year, and in the second year, the number of certified students rose to 260, an increase of 73%. The growth of the program can be attributed to improvements to the program’s branding and marketing efforts and prize distribution methods. Analysis of the program over the past year and a half has revealed many successes and possible improvements. This presentation will focus on the Green Living program’s development, implementation, logistics, results, and lessons learned. This presentation will be informative for other schools interested in resident engagement or creating a similar program on their campus. Program website: http://www.upenn.edu/sustainability/get-involved/green-living-certificatio

Association Between Sedentary Time and Quality of Life From the Osteoarthritis Initiative: Who Might Benefit Most From Treatment?

Objective To investigate the relationship between sedentary behavior and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) among participants in the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Design Longitudinal, observational design. Setting Osteoarthritis Initiative cohort. Participants Individuals (N=1794) from a prospective, multicenter longitudinal cohort were classified into quantile groups based on average daily sedentary time (most sedentary, quartile 1 [Q1] ≥11.6h; 10.7h≤ Q2 Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Individual QALYs were estimated over 2 years from the area under the curve of health-related utility scores derived from the Medical Outcomes Study 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey versus time. The relationship between baseline sedentary behavior and median 2-year QALYs was estimated using quantile regression adjusted for socioeconomic factors and body mass index. Results Lower QALYs over 2 years were more frequently found among the most sedentary (Q1, median 1.59), and QALYs increased as time spent in baseline sedentary behavior decreased (median QALYs for Q2, 1.64; Q3, 1.65; Q4, 1.65). The relationship of sedentary time and median QALY change was only significant for the most sedentary Q1 group, where an additional hour of sedentary behavior significantly reduced QALYs by −.072 (95% confidence interval, −.121 to −.020). Conclusions Our findings suggest that individuals with the most extreme sedentary profiles may be vulnerable to additional losses of quality of life if they become more sedentary. Targeting these individuals to decrease sedentary behavior has the potential to be cost-effective

TB203: Recent Advances in the Biology and Genetics of Lowbush Blueberry

For lowbush blueberries, this publication presents an in-depth look at the biology and genetics of lowbush blueberry. The authors provide details on its genetic composition and the outline the usefulness of various biochemical, genomic, and other markers in studying the plants genetic structure. The authors also provide an overview of the plant’s economic value to Maine, nutritional value, and its life history.https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/aes_techbulletin/1008/thumbnail.jp

Análisis de la transcripción del solo de la cantante Ella Fitzgerald sobre el tema How High The Moon

The present analysis is focused on the rhythm and note choice at the beginning and conclusion of the phrases used by the singer Ella Fitzgerald in the improvised solo of the song How high the moon, in his first recording (1947). 35 phrases were found in a total of 88 bars (2 full choruses and 1 chorus minus 4 bars) ending the improvisation with the main melody (which completes the 3 choruses, that is 96 bars)...El presente trabajo es un análisis centrado en la rítmica y elección de notas en el inicio y final de las frases usadas por la cantante Ella Fitzgerald en el solo improvisado del tema How high the moon, en su primera grabación (1947). Se encontraron un total de 36 frases que fueron cantadas en un total de 88 compases (2 coros completos y1 coro menos 4 compases) finalizando la improvisación con la melodía principal (con lo que se completan los 3 coros, es decir 96 compases)..

Development of earth occupation standards within the UK

Belgium Herbarium image of Meise Botanic Garden