The Modernization of the Autopsy: Application of Ultrastructural and Biochemical Methods to Human Disease

The autopsy has provided, and still provides, the stimulus for many attempts to reproduce disease in experimental animal models. This approach has become increasingly difficult, however, in the case of human disease, principally shock. The study of some pathological states in animal models requires testing in several species and final confirmation in man before this knowledge can be applied to living patients. In our studies the application of cell biology techniques at autopsy has permitted the generation of new hypotheses which are more amenable to further exploration in experimental models and can be more precisely related to human disease

Digital Preservation Planning: Choosing Systems

Archivists from the Pennsylvania State Archives will share how they are managing and prioritizing digital preservation, highlighting the challenges faced in current projects. Although they do not have a preservation system currently in place, they are working towards the procurement of one. Similarly, archivists and librarians at the University of Pennsylvania worked collaboratively on common solutions for digital collections preservation among many silos. They will focus on a pilot project evaluating Preservica and hosted Archivematica, how these systems can be used in receiving, processing, storing born- digital records, and the next steps for a project done completely virtually. Presentations will be followed by a discussion with the panel and audience on digital preservation planning best practices

Spirituality Education for End of Life Clinicians: A Quality Improvement Project

Significance and Background: The focus of this project was to strength the knowledge, comfort, and training of end of life(EOL) clinicians working with patients in the palliative care and hospice environments. While spirituality is considered one of the essential domains of hospice care, it is an area that is often brushed aside by staff and patients and their families. Spirituality is inadequately addressed due to knowledge deficits, time issues, and lack of self-efficacy. Addressing spiritual care is particularly important for patients with chronic and end stage illnesses. Patients and their families view spirituality as a way of coping with suffering. Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to provide EOL clinicians with additional spirituality education. The additional education can enhance knowledge and competence and assist patients in achieving a better quality of life(QOL) through spiritual care. Methods: The Plan, Do, Study, Act frame was used to develop a spirituality education program for EOL staff. The Spiritual Care and Competence Scale was given to participants before and after the education intervention to assess differences in clinicians’ knowledge, competence, and comfort in providing spiritual care to her/his patients. The Sacred Heart University Institutional Review Board (IRB) granted approval for the project prior to implementation. Outcome: At eight weeks, staff demonstrated more knowledge to identify and engage in spiritual care conversations with patients and families at first posttest. The survey responses show an increase their knowledge and competence when addressing a patient’s spirituality and how the patients’ spirituality fits in their overall plan of care. Discussion: Through analysis of the pretests and the postests, the staff showed increased competence and understanding in supporting a patient’s spirituality. For staff to become efficient in providing spiritual care to their patients, ongoing spiritual care training is needed. This quality improvement supports staff education and awareness that reinforces EOL staff’s ability to provide basic spiritual care