Evaluation of Education and Patient Screening for Delirium Among Patients With Stroke: Knowledge, Confidence, and Patient Outcomes.

Background: Clinical staff showed a knowledge deficit with identifying and managing delirium. The effect of a validated assessment tool and delirium education on staff knowledge and confidence and patient outcomes was analyzed.

Method: A descriptive qualitative and quantitative pre- and postintervention study analyzed the demographics of patients with stroke and clinical outcomes pre- and postimplementation of an assessment tool and delirium staff education.

Investigation of multiple whole smoke dosimetry techniques using a VITROCELL®VC10® smoke exposure system.

The Vitrocell® VC10® smoke exposure system offers multiple platforms for air liquid interface (ALI) and air agar interface (AAI) exposure that mimic conditions for assessing toxicological impact of whole smoke using assays. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare multiple dosimetry techniques that may be employed during combustible cigarette whole smoke exposure using the Vitrocell® VC10® smoking robot. The following techniques were assessed: (1) quartz crystal microbalances (QCMs), (2) aerosol photometers (using area under curve, AUC), and (3) fluorescence of anhydrous dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-captured smoke constituents.

Mechanisms of whole smoke conditioned media induced cytotoxicity to human aortic endothelial cells.

Chronic exposure to cigarette smoke can lead to endothelial dysfunction and potentially endothelial cell death. Here, we exposed Human Aortic Endothelial Cells (HAECs) to whole smoke conditioned media (WSCM) over a range of nicotine equivalence (n.e.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of the healthy heart tracker on heart failure self-care.

Objective: We evaluated the effectiveness of a newly designed patient education booklet, the Health Heart Tracker (HHT), in promoting Heart Failure Self-Care (HFSC) behaviors compared to usual patient discharge handouts.

Methods: We conducted a quasi-experimental, comparative two-group study using patients admitted for HF to four intermediate care units. The HHT was instituted on two units; patients on the other units served as control.

Delayed Newborn First Bath and Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates.

Objective: To develop an evidence-based practice project to evaluate the effect of delaying a newborn's first bath on exclusive breastfeeding rates at discharge.

Design: A pre- and post-implementation evaluation of the effect of delaying the first bath on exclusive breastfeeding rates at discharge.

Setting: A postpartum unit in a southern California community hospital.

Development of a quantitative method for assessment of dose in in vitro evaluations using a VITROCELL® VC10® smoke exposure system.

The assessment of potential cytotoxicity or genotoxicity of combustible tobacco products has historically been performed using partitioned exposures (i.e. total particulate matter [TPM], gas vapor phase [GVP]) rather than whole smoke.

Development, qualification, validation and application of the Ames test using a VITROCELL VC10 smoke exposure system.

The Ames test has established use in the assessment of potential mutagenicity of tobacco products but has generally been performed using partitioned exposures (e.g. total particulate matter [TPM], gas vapor phase [GVP]) rather than whole smoke (WS).

Human aortic endothelial cells respond to shear flow in well-plate microfluidic devices.

Although chronic progressive cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis are often challenging to fully model in vitro, it has been shown that certain in vitro methods can effectively evaluate some aspects of disease progression. This has been demonstrated in in vitro and in vivo studies of endothelial cells that have illustrated the effects of nitric oxide (NO) production, filamentous actin (F-actin) formation, and cell and actin angle alignment on vascular function and homeostasis. Systems utilising shear flow have been established, in order to create a physiologically relevant environment for cells that require shear flow for homeostasis.

Noise Reduction in Progressive Care Units.

Uncontrolled noise in the hospital setting can have a negative physiological and psychological impact on patients and nurses. To reduce unit noise levels and create a quiet patient and nurse experience, an evidence-based practice project was conducted in 4 progressive care units in a community hospital. The Quiet Time Bundle implementation improved patient satisfaction and patient and nurse perceptions of noise even though the decrease in noise levels may not be discernible.

Implementation of Interdisciplinary Rapid Rounds in Observation Units.

Lack of collaboration and communication can lead to medical errors, increased length of stay, and diminished patient satisfaction. The purpose of this project was to improve nurse efficiency, interdisciplinary communication and collaboration, and patient satisfaction with the discharge process through Rapid Rounds. The results demonstrated that interdisciplinary communication and collaboration improved coordination of care, as evidenced by improved Press Ganey percentile rankings for readiness for discharge and speed of the discharge process, increased pharmaceutical interventions, and fewer phone calls to physicians.

Development, qualification, validation and application of the neutral red uptake assay in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells using a VITROCELL® VC10® smoke exposure system.

Unlabelled: Cytotoxicity assessment of combustible tobacco products by neutral red uptake (NRU) has historically used total particulate matter (TPM) or solvent captured gas vapor phase (GVP), rather than fresh whole smoke. Here, the development, validation and application of the NRU assay in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells, following exposure to fresh whole smoke generated with the VITROCELL® VC10® system is described. Whole smoke exposure is particularly important as both particulate and vapor phases of tobacco smoke show cytotoxicity in vitro.

Reading as a Nursing Intervention for Agitation in Patients With Anoxic Brain Injury.

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to describe and recommend reading as a nursing intervention for agitated patients with anoxic brain injury.

Design: The design of this study is a case report of the results from reading to an agitated patient with anoxic brain injury.

Methods: Observation of the effects of reading to an agitated patient.

A Journey to Improved Inpatient Glycemic Control by Redesigning Meal Delivery and Insulin Administration.

Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to redesign a hospital meal delivery process in order to shorten the time between blood glucose monitoring and corresponding insulin administration and improve glycemic control.

Description: This process change redesigned the workflow of the dietary and nursing departments. Modifications included nursing, rather than dietary, delivering meal trays to patients receiving insulin.

Interactions involved in pH protection of the alphavirus fusion protein.

The alphavirus membrane protein E1 mediates low pH-triggered fusion of the viral and endosome membranes during virus entry. During virus biogenesis E1 associates as a heterodimer with the transmembrane protein p62. Late in the secretory pathway, cellular furin cleaves p62 to the mature E2 protein and a peripheral protein E3.

Extrabiliary Pathology Identified by Right Upper Quadrant Abdominal Ultrasound in Emergency Department Patients.

Background: The effectiveness of point of care (POC) right upper quadrant ultrasound (RUQ US) in the diagnosis of biliary disease has been well studied. Extrabiliary pathology that might remain undetected in the course of typical, focused POC RUQ US has not been directly examined.

Objectives: Our objective was to determine the prevalence and clinical significance of extrabiliary findings (EBFs) seen on radiology-performed, comprehensive RUQ US.

Creating a Standardized Process to Meet Core Measure Compliance.

A standardized process to improve compliance with venous thromboembolism prophylaxis and hospital-based inpatient psychiatric services Core Measures was developed, implemented, and evaluated by a clinical nurse specialist team. The use of a 1-page tool with the requirements and supporting evidence, combined with concurrent data and feedback, ensured success of improving compliance. The initial robust process of education and concurrent and retrospective review follow-up allowed for this process to be successful.

An Educational Intervention to Increase Nurse Adherence in Eliciting Patient Daily Goals.

Background: The literature suggests that nurse and patient collaborative goal setting demonstrates better patient outcomes. The SMART goal evaluation method (Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely) is a strategy to develop effective and measureable goals.

Purpose: The purpose of this educational project was to improve nurse collaborative goal-setting skills.

Nurses' knowledge and comfort levels using the Physician Orders for Life-sustaining Treatment (POLST) form in the progressive care unit.

Many patients are admitted to the hospital with an active Physician Orders for Life-sustaining Treatment (POLST) Form; however, not all registered nurses (RNs) are familiar with the form or comfortable with initiating a discussion about end-of-life care. Evidence indicates that an education program increases RNs' knowledge and utilization of the POLST form. The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to answer the question: among the RNs in a progressive care unit (PCU), does implementing a formal evidence-based practice POLST program compared to current practice increase RNs' knowledge and comfort level using the POLST form? A pre-post education survey was used.

Defining and evaluating the umbrella species concept for conserving and restoring landscape connectivity.

Conserving or restoring landscape connectivity between patches of breeding habitat is a common strategy to protect threatened species from habitat fragmentation. By managing connectivity for some species, usually charismatic vertebrates, it is often assumed that these species will serve as conservation umbrellas for other species. We tested this assumption by developing a quantitative method to measure overlap in dispersal habitat of 3 threatened species-a bird (the umbrella), a butterfly, and a frog-inhabiting the same fragmented landscape.

An inter-machine comparison of tobacco smoke particle deposition in vitro from six independent smoke exposure systems.

There are several whole smoke exposure systems used to assess the biological and toxicological impact of tobacco smoke in vitro. One such system is the Vitrocell® VC 10 Smoking Robot and exposure module. Using quartz crystal microbalances (QCMs) installed into the module, we were able to assess tobacco smoke particle deposition in real-time.

Contexts of reproductive loss in lesbian couples.

Lesbian couples seek to become parents in a heteronormative world and in the context of complex biological, social, and legal challenges that may constrain same-sex parenting. Because of these constraints and challenges, lesbian couples experiencing a reproductive loss may encounter issues that heterosexual couples typically will not. Prior to pregnancy, lesbians may experience loss and grief because they cannot conceive a child together without the assistance of a third party.