Fiber optics-based surface enhanced Raman Spectroscopy sensors for rapid multiplex detection of foodborne pathogens in raw poultry.

A new high-sensitivity, low-cost, Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) sensor allows for the rapid multiplex detection of foodborne pathogens in raw poultry. Self-assembled microspheres are used to pattern a hexagonal close-packed array of nanoantennas onto a side-polished multimode fiber core. Each microsphere focuses UV radiation to a photonic nanojet within a layer of photoresist on the fiber which allows the nanoantenna geometry to be controlled.

Differences in Role and Support Between Volunteer and Paid Community Health Workers in the State of Nebraska.

Despite the growing importance of community health workers (CHWs) in public health, it has been difficult to characterize the roles and scope of services for this workforce in part because of the variability in the employment status of CHWs, ranging from full-time, part-time, to volunteer. Based on analysis of survey data from a statewide assessment of the CHW workforce in Nebraska (n = 142) conducted between 2019 and 2020, the proportions of CHWs who worked full-time, part-time, or volunteer were respectively 64%, 12%, and 21%. Over three quarters (76.

Perspectives on certification of community health workers: A statewide mixed-methods assessment in Nebraska.

Objectives: While the Community Health Worker (CHW) workforce in the United States has been growing, so far only 19 states certify CHWs. This study sought to identify perspectives on CHW certification among stakeholders in Nebraska, a state that has not established official certification for CHWs yet.

Design: A concurrent triangulation mixed methods design.

Sexual and reproductive health cancer screening avoidance: The role of body image.

The current study examines the relationship of female genital self-image, weight-related cancer screening avoidance, and internalized weight stigma among cisgender women that can provide knowledge about avoidance of life-saving preventative healthcare. This cross-sectional survey included a convenience sample of 384 U.S.

The Impact of Meaningful Use and Electronic Health Records on Hospital Patient Safety.

The HITECH Act aimed to leverage Electronic Health Records (EHRs) to improve efficiency, quality, and patient safety. Patient safety and EHR use have been understudied, making it difficult to determine if EHRs improve patient safety. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of EHRs and attesting to Meaningful Use (MU) on Patient Safety Indicators (PSIs).

The Impact of Electronic Health Records and Meaningful Use on Inpatient Quality.

It is unclear if national investments of the HITECH Act have resulted in significant improvements in care processes and outcomes by making "Meaningful Use (MU)" of Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems. The objective of this study is to determine the impact of EHRs and MU on inpatient quality. We used inpatient hospitalization data, American Hospital Association annual survey, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services attestation records to study the impact of EHRs on inpatient quality composite scores.

Assessing the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Sexually Transmitted Infections Among College Students in a Rural Midwest Setting.

The objective of this research was to assess that knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding sexual heath among rural college students in Nebraska. We administered an electronic survey (n = 125) that was adapted from the YRBSS and National College Health Assessment to compare results to national estimates. Results show condom use was below the national average (38.

Rural-Urban Differences in Roles and Support for Community Health Workers in the Midwest.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act supports the integration of community health workers (CHWs) into the health care workforce, but little is known about integration and current roles of CHWs among employers in community settings. This analysis of 97 employers described the roles of CHWs in Nebraska and found significant differences between CHWs practicing in rural and urban areas in organization types employing CHWs, funding sources, and minority populations served. The findings suggest that the utility of CHWs is widely recognized among employers, but deliberate support will be needed to better define the roles of CHWs to meet the needs of the increasingly diverse demographic.

Community Health Worker Employer Survey: Perspectives on CHW Workforce Development in the Midwest.

A statewide Community Health Worker Employer Survey was administered to various clinical, community, and faith-based organizations (n = 240) across a range of rural and urban settings in the Midwest. At least 80% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that items characterized as supervisory support were present in their work environment. Thirty-six percent of respondents currently employed CHWs, over half (51%) of survey respondents reported seeing the need to hire/work with more CHWs, and 44% saw the need for CHWs increasing in the future.

Telehealth Delivery of Mental Health Services: An Analysis of Private Insurance Claims Data in the United States.

Objective: This study characterizes telehealth claims for mental health and substance abuse (MH/SA) services by using national private claims data.

Methods: Telehealth-related mental health service claims were identified with private claims data from 2009 to 2013. These data-provided by the Health Care Cost Institute-included claims from Aetna, Humana, and UnitedHealth for more than 50 million individuals per year.

Legal Mapping Analysis of State Telehealth Reimbursement Policies.

Background: There exists rapid growth and inconsistency in the telehealth policy environment, which makes it difficult to quantitatively evaluate the impact of telehealth reimbursement and other policies without the availability of a legal mapping database.

Introduction: We describe the creation of a legal mapping database of state-level policies related to telehealth reimbursement of healthcare services. Trends and characteristics of these policies are presented.

Reimbursements for telehealth services are likely to be lower than non-telehealth services in the United States.

Telehealth technologies promise to increase access to care, particularly in underserved communities. However, little is known about how private payer reimbursements vary between telehealth and non-telehealth services. We use the largest private claims database in the United States provided by the Health Care Cost Institute to identify telehealth claims and compare average reimbursements to non-telehealth claims.

Nebraska's rural behavioral healthcare workforce distribution and relationship between supply and county characteristics.

Introduction: Specific attention is needed to improve mental health outcomes in rural communities. Rural communities continue to have higher unmet mental health needs than their urban counterparts. Quantifying workforce supply and shortages can aid in identifying areas in need of the recruitment, training, licensure, and retention of behavioral health professionals.

Exploration of factors influencing initiation and continuation of breastfeeding among Hispanic women living in rural settings: a multi-methods study.

Introduction: Healthy People 2020 has the important goal of increasing the number of breastfed babies in the USA. The purpose of this pilot study was to explore factors that influence breastfeeding initiation and continuation among Hispanic women living in rural settings. Further, the objective of this study was to develop a framework for an educational breastfeeding program to meet the needs of Hispanic women living in rural settings.