Assessment and Management Tools for Advancing Disease.

As the population of the United States has aged, the number of home care patients with multiple chronic diseases has also increased. A review of the literature suggested that layering palliative care principles on traditional home healthcare could improve outcomes for patients with advancing disease. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to educate home care staff on the use of assessment and management tools to identify symptoms and provide symptom control, prevent unnecessary hospitalizations, and reduce healthcare costs in patients with advancing disease.

Re-legalizing cannabis for medical use in the USA.

Background: The purpose of this paper is to discuss the history of cannabis, its benefits, risks and the federal re-legalization of cannabis for medical use in the USA.

Methods: Thirty-six states have legalized cannabis as a medicinal substance. Cannabis is a Schedule I drug, an illegal and controlled substance, making research on the substance challenging.

Evaluation of an electronic clinical algorithm to improve screening and evaluation of college students for depressive symptoms.

Background: Depression is higher among college students compared with the general population, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning/queer (LGBTQ+) persons have higher rates than heterosexuals. Evidence supports the implementation of automated depressive symptoms screenings to improve provider compliance.

Local Problem: A student health clinic at a private, catholic university did not consistently collect Patient Health Questionnaire 2 (PHQ-2) and Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) depressive screening scores or sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data.

The Impact of School Nurses in Kentucky Public High Schools.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between school nurse presence and graduation rates, absenteeism, and American College Test (ACT) scores. A state-wide survey of all public high schools was undertaken (participation rate of 99.1%).

A one hour teaching intervention can improve end-of-life care.

Background: It is not known if standard nursing actions are tailored to patient preferences for comfort measures during End of Life (EOL) care.

Objectives: Determine the effect of a brief teaching intervention on student care of EOL patients.

Design: Pre-test/post-test intervention design.

Bridging the Gaps in Patient Education for DBS Surgery in Parkinson's Disease.

Introduction: Improvements in quality of life, tremor, and other motor features have been recognized as superior in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) treated with deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery versus best medical therapy. We studied a group of patients with PD after undergoing DBS surgery in regard to expectations and satisfaction with DBS outcomes to determine gaps in patient education.

Methods: This study was a retrospective, single academic center chart review and outcome questionnaire sent to patients with PD who had undergone DBS surgery between 2007 and 2014.

Physical activity-related beliefs and discrepancies between beliefs and physical activity behavior for various chronic diseases.

Background: We have a limited understanding of factors that may explain the discrepancy between believing physical activity (PA) may help prevent various chronic diseases and actually engaging sufficient PA to prevent such diseases. Similarly, few studies have examined potential discrepancies between engaging in PA to help prevent chronic disease and actual compliance with PA recommendations. Lastly, our understanding of whether young adults believe that evidence-based PA strategies are indeed effective is limited.

Active steps for diabetes: a community-campus partnership addressing frailty and diabetes.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Active Steps for Diabetes (ASD), a self-management education (DSME) program for aging adults with diabetes and frailty, on blood glucose control (A1C) and level of frailty of participants.

Methods: Fifty females (62.2 ± 10.

Physical activity, glycemic control, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a national sample.

To determine if physical activity and/or blood glycohemoglobin (HbA1c) are associated with the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy (PN) in a representative population of diabetics. Three hundred thirty-nine diabetic participants (40-85 yrs) taking part in 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were studied. Participants were defined as having peripheral neuropathy if examination determined ≥1 insensate area in either foot.

Implementing diabetes care guidelines in long term care.

Objective: The objectives of this article are to (1) describe the outcomes of a diabetes care program in a long term care facility dedicated to diabetes excellence and (2) compare the relevant outcome variables of research published between 2007 and 2012 with the results found in the studied facility.

Design: Three-year retrospective chart review of the facility's residents with comparison to extant literature.

Participants: A total of 224 resident charts within the studied facility were reviewed.

The use of a chronic pain diary in older people.

This article describes clinical data retrieved using a chronic pain diary in older people residing in a nursing home. Twenty-one diary entries provided the information necessary to formulate an effective plan of care. Residents reported duration of pain, pain at rest, pain with movement, number and location of pain sites, and pain descriptors.

Pilot project: the chronic pain diary--assessing chronic pain in the nursing home population.

The goal of this pilot project was to evaluate the use of a self-report diary for assessing chronic pain in nursing home residents. Data collected 14 days prior to the use of the diary were compared with data collected 14 days after diary completion. Following diary implementation, pain levels, pain-related nursing entries, and use of as-needed medication increased.