Barriers and Facilitators to Ophthalmology Visit Adherence in an Urban Hospital Setting.

Purpose: To explore barriers and facilitators to completing scheduled outpatient appointments at an urban academic hospital-based ophthalmology department.

Methods: Potential participants were stratified by neighborhood Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) (range, 0-1.0, higher scores indicate greater vulnerability), and semistructured interviews were conducted with individuals 18 years and older with an SVI of greater than 0.

Long-Term Outcomes and Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Coronary Intervention With Second-Generation Drug-Eluting Stents: The Veterans Affairs Extended DAPT Study.

Background Recent guidelines on dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) duration after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) balance the subsequent risks of major bleeding with ischemic events. Although generally favoring shorter DAPT duration with second-generation drug-eluting stents, the effects on long-term outcomes in the wider population are uncertain. Methods and Results We tracked all patients having PCI with second-generation drug-eluting stents in the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System between 2006 and 2016 for death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and major bleeding up to 13 years.

Premature Discontinuation of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Coronary Stenting in Veterans: Characteristics and Long-Term Outcomes.

Background Premature discontinuation of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention is related to higher short-term risks of adverse outcomes. Whether these risks persist in the long-term is uncertain. Methods and Results We assessed all patients having percutaneous coronary intervention with coronary second- or first-generation drug-eluting stents in the Veterans Affairs healthcare system between 2006 and 2012 who were free of major ischemic or bleeding events in the first 12 months.

How effective is "code freeze" in post-cardiac arrest patients?

The use of therapeutic hypothermia or "code freeze" dates back to over 100 years in attempts to resuscitate injured soldiers, preserve limbs, and to provide analgesia for amputations. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of code freeze through a retrospective review of 187 charts of patients who had a cardiac arrest while hospitalized in a 1-year period. Data were collected to determine which post-cardiac arrest patients received the induced therapeutic hypothermia intervention and why they were selected for induced therapeutic hypothermia.

Improving influenza immunization rates through a specialized clinic review.

Purpose: The purpose of this capstone project was to determine if alternative access by way of a focused immunization clinic rather than a regular physician office visit caused an increase from 2009 to 2010 in the number of people in a rural community who received the influenza vaccine. Reasons why the immunization clinic was chosen by the patient for immunization were identified.

Methods: This project was conducted by using a descriptive survey design.

Creating a successful environment for preparing doctoral-level nurse educators.

The ongoing nursing shortage requires that universities be creative in developing alternative methods to enhance the supply of nursing faculty. We report on an innovative collaborative program between colleges of nursing and education to prepare future nursing faculty. The evaluation of this initiative was accomplished using comparative data from doctoral students in other non-nursing programs.

Providing mental health care to veterans in rural areas: using telehealth in mobile clinics.

The purpose of this article is to provide information to improve the quality of care of veterans living in geographically isolated areas who require treatment for mental health issues. Because interactive care solutions are currently hot topics in the health care community, they should be viewed as possible strategies to meet the needs of this specialty group of veterans. An intervention using a mobile clinic and clinical video telehealth reduces distance barriers by making it possible for mental health specialists to come to rural veterans instead of the veteran attempting to find a way to get to the practitioner, who may be located in a clinic or hospital many miles away.

Male infertility: an exploratory comparison of African American and white men.

Purpose: This study's purpose was to provide information regarding differences in AA and White men's attitude about not fathering a child, receipt and type of infertility services, and diagnosed infertility problem.

Methods: A descriptive study using Cycle 6 National Survey of Family Growth male interview data with Chi Square analysis was conducted.

Findings: There was a statistically significant difference in attitude about not fathering a child, but no other statistically significant differences.

Recruitment and retention of scholarship recipient nursing students and staff.

Few problems are more relevant in health care today than nurse recruitment and retention. The purpose of this study was to identify job satisfaction factors for nurse and nursing student education scholarship recipients, as well as examine the relationship of these factors to the intent to complete contractual agreements. Findings revealed that job satisfaction and a positive image of nursing were influential factors in intent to complete contractual agreements.

Dissecting dementia, depression, and drug effects in older adults.

As adults age, many changes in functioning occur, and dementia and/or depression may develop. Medications used to manage dementia and depression include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The challenge for nurses is recognizing which behaviors, signs, and symptoms are the result of the dementia or depression and which are the result of the drug therapy.

Using data from the internet to teach ethical principles for critiquing research studies.

Qualitative researchers are increasingly using the Internet to conduct their studies; however, they need to adhere to the same ethical principles used when conducting traditional research studies. Students also must be aware of these ethical principles and know how to critique research reports for adherence to them. The authors describe selected ethical principles as they relate to Internet qualitative research, what students need to know, what faculty must teach them to critique those studies, and what decisions students must make once the critique is completed.

Leadership experiences for baccalaureate nursing students: improving quality in a nurse-managed rural health clinic.

Nurse educators need practical, effective methods to help nursing students understand the importance of quality improvement activities and their relationship to the financial viability of organizations. This article describes a project designed to provide students with an opportunity to apply quality improvement principles in a rural, nurse-managed clinic with the ultimate goal of improving potential reimbursement for services through improved documentation. Implications for students, nurse educators, and rural clinics are provided.

Male infertility: the element of disguise.

The purpose of this descriptive study was to explore the element of disguise in the infertility experience of men. I conducted a secondary analysis of data from a previous study of 10 men experiencing infertility. Three categories of disguise were identmifed: disguise to protect themselves, disgise to protect their partner, and disguise to protect both themselves and their partner.

Case management evolution: from basic to advanced practice role.

This article provides an overview of nursing case management as an advanced practice role from a theoretical and practice basis. Not all case managers will, or need to, perform case management duties at the advanced level. However, it has become abundantly clear over the past several years that nurse case managers are performing more complex duties that appear to match the competencies of other advanced practice roles.

Understanding the emotional aspects of infertility: implications for nursing practice.

Approximately 10% to 15% of childbearing-age couples experience infertility. Infertility has multiple aspects, including physical, emotional, financial, social, and psychological effects. Although most health care professionals are more aware of problems related to physical aspects of infertility, the difficulties and needs that arise from the emotional aspects are often more significant for couples.

Infertility education in baccalaureate schools of nursing.

The increasing number of couples who enter the current health care system for assistance with fertility needs warrants an examination of the ways nurse educators are preparing nurse generalists to meet those needs. A survey was conducted of baccalaureate nursing programs to determine what, if any, information was being presented on infertility. Analysis of data with a 50% return rate indicated most schools of nursing in this sample are in fact including some information on infertility in their curricula.