Matching Items (9)
Filtering by

Clear all filters

137718-Thumbnail Image.png
Description
This thesis concerns the adoption of health information technology in the medical sector, specifically electronic health records (EHRs). EHRs have been seen as a great benefit to the healthcare system and will improve the quality of patient care. The federal government, has seen the benefit EHRs can offer, has been

This thesis concerns the adoption of health information technology in the medical sector, specifically electronic health records (EHRs). EHRs have been seen as a great benefit to the healthcare system and will improve the quality of patient care. The federal government, has seen the benefit EHRs can offer, has been advocating the use and adoption of EHR for nearly a decade now. They have created policies that guide medical providers on how to implement EHRs. However, this thesis concerns the attitudes medical providers in Phoenix have towards government implementation. By interviewing these individuals and cross-referencing their answers with the literature this thesis wants to discover the pitfalls of federal government policy toward EHR implementation and EHR implementation in general. What this thesis found was that there are pitfalls that the federal government has failed to address including loss of provider productivity, lack of interoperability, and workflow improvement. However, the providers do say there is still a place for government to be involved in the implementation of EHR.
ContributorsKaldawi, Nicholas Emad (Author) / Lewis, Paul (Thesis director) / Cortese, Denis (Committee member) / Jones, Ruth (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Politics and Global Studies (Contributor) / School of Human Evolution and Social Change (Contributor)
Created2013-05
186403-Thumbnail Image.png
Description
Purpose/Background: Children exposed to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress have an increased risk of developing chronic illness and early death in the absence of protective factors. Many providers feel inadequately prepared to screen for and treat ACEs. This quality improvement project, based on the Health

Purpose/Background: Children exposed to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress have an increased risk of developing chronic illness and early death in the absence of protective factors. Many providers feel inadequately prepared to screen for and treat ACEs. This quality improvement project, based on the Health Belief Model, investigated if providing ACEs education before a screening program is effective in improving attitudes, knowledge, and the number of completed screenings. Method: The project was conducted at a pediatric primary care practice in the southwestern United States. All providers voluntarily consented to attend four education sessions: 1) Trauma overview, 2) Trauma physiology, 3) Trauma-informed care, 4) Screening tool/referral process. An anonymous pre/post-education Likert-Scale survey was completed to assess knowledge and attitudes about ACEs and screening. The number of completed ACEs screening tools and referrals made were collected four- and eight-weeks post-implementation. Results: Data were analyzed using Intellectus Statistics SoftwareTM. There was a significant increase in ACEs knowledge from the pre-test (p= .011, ?=.05). There was not a significant change in attitudes from the pre-test (p=.066, ?=.05). However, the mean pre- to post-survey scores increased for both categories, indicating improved attitudes. Over the first four weeks, 75% of eligible children were screened and 6% were referred to an ACEs resource program. In the second four weeks, 56% of children were screened and 8.6% were referred. Discussion: A comprehensive education program for providers can improve knowledge about ACEs screening, leading to improved screening practices, early identification, and the introduction of protective resources.
Created2022-04-29
186415-Thumbnail Image.png
Description
Introduction: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) among youth has increased drastically in recent years. E-cigarettes are being used with nicotine which can lead to dependency. Healthcare providers (HPs) are in a unique position to advise against the use of e-cigarettes. Recent studies report a lack of formal education among HPs

Introduction: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) among youth has increased drastically in recent years. E-cigarettes are being used with nicotine which can lead to dependency. Healthcare providers (HPs) are in a unique position to advise against the use of e-cigarettes. Recent studies report a lack of formal education among HPs about e-cigarettes. The purpose of this quality improvement project is to examine how increasing e-cigarette awareness among HPs can change their behavior on patient counseling against e-cigarette use. Methods: A modified E-cigarette Knowledge, Beliefs and Attitude Questionnaire was proctored before and after a virtual educational training about e-cigarettes. All advanced HPs employed, in a Southwestern state, at the organization were invited to participate by email. Results: 29 participants completed the pre-survey, and 4 participants completed the post-survey. While 90% of the participants reported that they first learned about e-cigarettes through informal sources, 72% of the participants reported interest in learning more about e-cigarettes to enhance their practice. Further, a two-tailed Mann-Whitney U test was significant on the “e-cigarettes are helpful aid for smoking cessation” statement based on an alpha value of 0.05, U = 12, z = -2.69, p = .007. Conclusions: Increasing the knowledge about e-cigarettes among HPs is critical in decreasing nicotine use among the public. This project will help in the fight against the use of tobacco products, and adds to the literature on how formal education about e-cigarettes among HPs can increase their intention to screen and counsel patients.
Created2021-05-01
186391-Thumbnail Image.png
Description
Medicare implemented a yearly Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) to improve quality patient care through early detection of declining health. However, there has been only partial provider participation since its inception, which potentially delays treatment and negatively impacts patient outcomes. The aim of this quality improvement project was to assess the

Medicare implemented a yearly Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) to improve quality patient care through early detection of declining health. However, there has been only partial provider participation since its inception, which potentially delays treatment and negatively impacts patient outcomes. The aim of this quality improvement project was to assess the feasibility of implementing a standardized electronic AWV template into private primary care practices to improve the consistency of delivery and documentation. The project designer utilized the theory of transitions (TOT) to facilitate the project execution. An electronic Excel-based template was designed to capture and calculate all aspects of the AWV, including billing codes, to allow for ease and consistency of use within a small primary care practice over two weeks. A provider performed the AWVs using the electronic template after completing a hands-on tutorial and reviewing an educational handout. Data were retrieved from a 7-question, 5-point Likert scale questionnaire given to the provider to assess the effectiveness of the electronic template versus a paper assessment. The results of this study indicated overall satisfaction with using leveraged technology to provide consistency of AWVs to improve patient outcomes, provider satisfaction, and increase revenue through uniform charting and billing. The outcomes of this project provide a basis of existing evidence for using standardized methods to perform and track Medicare AWVs.
Created2022-04-29
186398-Thumbnail Image.png
Description
Problem Statement & Purpose: Cervical cancer screening rates for a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in rural Northern Arizona is 78%, which is below the Healthy People 2030 goal of 84.3%. Identification of socioeconomic barriers unique to rural women through the use of an intake survey can improve cervical cancer

Problem Statement & Purpose: Cervical cancer screening rates for a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in rural Northern Arizona is 78%, which is below the Healthy People 2030 goal of 84.3%. Identification of socioeconomic barriers unique to rural women through the use of an intake survey can improve cervical cancer screening rates. This project was guided by the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). SCT proposes that behavioral change is determined by environmental, social, personal, and behavioral elements. Methods: At a one-day well-woman event called, “See, Test, and Treat” hosted by the FQHC, an anonymous intake survey was implemented that identified participant demographics, basic cervical cancer knowledge, and perceived socioeconomic barriers to routine cervical cancer screening. Participants were recruited through the FQHC. Participant inclusion criteria: Arizona resident, uninsured, underinsured, 21-65 years old, English or Spanish speaking. Results: Descriptive statistics were utilized to evaluate the survey responses, reliability, and validity of responses unknown due to self-reported responses. A total of 18 surveys were completed with a final yield of (n = 10). Surveys didn’t identify barriers to routine cervical cancer screening; however, an unawareness of cervical cancer risk factors including multiple sexual partners (n = 5, 50.00%), sex at an early age (n = 4, 40.00%), and misperception that cervical cancer is genetic (n = 7, 70.00%) was identified. Implications for Practice: A need for cervical cancer education exists within the surveyed community. Providing rural women with knowledge regarding cervical cancer can improve screening rates.
Created2022-04-29
Description
Purpose & Background: This project evaluates the impact of education on a provider’s intent to screen for vitamin D deficiency in adults with depression. An internal Quality Improvement (QI) study at a local mental health primary care clinic revealed that only 1 in 3 patients with depression were routinely screened

Purpose & Background: This project evaluates the impact of education on a provider’s intent to screen for vitamin D deficiency in adults with depression. An internal Quality Improvement (QI) study at a local mental health primary care clinic revealed that only 1 in 3 patients with depression were routinely screened for vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is a crucial component of numerous systemic functions, including mental health, specifically depression. Methods: This QI project used the Rosswurm and Larrabee Model implementation framework. Institution Review Board (IRB) expedited review approval was received. This project was conducted at 10 Veteran’s Affairs (VA) primary care clinics in Arizona. An initial email with a recruitment flyer was sent to providers to launch the project. A second email was sent to participants who volunteered to participate in the project, with instructions and links to the asynchronous pre-survey, recorded education PowerPoint, and post-survey. Responses were analyzed using Intellectus Statistics software. Results: Provider knowledge of impact and intent to screen for vitamin D deficiency increased after viewing a brief education video (n=30). Frequency distribution analyses revealed a 23% average increase in agreement to screen for vitamin D deficiency at annual visits, “at-risk” individuals, knowledge of the association, and intent to screen regularly in depression. Conclusion: The education intervention was found to positively impact the provider’s intent and demonstrate the importance of screening for vitamin D deficiency in adults with depression.
Created2022-05-02
162136-Thumbnail Image.png
Description
Solo private physician-owned clinics report lower rates of electronic health record (EHR) use. Lack of use of an EHR results in billing penalties, revenue losses, and may affect quality of care. An EHR provides a concise recollection of a patient’s complete medical history, and any pertinent exam information clearly and

Solo private physician-owned clinics report lower rates of electronic health record (EHR) use. Lack of use of an EHR results in billing penalties, revenue losses, and may affect quality of care. An EHR provides a concise recollection of a patient’s complete medical history, and any pertinent exam information clearly and succinctly. The aim of this pilot project was to support a small solo private physician-owned clinic transition from paper-based charting to an EHR. The pilot assessed through a validated survey EHR readiness and confidence of the employees at the beginning of the change process (pre-intervention) and at 16 weeks (post-intervention). During the 16-weeks, interventions in the form of transition assistance included vetting an EHR modality for the practice, virtual training via EHR modules, weekly check-ins with stakeholders, and organizational planning and scheduling with staff. EMR-based goal setting with EHR rollout deadlines was also provided. Results noted confidence decreased pertaining to EHR transitioning over the 16 weeks. Unforeseen barriers and challenges likely led to reduced confidence and provided information on future transition supports needed for the practice. The findings of this pilot are beneficial in gaining insight on how to enhance readiness in an outpatient clinic for EHR readiness. This information is utilized as a guide for small privately-owned outpatient clinics in their organizational transition from paper-charting to EHR. The results of this pilot project provide evidence-based data on the demands of system-wide organizational change.
Created2021-04-22
162168-Thumbnail Image.png
Description
The physiologic changes that occur during pregnancy can increase risk of maternal periodontal disease. This is more often observed in women seeking prenatal care in community health centers. Poor oral health in pregnancy can negatively impact birth outcomes and the oral health of children born to mothers with a history

The physiologic changes that occur during pregnancy can increase risk of maternal periodontal disease. This is more often observed in women seeking prenatal care in community health centers. Poor oral health in pregnancy can negatively impact birth outcomes and the oral health of children born to mothers with a history of perinatal periodontal disease. Despite the evidence of importance and safety, oral health continues to be overlooked during prenatal care visits. There is a lack of interprofessional collaboration between prenatal and dental providers leading to missed opportunities and preventable adverse maternal and fetal health outcomes. Several professional organizations have affirmed that dental care and treatment during pregnancy is safe and recommended to prevent complications during and after pregnancy. In previous studies, barriers preventing pregnant women from receiving oral health exams, oral health education, and referrals include lack of provider awareness regarding the importance of oral health, lack of dental coverage for pregnant women, and reluctance among dental providers to treat women during pregnancy. The Maternal Oral Health Screening (MOS) tool has been used successfully to increase oral health screening in early pregnancy. The MOS was installed in a prenatal care intake form in an electronic health record at a federally qualified health center (FQHC). An education program about oral health care recommendations and safety of oral health care in pregnancy was presented to prenatal care staff. The intervention resulted in increased oral health screening and referral for dental care for pregnant people enrolled at the FQHC.
Created2021-04-28
126907-Thumbnail Image.png
Description

Disease burden is higher in the United States than in comparable countries. The Patient Self Determination Act of 1990 requires healthcare facilities to provide Advance Care Planning (ACP) information to all Medicare patients. The healthcare staffs’ (n=7) commitment to 3-days of ACP training increase ACP rates in the primary care

Disease burden is higher in the United States than in comparable countries. The Patient Self Determination Act of 1990 requires healthcare facilities to provide Advance Care Planning (ACP) information to all Medicare patients. The healthcare staffs’ (n=7) commitment to 3-days of ACP training increase ACP rates in the primary care setting. The Medicare Incentive Program is the platform for this initiative. This quantitative project used a valid and reliable pre and posttest design that consisted of 27 items on a Likert-scale. A 3.5-month chart audit (n=91) was conducted to assess the completion rate. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the demographic data.

The results of the two-tailed Wilcoxon signed rank test were significant based on an alpha value of 0.05, V = 0.00, z = -2.37, p = .018. There was a significant increase in the post-readiness to change average scores. A Mann Whitney test was used to analyze the statistically significant difference between the averages in two ACP types and electronic health record documentation (EHR). Staff did not always code (Mdn = 0.00) but they documented in the EHR (Mdn =1.00; 512.00, p = 0.003). ACP discussion was performed 63% of the time during Annual Wellness Visits (AWV), and there was a 49% increase in the EHR documentation. Trained staff are key stakeholders in guiding ACP conversations. They understand the barriers, impact, and consequences related to the lack of advance directives.

ContributorsBautista, Hija Mae (Author) / Johannah, Uriri-Glover (Thesis advisor)
Created2020-04-30