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Improving Sleep Quality among Individuals with Chronic Back Pain.

Description
Objective: Chronic low back pain in adults is a global health and economic problem. Many with back pain experience compromised sleep. While Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a gold standard in improving sleep among individuals with pain, this approach requires trained staff. The sleep hygiene education and meditation techniques, components…

Objective: Chronic low back pain in adults is a global health and economic problem. Many with back pain experience compromised sleep. While Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a gold standard in improving sleep among individuals with pain, this approach requires trained staff. The sleep hygiene education and meditation techniques, components of CBT, were utilized in patients with chronic low back pain to improve sleep quality. Methods: Twenty patients with chronic back pain volunteered to receive sleep hygiene education and meditation videos to practice for 12 weeks and participate in 4-weekly phone calls. Participants were assessed at baseline and post-treatment with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Participants were patients at a local pain clinic with chronic low back pain without untreated mental illness, sleep apnea, or restless leg syndrome. Informed consent was obtained from participants, along with demographic data. Participants received a brochure with education information to engage daily for 12 weeks. Participants were then contacted weekly by phone to review the learned information. Results: 13 participants completed the post-intervention questionnaire (35 % attrition rate). Mean age was 55.15 yrs. and most were female (n=11). Paired t-test demonstrated that change in pre and post PSQI score, and Medication Use did not show statistical significance (p=0.372; p=0.502). However, Subjective Sleep Quality had clinical significance (p=.022) suggesting individuals thought their sleep have improved. Discussion: Sleep hygiene education and meditation techniques is an approach for individuals considering non-invasive and cost-effective approach to improve sleep
ContributorsSong, Christine (Author) / Baker, Laurie (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2022-04-29
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Mental Health Training for Correctional Officers

Description
Purpose & Background: Serious mental illness among incarcerated people continues to rise within the United States. Correctional officers only receive an average of 13.54 hours of training in special populations, including the mentally ill (Kois et al., 2020). This lack of training leaves new correctional officers inadequately prepared to manage…

Purpose & Background: Serious mental illness among incarcerated people continues to rise within the United States. Correctional officers only receive an average of 13.54 hours of training in special populations, including the mentally ill (Kois et al., 2020). This lack of training leaves new correctional officers inadequately prepared to manage this population in prison. Education is a cost-effective modality to provide a long-term change of practice. Mental health education was provided to New Correctional Officers (NCOs) at a 2,000-bed facility in Southwestern United States during their initial correctional officer training. Internal permissions were granted by the prison internal review board (IRB) and the Arizona State University IRB. Methods:NCOs (n = 7) were recruited and consented to participate in psychoeducation specific to mentally ill prisoners. Using an evidence-based curriculum developed by Dr. Dana Dehart at the University of South Carolina, NCOs participated in four (4) 1-hour long mental health trainings that were instructor led. Pre/Post assessment tools were completed using a 10-item trauma quiz and a 12- item Mental Health Knowledge Schedule (MAKS) scale assessing participant attitudes towards mental illness. Results: Participants were primarily male (57 %), White (42%), with an average age range between 31-40 years old, and with a high school degree. Post intervention quiz and MAKS show improved knowledge for all subjects using both tools. Discussion/Conclusion: This project highlights cost-effective training with significant preliminary results in reducing stigma towards the mentally ill in prison. Furthermore, this information justifies the support, development, and funding for increasing mental health training for correctional staff nationwide.
ContributorsVargas, Ramses (Author) / Baker, Laurie (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2022-05-07
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Skin and Soft Tissue Infections: Improving Treatments for the Incarcerated Population

Description
Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) occur at higher rates within correctional facilities due to the increased risks that are inherent in this population. These infections present at various stages, requiring different treatment modalities and sometimes require complex treatment. Prompt and accurate recognition of SSTIs is crucial in selecting appropriate…

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) occur at higher rates within correctional facilities due to the increased risks that are inherent in this population. These infections present at various stages, requiring different treatment modalities and sometimes require complex treatment. Prompt and accurate recognition of SSTIs is crucial in selecting appropriate treatment to decrease the possibility of treatment failure. Literature shows a correlation between diagnosis delay and increased time and overall cost of care related to delayed diagnosis of SSTIs. These findings support the implementation of an evidence-based project which aims to determine whether the utilization of an algorithm for SSTIs can be amplified through increased accessibility.
ContributorsResendiz-Casas, Adalivia (Author) / Baker, Laurie (Thesis advisor)
Created2019-04-29
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Skin and Soft Tissue Infections: Using a Severity Stratification Tool to Improve Knowledge

Description

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI’s) are a significant health concern with serious potential implications. Evidence suggests the importance of implementing a severity stratification tool to improve early identification of SSTI’s. The aim of this evidence based project is to examine if educating healthcare staff on the use of a…

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI’s) are a significant health concern with serious potential implications. Evidence suggests the importance of implementing a severity stratification tool to improve early identification of SSTI’s. The aim of this evidence based project is to examine if educating healthcare staff on the use of a severity stratification tool would increase staff knowledge of SSTI's. The sample consisted of 18 participants, 12 healthcare providers and 6 healthcare staff at a correctional facility in the Southwestern United States. A pre-and posttest design, including an educational session was implemented.

A 14-item multiple choice self-developed questionnaire was used to evaluate participants’ knowledge of identifying and ranking SSTI’s using the CREST tool. A one tail paired t-test was performed to compare the pre-and post-test case study scores for the healthcare provider group. A significant increase from pre-test to post-test case study scores was found (t(13)= -6.19, p < 0.00). Of the healthcare providers, 57% found the tool “moderately helpful.” Of the non-provider sample, 50% found the tool “extremely helpful” and plan to use the tool “all of the time.” The findings of this study suggest that implementing an educational session on a wound severity stratification tool improves staff knowledge and increases the likelihood of the tool being used in practice. Recommendations for future research include larger sample sizes across a variety of regional correctional facilities to further explore the use and knowledge of the tool in practice.
ContributorsCason, Chelsea (Author) / Baker, Laurie (Thesis advisor)
Created2018-04-30