Activity

Childhood vaccines prevent more than 10 million illnesses and 33,000 deaths in the United States each year. Noncompliance rates for children 2 and under are higher in underserved and resource poor communities.

The aim of this project was to develop and implement a five-step, direct-call reminder system to increase vaccination rates among children ages 2 and under presenting to a federally qualified health center (FQHC).

This project examined whether direct phone contact with parents can increase office visits to discuss vaccine status over a 6-week period following implementation of a five-step, direct-call reminder system.

47 parents/guardians were contacted from a list of 455 patients. Thirty-six percent of parents contacted scheduled and kept appointments.

This study found that the vaccines rates of a FQHC practice initiative are directly affected by methods of contact and knowledge of the vaccine schedule. Reaching out and discussing vaccine schedules with parents can increase vaccination rates. Yet, many of them have limited methods of contact.

A five-step, direct-call reminder system has a positive impact on vaccination compliance. Vaccination compliance is complicated, and approaches should be multifaceted.

A five-step, direct-call reminder system has a positive impact on vaccination compliance. Vaccination compliance is complicated, and approaches should be multifaceted.

Healthy People 2020 has introduced a new initiative focused on adolescent health, ages 10-17, and young adults, ages 18-25, due to health and social problems starting or peaking during these years. The initiative focuses on decreasing such problems including substance use. Cannabis is one of the most popular illegal substances used among young adults for recreation in the United States. Multiple consequences of cannabis use are well documented in the literature including the development of medical problems, developmental delays, and social issues. Furthermore, academic success is linked to overall health outcomes.

The aim of this study was to explore cannabis use and knowledge of consequences among college students at a university in southwest Texas.

Secondary analysis of survey results from students at a small, private university. The Core Alcohol and Drug Survey, a self-report questionnaire, was utilized to measure alcohol and drug usage, attitudes, perceptions, and opinions regarding drug and alcoholspondents believe that their friends would disapprove of cannabis use. A negative correlation was identified between cannabis use within the previous 30 days and low grades.

The consequences of cannabis use are well documented in the literature, yet cannabis remains a popularly used illegal substance among college students. Despite experiencing known consequences of cannabis use, much of the sample reported regular use of the substance.

Results of the study may be used to improve education and interventions aimed at reducing cannabis use among college students. In addition, providers may use the information to provide patient education at routine visits.

Results of the study may be used to improve education and interventions aimed at reducing cannabis use among college students. In addition, providers may use the information to provide patient education at routine visits.

Students enter doctor of nursing practice (DNP) programs with varying interests and professional experiences. Little is known about how this impacts learning.

To explore if differences existed in students’ perceptions of task values related to learning the skill sets of a DNP-prepared nurse.

Students were sent a link to a 17-item electronic survey consisting of demographic questions and nine statements based on competencies as outlined in

(American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN], 2006). Students ranked the statements in order of perceived value of performing after program completion.

Mean rankings of task values demonstrated the advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) group (

= 32) identified the most valuable skill as “suggest an evidence-based change in professional practice based on the findings of published research articles and professional practice experience.” The non-APRN group (

= 10) reported “work collaboratively with other non-nursing healthcare professionals to improve patient and population health outcomes.”

Students’ perceptions of the value of learning the skill sets vary amongst APRNs and non-APRNs, and are shaped by past professional experiences and future role demands.

Findings provide faculty with knowledge that can be used to tailor teaching and engagement strategies.

Findings provide faculty with knowledge that can be used to tailor teaching and engagement strategies.

Treating children and adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) is challenging, whether for mental health concerns, underlying healthcare conditions, or a variety of behavioral challenges, such as self-injury, aggression, or irritability.

This article highlights evidence-based approaches to inform prescribing practices in treating children and adults with ASDs and mental health or behavioral challenges.

Current and historical literature focusing on treating individuals with ASDs using psychotropic medications was analyzed.

Psychotropic medications may not be the best choice for treating individuals with ASDs and mental health or behavioral challenges. Inappropriate use of psychotropic medications in this population can cause significant side effects and lead to long-term health related issues.

Prescribers should use evidence-based approaches when treating this population.

Nurse practitioners are likely to encounter patients with ASDs in their practice. TL12-186 concentration Understanding special considerations in prescribing for this population is highly relevant and important to improve health outcomes.

Nurse practitioners are likely to encounter patients with ASDs in their practice. Understanding special considerations in prescribing for this population is highly relevant and important to improve health outcomes.

More than 130 Americans die from opioid overdose each day. To address the opioid epidemic, opioid treatment programs are in place to treat substance use disorder. These programs have seen an influx of patients and are not able to accommodate the number of patients. Primary care practices can help with the crisis by providing an office-based opioid treatment (OBOT) program.

To describe the necessary steps and considerations to put in place for implementing a telehealth OBOT program. Establishing a telehealth program for patients controlled on medication-assisted treatment can improve access to care, improve patient compliance, and redirect the workflow of the family practice.

After a literature review of established OBOT programs, state and federal laws, Medicare and reimbursement policies, a telehealth opioid treatment program was designed for private primary care practice.

Primary care practices can should implement an office based opioid treatment program via telehealth to improve workflow and accessibility to care.

To offer improved access to care for patients with opioid addiction and seamless workflow in the office-based setting, primary care practices should consider establishing their telehealth OBOT program based on the following recommendations.

To offer improved access to care for patients with opioid addiction and seamless workflow in the office-based setting, primary care practices should consider establishing their telehealth OBOT program based on the following recommendations.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus and depression are frequently comorbid health conditions. Outcomes are generally poorer when the two diseases states co-occur, including the risk of long-term complications, quality of life, mortality, and associated healthcare costs.

The purpose of this article is to review the relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus and depression, as well as to provide recommendations on the integration of their management in primary care.

Utilizing PubMed and CINAHL, a literature review was completed to identify research pertaining to comorbid depression and diabetes. Reference lists of identified articles were also explored for relevance.

There is evidence demonstrating the relationship between diabetes and depression, and a myriad of screening tools and treatment options that can be implemented within the primary care setting.

Based on current evidence, it is recommended that mood symptoms should be addressed as part of standard diabetes care in the primary care setting, and patients diagnosed with depression should be screened for diabetes.

Addressing both depression and diabetes are within the primary care scope of practice. The call to primary care providers to holistically, collaboratively, and simultaneously improve the outcomes of these comorbid conditions is now.

Addressing both depression and diabetes are within the primary care scope of practice. The call to primary care providers to holistically, collaboratively, and simultaneously improve the outcomes of these comorbid conditions is now.

Understanding pain perceptions in older adults is important for pain management. An interprofessional team conducted a feasibility project to examine whether a pain diary designed for older adults in a transitional care unit offered a more holistic description of the pain experience.

The project was designed to (a) Develop a pain diary, (b) Examine patient usability, (c) Determine feasibility of the diary in workflow, and (d) Examine outcomes of diary entries and satisfaction surveys.

Three rapid change cycles assisted in developing and implementing the diary.

Five patients followed for 32 days during implementation wrote simple narratives and rated their pain (

on 11-point pain rating scales. Themes from narrative responses were

, and the

. Patients and staff completed satisfaction questionnaires indicating enhanced communication.

The diary was feasible for patients and staff to use and has potential as an effective interprofessional tool for pain management.

The pain diary provides the interprofessional team an opportunity to understand the patient experience and provide holistic care.

The pain diary provides the interprofessional team an opportunity to understand the patient experience and provide holistic care.

Small bowel bacterial overgrowth (SBBO) is difficult to diagnose in pediatric patients with short bowel syndrome due to the invasive nature of the gold standard testing. Alternative testing methods also have barriers leaving providers to diagnose clinically. This has led to antibiotic overprescribing in this population. An algorithm for SBBO identification and standardized treatment is proposed.

Standardize SBBO identification and treatment in pediatric short bowel syndrome.

1-year retrospective chart review and literature review.

Final analysis of 146 admissions revealed diagnostic and antibiotic prescribing inconsistencies. In total, 28% (

= 41) received antibiotics for SBBO including those who continued home antibiotic (

= 27), those prescribed an antibiotic based on clinical suspicion (

= 12), and those prescribed an antibiotic based on duodenal aspirate (

= 2). In 10.2% (

= 15) patients, antibiotics were prescribed without clear clinical indication resulting in 342 antibiotic exposed days and $24,000 in prescription costs.