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Clostridium difficile is a microbe that may cause a severe intestinal infection in vulnerable individuals such as those who are ill and taking antibiotics, or the elderly living in skilled care facilities. Use of probiotic supplements have shown in some studies to decrease the incidence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Does the use of probiotic supplements in residents of a skilled nursing facility in western Pennsylvania receiving antibiotic therapy reduce the incidence of CDI? This retrospective study reviewed electronic medical records of 164 residents in a skilled nursing facility, including residents receiving antibiotics, and those receiving antibiotics and probiotics. Limitations included the size of the study sample, the age and condition of the patient including possible previous CDI history, and the time frame of transposition of laboratory analysis results to the electronic medical record. Results revealed a statistically significant difference in the rate of antibiotic-related diarrhea between patients receiving antibiotics and those receiving antibiotic therapy with probiotic supplements. In this study, no patients receiving probiotics and antibiotics were positively diagnosed by laboratory analysis with CDI. This study indicates the need for further studies related to use of probiotic supplements in patients receiving antibiotic therapy., Robin Sue Bilan, 2019.

James Condon presents on research for the dissertation titled, "Increasing HCV Screening Utilizing Electronic Medical Records in a Family Practice Setting"

This study was a non-experimental, cross-sectional design with retrospective electronic medical data review to assess the effectiveness of an EMR intervention in Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) screening for those born between 1945-1965 birth cohort. The study measures three months pre-EMR provider prompt and three months post-EMR provider prompt. Screening, statistically the patients who met HCV screening criteria increased from 27.9% to 72.1% post-EMR provider prompt screen. With the increase in screening, the study showed an increase overall HCV testing from 5.6% to 37.6% post-EMR provider prompt screen. This increase in both screening and testing for HCV, allows the possibility to capture those undiagnosed Hepatitis C patients and provide the patient with appropriate linkage to care to decrease overall morbidity and mortality within the given birth cohort. The success of utilizing an EMR prompting system, will allow the opportunity for further research in other aspects of health maintenance.

This research is a qualitative and interpretive study of influences of culture on the development of eating disorders, comparing the United States and Ukraine. In this research, the autoethnographic component is an important key to elucidating cultural phenomena that either promotes or otherwise affects the development of an eating disorder, especially for girls and young women. Social media is another focus of this research, which provides significant materials for analysis of young women from different cultures and their struggles with eating disorders. This research also include autoethnographic narrative of a woman who has experienced an exposure to both, Ukrainian and American ideal body standards, as well as brief case studies of American women who have struggled with eating disorders., Copyright is retained by the author. Please contact Anastasiya Dasik for further use of this material.

University Fact Books provide a statistical snap shot of the school.

Richard Scepura's defense of the dissertation, "Intending to Stay- Retention, Structural Empowerment, and Dialysis Nursing: Integrating Kanter's Theory and the Refined Nurse Worklife Model."

Copyrights are retained by the author. Please contact Richard C. Scepura for further use of this material.

The purpose of this study is to explore the concept of depression as it may relate to patients' behavior following coronary artery bypass surgery. Based upon research findings, nursing interventions may be able to moderate the incidence of depression after surgery. Depression can be caused by a change in life style, realization of mortality, and financial loss. Since the bypass surgery patient must significantly alter his life style if he is to maintain patency of the grafts and progress through rehabilitation, his chances of developing depression are high. Nurses are in the position to assist the patient to make successful changes and deter depression, hopelessness, helplessness, and anxiety. A nurse*s personal contact may help to clarify the patient's awareness of post-operative recovery. Providing information and assisting in the development of effective coping strategies may prevent the effects of depression. Such interventions are a part of the role of the cardiac nurse., Copyrights are retained by the author. Please contact Katherine Gustafson for further use of this material.

Mary Pollock presents research for the dissertation titled, "Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Vitamin D Insufficiency: The Effects of Vitamin D Level on Irritable Bowel Syndrome."

There is existing research noting a possible correlation between vitamin D insufficiency and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The etiology of irritable bowel syndrome is unknown with the goal of the health care provider being symptom control. There are studies suggesting insufficient vitamin D levels may cause an inflammatory response in the gut leading to symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. This study noted a possible correlation between insufficient vitamin D levels and irritable bowel syndrome in a small rural gastroenterology practice in Western Pennsylvania. A literature review was performed on IBS, vitamin D, and the possible correlation between vitamin D and IBS. The diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome was broken down into IBS/ diarrhea, IBS/ constipation, and IBS/mixed according to the ROME criteria that is used in daily practice. Out of 118 patients with the diagnosis of IBS that were included in the study, only 62 of these patients had a vitamin D level drawn within the last 5 years. Thirty of these patients had insufficient vitamin D levels. The expected value from the Chi-Square test as derived from a proportional analysis of low vitamin D levels in the general population of the United States was 19.8. The observed value from this study is 30, a 10.2 value higher than the expected value. The Chi-square test indicated significance, thereby the (30) IBS patients (48.3%) the total patients with low levels of vitamin D as compared (32) IBS patients (51.1%) of the total patients with normal levels of Vitamin D, where Chi-square (1, n = 62) = 7.6, p < .006. Further investigation into a possible correlation between vitamin D insufficiency and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in the adult patient would be a positive step towards this challenging functional bowel disorder.

10 X 14 cm portrait photograph of Isaac Reeder glued to a 16 X 23 cm cardstock frame with the Kupper stamp at the bottom.

One (a) 7 X 9 cm black and white protrait photograph of Iva Wells glued on a cardstock frame. Written on the back is "Iva Wells." One (b) 5 X 9 cm photograph set in an oval cardstock frame. Written on the back is "Iva Wells."