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Title: IDENTIFYING PATIENTS AT RISK FOR OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE: CAN OBESITY IN COMBINATION WITH OTHER HIGH-RISK DIAGNOSES BE USED FOR SCREENING PURPOSES?.
Creator: Lima, Clelia, Norris, Anne, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects about 15 million adults in the United States, and is an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality. The under-diagnosing of OSA has been linked to the inadequate screening by primary care practitioners (PCPs). Existing screening tools are not widely used by PCPs possibly due to time constraints they experience as providers. This study demonstrates how common high-risk diagnoses (obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, dyslipidemia,...
Show moreObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects about 15 million adults in the United States, and is an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality. The under-diagnosing of OSA has been linked to the inadequate screening by primary care practitioners (PCPs). Existing screening tools are not widely used by PCPs possibly due to time constraints they experience as providers. This study demonstrates how common high-risk diagnoses (obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, dyslipidemia, arrhythmia, and coronary artery disease) can be used to help PCPs identify adult patients at risk for OSA. Unlike other screening tools, these diagnoses are easy to identify in a routine visit. This study was a retrospective chart review that used a random sample of 220 electronic health records. Seventy percent of the sample was positive for OSA, 69% had obesity, and 33% had two or more high-risk diagnoses. The setting of this study was six sleep centers located in five cities in Central Florida. Logistic regression was used to analyze the data to determine interaction among variables and odds ratios. The variables "obesity" and "two or more high-risk diagnoses" had significant effects on the likelihood of being diagnosed with OSA independently of each other (odds ratio of 4.2 and 4.3 respectively; p<.001). However, there was no significant interaction between these two variables (p=.56). The predictive value for an OSA diagnosis using "obesity" was 83%, and it was 88% using "two or more high-risk diagnoses." These findings argue for the use of high-risk diagnoses to identify patients at risk for OSA. PCPs are in an ideal position to increase the number of patients screened and treated for OSA because they routinely see patients with these diagnoses in their practices. Proper diagnosis and treatment of OSA has the potential to improve patients' outcomes and their quality of life.
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Date Issued: 2011
Identifier: CFE0003620, ucf:48863
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003620

Title: ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSING IN THE FAITH COMMUNITY SETTING: A CASE STUDY.
Creator: Lindsey, Chianta, Chase, Susan, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The purpose of this case study is to demonstrate the effectiveness of an Advanced Practice Nurse in providing spiritual and nursing care within a faith community setting. The study will describe the process of developing a Parish Nurse program using a Nurse Practitioner to offer wholistic health care to parishioners. It will also illustrate the collaborative process of developing a free health center within a faith based organization, using the Nurse Practitioner to manage the health center...
Show moreThe purpose of this case study is to demonstrate the effectiveness of an Advanced Practice Nurse in providing spiritual and nursing care within a faith community setting. The study will describe the process of developing a Parish Nurse program using a Nurse Practitioner to offer wholistic health care to parishioners. It will also illustrate the collaborative process of developing a free health center within a faith based organization, using the Nurse Practitioner to manage the health center and deliver health care services. In order to demonstrate the need for parish nurse care, the case study used an anonymous survey to provide insight into the health status of the congregation, as well as to determine perceived needs of parishioners. Excerpts from the researcherÃ‚Â's journal and audio-taped interviews of parishioners and key leaders within the community was used to express congregantsÃ‚Â' experiences of receiving parish nurse care, and to convey the need for a free community health center in the target population. A utilization review was conducted to demonstrate the profile of the patients who have accessed the services of the health center. The findings revealed three commons themes of parish nurse care; presence, spiritual support, and health care liaison. The study also revealed parishioners had an expedited referral process and improved patient provider relationships. Additional findings determined that the free health center was able to be operated by many of the members of the faith based organization, and was effective in managing chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. Advanced Practice Nurses who are Parish Nurses have an opportunity to practice in a more wholistic manner, and offer advanced level care to parishioners and the community at large to improve health outcomes.
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Date Issued: 2010
Identifier: CFE0003308, ucf:48510
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003308

Title: Utilization of Ambulatory Services by the Health Maintenance Organization of Florida.
Creator: Hansen, Thomas Harold, Mendenhall, Thomas S., Health
Abstract / Description: University of Central Florida College of Health Thesis; The utilization of ambulatory services by the health maintenance organization of Florida (HMO), independent practice association (IPA) model, was compared to a fee-for-service population. Each randomly selected group consisted of 250 patients being cared for by the same providers, at the same clinic, during the calendar year 1986. Demographic and clinical data was gathered from the office charts. Frequencies were evaluated by the...
Show moreUniversity of Central Florida College of Health Thesis; The utilization of ambulatory services by the health maintenance organization of Florida (HMO), independent practice association (IPA) model, was compared to a fee-for-service population. Each randomly selected group consisted of 250 patients being cared for by the same providers, at the same clinic, during the calendar year 1986. Demographic and clinical data was gathered from the office charts. Frequencies were evaluated by the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and t-tests were run to substantiate variance at the 0.05 level of confidence. The HMO group is a younger population (t=0.017), and the males are responsible for the increased utilization of ambulatory services (t-0.001). Trends of increased utilization are noted across the age groups and the variables. The rate of hospitalization is insignificantly higher for the HMO population and covers a broader range of age groups. Consequently, this HMO IPA model increases the rate of ambulatory service utilization in a younger population without reducing the rate of hospitalization. Cost effectiveness studies and organizational management evaluations are needed.
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Date Issued: 1988
Identifier: CFR0008167, ucf:53069
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0008167

Title: Perceived social support and self-care in patients hospitalized with heart failure.
Creator: Chamberlain, Lyne, Sole, Mary Lou, Conner, Norma, Neff, Donna, Hofler, Richard, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Problem: Heart failure is the most frequent cause for hospital readmissions in Medicare recipients, with an estimated annual cost of $12 billion. Heart failure hospitalizations are also an independent risk factor for increased mortality. Self-care, thought to be enhanced by perceived social support, is key to managing this syndrome, and up to 50% of readmissions are considered the result of inadequate self-care.Purpose: To evaluate perceived social support and self-care characteristics of...
Show moreProblem: Heart failure is the most frequent cause for hospital readmissions in Medicare recipients, with an estimated annual cost of $12 billion. Heart failure hospitalizations are also an independent risk factor for increased mortality. Self-care, thought to be enhanced by perceived social support, is key to managing this syndrome, and up to 50% of readmissions are considered the result of inadequate self-care.Purpose: To evaluate perceived social support and self-care characteristics of patients hospitalized with an exacerbation of heart failure, and to compare these characteristics with a study of ambulatory patients with heart failure. In addition, to assess the relationship between perceived social support and self-care.Methods: This was a multi-site descriptive comparative study. Following informed consent, participants were screened for sufficient cognition to consent. Patients were then administered the Medical Outcome Study-Social Support emotional/informational subscale, and the three Self-Care of Heart Failure Index subscales. Two-sample t tests and multiple regression were utilized to analyze the data. Results were compared with a sample of community-dwelling heart failure patients in another study.Results: Of 161 consented patients 121 passed the cognition screening and were included in the study. Average age was 71 years; gender and type of heart failure was evenly split. Mean Charlson Comorbidity Score was 7.43, and the mean six month number of hospitalizations was 2.43. Approximately 31% of participants were African American. Both perceived social support (t=-4.007, df=211, p(<).001) and self-care maintenance (t=-3.343, df=220, p(<).002) scores were lower in the hospitalized participants than the comparison group of community dwellers. Perceived social support was associated with self-care confidence (?=.210, t=-2.210, p(<).029), but not self-care maintenance or self-care management. Forty-six percent of participants scored higher than the 70% cut point for adequate self-care confidence, which was 1.4 times higher than in the community participants. Self-care confidence was also related to self-care maintenance (?=.388, t=4.676, p(<).001) and self-care management (?=.327, t=3.793, p(<).001).Conclusions: Results have implications for facilitating self-care knowledge and skills in heart failure patients. Patient education during hospitalization may not be the ideal timing to promote understanding and retention. Interventions to enhance self-care confidence may assist patients to develop self-care skills more than current teaching techniques. Because cognitive deficiencies were found in 25% of pre-screened participants for this study, further research is recommended to determine if hospitalized patients have transient cognitive issues or if cognitive impairments are more prevalent in all heart failure patients.
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Date Issued: 2015
Identifier: CFE0005933, ucf:50844
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005933

Title: The Impact of Relational Coordination and the Nurse on Patient Outcomes.
Creator: Dejesus, Fanya, Andrews, Diane, Sole, Mary Lou, Neff, Donna, Yan, Xin, Unruh, Lynn, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Healthcare quality remains a significant issue due to fragmentation of care in our complex U.S. healthcare systems. While coordination of care is foundational to healthcare quality as well as identified as a National Priority, fragmentation and uncoordinated care continues to afflict our systems. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between relational coordination and adverse nurse sensitive patient outcomes, namely hospital acquired pressure ulcers, patient falls with...
Show moreHealthcare quality remains a significant issue due to fragmentation of care in our complex U.S. healthcare systems. While coordination of care is foundational to healthcare quality as well as identified as a National Priority, fragmentation and uncoordinated care continues to afflict our systems. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between relational coordination and adverse nurse sensitive patient outcomes, namely hospital acquired pressure ulcers, patient falls with injury, catheter- associated urinary tract infection, and central line-associated blood stream infection. A retrospective correlational survey design using cross sectional data was used to conduct this quantitative study. An electronic relational coordination survey was sent to 1124 eligible registered nurses from 43 nursing units within a 5-hospital magnet-designated healthcare system to gather their perception of the strength of relationship and communication ties of their work team. The nurse practice environment as well as nurse education were control variables. With 406 nurses who completed the survey (36% response rate), findings revealed that the stronger relational coordination ties are amongst the healthcare team, the lower the rate of adverse nurse sensitive patient outcomes as indicated by their inverse relationship. (rs=-.31, p=.050). In a Negative Binomial Regression model, relational coordination was a significant predictor (?-1.890, p=.034) of nurse sensitive patient outcomes whereas nurse education level (p=.859) and nurse practice environment (p=.230) were not. Data affirms that relational coordination, a relationship and communication intensive form of coordination does impact patient outcomes. This research provides significant information to health care leaders and institutions with goals of improving patient care outcomes through enhancement of coordination of care and optimization of healthcare teams.
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Date Issued: 2015
Identifier: CFE0005939, ucf:50823
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005939

Title: The Diffusion and Performance of the Accountable Care Organization Model.
Creator: Lin, Yi-ling, Wan, Thomas, Malvey, Donna, Liu, Albert Xinliang, Steen, Julie, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Background: Unity in pursuit of the Triple Aim: better health, better care, and lower per capita cost, can be achieved through a well-designed health care delivery system. The accountable care organizations (ACOs) model is considered a key component of health care delivery system improvement because the model fosters better coordination of care through clinical integration and financial accountability. Within the six Centers for Medicaid (&) Medicare Services (CMS) ACO programs, the Medicare...
Show moreBackground: Unity in pursuit of the Triple Aim: better health, better care, and lower per capita cost, can be achieved through a well-designed health care delivery system. The accountable care organizations (ACOs) model is considered a key component of health care delivery system improvement because the model fosters better coordination of care through clinical integration and financial accountability. Within the six Centers for Medicaid (&) Medicare Services (CMS) ACO programs, the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) ACO has the largest size with a total of 432 ACOs formed; the service subjects of the MSSP ACO are the fee-for-service beneficiaries. Recently, academicians and researchers have been attracted to exploring ACOs' formation and performance. However, most of the early ACO research types are either descriptive or case study. Also, early researchers had limited access to ACO data sets, so they could utilize only regional and demographic factors to identify the predictors of ACO formation.Purpose: An integrative theoretical framework, Rogers' diffusion of innovation theory and Duncan's POET model, was used to examine ACO formation and performance. The first purpose of this study was to determine the relative influences of contextual variables and ACO characteristic variables on how early an ACO model was adopted. The second purpose was to examine how executives' perceptions of ACO performance and the ACO first-year performance are influenced by the contextual variables, ACO characteristic variables, and timing of the adoption of an ACO model. Methods: A cross-sectional design was formulated to gather data from a survey supplemented by secondary data with the analysis unit at the organization level. Study participants in the ACO survey included 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 ACO cohorts. Logistic regression was performed to examine the effects of POET and Rogers' five core characteristics in the early adoption of an ACO model (dichotomous). Additionally, multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the effects of POET and the timing of adoption of an ACO model in the perceptions of ACO performance. ACO first-year performance dataset consisted only of ACO cohorts from 2012 through 2014. Finally, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were conducted to examine the measurement model of the ACO first-year performance and a full latent variable model, respectively. Major Findings: A survey of ACO executives/managers between October 2015 and February 2016 was conducted. The 447 MSSP ACOs in my mailing list yielded a response rate of 13.65 % (n=61). Of the 61 MSSP ACOs, 42 (52.5%) were late adopters whose contractual agreement with CMS started in 2014 or 2015, and 36 (59.0%) were with hospital-based composition. Among ACOs that participated in my survey, their current degree of IT adoption in functionalities (62.27 vs. 52.50 points), usage levels (65.19 vs. 49.49 points), and integration levels (62.24 vs. 53.37 points) were better than their initial years. The multiple logistic regression presented that MSSP ACOs were more likely to be early adopters of a CMS if their service areas had high unemployment rates (OR=2.23; 95% CI: 1.13 - 4.39). In the multiple linear regression analysis, the executives in the early ACOs perceived their organizations as more effective than the late adopters, with 12.65 points higher in an aggregate of eight ACO quality domains (p = .005). Three hundred and seventeen MSSP ACOs, with contractual agreements with CMS before 2015, had retained their year-one performance records (the actual ACO performance with eight quality domains). The variability in the actual ACO performance was explained by the predictor variables of the study with an R-square of 15%. The actual ACO performance was likely to be improved if ACOs had more Medicare assigned beneficiaries or had the hospital-based composition. On the other hand, if ACOs' service areas were located in areas of high poverty concentration, a high unemployment rate, or a lower competitive index, their ACO performance was relatively lower than their counterparts. Implications: The findings suggest that managers should consider strategies to increase economies of scale in size and to have hospital involvement in their ACOs in order to increase effective management. Inadequate capital for information technology improvements is the biggest barrier inhibiting healthcare providers' willingness to join an ACO. Regardless of rural or urban areas, financial support is still important for those potential ACO participants who are planning to invest in necessary infrastructure. ACOs that involved hospitals also showed better performance than those ACOs without hospital involvement. This information may help health policy makers to define core principles of the best ACO model in the future. Conclusions: This study makes a unique contribution using a theoretically integrative framework with Rogers' diffusion of innovation theory coupled with Duncan's POET model to examine ACO formation and ACO performance. In the early ACO adopters, three-fifths of the ACOs had hospital involvement; and the levels of their current IT degree in functionalities, usage levels, and integration levels are higher than the late ACO adopters. This study demonstrates that contextual variables, such as unemployment rates at ACO service areas, relatively influence how early an ACO model was adopted. Executives in the early ACOs had higher perceptions of overall organizational effectiveness as compared with the late adopters. The first-year performance of 2012, 2013, and 2014 ACO cohorts is positively influenced by the size of assigned Medicare beneficiaries and hospital-based ACO and is negatively influenced by the poverty rate, unemployment rate, and market competition scores (Herfindah-Hirschman Index).
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Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFE0006347, ucf:51576
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006347

Title: Family Care Giver Knowledge, Patient Illness Characteristics, and Unplanned Hospital Admissions in Older Adults with Cancer.
Creator: Geddie, Patricia, Loerzel, Victoria, Sole, Mary Lou, Gammonley, Denise, Norris, Anne, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Unplanned hospital admissions (UHA) in older adult populations are a recurring problem in older adults with cancer. Older adults comprise approximately 60% of cancer diagnoses and receive the majority of cancer treatment. However, little is known about why older adults under treatment for cancer experience a high number of unplanned hospital admissions. A review of the literature provided few study findings and a gap in the current knowledge was identified regarding the factors associated...
Show moreUnplanned hospital admissions (UHA) in older adult populations are a recurring problem in older adults with cancer. Older adults comprise approximately 60% of cancer diagnoses and receive the majority of cancer treatment. However, little is known about why older adults under treatment for cancer experience a high number of unplanned hospital admissions. A review of the literature provided few study findings and a gap in the current knowledge was identified regarding the factors associated with unplanned hospital admissions in older adults under treatment for cancer. A conceptual framework based on the literature and this researcher's clinical experienced guided this study. The purpose of this study was to explore the factors related to unplanned hospital admissions and determine if one or more factors are predictive of unplanned hospital admissions of older adults with cancer. A convenience sample of 129 dyads of older adults with cancer and their family caregivers were approached and enrolled in the adult oncology outpatient infusion centers and inpatient units within a community cancer center in central Florida. Patient demographic and clinical data were obtained through a retrospective medical record review. Family caregiver demographic and side effect knowledge data was collected prospectively during interviews with family caregivers using a newly developed tool, Nurse Assessment of Family Caregiver Knowledge and Action Tool (NAFCKAT). The NAFCKAT contains 11 items to determine baseline knowledge about side effects and plan for managing side effects. A fever subsection consists of 4 knowledge and 2 action questions and a dehydration subsection consists of 2 knowledge and 2 action questions. Preliminary research was conducted to determine reliability and validity of the NAFCKAT. Excellent inter-reliability was found for the tool and preliminary support for validity was determined for the fever subscale. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate data collected from patient medical records and NAFCKAT scores. Study findings revealed that unplanned hospital admissions were more likely to occur when older adults had the presence of impaired function prior to treatment initiation and/or experienced side effects of infection /fever and vomiting/diarrhea during treatment. The presence of impaired function and family caregiver support (knowledge and availability) did not moderate the relationship between side effects and unplanned hospital admissions. Findings suggest that the presence of impaired function and side effects of infection and fever, and vomiting and diarrhea, predict unplanned hospital admissions in older adults during the active cancer treatment phase. Nurses should advocate for and conduct targeted assessments to identify the presence of functional impairments prior to cancer treatment initiation. In addition, nurses should actively monitor for the presence of cancer treatment-related side effects during the treatment phase of the cancer trajectory. Information gained from these assessments will assist nurses to provide practical and tailored strategies to support older adults and their family caregivers during cancer treatment and reduce the risk for unplanned hospital admissions.
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Date Issued: 2015
Identifier: CFE0005618, ucf:50214
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005618

Title: The Development and Testing of a Measurement System to Assess Intensive Care Unit Team Performance.
Creator: Dietz, Aaron, Salas, Eduardo, Jentsch, Florian, Sims, Valerie, Rosen, Michael, Burke, Shawn, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Teamwork is essential for ensuring the quality and safety of healthcare delivery in the intensive care unit (ICU). Complex procedures are conducted with a diverse team of clinicians with unique roles and responsibilities. Information about care plans and goals must also be developed, communicated, and coordinated across multiple disciplines and transferred effectively between shifts and personnel. The intricacies of routine care are compounded during emergency events, which require ICU teams...
Show moreTeamwork is essential for ensuring the quality and safety of healthcare delivery in the intensive care unit (ICU). Complex procedures are conducted with a diverse team of clinicians with unique roles and responsibilities. Information about care plans and goals must also be developed, communicated, and coordinated across multiple disciplines and transferred effectively between shifts and personnel. The intricacies of routine care are compounded during emergency events, which require ICU teams to adapt to rapidly changing patient conditions while facing intense time pressure and conditional stress. Realities such as these emphasize the need for teamwork skills in the ICU. The measurement of teamwork serves a number of different purposes, including routine assessment, directing feedback, and evaluating the impact of improvement initiatives. Yet no behavioral marker system exists in critical care for quantifying teamwork across multiple task types. This study contributes to the state of science and practice in critical care by taking a (1) theory-driven, (2) context-driven, and (3) psychometrically-driven approach to the development of a teamwork measure. The development of the marker system for the current study considered the state of science and practice surrounding teamwork in critical care, the application of behavioral marker systems across the healthcare community, and interviews with front line clinicians. The ICU behavioral marker system covers four core teamwork dimensions especially relevant to critical care teams: Communication, Leadership, Backup and Supportive Behavior, and Team Decision Making, with each dimension subsuming other relevant subdimensions. This study provided an initial assessment of the reliability and validity of the marker system by focusing on a subset of teamwork competencies relevant to subset of team tasks. Two raters scored the performance of 50 teams along six subdimensions during rounds (n=25) and handoffs (n=25). In addition to calculating traditional forms of reliability evidence [intraclass correlations (ICCs) and percent agreement], this study modeled the systematic variance in ratings associated with raters, instances of teamwork, subdimensions, and tasks by applying generalizability (G) theory. G theory was also employed to provide evidence that the marker system adequately distinguishes teamwork competencies targeted for measurement. The marker system differentiated teamwork subdimensions when the data for rounds and handoffs were combined and when the data were examined separately by task (G coefficient greater than 0.80). Additionally, variance associated with instances of teamwork, subdimensions, and their interaction constituted the greatest proportion of variance in scores while variance associated with rater and task effects were minimal. That said, there remained a large percentage of residual error across analyses. Single measures ICCs were fair to good when the data for rounds and handoffs were combined depending on the competency assessed (0.52 to 0.74). The ICCs ranged from fair to good when only examining handoffs (0.47 to 0.69) and fair to excellent when only considering rounds (0.53 to 0.79). Average measures ICCs were always greater than single measures for each analysis, ranging from good to excellent (overall: 0.69 to 0.85, handoffs: 0.64 to 0.81, rounds: 0.70 to 0.89). In general, the percent of overall agreement was substandard, ranging from 0.44 to 0.80 across each task analysis. The percentage of scores within a single point, however, was nearly perfect, ranging from 0.80 to 1.00 for rounds and handoffs, handoffs, and rounds. The confluence of evidence supported the expectation that the marker system differentiates among teamwork subdmensions. Yet different reliability indices suggested varying levels of confidence in rater consistency depending on the teamwork competency that was measured. Because this study applied a psychometric approach, areas for future development and testing to redress these issues were identified. There also is a need to assess the viability of this tool in other research contexts to evaluate its generalizability in places with different norms and organizational policies as well as for different tasks that emphasize different teamwork skills. Further, it is important to increase the number of users able to make assessments through low-cost, easily accessible rater training and guidance materials. Particular emphasis should be given to areas where rater reliability was less than ideal. This would allow future researchers to evaluate team performance, provide developmental feedback, and determine the impact of future teamwork improvement initiatives.
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Date Issued: 2014
Identifier: CFE0005482, ucf:50356
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005482

Title: Student Engagement and Ethical Care in a Title I Middle School Program.
Creator: Anderson, Marguerite, Hopp, Carolyn, Vitale, Thomas, Kaplan, Jeffrey, Robinson, Edward, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: ABSTRACTThe purpose of this dissertation was to determine if the foundational constructs (student engagement and ethical care) were experienced by the 8th grade students that participated in a morning tutoring program: Future Problem Solvers. A mixed methods design was adopted for the purpose of this study including raw data, survey data, informal observations, and face-to-face interviews. The goal was to determine if the 28 participants (male and female) demonstrated academic success on the...
Show moreABSTRACTThe purpose of this dissertation was to determine if the foundational constructs (student engagement and ethical care) were experienced by the 8th grade students that participated in a morning tutoring program: Future Problem Solvers. A mixed methods design was adopted for the purpose of this study including raw data, survey data, informal observations, and face-to-face interviews. The goal was to determine if the 28 participants (male and female) demonstrated academic success on the Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (Science). The study was also conducted in order to explore the level of student engagement and the development of reciprocating relationships based ethical care between the teacher and the students.The findings from the quantitative analysis using the Mann Whitney U indicated that the FSP participants did make academic gains on the FCAT (Science) test to a higher degree than non-participants: Non-Participants (Mean Rank = 182.37) and Participants (Mean Rank = 332.96). The significance was established where p = .00. The quantitative analysis using frequency data also revealed that the majority of the participants reported that they were engaged in learning and made strong efforts when doing and completing their schoolwork. They also participated in class, as well as school based activities. Furthermore, they reported that they felt a sense of belonging and were supported by the staff.The findings from the qualitative analysis indicated that the teacher did model care to the students. He engaged them in dialogue about caring relationships and confirmed and encouraged the best in them. The responses on the interviews completed by the teacher and the principal, as well as the students give evidence that strong relationships developed between the students and the teacher. Moreover, that these reciprocating relationships were built on trust and care.The discussion and interpretations emphasizes the need for professional development, and the need for policy that strives to support student engagement and ethical care above high stakes testing.
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Date Issued: 2014
Identifier: CFE0005456, ucf:50379
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005456

Title: Improving Chronic Kidney Disease Care with Group Visits.
Creator: Montoya, Vicki, Sole, Mary, Norris, Anne, Wink, Diane, Abbott, Lionel, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: First year death rates remain unacceptable high for the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) population. New effective methods are vital to improve first year morbidity and mortality outcomes for the population transitioning from Stage 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) to ESRD)/Stage 5 CKD. Based on current methods, evidence-based recommendations made by nephrology providers are frequently not heeded by patients in Stage 4 CKD. Low levels of patient knowledge, self-efficacy, and a poor ability to self...
Show moreFirst year death rates remain unacceptable high for the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) population. New effective methods are vital to improve first year morbidity and mortality outcomes for the population transitioning from Stage 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) to ESRD)/Stage 5 CKD. Based on current methods, evidence-based recommendations made by nephrology providers are frequently not heeded by patients in Stage 4 CKD. Low levels of patient knowledge, self-efficacy, and a poor ability to self-manage CKD negatively influence a patient's ability to follow provider recommendations. The group visit (GV) intervention has demonstrated improvements in disease-related outcomes through increased levels of patient knowledge, self-efficacy, and disease self-management for other chronic diseasses such as diabetes and congestive heart failure (CHF). No data are available for the use of GVs in CKD.The purpose of the study was to develop and test a nurse practitioner-facilitated chronic CKD GV model versus usual nephrology care for Stage 4 CKD patients (knowledge, self-efficacy/self-management, physiological data, and satisfaction). As classified by the National Kidney Foundation's (NKF) staging system, Stage 4 CKD is considered severe kidney disease, with a decrease in the functional capacity of the kidney as determined by a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 15-30 ml/min. It is common for patients with Stage 4 CKD to progress to Stage 5 CKD/end-stage renal disease (ESRD), requiring dialysis or transplantation to survive.Preliminary instrumentation and feasibility studies were conducted prior to a pilot study of a CKD GV model. The development and validation of the Stage 4 CKD Knowledge Instrument was completed with 59 Stage 4 patients. Findings supported reliability (Kuder-Richardson-20 [KR] = .89) and content validity (I-CVI = .97, S-CVI= 1.0) Feasibility of the CKD GV model was assessed with a single group, pretest-posttest design using a convenience sample of eight Stage 4 patients. Results demonstrated an improvement in knowledge of CKD from a median of 69% to 86% (p =.012). No improvements were noted in self-efficacy scores (p = .230). GV satisfaction ranged from very good to excellent. Feasibility was supported by a high retention rate (100%). No barriers to participant recruitment or GV implementation were encountered.The pilot study used a two-group, repeated measures experimental design, with a sample of 30 Stage 4 CKD patients from two office locations of an outpatient nephrology practice. Patients were randomized to the GV intervention or to usual nephrology care. CKD-knowledge, self-efficacy, and self-management scores were collected at baseline, six months, and nine months. Physiological data were measured at baseline, six months, and nine months. GV satisfaction was obtained after the completion of GVs (six months). Nephrology practice satisfaction was obtained from by both groups at nine months. MANOVA for repeated measures was calculated for data collected at the three time points.Twenty-six of 30 patients completed the study, with four patients ineligible to complete the study due to progression to ESRD and dialysis initiation. GV attendance was 92%. CKD knowledge was statistically improved for both groups (F(1.498, 34.446) = 6.363, P = .008). While not statistically significant, a favorable upward trend in the mean scores for the subscales of self-management (communication, partnership in care, and self-care) was demonstrated in the GV patients, with a lack of improvement found in the usual care group for these subscales. Self-efficacy scores revealed a non-significant improvement in mean scores for the GV patients during the GVs, not seen with usual care patients. GV satisfaction was again high with the vast majority of patients requesting use of GVs in their future nephrology care. Current methods of intervention in the Stage 4 CKD population have made little impact on reducing first-year ESRD mortality and morbidity rates. Opportunities to intervene in the poor outcomes begin in the predialysis care of Stage 4 patients. Based on the documented success of multidisciplinary approaches in predialysis care, of GVs in other chronic diseases, and of chronic illness care based on the CCM, a high probability for success exists with the application of GVs in CKD. Although limited by a small sample size, promising improvements in the subscales of disease self-management, self-efficacy, CKD knowledge, and high satisfaction with the GV model for GV participants were revealed in this study. Further research is warranted for the CKD GV model on a larger randomized sample in other locations. Much needed data would be provided on which to base decisions for use of the CKD GV intervention in the predialysis care of Stage 4 patients.
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFE0004724, ucf:49827
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004724

Title: Constructing and Validating an Integrative Economic Model of Health Care Systems and Health Care Markets: A Comparative Analysis of OECD Countries.
Creator: Helligso, Jesse, Wan, Thomas, Liu, Albert Xinliang, King, Christian, Hamann, Kerstin, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This dissertation argues that there are three basic types of health care systems used in industrial nations: free market (private insurance and provision), universal (public insurance and private provision), and socialized (public insurance and provision). It examines the role of market forces (supply and demand) within the health care systems and their effects on health outcomes by constructing an integrative model of health care markets and policies that is lacking within the scientific and...
Show moreThis dissertation argues that there are three basic types of health care systems used in industrial nations: free market (private insurance and provision), universal (public insurance and private provision), and socialized (public insurance and provision). It examines the role of market forces (supply and demand) within the health care systems and their effects on health outcomes by constructing an integrative model of health care markets and policies that is lacking within the scientific and academic literature. The results show that, free market systems have decreased access to care, good quality of care, and are economically inefficient resulting in 2.7 years of life expectancy lost and wasted expenditures (expenditures that do not increase life expectancy) of $3474 per capita ($1.12 trillion per year in the U.S.). Socialized systems are the most economically efficient systems but have decreased access to care compared to universal systems, increased access to care compared to free market systems and have the lowest quality of care of all three systems resulting in 3 months of life expectancy lost per capita and a saving of $335 per capita. Universal systems perform better than either of the other 2 systems based on quality and access to care. The models show that health insurance is a Giffen Good; a good that defies the law of demand. This study is the first fully demonstrated case of a Giffen good. This investigation shows how the theoretically informed integrative model behaves as predicted and influences health outcomes contingent upon the system type. To test and substantiate this integrative model, regression analysis, Time-Series-Cross-Section analysis, and structural equation modeling were performed using longitudinal data provided and standardized by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The results demonstrate that universal health care systems are superior to the other two systems.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: CFE0007335, ucf:52114
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007335

Title: PERCEPTIONS OF SENIOR CITIZENS IN CENTRAL FLORIDA REGARDING QUALITY OF CARE UNDER THE PATIENT PROTECTION AND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT (PPACA).
Creator: Nieves , Rafael, Sumner, Jennifer, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: On March 23, 2010, President Barack Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) into law. This reform, it is argued, is projected to increase insurance coverage of pre-existing conditions, to expand access to insurance for more than 30 million Americans, and to increase estimated National medical spending while lowering projected Medicare spending. This thesis sought to investigate and analyze the perceptions of senior citizens in Central Florida about PPACA and their...
Show moreOn March 23, 2010, President Barack Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) into law. This reform, it is argued, is projected to increase insurance coverage of pre-existing conditions, to expand access to insurance for more than 30 million Americans, and to increase estimated National medical spending while lowering projected Medicare spending. This thesis sought to investigate and analyze the perceptions of senior citizens in Central Florida about PPACA and their perceived effects on the healthcare quality provided to them under this law. Four sections of PPACA bill, thought to specifically pertain to the elderly, were selected for this study; respondents were asked their opinions regarding PPACA's aspects of: (1) the reform on preventive healthcare services; (2) Medicare Part D [prescription drugs]; (3) Medicare; and (4) Medicaid. This thesis employed both qualitative and quantitative methodologies; data were collected and analyzed with findings presented and discussed.
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFH0004468, ucf:45112
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004468

Title: Factors Contributing to Low Adequate Prenatal Care Rates in Orange County, Florida.
Creator: Daniel, Lauren, Donley, Amy, Hinojosa, Melanie, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: In 2017, only 56% of births in Orange County, Florida, received adequate prenatal care(-)care that has been shown to prevent maternal and infant death. The Florida Department of Health uses the Kotelchuck Index to determine care adequacy. This index rates care adequacy based on when the mother first receives care, and how many recommended appointments she attends. Prenatal care is rated (")inadequate(") if it starts after the fourth month of pregnancy, and/or if less than half of the...
Show moreIn 2017, only 56% of births in Orange County, Florida, received adequate prenatal care(-)care that has been shown to prevent maternal and infant death. The Florida Department of Health uses the Kotelchuck Index to determine care adequacy. This index rates care adequacy based on when the mother first receives care, and how many recommended appointments she attends. Prenatal care is rated (")inadequate(") if it starts after the fourth month of pregnancy, and/or if less than half of the recommended appointments are attended. Receiving earlier and consistent prenatal care has been shown to be an effective way to improve birth outcomes.In Florida, counties that have low adequate prenatal care rates like Orange County's tend to be less populous and rural. However, Orange County stands out with its large population of 1.3 million and more urban environment; other Florida counties similar in population and environment to Orange tend to have rates like that of the state's, at approximately 70%.The objective of this study is to determine which factors contribute most significantly to prenatal care inadequacy in Orange, Duval, Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, and Pinellas counties; determine the differences between the most significant factors in Orange County and those in the other four counties; and to determine if residing in Orange County in of itself a risk factor for inadequate prenatal care, using logistic regression. By identifying factors that may lead to low adequacy rates, interventions intended to increase care adequacy in Orange County can be better targeted towards populations in need.
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Date Issued: 2019
Identifier: CFE0007447, ucf:52715
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007447

Title: THE EFFECT OF JOB STRAIN IN THE HOSPITAL ENVIRONMENT: APPLYING OREM'S THEORY OF SELF CARE.
Creator: Andrews, Diane, Wan, Thomas, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The purpose of this research was to evaluate the causal relationships between job strain, the practice environment and the use of coping skills in order to assist in the prediction of nurses who are at risk for voluntary turnover. It was conducted at the level of the individual nurse employee in order to better understand the health consequences associated with job strain, the factors in the professional practice environment which may contribute to the propensity to leave and the influence of...
Show moreThe purpose of this research was to evaluate the causal relationships between job strain, the practice environment and the use of coping skills in order to assist in the prediction of nurses who are at risk for voluntary turnover. It was conducted at the level of the individual nurse employee in order to better understand the health consequences associated with job strain, the factors in the professional practice environment which may contribute to the propensity to leave and the influence of coping behaviors in response to workplace stressors. It was undertaken with the intention of identifying intervention strategies which will promote a healthy workforce and the retention of nurses in the workplace. An exploratory cross-sectional survey of 1235 staff nurses employed on the intensive, progressive and general medical-surgical nursing units of seven hospitals associated with a major Central Florida healthcare network tested a client-centered model in an effort to identify nurses vulnerable to the health consequences of job strain using structural equation modeling. Human subject protection was assured. An 82 item questionnaire was used to collect demographic data and measure responses to items associated with the constructs of health status, autonomy, collaboration, decentralization, coping, satisfaction, absenteeism and intent to leave. A variety instruments that were previously demonstrated as valid and reliable were used in the construction of the instrument. Subjects were also given the option of including additional written comments. A total of 325 surveys were returned, of which 308 met inclusion criteria, for a response rate of 25%. Data analysis determined that the measurement of job strain as a function of self-assessed generic health status was predictive of propensity to leave (ã = -.21). The experience of job strain shared a strong association with indicators of mental health status. Job strain was significantly influenced by coping behavior (ã = .56) which targeted activities associated with sustaining and balancing. Anecdotal remarks suggested that the need for balance influenced perceptions regarding stressors in the workplace. The professional practice environment was associated negatively with the propensity to leave (ã = -.58). Those staff nurses who experienced higher levels of autonomy expressed a greater degree of satisfaction and lower intent to leave. The variables of collaboration and decentralization contributed minimally to the construct of professional practice. Anecdotal remarks suggested that the low contribution of collaboration and decentralization contributed to a sense of powerlessness and frustration with work related circumstances. The influence of job strain, coping and the professional practice environment upon staff nurses suggests that health promotion strategies, efforts to enhance coping behavior and promotion of a professional practice environment will increase employee satisfaction and reduce intent to leave. Adoption of policies and procedures which support the health and well-being of individual staff members will benefit employees, strengthen the organizations in which they practice and promote the overall retention of nurses in the face of looming nurse shortages.
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Date Issued: 2006
Identifier: CFE0000935, ucf:46742
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000935

Title: SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS' ATTITUDES AND PERCEPTIONS ABOUT THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.
Creator: Goddard, Yvichess, Burg, Mary Ann, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The Affordable Care Act is creating major political changes, on the state and federal levels, and is redefining American citizens' ability to access health services. Medical and mental health social workers are in high demand within the health care workforce to advocate and assist patients in navigating through a complex health care system. Little research has been conducted in understanding future social work professionals' views and knowledge about the legislation. This exploratory...
Show moreThe Affordable Care Act is creating major political changes, on the state and federal levels, and is redefining American citizens' ability to access health services. Medical and mental health social workers are in high demand within the health care workforce to advocate and assist patients in navigating through a complex health care system. Little research has been conducted in understanding future social work professionals' views and knowledge about the legislation. This exploratory-descriptive study used a convenience sample of 105 Bachelors (BSW) and Masters (MSW) level social work students to explore views on health care policy and reform based on students' personal experiences accessing health care. The study also obtained an understanding of how demographic factors affect students' support for health reform. Implications of this study show the need for greater implementation of health policy education in the social work curriculum and further research on the factors affecting students' knowledge and attitudes of health reform.
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Date Issued: 2014
Identifier: CFH0004649, ucf:45306
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004649

Title: DECONSTRUCTING PRESENCE: RETHINKING THE INTENTIONALITY OF THE SUBJECT ON THE BASIS OF THE EXISTENTIALITY OF DASEIN.
Creator: Diaz, Edgar, Strawser, Michael, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Having begun from the assumption that our most fundamental way to relate to the world stems from an 'I think' and that consciousness is at the center of this act, Edmund Husserl sets himself up for a very narrow and specialized view of human experience. In the end, such assumptions in the philosophical tradition and their terms often remain unquestioned and ingrained in a paradigm of discourse. My aim is to move beneath these assumptions -using Heidegger's and Merleau-Ponty's phenomenological...
Show moreHaving begun from the assumption that our most fundamental way to relate to the world stems from an 'I think' and that consciousness is at the center of this act, Edmund Husserl sets himself up for a very narrow and specialized view of human experience. In the end, such assumptions in the philosophical tradition and their terms often remain unquestioned and ingrained in a paradigm of discourse. My aim is to move beneath these assumptions -using Heidegger's and Merleau-Ponty's phenomenological work- so as to, first, explicitly undermine the scope of Husserlian intentionality at its foundation and, second, decenter the subject in contemporary phenomenological literature. An account of human experience in terms of inner intentional content, I argue, yields an incomplete and misleading picture of our human involvements and we must ultimately move beyond the subject and its logic. The way we are always already being-in-the-world and embodied in the phenomenal texture of everydayness leaves the cogito one step behind.
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Date Issued: 2014
Identifier: CFH0004709, ucf:45398
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004709

Title: EXPLORING THE ART OF NURSING AND ITS INFLUENCE ON PATIENT SATISFACTION IN ACUTE CARE SETTINGS.
Creator: Tirado, Enid, Andrews, Diane, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: ?Nursing is a trusted profession aimed at delivering quality, patient-centered care perceived by patients as caring and satisfactory. While empiric care components are measurable as associated with clinical outcomes, patients' perceptions of care are increasingly important in determining satisfaction with the patient care experience. Not clearly defined, nor empirically measurable, the "art" of nursing is taking on increasing importance as a component of satisfaction with the patient...
Show more?Nursing is a trusted profession aimed at delivering quality, patient-centered care perceived by patients as caring and satisfactory. While empiric care components are measurable as associated with clinical outcomes, patients' perceptions of care are increasingly important in determining satisfaction with the patient care experience. Not clearly defined, nor empirically measurable, the "art" of nursing is taking on increasing importance as a component of satisfaction with the patient experience. The purpose of this integrative literature review was to review the literature in order to find common themes influencing determination of the art of nursing on patient satisfaction in acute care settings. Fourteen studies were selected and reviewed after a search of CINAHL Plus with Full Text, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, ERIC, MEDLINE, PsycARTICLES, and PsycINFOCINAHL databases. Four themes that emerged: building a relationship with the patient; conducting a thorough assessment of the patient; meaningful communication with the patient, and availability of nurses for their patients. The findings suggest that the art of nursing, as grounded in the demonstration of nursing care behaviors, is a component of patients' satisfaction with the provision of care. This evidence-based knowledge is transferable to efforts in modifying nursing practices that exemplify patient-centered care.
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Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFH2000092, ucf:45539
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000092

Title: DEFINING A PERSON: THE NURSE AT RISK FOR COMPASSION FATIGUE.
Creator: Johnston, Ellen, Andrews, Diane, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The intent of this thesis was to examine compassion fatigue in nurses through analysis of research studies conducted within the past five years in an effort to identify predisposing factors to the experience of compassion fatigue. Individual and institutional factors were identified as well as current strategies to assist with management of compassion fatigue. Findings indicated that being new to practice, having a trait negative affect, being younger in age, having a history of exposure to...
Show moreThe intent of this thesis was to examine compassion fatigue in nurses through analysis of research studies conducted within the past five years in an effort to identify predisposing factors to the experience of compassion fatigue. Individual and institutional factors were identified as well as current strategies to assist with management of compassion fatigue. Findings indicated that being new to practice, having a trait negative affect, being younger in age, having a history of exposure to trauma and working in high emotionally stressful units predisposed individuals to the experience of compassion fatigue. Institutional factors included a lack of managerial support, organizational commitment, group cohesion, work engagement and conflicting expectations of the nurse. Institutional interventions to assist in mitigating compassion fatigue include improving managerial support, developing group cohesion and communication and providing continuing education opportunities. Institutions can also assist by offering training in resiliency techniques such as negative thought pattern identification, meditation, peer-to-peer discussions, journaling about traumatic experiences, identification and maintenance of personal/professional boundaries and physical wellness through exercise and yoga. These proposed interventions address institutional accountability in health care worker wellness as defined by the quadruple aim. Such interventions also address use of Watson's Caring Theory to emphasize the importance of nurse wellness as essential to creating caring nurse-patient relationships.
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Date Issued: 2017
Identifier: CFH0000222, ucf:44675
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0000222

Title: RISK OF MEDICATION ERRORS IN THE HOME: AN INTEGRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW.
Creator: Crescenzi, Maria M, Bushy, Angeline, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Regardless of the setting, medication errors are of great concern when associated with an individual's health outcomes, along with the increased costs to society, healthcare institutions, and providers. Current research focuses on medication error data primarily in acute and extended care facilities. However, there is a paucity of research examining the causes of medication errors that occur post hospital discharge when individuals transition to the home. The purpose of this integrative...
Show moreRegardless of the setting, medication errors are of great concern when associated with an individual's health outcomes, along with the increased costs to society, healthcare institutions, and providers. Current research focuses on medication error data primarily in acute and extended care facilities. However, there is a paucity of research examining the causes of medication errors that occur post hospital discharge when individuals transition to the home. The purpose of this integrative literature review is to examine risk factors for medication errors outside of these settings, specifically in the home. A systematic literature search was conducted using multiple databases for relevant articles in the English language between 2006 to 2017, including CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, and PsycINFO. Search terms included 'medication errors', 'home care', 'post-discharge', 'hospital readmission', and 'medication error risks in the home'. Exclusion criteria included medication errors in acute and extended care settings. The integrative review involved reading, analyzing and selecting articles, and summarizing on a matrix. Findings on occurrences of medication errors in the home included impaired client mental status, confusion related to medication names, limited understanding of medication purpose in the care plan and its side effects, level of health literacy, and client-provider miscommunication in discharge planning. Consistent and conflicting findings are discussed along with gaps in the literature. Limitations and implications for nursing practice, policy, research, and education are also noted.
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Date Issued: 2017
Identifier: CFH0000223, ucf:44678
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0000223

Title: Development of in vitro point of care diagnostics (IVPCD) based on Aptamers integrated Biosensors.(&)nbsp;.
Creator: Saraf, Nileshi, Seal, Sudipta, Fang, Jiyu, Florczyk, Stephen, Dong, Yajie, Self, William, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The global market for the medical diagnostic industry is worth 25 billion dollars in the United States and is expected to grow exponentially each year. Presently available methods for biodetection, such as immunoassays, chemiluminescence and fluorescent based assays are expensive, time consuming and require skilled labor with high-end instruments. Therefore, development of novel, passive colorimetric sensors and diagnostic technologies for detection and surveillance is of utmost importance...
Show moreThe global market for the medical diagnostic industry is worth 25 billion dollars in the United States and is expected to grow exponentially each year. Presently available methods for biodetection, such as immunoassays, chemiluminescence and fluorescent based assays are expensive, time consuming and require skilled labor with high-end instruments. Therefore, development of novel, passive colorimetric sensors and diagnostic technologies for detection and surveillance is of utmost importance especially in resource constrained communities. The present work focusses on developing novel and advanced in vitro biodiagnostic tools based on aptamer integrated biosensors for an early detection of specific viral proteins or small biomolecules used as potential markers for deadly diseases. Aptamers are short single stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) which are designed to bind to a specific target biomolecule. These are readily synthesized in laboratory and offers several advantages over antibodies/enzymes such as stable in harsh environment, easily functionalized for immobilization, reproducibility etc. These undergo conformational changes upon target binding and produces physical or chemical changes in the system which are measured as colorimetric or electrochemical signals. Here, we have explored the aptamer-analyte interaction on different platforms such as microfluidic channel, paper based substrate as well as organic electrochemical transistor to develop multiple compact, robust and self-contained diagnostic tools. These testing tools exhibit high sensitivity (detection limit in picomolar) and selectivity against the target molecule, require no sophisticated instruments or skilled labor to implement and execute, leading a way to cheaper and more consumer driver health care. These innovative platforms provide flexibility to incorporate additional or alternative targets by simply designing aptamers to bind to the specific biomolecule.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: CFE0007766, ucf:52388
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007766

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