Welcome to Paw Prints
Paw Prints organizes, preserves, and makes accessible the scholarly and creative outputs of the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith. For more information see the Paw Prints guide, or contact repository@uafs.edu
Recent Submissions
Item GEOGRAPHICAL REGIONAL ASSESSMENT OF HOSPITAL-ASSOCIATED INFECTIONS IN PRE VS POST COVID-19 PANDEMIC(2025)Nosocomial or healthcare associated infections (HAI) impact patient safety, healthcare financial performance, and quality improvement in acute care hospital settings. With a $45 billion price tag, the mission to reduce or prevent HAIs is a concern for the healthcare industry, federal and state agencies, policymakers and providers. This capstone project evaluated HAI occurrences pre (2018) and post (2022) COVID-19 to determine if implementation of the new clinical guidelines have reduced HAI occurrences in acute hospital settings. With the use of statistical analysis, geographical regional differences in standardized infection ratio (SIR) were evaluated to determine if there was a statistical significance in the mean SIRs for each region. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to evaluate overall differences in mean SIR among the regions. In addition, pairwise comparisons between regions were performed using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. In the analysis comparing SIRs between year for each region, Wilcoxon signed-rank test was applied. For all analysis, statistical significance was defined as p<0.05. The results indicated that HAIs occurrence have decreased since COVID-19 for some HAIs but not all infections. Future studies are needed to determine what aspect of the new guidelines played a significant role is reducing HAI and strategies to improve infection rates for HAI that showed no reduction in occurrence.Item Impact of Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems on Quality of Care in Rural Communities(2025)Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems have revolutionized diabetes management by providing real-time glucose data, enabling more precise control of blood sugar levels. However, access to these advanced technologies remains unequal, particularly in rural America, where healthcare resources are often limited. This paper examines the impact of CGM systems on individuals with diabetes living in rural areas of the United States. It explores how these systems improve diabetes management, health outcomes, and quality of life, as well as the challenges rural residents face in accessing and affording CGM technology. Through a combination of qualitative interviews and quantitative data, this study highlights barriers such as geographic isolation, limited healthcare infrastructure, and financial constraints, while also showcasing the potential of telemedicine and community health programs to improve access. The findings suggest that while CGM systems offer significant benefits, policy initiatives are essential to ensure equitable access and maximize their impact for rural populations with diabetes.Item Assessing the Impact of Pay-For-Performance Compensation on Nursing Retention in Acute Care Settings(2025)A cross-sectional analysis of current research was performed to determine the impact of pay-for-performance compensation models on nursing retention rates in acute care settings. Factors contributing to low nursing retention rates in acute care settings include low wages, a lack of proper benefits, increased workloads, burnout, and poor job satisfaction. Through this analysis, pay-for-performance compensation models are evaluated to determine their impact on nursing retention rates in acute care departments to improve current nursing retention strategies. Specifically, merit-based pay was assessed as a potential pay-for-performance compensation model that could be used as a nursing retention strategy. Patient satisfaction scores were suggested as a performance indicator for merit-based pay. A brief analysis of current nursing retention strategies has also been discussed. Alternative nursing retention strategies must be explored to improve the stability of the current nursing workforce in acute care departments and improve the organizational commitment of nurses in acute care settings. Keywords: healthcare, retention rates, registered nurses, acute care, nursing staff, pay-for-performance, compensation, merit-based payItem IMPROVING OUTCOMES THROUGH INTEGRATED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FOR CHRONIC DISEASE/ILLNESS PATIENTS(2025)Treatment for chronic diseases and illnesses has long been focused on management. While this approach is still necessary at times, the focus of this project is to draw attention to the potential effectiveness of ensuring that behavioral health screening and treatment are integrated into the initial diagnosis and treatment plan formation of chronic disease/illness. This integrated behavioral health (IBH) can lead to significantly improved outcomes in patients diagnosed with various chronic diseases or illnesses. The obstacles to mental health treatment are addressed as well as the potential treatment options. This project will show that improved outcomes are attainable, and in some cases, chronic disease/illness is preventable, with the aid of mental health treatment. The importance of training and education for patients and medical professionals alike is addressed as well as the potential cost savings associated with inclusion.Item Psychological Effects of Bariatric Surgery and The Lack of Standardization of Psychological Evaluation and the Effects on Bariatric Patients(2025)The rise of obesity has driven the uptick of major weight loss-related methods being used such as bariatric surgery. Otherwise known as weight loss surgery that has serious effects on one’s body as it involves surgically performing on one’s stomach or intestines to induce overall weight loss. With the rise in obesity and the rise of other related weight loss tools, bariatric surgery has become common for those needing to lose weight fast. As bariatric surgery does have many pros with helping obesity and being able to improve overall quality of life. Stigma still plays a role in any conversation or outlet that is related to weight loss. There needs to be more emphasis on the psychological effects of bariatric surgery and how it potentially impacts the overall success of the procedure overall. As there is more focus put on the pros such as improved mortality and reduction of obesity-related comorbidities, there is a lack of study being put on long-term effects of bariatric surgery. Being able to put focus on the psychological effects of bariatric surgery gives attention to the emotional responses that can occur when significant changes happen in one’s body and appearance after a major surgery. There needs to be conversations that focus on a patient’s pre-existing mental condition, unrealistic expectations that can occur, body image concerns, and the social impacts of weight related changes. Research needs to focus more on the long-term effects that can happen psychologically when one is obese and proceeds with this type of life altering surgery. As it can trigger complex emotional responses that could end up impacting the procedure itself along with the patient’s life if none of these preexisting or sudden mental conditions are not being addressed properly.
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