Saint Francis University

About: Saint Francis University is a education organization based out in Loretto, Pennsylvania, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Osteoblast. The organization has 1694 authors who have published 2038 publications receiving 87149 citations.

Advancing Our Understandings of Healthcare Team Dynamics From the Simulation Room to the Operating Room: A Neurodynamic Perspective.

Abstract: The initial models of team and team member dynamics using biometric data in healthcare will likely come from simulations. But how confident are we that the simulation-derived high-resolution dynamics will reflect those of teams working with live patients? We have developed neurodynamic models of a neurosurgery team while they performed a peroneal nerve decompression surgery on a patient to approach this question. The models were constructed from EEG-derived measures that provided second-by-second estimates of the neurodynamic responses of the team and team members to task uncertainty. The anesthesiologist and two neurosurgeons developed peaks, often coordinated, of elevated neurodynamic organization during the patient preparation and surgery which were similar to those seen during simulation training, and which occurred near important episodes of the patient preparation and surgery. As the analyses moved down the neurodynamic hierarchy, and the simulation and live patient neurodynamics occurring during the intubation procedure were compared at progressively smaller time scales, differences emerged across scalp locations and EEG frequencies. The most significant was the pronounced suppression of gamma rhythms detected by the frontal scalp sensors during the live patient intubation which was absent in simulation trials of the intubation procedure. These results indicate that while profiles of the second-by-second neurodynamics of teams were similar in both the simulation and live patient environments, a deeper analysis revealed differences in the EEG frequencies and scalp locations of the signals responsible for those team dynamics. As measures of individual and team performance become more micro-scale and dynamic, and simulations become extended into virtual environments, these results argue for the need for parallel studies in live environments to validate the dynamics of cognition being observed.

Therapeutic Approach to Calcified Coronary Lesions: Disruptive Technologies.

Abstract: Moderate or severe calcification is present in approximately one third of coronary lesions in patients with stable ischemic heart disease and acute coronary syndromes and portends unfavorable procedural results and long-term outcomes. In this review, we provide an overview on the state-of-the-art in evaluation and treatment of calcified coronary lesions. Intravascular imaging (intravascular ultrasound or optical coherence tomography) can guide percutaneous coronary intervention of severely calcified lesions. New technologies such as orbital atherectomy and intravascular lithotripsy have significantly expanded the range of available techniques to effectively modify coronary calcium and facilitate stent expansion. Calcium fracture improves lesion compliance and is essential to optimize stent implantation. Intravascular imaging allows for detailed assessment of patterns and severity of coronary calcium that are integrated into scoring systems to predict stent expansion, identifying which lesions require atherectomy for lesion modification. Guided by intravascular imaging, older technologies such as rotational atherectomy and excimer laser can be incorporated with newer technologies such as orbital atherectomy and intravascular lithotripsy into an algorithmic approach for the safe and effective treatment of patients with heavily calcified coronary lesions.

Designing a competency-based nursing practice model in a multicultural setting.

Abstract: Cultural diversity of patients and staff has challenged nurse educators to create new culturally sensitive learning environments and to participate in the design of systems that ensure standards of care for patients and standards of performance for nurses are met. Performance expectations require nurses to render age-specific, culturally congruent nursing care and function as integral members of interdisciplinary, multicultural healthcare teams. In this article the author describes the development of a Competency-based Nursing Practice Model in a multicultural setting and explores the role of the staff development educator throughout the design process.

The value of bedside cardiac multibiomarker assay in rapid and accurate diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes.

Abstract: For emergency department physicians, timely triage and risk stratification of chest pain patients remains a challenge. Faced with an aging population and the growing prevalence of heart disease, clinicians are seeking more effective ways to diagnose acute coronary syndromes rapidly and accurately. Emergency department physicians must make critical and time-sensitive decisions based on patient history, physical examination, and 12-lead electrocardiogram as justification for diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes. But because most of these tools are not reliable independently, these incomplete strategies can result in costly and inappropriate treatment decisions.

Joint moment-angle properties of the hip abductors and hip extensors

Abstract: Purpose: Strengthening of hip joint musculature is common in the rehabilitation of the lower extremity However, strength curves for hip abduction and extension have not been assessed when varying the position of the knee The force-length properties of the biarticular muscles can be affected when altering the position of the knee during the production of hip moments Methods: Maximum isometric joint moments were measured at four different angles of hip abduction and hip extension, at the two knee positions (0° and 90°) Results: The hip abduction and extension moments decreased as the hip moved from an adducted position and flexed position to an abducted position and extended position, respectively, resulting in a descending joint moment angle curve for each Conclusion: The results indicate that position of the knee does not significantly change the normalized peak hip abduction joint moment, but the position of the knee does significantly change the normalized peak hip extension joint moment T