Preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders in Factory Workers: Evaluating a New Eight Minute Stretching Program.

A preshift stretching program was implemented to evaluate its effectiveness in preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD). Workers in a Midwestern factory were assessed for WMSDs before and after the new 8-min stretching program was implemented. Aggregate WMSD data were evaluated and sick days used from the start of the new program were compared with the same 60-day period the previous year. Potential cost savings were also assessed. The researchers found a significant decline in injury rates and time-off requests. Cost savings were noted for both the employer and employees. Additional studies with more workers, as well as longitudinal designs are recommended to verify the findings in this program evaluation study.

Predictors of Nursing Graduate School Success.

Several factors influence success in nursing graduate school. This study collected retrospective data from students in a nursing graduate program to determine which factors predict success. Data were analyzed using a multiple regression analysis to predict success (i.e., graduation grade point average [GPA]) from student characteristics. The predictors were nursing course GPA, undergraduate science GPA, GPA upon admission to nursing graduate school, experience in a specialty, and the duration of that experience. Results indicate that admission, nursing, and undergraduate science GPA are more important for predicting success than previous experience. The predictors account for approximately 80 percent of the variance (R = .80).

Children's health insurance program and pediatric nurses.

Over the past decade, health coverage for millions of low-income children and their families has been impacted by publicly funded programs such as the Children's Health Insurance Program and Medicaid. There are more than six million children currently eligible for coverage. The Obama administration increased funding for the program that allows coverage for additional enrollees. This comes at a critical time with economic downturn. Participation in professional organizations and attention to legislative reports by pediatric nurses are imperative to support legislation that continues to provide adequate funding for this program.

Emergency department and community health center visits and costs in an uninsured population.

PURPOSE: To assess how a Community Health Center (CHC) influenced access to care for uninsured people and to describe the economic effect on the local hospital. DESIGN: A framework on access to health care was used in this community-level, descriptive study. METHODS: Data were collected on emergency department (ED) use before state funding of the CHC, 1988 and through 2001. Information included insurance status, charges, diagnosis, and complexity of services received. This study is a population study, and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. FINDINGS: Within 3 years after state funding of a CHC began, uninsured visits to the local hospital ED decreased by almost 40%. After 10 years, uninsured ED visits remained 25% lower than before state funding began, whereas insured visits had almost doubled (98%). The decrease in number of uninsured visits saved the hospital and uninsured patients almost $14 million. CONCLUSIONS: After establishment of the CHC, ED visits by uninsured patients declined. Although a causal link cannot be made between the CHC and ED, the descriptive data provide information about a linkage between the decline of uninsured ED visits and the CHC.

A health professional students' cultural competence and attitudes toward the poor: the influence of a clinical practicum supported by the National Health Service Corps.

To provide quality health care today, practitioners must be culturally competent. Funding sources, such as the federal government, recognize the need to prepare culturally competent clinicians. The mission of the National Health Service Corps (NHSC), a federal program, is to increase access to primary care services and reduce health disparities by assisting in the preparation of community-responsive, culturally competent primary care clinicians. This study evaluated an NHSC program that funded, in part, health professional students' educational programs. Following their participation in an NHSC-supported clinical experience, students were assessed on their cultural competence, perceptions of the poor, and intention of serving in an underserved community. Health professional students completed a survey before and after the clinical practicum. Participants included students who were studying to be physicians, physician assistants, social workers, and nurse practitioners. Results of the study found no change in students' cultural competence after their clinical practicum. Although they remained in the "culturally aware" stage, they were not considered either "culturally proficient" or "culturally competent." However, their attitudes toward those in poverty were more positive than in previous studies of health professionals. The greatest impact from the students' clinical experience was their increased intention to practice in an underserved community following their practicum. They found their experience with the underserved to be rewarding, challenging, and humbling. Documenting the influence that government-funded programs have on health professional students is extremely important in studies such as this.