St. Catherine University

About: St. Catherine University is a education organization based out in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Social work & Population. The organization has 1305 authors who have published 1682 publications receiving 22252 citations. The organization is also known as: Saint Catherine University & St. Kate's.

Psychological, physiological, and behavioral responses to a partner in need: The role of compassionate love

Abstract: This study examined the role of compassionate love (CL) in shaping cognitive, emotional, physiological, and behavioral responses to partner distress (N = 56 couples). One member of each couple (the support provider) observed his/her partner perform an easy or difficult stress task (designed to vary signals of partner distress). Support providers in the difficult (vs. easy) condition showed more partner focus, emotional distress, and blood pressure reactivity during the task and expressed more support afterward. Support providers high (vs. low) in CL showed greater partner focus and emotional empathy and sent more caring messages. Additional analyses suggest that CL increases sensitivity to a partner’s distress and that the link between CL and support behavior is mediated by increases in empathy and attention to one’s partner.

Dietary Reference Intakes: Implications for Fiber Labeling and Consumption: a Summary of the International Life Sciences Institute North America Fiber Workshop, June 1–2, 2004, Washington, Dc

Abstract: Multiple definitions of dietary fiber have been developed and are in use around the world. The definitions vary as to which substances are considered to be fibers, the analytical methods utilized to identify and measure these fibers, and whether physiological criteria are part of the definition. A workshop entitled “Dietary Reference Intakes: Implications for Fiber Labeling and Consumption” was held by the International Life Sciences Institute North America Technical Committee on Carbohydrates to review the fiber definitions recently published by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academies. Presentations and facilitated discussions reviewed the rationale for the IOM definitions of dietary fiber, functional fiber, and total fiber in light of evolving nutritional science. Also discussed were potential analytical, regulatory, and consumer issues involved if the US Food and Drug Administration and/or Health Canada were to implement the IOM's recommendations. Issues, concerns, and questions to be addressed are summarized here.

Transforming attitudes of nursing students: evaluating a service-learning experience.

Abstract: Homelessness is a compelling social and public health issue. Nurse educators are challenged to better prepare graduates to serve this growing segment of the population. Clinical experiences with those experiencing homelessness allow students a better understanding of this population and may foster more compassionate care. This pretest-posttest intervention study examined nursing students' attitudes toward homelessness before and after participation in a service-learning clinical rotation with families experiencing homelessness. Twenty-three students enrolled in a public health nursing course at a small midwestern university participated in the research. The Attitudes Toward Homelessness Inventory was used to measure students' attitudes at the beginning and end of the course. Data analysis using descriptive statistics revealed significant differences in both global and specific attitudes toward people experiencing homelessness. These results suggest the clinical experiences positively influenced students' attitudes and support the value of integrating service-learning clinical opportunities with homeless individuals into nursing curricula.

Applying the theory of planned behavior to promotion of whole-grain foods by dietitians

Abstract: The objective of this preliminary study was to apply the theory of planned behavior to explain dietitians' intentions to promote whole-grain foods Surveys were mailed to a random national sample of registered dietitians to assess knowledge and attitudinal, normative, and control beliefs regarding intention to promote whole-grain foods, with a 39% return rate (n=776, with 628 usable surveys from those working in direct patient care) About half of the respondents had a master's degree, and 58% had substantial experience in the dietetics field The theory of planned behavior explained intention to promote whole grains to a moderate extent (df=3, F=745, R 2 =0278, P

Universal Pressure Ulcer Prevention Bundle With WOC Nurse Support.

Abstract: PURPOSE This study examined the effectiveness of a universal pressure ulcer prevention bundle (UPUPB) applied to intensive care unit (ICU) patients combined with proactive, semiweekly WOC nurse rounds. The UPUBP was compared to a standard guideline with referral-based WOC nurse involvement measuring adherence to 5 evidence-based prevention interventions and incidence of pressure ulcers. DESIGN The study used a quasi-experimental, pre-, and postintervention design in which each phase included different subjects. Descriptive methods assisted in exploring the content of WOC nurse rounds. SUBJECT AND SETTING One hundred eighty-one pre- and 146 postintervention subjects who met inclusion criteria and were admitted to ICU for more than 24 hours participated in the study. The research setting was 3 ICUs located at North Memorial Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. METHODS Data collection included admission/discharge skin assessments, chart reviews for 5 evidence-based interventions and patient characteristics, and WOC nurse rounding logs. Study subjects with intact skin on admission identified with an initial skin assessment were enrolled in which prephase subjects received standard care and postphase subjects received the UPUPB. Skin assessments on ICU discharge and chart reviews throughout the stay determined the presence of unit-acquired pressure ulcers and skin care received. Analysis included description of WOC nurse rounds, t-tests for guideline adherence, and multivariate analysis for intervention effect on pressure ulcer incidence. Unit assignment, Braden Scale score, and ICU length of stay were covariates for a multivariate model based on bivariate logistic regression screening. RESULTS The incidence of unit-acquired pressure ulcers decreased from 15.5% to 2.1%. WOC nurses logged 204 rounds over 6 months, focusing primarily on early detection of pressure sources. Data analysis revealed significantly increased adherence to heel elevation (t = -3.905, df = 325, P < .001) and repositioning (t = -2.441, df = 325, P < .015). Multivariate logistic regression modeling showed a significant reduction in unit-acquired pressure ulcers (P < .001). The intervention increased the Nagelkerke R-Square value by 0.099 (P < .001) more than 0.297 (P < .001) when including only covariates, for a final model value of 0.396 (P < .001). CONCLUSION The UPUPB with WOC nurse rounds resulted in a statistically significant and clinically relevant reduction in the incidence of pressure ulcers.