Louise C. O'KEefe

Enhanced patient outcomes have led the health sciences to seek ways in which to incorporate interprofessional education in their curricula. This article presents a unique and innovative strategy for interprofessional education among nursing, medicine, and pharmacy in a nonacademic health science center setting. Nurse practitioner students from the University of Alabama in Huntsville College of Nursing, medical interns from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, and pharmacy students from Auburn University School of Pharmacy and their respective faculty participated in collaboratively designed simulations and skills experiences.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men and women in the United States. To increase statewide CRC screening rates, the Alabama Department of Public Health (through a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] Colorectal Cancer Control Program grant) partnered with The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) and The University of South Alabama (USA) to provide free CRC screening opportunities to eligible University employees and dependents. Resources were invested at both universities to ensure participant education, tracking, and monitoring. In total, 86 fecal immunochemical tests (FITs) were distributed at the UAH campus and 62 were returned for testing; 146 FITs were distributed on the USA campus with 111 returned. Fecal immunochemical test return rates were over 70% at each site. Most notably, 21 positive FITs were identified among UAH participants and 25 at USA. Findings from both efforts suggest that employer-based screening initiatives are a systematic and replicable means of improving CRC screening.

On-site, workplace clinics are one method to control today's healthcare costs. These clinics provide preventive care and treatment to employees at their place of employment, thus increasing their attendance at work. On-site clinics are particularly beneficial for decreasing the number of off-site, health-related, patient care visits. In this article, the authors describe an on-site clinic developed on a university campus. They review the history of on-site clinics, discuss the value of these clinics, present a case study describing the development of an on-site, university-campus clinic that has had a positive financial impact. They conclude that an on-site clinic can be a positive strategy to reduce healthcare costs for both the employer and the employees while promoting the health of the employees.

Nursing faculty who desire to expand their research portfolios will benefit from collaboration with researchers with complimentary interests from different universities across the world. International collaboration can enhance the productivity of researchers who seek to conduct studies with similar populations in different environments, and who desire a larger impact based on the findings of their studies. International collaborative teams have the potential to make important discoveries that affect the health of populations across the world. Communication is a critical step in defining the roles and professional relationships of researchers involved in international collaboration. Researchers need to be cognizant of rules affecting data security, intellectual property, data ownership, and funding sources in each country. International collaborative research can be exciting and rewarding, especially when participants are culturally aware, respect universities' policies, and are mindful of the ethical and legal principles for the countries in which the research is conducted. This article describes ways to enhance the success of nursing faculty who desire a rich experience with international research collaborators.

The primary cause of death for men and women in the United States is heart disease. Obesity and diabetes are major contributors to heart disease, and the risk is worsened in the presence of stress. It is clinically useful to identify predictors of obesity and prediabetes in a working population. The purpose of this current cross-sectional, correlational study was to examine relationships among obesity, prediabetes, and perceived stress in municipal workers using a subset of worksite wellness program data from employees screened in 2010 and 2011. Multiple regression models indicated that age, gender, race, HA1c, shift schedule, physical activity, and occupation were significant predictors of obesity in municipal workers (p < .01). Prediabetes in municipal workers was predicted by age, Black race, and body mass index (BMI; p < .01). Perceived stress was not a significant predictor of obesity or prediabetes in municipal workers. Overall, the findings of this study provide guidance to occupational health nurses when evaluating individuals in an occupational health setting. Further research is needed to examine relationships among the variables and validate the models.

The Ebola virus disease first appeared in 1976 in the Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The most recent outbreak occurred in West Africa in March 2014 and quickly spread in surrounding countries. Ebola spreads through direct contact with the body fluids of an infected individual. The incubation period for Ebola is 2 to 21 days. Individuals are infectious when symptomatic. Identifying individuals at high risk for Ebola in the United States includes early recognition of symptoms and a history of travel to an Ebola-affected area. Multiple diagnostic tests exist and should include a complete blood count and a comprehensive metabolic profile. Standard, contact, and droplet precautions are advised when taking care of patients with Ebola. Appropriate personal protective equipment as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should be worn. No vaccine or antiviral drug has been approved, but vaccine trials are under way. Occupational health nurses play a key role in educating employees about this disease.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is an emerging infectious disease that can present with flu-like symptoms. In individuals with comorbidities or who are immunosuppressed, it can be deadly. The disease is transmitted through contact with someone who has MERS-CoV. The occupational health nurse must be cognizant of and educate the workforce about MERS-CoV transmission, prevention, and treatment.