The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in practising dental staff and dental students

Recent studies suggest Helicobacter pylori is spread by faecal-oral or oral-oral transmission. Gastroenterologists who are exposed to gastric secretions and saliva have a high prevalence of H. pylori infection. Venous blood was obtained from 92 dentists, 40 dental nurses, 33 fifth year and 30 first year dental students. An ELISA assay was used to detect H. pylori IgG antibodies. Results were compared with an age and sex matched normal population. The prevalence of H. pylori infection in dentists, dental nurses, fifth year dental students and first year dental students were 23 per cent, 18 per cent, 18 per cent and 16 per cent, respectively. There were no significant differences when compared with the normal population controls. The prevalence of H. pylori antibody was not significantly increased with years of practice or patient contact time in dentists and dental nurses. Helicobacter pylori infection is uncommon in dental professionals working in the oral cavity.     

Evaluation of the implementation of Assistant in Nursing workforce in haemodialysis units

Chow J, Miguel SS. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2010; 16 : 484–491
Evaluation of the implementation of Assistant in Nursing workforce in haemodialysis units The aim of this project was to evaluate the introduction of Assistant in Nursing (AINs) in the haemodialysis units at a major tertiary Area Health Service in Sydney, Australia. All nursing staff were asked to complete a baseline and follow‐up survey to determine changes to their attitudes to the new skill mix model and their satisfaction with the new organization of care delivery in their dialysis units. Comparison of the baseline and follow‐up surveys in the paired data was favourable with nurses acknowledging that they would cope well with the introduction of AINs, and they were more likely to disagree with the statement that their workload would increase after the introduction of AINs in the follow‐up survey. There was little difference in (i) the workload of the dialysis units before and during the intervention; and (ii) the incidence of patient and nursed related adverse outcome events.     

Herbal medicine for dementia: a systematic review

This systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of herbal medicines (HM) for treating dementia. Databases in English and Chinese were searched from their inceptions to February 2007. References in reviews and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were screened by hand. Trials comparing orally administered HM with placebo, no intervention or other therapy were considered. Trials on Ginkgo biloba and its extracts were excluded to avoid duplication of existing reviews. Pairs of authors independently applied eligibility criteria, extracted data and assessed methodological quality using the Jadad Scale. Thirteen RCTs met the inclusion criteria of three or above on this scale. Six trials compared herbal medicine with placebo, one with no treatment, and the remainder with pharmaceutical intervention. Meta‐analyses were performed on common cognitive performance outcome measures. All studies reported HM had significant effects in improving symptoms. In studies that employed active controls, HM was at least as effective as the pharmaceutical intervention. Meta‐analyses found HM more effective than no treatment or placebo and at least equivalent to control interventions, although the overall effect was small. No severe adverse events were reported. These trials provide overall positive evidence for the effectiveness and safety of certain HMs for dementia management. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of the efficacy of an instructional programme in the self-management of patients with asthma

The restrictions imposed on patients with asthma is problematic to them, in that their physical disability interferes with personal, interpersonal and/or professional goals Twenty-three patients under the care of general practitioners were surveyed by interview in their homes, doctors' surgery or at work to determine their current control of selected variables related to their asthma exercise, use of drugs and related factors An instructional programme was offered to interested participants to assist in complying with their prescribed medication regimens and to tailor exercise to their tolerance levels Findings showed that 18 patients experienced moderate to severe restrictions when troubled with asthma Although over one-half of the patients exercised regularly for fitness, including seven with aerobic exercise, some chose sports they thought could provoke an asthmatic attack Half took precautionary measures when exercising All patients used bronchodilators to relieve their asthma, yet one-third did not keep their inhalers accessible None of the most troubled 18 lived in a smoke-free environment, and one-third kept furry animals as pets Recommendations are made for further study of the effects of instructional programme to improve compliance to a healthy lifestyle     

Cataract in indigenous Australians: the National Indigenous Eye Health Survey

Background: To determine the prevalence of vision loss due to cataract in indigenous Australians. Methods: A national, stratified, random cluster sample was selected in 30 communities across Australia. Data collection was undertaken in 2008. Adults 40 years and older were examined using a standardized protocol that included a questionnaire. The presence of visually significant cataract was assessed. Results: Response rates were good and 1189 indigenous adults were examined and overall recruitment was 72%. Low vision (<6/12–6/60) due to cataract occurred in 2.52% (1.63–3.41%) and blindness (<6/60) in 0.59% (95% CI: 0.24–1.21%). The cataract coverage rate (proportion of those with visually significant cataract who had been operated on) was 65.3% (95% CI: 55.0–74.6%). Projections suggest that there are 3234 indigenous adults with vision loss from cataract. Conclusions: Cataract remains a major cause of vision loss in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. There were no significant regional or state differences in the prevalence of cataract or of cataract surgical coverage, which suggests that increased cataract surgery services are required across the country to address cataract in indigenous Australians.     

Skills mix in Australian nursing homes

This study investigated the relationships between skills mix, resident dependency and the quality of care and life of residents in a stratified random sample of 200 non-government homes in four Australian states. The study considered various measures of skills mix including the qualifications of the staff (staffing mix), the exposure of staff to in-service training and the leadership style of the director of nursing. The only relationships found between staffing mix (that is, the proportion of qualified and unqualified staff) related to the positive effect of therapy staff on the variety of experience of residents. Significant relationships between a number of other components of skills mix and the outcomes of care were found. Specifically, exposure to in-service training of staff and the leadership style of the director of nursing affected quality of care. State enrolled nurses were found to be significantly less satisfied with their work than registered nurses or untrained nurse assistants. Further studies are suggested in these areas and a review of skills mix in relation to them is recommended.