Disturbed behaviour in dementia sufferers: A comparison of three nursing home settings

In order to determine whether a specialist psychogeriatric nursing home was fulfilling its intended role of caring for the most behaviourally disturbed dementia sufferers, 24 of its demented residents were compared with 28 demented individuals discharged from a psychiatric unit to ordinary nursing homes and 30 mobile dementia sufferers in nursing home wards of a geriatric centre. Those in the psychogeriatric nursing home showed more disturbed behaviours than those in the other two settings. Scores on the Rating Scale for Aggressive Behaviour in the Elderly were compared with degree of cognitive impairment for the first time in the literature and showed no correlation with degree of cognitive impairment for the first time in the literature and showed no correlation with congnitive performance.     

lnter-rater reliability of an oral assessment guide for elderly patients residing in a rehabilitation ward

The aim of this study was to test the inter-rater reliability of a revised oral assessment guide (ROAG) for patients residing in a geriatric rehabilitation ward. A consecutive sample of 140 patients was recruited for the study. Oral assessments were performed for 133 newly admitted patients by one registered nurse (RN) during a period of six months. A dental hygienist (DH) carried out 103 oral assessments during the same half-year. For 66 patients, the RN and the DH performed independent assessments. There was an agreement between the RN and the DH in the majority of the independent assessments, except for tongue and teeth/dentures. The percentage agreement exceeded 80 percent. Inter-rater agreement measured by Cohen's Kappa coefficient ranged from moderate to very good and percentage agreement had a range of 58 to 91 percent. The agreement was highest in assessment of voice and swallowing (91%). Assessments of teeth and dentures seemed to be most difficult for the RN to evaluate. ROAG was found to be a clinically useful assessment tool. Additional education and training is needed to improve the reliability of the oral assessments and should include continuous support from a dental hygienist as well as a pictorial manual on how to use the ROAG.     

Clinical problem-solving using video simulation: an investigation

This paper examines the use of videotape simulation as a research method for the exploration of clinical problem-solving, the challenges posed and the strategies employed to overcome the difficulties encountered are discussed. The simulation forms part of a larger comparative study of outcomes of pre-registration nurse education programmes, commissioned by the English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting.     

Personal history,training, and worksite as predictors of back pain of nurses

Back pain among nurses is a common problem. Prior studies of this problem have been based on cross-sectional or retrospective data. This 18-month prospective study involving nurses newly graduated from nursing school investigated personal, worksite, and training factors associated with future risk of back pain. Each nurse underwent a preliminary interview and periodic follow-ups to identify those with back injuries. Contingency tables and logistic regression analyses demonstrated that prior significant back pain episodes (evidenced by previous job changes because of back pain, frequent medication use, etc.) were associated with increased future risk. Training at nursing school or on the job did not have a protective effect. This pilot study therefore suggests factors useful in placement and counseling of new nurses and indicates the need for further implementation of mechanical lift assist device use. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Invasive ventilation in the emergency department: Part 2: Implications for patient safety

The use of mechanical ventilation in the Emergency Department requires adequate resources in order to maintain patient safety and avoid potential risks. Moreover, developments in technology require increased knowledge of mechanical ventilation techniques to address the complexity of decision-making involved. Organisational issues and system factors have the potential to negatively impact on the ability of the emergency service to provide optimum care to patients receiving mechanical ventilation. These issues include staffing and skill-mix, demand on emergency services, role-delineation, scope of practice, and current mechanisms for monitoring of quality and safety. Furthermore, in response to advances in ventilator technology, current education programs for both nursing and medical staff require review to ensure that they provide comprehensive information about the types of ventilation techniques now available and the relative risks and benefits associated with their application.This article is the second in a two-part series and explores the educational and organisational factors that impact upon safety and quality of care delivered to patients receiving mechanical ventilation in the emergency department. Recommendations for future policy development, curriculum review and reporting mechanisms to support further research in the application of mechanical ventilation in the emergency department are made.     

New South Wales Nurse Education Project

Abstract: The development of a teaching package for nurse educators on drug and alcohol problems is described and the contents of its 16 modules outlined.     

苯丙胺急性中毒患者的急救及护理

笔总结了2000年5月-2002年3月收治的9例口服苯丙胺中毒患救护成功的体会。（1）及早，彻底，反复洗胃，有效清除消化吸收的毒物，洗胃过程中做好安全约束措施，使洗胃能顺利完成，对中毒较深的病人结合床边血液透析，以提高疗效。（2）迅速建立静脉通路，合理使用安定，利尿剂，激素，加强对症处理。（3）严密观察病情变化，保持呼吸道通畅。（4）做好基础护理，安全保护及心理护理，9例患均治愈出院。     

健康教育在糖尿病病人中的应用

目的：通过对患者在住院过程中的系统教育，使患者了解自己疾病的知识，提高患者对糖尿病的认知水平和自我管理能力，养成良好的健康行为和生活方式，从而提高生活质量。方法：采用集体、个体、自学等形式进行教育。结果：通过培养，患者掌握了一些基本的操作技能，明显缩短了住院日，同时激发了护士与患者学习专业知识的热情，减少或延缓了并发症的发生。结论：①健康教育是一个护患双边活动过程。②通过教育，可不断提高护士的自身修养和专业知识水平。③健康教育是糖尿病患者学习糖尿病知识，提高自我护理能力的有效途径。     

佩尔地平治疗妊娠高血压病人的护理管理路径

目的探讨护理管理路径在应用佩尔地平治疗的重度子痫前期病人的效果，以期达到最佳的治疗效果，并减少并发症的发生。方法将用佩尔地平针治疗的重度子痫前期的病人486例随机分为两组，一组按常规护理，另一组按制定的护理管理路径护理。结果患者依从性对照组为168例，占70％；观察组为228例，占92．68％，P〈0．05，其差异有统计学意义。胎死宫内发生率对照组为9．16％，观察组为0．81％，P〈0．05，其差异有统计学意义。血压的稳定性对照组为36．3％，观察组为97．6％，P〈0．05，其差异有统计学意义。结论护理管理路径可以提高重度妊娠高血压疾病的治疗效果，减少并发症的发生。