Journal of emergency nursing : JEN : official publication of the Emergency Department Nurses Association
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Comparative Study
A comparative study of hematocrits drawn from a standard venipuncture and those drawn from a saline lock device.
Most trauma patients in the emergency department have multiple hematocrits drawn to monitor hypovolemia. These venipunctures are painful to the patient and frustrating for hospital staff when venipuncture sites are difficult to locate. ⋯ Obtaining samples for determination of hematocrit values from a saline look device is an accurate method of obtaining serial hematocrit values.
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To increase the knowledge of nurses and doctors in an emergency department about the topic of domestic violence; to change any negative practices and attitudes toward victims; to increase knowledge of the referral processes for psychosocial aspects of domestic violence; and to increase knowledge of community resources for domestic violence victims. ⋯ Further research is needed into the beliefs and practices of nurses and doctors about domestic violence. The impact of this education program highlights the necessity for introducing training programs for health professionals on domestic violence problems.
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Nurses in Ireland are increasingly concerned about the escalating incidence of verbal and physical abuse, particularly in Accident and Emergency (A&E) Departments. This first detailed survey of violence in A&E departments in Ireland was conducted at St. James's Hospital, Dublin, the largest hospital in the Republic of Ireland. The aims of the survey included determining the following factors: (1) what proportion of staff had experienced physical or verbal violence while on duty in the hospital, (2) the frequency of such attacks, (3) whether the violence was officially reported and sick leave taken, (4) whether age and experience changed attitudes to violence, or the reporting of it, and (5) the level of staff training, if any, in dealing with violence. ⋯ The results of this study mirrored those of similar surveys in Britain and the United States. Nonreporting was revealed as a major problem, whereas reporting violence was often seen as an empty gesture because of a lack of institutional support for the nurse/attendant victims. Staff reported feeling vulnerable to abuse and there was a general desire for training in self-protection. Since the survey was first presented to hospital managers, St James's Hospital has made a number of changes to improve staff security. These include teaching staff breakaway techniques, increasing the number of security officers on duty, issuing personal alarms, and encouraging staff to officially report all incidents.