Journal of advanced nursing
-
The Index of Nausea and Vomiting (INV), developed by Rhodes and others in 1984, measures three dimensions of upper gastrointestinal distress: nausea, vomiting and retching (NVR). While the revised version has been tested with a variety of high-risk populations, there are no data suggesting that it can be used to assess upper gastrointestinal distress among the growing numbers of ambulatory or day surgery patients. ⋯ Upper gastrointestinal distress following ambulatory surgery discharge comprises a different symptom mix than during other high-risk events such as pregnancy or chemotherapy. Further research on the differences in assessing NVR among different populations is indicated.
-
Previous research has shown that patients' reported memories of intensive care are often of unpleasant events which are described as frightening and persecutory in nature. Currently, there is no standardized way of assessing perceptions of such an experience or relating it to long-term outcome. ⋯ The intensive care experience questionnaire identified four dimensions of experience and performed satisfactorily in these developmental analyses. Further study of an independent intensive care unit data set is necessary to confirm these findings, including the four-component structure. Development of a standardized measure provides the opportunity to increase our understanding of the intensive care experience. The questionnaire may be useful to inform the development of effective interventions to improve subsequent outcomes for these patients.
-
Self-assessment assists nurses to maintain and improve their practice by identifying their strengths and areas that may need to be further developed. Professional competence profiles encourage them to take an active part in the learning process of continuing education. Although competence recognition offers a way to motivate practising nurses to produce quality care, few measuring tools are available for this purpose. ⋯ The results provide strong evidence of the reliability and validity of the Nurse Competence Scale.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Patient-controlled analgesia versus conventional intramuscular injection: a cost effectiveness analysis.
In previous studies comparing patient-controlled-analgesia and intramuscular pain management have been unable to provide conclusive evidence of the benefits of either method of postoperative pain control. ⋯ While patient-controlled-analgesia was more costly, it was also more effective than conventional on-demand intramuscular opioid injections after laparotomy for gynaecological surgery.
-
Lack of knowledge about the end-of-life treatment preferences of patients undergoing haemodialysis is problematic in the acute care setting as, often, patients are unable to communicate their treatment wishes effectively and have not previously documented their desires in the form of advance directives. Existing theoretical models offer an incomplete explanation of end-of-life treatment decisions in haemodialysis patients. ⋯ The theory of personal preservation furthers understanding of illness behaviour and the process by which patients make decisions about end-of-life treatments. It can be used to sensitize health care professionals to patients' desires and to enhance patient-professional communication.