Journal of advanced nursing
-
The aim of this study was to determine levels of structural empowerment, moral distress, and the association between them among intensive care nurses. ⋯ This study weakly supports the association between structural empowerment and moral distress. It also provides further evidence to the theory of structural empowerment as characterized in the critical care environment. Further studies are indicated to determine what other factors might be associated with moral distress.
-
To report a study conducted to explore intensive care unit nurses' perceptions of patient participation in the acute phase of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation. ⋯ This study shows that patient participation should not be understood in universal terms, but rather in relation to a specific setting and the interactions that occur in this setting. Healthcare personnel must develop skill, understanding, and competence to meet these challenging ethical dilemmas. A collaborative inter-professional approach between physicians and nurses is needed to meet the patients' demand for involvement.
-
To report the findings of a study exploring the views and experiences of care home resident's family on Dignity Therapy. ⋯ Family members felt Dignity Therapy had helped them and the residents. Findings suggest that Dignity Therapy may be useful for enhancing the end-of-life experience for residents and their families.
-
This article is a report of a study of associations between occurrence of serious fall-related injuries and implementation of low-low beds at The Northern Hospital, Victoria, Australia. ⋯ The 6-PACK program has been in place since 2002 at The Northern Hospital. Throughout this time serious fall-related injuries have decreased. There appears to be an association between serious fall-related injuries and the number of available low-low beds. Threshold numbers of these beds may be required to achieve optimal usability and effectiveness. A randomized controlled trial is required to give additional evidence for use of low-low beds for injury prevention in hospitals.
-
To provide insight into the individual and contextual factors that are related to intensive care nursing staff perceptions of work pressure and turnover. ⋯ Given the importance of the availability of staff to secure intensive care, this study indicates that hospitals should pay more attention to intensive care nurses' work situation. Decreasing emotional and physical demands and increasing nurses' development opportunities are some of the measures hospitals can take to create a work environment that better accommodates the needs of their intensive care nursing staff.