Orthopaedic nursing
-
Outcomes tracking provides a systematic method of monitoring treatment effectiveness and efficiency. A familiarity with outcome measures for the patient with low back pain is very important for clinicians working in orthopaedic settings, where patients with lumbar pain are prevalent. The clinician must be able to evaluate and choose appropriate measurement tools, and understand the clinical meaning of measurements to successfully employ these instruments. ⋯ The reliability, validity, sensitivity to change, and utility of common outcome measures are discussed. An overview of generic, disease-specific, and patient-specific tools is provided, with specific commentary on the use of the SF-36, SF-12, Oswestry, Roland Morris, and patient-specific tools. Practical guidelines for utilizing outcome measures in clinical practice and the overall benefits of outcomes tracking are highlighted.
-
Since the beginning of time, infections have been a major cause of disability and death of humans in every part of the world. For centuries, little was known about what caused infection, how to prevent infection, or how to cure infection. With the discovery of sulfa and penicillin in the 1930s, the ability to fight infection became reality. ⋯ Today, it is apparent that identifying the agents of infection, understanding how antimicrobials are targeted against specific infectious organisms, and practicing the judicious application of antimicrobials will help reduce the threat of continued escalation of antimicrobial resistance. Part 1 of this three-part series will provide an overview of how antimicrobials are designed to target specific agents of infection and how drug resistance develops. Parts 2 and 3 will examine individual antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral agents and the recommendations for their appropriate use.