The Nursing clinics of North America
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Pain and symptom management is an important aspect of hospice care. In an attempt to deliver consistent and high-quality interventions in a timely manner algorithms for pain and symptom management were developed. ⋯ The algorithms offer the flexibility to respond to individual differences found in our patient population. Working together, physicians, nurses, and pharmacists offer a team approach to patient care.
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Nurs. Clin. North Am. · Sep 1995
Implementation of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research postoperative pain management guideline.
The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research reviewed and synthesized the current pain research and developed a clinical practice guideline to assist the practitioner. A community hospital decided to adopt the postoperative pain management guideline using a research utilization approach. Education of health care professionals and development of a pain flow chart, pain scales, and updated technology were completed. Preliminary findings demonstrate a decreased pain intensity score postsurgically and an increase in patient satisfaction with staff response to pain relief.
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Nurs. Clin. North Am. · Mar 1995
Comparative StudyWhere does it hurt? An interdisciplinary approach to improving the quality of pain assessment and management in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Identifying a premature infant's response to noxious stimuli and knowing when it is appropriate to intervene are major issues for the caregiver. After completing a pilot study, the staff of a 42-bed neonatal intensive care unit targeted improved pain assessment and management for further analysis. Using a series of Plan, Do, Check, and Act cycles they designed a stepwise set of interventions that resulted in the improved assessment and management of the neonate in pain.
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Nurs. Clin. North Am. · Mar 1995
Improving the admission process from the emergency department to the critical care areas.
The CCU and CSU successfully established an interdisciplinary QI team. Through the implementation of the QI process the group focused on an indicator that influenced patient satisfaction. ⋯ The QI process and methodology were effectively implemented to address a complex problem. The results will serve as a foundation for the new process improvement committee focusing on the unstable angina population.
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The resurgence of tuberculosis (TB), especially the new multi-drug-resistant strain of TB, is a potential health hazard for caregivers in hospital settings. This article discusses the comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluation of one medical center's policies and procedures related to the control of infectious airborne pathogens.