Journal of wound, ostomy, and continence nursing : official publication of The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society
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J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs · Nov 2006
Comparative StudyHome-prepared saline: a safe, cost-effective alternative for wound cleansing in home care.
The purpose of this study was to determine (1) the rate of contamination for a normal saline solution prepared with distilled water and salt when stored at room temperature and (2) when stored under refrigerated conditions; and (3) to compare the rate of contamination for solutions prepared and stored under controlled conditions with those prepared and stored in patients' homes. ⋯ The results of this small study suggest that saline solutions produced by adding table salt to distilled water will remain bacteria-free for 1 month if refrigerated. Additional studies are needed to confirm these findings.
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J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs · Nov 2006
Nursing staff beliefs and expectations about continence care in nursing homes.
The purpose of this qualitative study was to consider the current beliefs of nursing assistants and directors of nursing about management of urinary incontinence (UI) among the residents in nursing homes. ⋯ The findings from this study can be used to guide interventions to decrease or eliminate barriers to continence care and thereby facilitate the implementation of clinical practice guidelines and evidence-based interventions to improve urinary continence among nursing home residents.
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J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs · May 2006
ReviewDischarge information needs of patients after surgery.
Patients who have undergone surgical procedures often have self-care concerns in their preparation for discharge from the hospital. This article examines the research literature about information needs of postoperative patients prior to their discharge. ⋯ Because of their clinical knowledge of the perioperative experience, wound, ostomy, and continence nurses and other advanced practice nurses have a critical role in the development of discharge-educational programs for postoperative patients and caregivers. Because unmet discharge needs can contribute to poor patient outcomes and readmission, it is critical that wound, ostomy, and continence nurses, advanced practice nurses, and clinical staff nurses accurately identify patients' informational needs and find ways to meet these needs especially with the aging population, new/advanced surgical procedures, vulnerability/poverty, and literacy level of patients.
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J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs · Mar 2006
ReviewDuration of short-term indwelling catheters--a systematic review of the evidence.
A systematic review on the effect of duration of catheterization on urinary retention. ⋯ No significant differences in patient outcome were found, but the timing of catheter removal is a balance between avoiding infection by early removal and circumventing voiding dysfunction by later removal. Shorter catheterizations appear to reduce mean length of hospital stay.
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In the United States, obesity has reached epidemic proportions. Serious medical complications, impaired quality of life, and premature mortality are all associated with obesity. Medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or sleep apnea can improve or be cured with weight loss. ⋯ Patient education is imperative for long-term success. Moreover, any such educational regimen should include information on diet, vitamin and mineral supplementation, and lifestyle changes, as well as expected weight-loss results and improvements in comorbid conditions. Patients must be willing to commit to a long-term follow-up program intended to promote successful weight loss and weight maintenance and to prevent metabolic and nutritional complications.