AORN journal
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Nursing performance, or the skills a nurse exhibits in practice, is limited by the extent or level of a nurse's knowledge base; hence, the expression "nurses are what nurses do" probes nurses' levels of satisfaction with their present educational status. Given the rapid changes in health care today, nurses are questioning their level of commitment to lifelong learning in meeting ever-changing demands. This article examines measures being taken to assess the adequacy of nurses' knowledge base in a field that requires continuous adaptation to change.
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Review Case Reports
Heated intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy--the challenges of bringing chemotherapy into surgery.
Heated intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIIC) was introduced at Altru Health System in August 2003 to offer the community a different treatment option for intraperitoneal carcinomatosis. The closed technique is performed to eliminate the risk of aerosolization and direct contact of the toxic chemotherapeutic agent with staff members. Implementing the HIIC procedure resulted in the creation of a comprehensive policy on chemotherapy precautions in surgery, which was the catalyst for implementing quality improvement initiatives throughout Altru Health System.
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Computer games are a major part of the culture of children and teenagers in many developed countries. Research shows that children of the computer age prefer computer-assisted learning to any other teaching strategy. ⋯ No studies have been conducted in Israel on using computers to help ailing children in general or to help children preparing for surgery in particular. This article discusses the potential for using computers to educate patients based on a review of the literature and interviews with children and describes the process of computer game development.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Effect of music on vital signs and postoperative pain.
Pharmacological methods to improve postoperative pain are well documented, but an increasing interest in nonpharmacological methods has stimulated research in this field. Traditional and pharmacological interventions to relieve perioperative anxiety and pain are being challenged by an increasing demand for more holistic approaches. This study tested the hypothesis that listening to music preoperatively and postoperatively would affect patients' experience of pain, nausea, and well-being and have an impact on their vital signs. The authors conclude that a period of peaceful rest before and after surgery reduces patient anxiety.
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One health care system developed a clinical alarm systems testing program in an effort to meet the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations' national patient safety goal related to improving the effectiveness of clinical alarm systems. It is imperative that all staff members are aware of the importance of clinical alarms and are prepared to deal with an alarm that is sounding. This article defines clinical alarms and clinical alarm systems, provides recommendations for developing and designing a clinical alarm systems testing program, and presents a format for a clinical alarm systems testing program.