J Am Acad Nurse Prac
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J Am Acad Nurse Prac · Dec 2007
Florida nurse practitioners' attitudes and practices regarding oral cancer prevention and early detection.
To examine Florida nurse practitioners' (NPs') attitudes and practices regarding oral cancer prevention and early detection. ⋯ Florida has among the nation's highest oral cancer rates, but persons at highest risk are among those least likely to see a dentist. Therefore, a multidisciplinary approach involving all relevant healthcare providers, including NPs, may be more effective than relying only on dentists' efforts in improving survival rates for oral cancer. Strategies are needed to increase the involvement of Florida's NPs in oral cancer detection.
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J Am Acad Nurse Prac · Dec 2007
ReviewSuboptimal vitamin D status is a highly prevalent but treatable condition in both hospitalized patients and the general population.
To heighten awareness of the problems related to the high prevalence of suboptimal vitamin D status in hospitalized patients and the general population, including an overview of vitamin D biology, how vitamin D status is defined, the negative health issues associated with suboptimal vitamin D status, indications for treatment, treatment strategies, and controversies in the field. ⋯ NPs should be aware of the indications for monitoring vitamin D status and the appropriate treatment for suboptimal vitamin D status. Improving vitamin D status may improve a patient's functional ability, therefore decreasing falls and preventing fractures, decreasing length of stay in the hospital, and decreasing the cost of health care. Providers can potentially improve the life of older adults by educating patients on the importance of vitamin D supplementation.
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J Am Acad Nurse Prac · Dec 2007
ReviewBenefits of hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women.
To provide an overview of current research regarding hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and to assist healthcare providers to better educate patients about potential benefits of this therapy. ⋯ HRT has been a benefit to many women in the treatment of postmenopausal symptoms. Recent studies have shown that HRT, whether it is combined estrogen and progestin therapy, or estrogen-only therapy, can help postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and some selected comorbid conditions. Recent research indicates that some women are dying from comorbid conditions rather than breast cancer. Although the research regarding HRT in some areas may be limited, further research adds to existing knowledge and offers new ideas and possibilities in the treatment of postmenopausal symptoms and selected comorbid conditions. Certainly HRT can improve quality of life and possibly longevity for selected women. Ongoing research is needed to further validate such benefits, as well as to further explore the risks and benefits of long-term HRT. Increased knowledge about HRT will help healthcare providers better educate patients about the potential benefits of HRT, while providing documentation about who should take selected types of HRT or whether alternative treatment is preferred.
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J Am Acad Nurse Prac · Dec 2007
A qualitative analysis of how advanced practice nurses use clinical decision support systems.
The purpose of this study was to generate a grounded theory that will reflect the experiences of advanced practice nurses (APNs) working as critical care nurse practitioners (NPs) and clinical nurse specialists (CNS) with computer-based decision-making systems. ⋯ The findings of this study suggest that the main reason critical care APNs choose to integrate clinical decision systems into their practices is to provide an objective, scientifically derived, technology-based backup for human forecasting of the outcomes of patient care decisions prior to their actual decision making. Implications for nursing, health care, and technology research are presented.