International journal of nursing studies
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of continuous oral suctioning on the development of ventilator-associated pneumonia: a pilot randomized controlled trial.
Both continuous and intermittent aspiration of subglottic secretions by means of specially designed endotracheal tubes containing a separate dorsal lumen that opens into the subglottic region have been shown to be useful in reducing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). However, the high cost of these tubes restricts their use. ⋯ Continuous clearance of oral secretion by the saliva ejector may have an important role to play in reducing the rate of VAP, decreasing the duration of mechanical ventilation, and shortening the length of stay of patients in the ICU.
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The development of pressure ulcers (PUs) impacts quality of life among home care (HC) recipients and increases overall healthcare costs. ⋯ To decrease the development of developing pressure ulcers in new HC recipients, nurses should educate primary caregivers regarding strategies for preventing PUs during potential HC recipient hospitalization. HC nurses should assess PU prevention care of primary caregivers, in addition to assessing the risk of developing PUs by the Braden scale.
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Emergency Nurses are routinely confronted with work related traumatic events and hectic work conditions. Several studies report a high prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in these nurses. Coping and social support seem to play an important role in the development of PTSD. ⋯ Emergency Nurses are especially vulnerable to post-traumatic stress reactions due to repetitive exposure to work related traumatic incidents. This not only personally affects the nurses, but can also impact quality of care. Hospital management should act on the findings of this study and invest in supportive, communicative, empathic and anticipatory leadership, and provide time-out facilities, cognitive-behavioral interventions and psychological counseling for Emergency Nurses on demand.
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Trials of complex interventions should be preceded by in-depth piloting of the treatment in order to ensure clear definition of critical components and establish feasibility and acceptability. ⋯ Acceptability for many carers and some professionals was evident and support further evaluation of behavioural activation for negative symptoms. Significant issues to be addressed include the balance of formal talking based sessions and community based sessions to support activation for people with negative symptoms and mental health professional pessimism in relation to this symptom cluster. The current study supports the phased development and careful piloting of complex healthcare interventions before progression to large scale evaluation.
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International studies have shown that motivation and career considerations related to nursing reveal that the decision is determined by a multitude of factors, generally distinguishing between the extrinsic and intrinsic rewards and work values. Although changing values seem to be important with greater emphasis on personal development and a reduction in other-orientation and altruism, nursing still stress the caring component with a desire to help and care for others. ⋯ The majority of the Mauritian nurses in the sample had a more pragmatic and materialistic approach to the nursing profession and hardly any emphasis on caring and a desire to help others. Nursing was considered a gender neutral occupation and a job like any other jobs. Entering the nursing profession is regarded as the achievement of considerable social mobility taken into account the predominantly working class background of most nurses.