J Psychosoc Nurs Men
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The United States is facing a major crisis with the current opioid epidemic. Tens of thousands of individuals are dying each year due to abuse and misuse of heroin and prescription opiate drugs. ⋯ Nurses provide education, issue prescriptions and dispense medications, and provide overall physical and mental health care to patients struggling with this "disease of the brain," and with the signing of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, advanced practice RNs will soon be able to include MATs related to buprenorphine as part of their treatment plan. The current article explores the anatomy, physiology, and genetics of addiction and how they relate to the pharmacological MATs used to treat opioid use disorders. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 55(1), 18-23.].
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J Psychosoc Nurs Men · Dec 2016
Charting the Course of Electroconvulsive Therapy: Where Have We Been and Where Are We Headed?
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is one of the oldest and best treatments for severe mental illness. A safe and highly effective option for treatment-resistant mood disorders, ECT can be a lifesaving treatment for people suffering from catatonia and acute suicidality. ⋯ Today, the optimal practice of ECT is defined by evidence-based treatment planning, including patient selection, choice of electrode placement and stimulus parameters, augmentation with pharmacotherapy, and the use of continuation/maintenance treatment. Research into biomarkers and neuroplasticity related to ECT response, as well as new investigational methods of delivering ECT, provide a glimpse into the future of this time-tested treatment. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 54 (12), 39-43.].
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J Psychosoc Nurs Men · Sep 2016
ReviewManaging Workplace Violence With Evidence-Based Interventions: A Literature Review.
Workplace violence in health care settings is an occupational issue concerning nurses and other health care professionals. Patient aggression against nurses is often the most common form of violence in clinical settings, occurring in emergency departments, inpatient psychiatric settings, and nursing homes. ⋯ Nurses often experience significant physical and psychological negative consequences after an episode of workplace violence. A review of the evidence was conducted to identify current evidence-based interventions that can help nurses minimize the incidence of workplace violence. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 54(9), 31-36.].
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J Psychosoc Nurs Men · Dec 2015
Decreasing Psychiatric Admission Wait Time in the Emergency Department by Facilitating Psychiatric Discharges.
Limited capacity in a psychiatric unit contributes to long emergency department (ED) admission wait times. Regulatory and accrediting agencies urge hospitals nationally to improve patient flow for better access to care for all types of patients. The purpose of the current study was to decrease psychiatric admission wait time from 10.5 to 8 hours and increase the proportion of patients discharged by 11 a.m. from 20% to 50%. ⋯ Admission wait time improved to an average of 5.1 hours (t = 3.87, p = 0.006). The proportion of discharges occurring by 11 a.m. increased to 46% (odds ratio = 3.42, p < 0.0001). Improving discharge planning processes and timeliness in a psychiatric unit significantly decreased admission wait time from the ED, improving access to psychiatric care.