Canadian journal of cardiovascular nursing = Journal canadien en soins infirmiers cardio-vasculaires
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Can J Cardiovasc Nurs · Jan 2004
Registered nurses' experiences with an evidence-based home care pathway for myocardial infarction clients.
To obtain home health nurses' comments on an evidence-based care pathway for post myocardial infarction. ⋯ This qualitative study demonstrates the benefits of investing in the implementation of best practice guidelines by home health nurses. However, nursing associations, such as the Canadian Community Health Nurses Initiatives Group, will need to continue to champion for additional funds to support the additional expenses incurred.
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The purpose of this study was to describe pain in adults post surgical repair for congenital heart defects. What is the intensity, sensory, and affective dimensions of pain experienced post-operatively? What is the trend in pain experienced post-operatively over time? What is the effectiveness of post-operative pain management strategies? What factors influence the dimensions of post-operative pain experienced? A descriptive prospective repeated measures design was used with 30 adult congenital heart (ACH) post-operative patients. Pain assessments using the McGill Short Form Questionnaire (MSFQ), a visual analogue pain scale (VAP), and recordings of other variables (analgesic, anxiety, activity level, non-pharmacologic intervention) were performed three times daily until hospital discharge. ⋯ Anxiety predicted VAP and MSFQ scores on PODs one and two; anxiety and analgesia doses predicted VAP and MSFQ scores on POD three; analgesia doses predicted MSFQ scores, analgesia and anxiety predicted VAP scores on POD four; analgesia doses and anxiety predicted VAP and MSFQ scores on POD five. No relationships were found among pain and other demographic, treatment, or clinical variables. Overall, pain was reported as mild to moderate intensity, variable in sensations, decreased over time, and adequately managed.
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Can J Cardiovasc Nurs · Jan 2004
Evaluating treatment-seeking for acute myocardial infarction in women.
A telephone survey of 349 randomly-selected women living in Greater Vancouver was conducted to assess their understanding of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The results revealed that women have not yet personalized AMI risk information. Participants indicated a need for more information pertaining to symptom recognition for AMI; they were largely unaware that females may experience AMI differently than do males. ⋯ Approximately 36% of these women intended to delay treatment-seeking in the presence of suspicious AMI symptoms. One-third or fewer participants would call for an ambulance for the most serious AMI symptoms. Alongside a recent poll result indicating that a large majority of Canadians believe immediate emergency care for chest discomfort and chest pain is unnecessary, these findings are an alert to health care professionals that much work lies ahead in educating the public regarding treatment-seeking for AMI.