Biomedical subjects

A Pearson

Publications and source records attributed to A Pearson.

140 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Intraoperative assessment of acute hemodynamic changes after partial left ventriculectomy.

Partial left ventriculectomy (PLV) has been introduced as an alternative surgical therapy for patients with end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy. The physiological benefits of PLV are relatively unknown. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the acute effects of PLV by measuring cardiac function before and after PLV. Aortic and left ventricular pressures and aortic flow were measured in eight patients. Continuous, beat-to-beat data were recorded and compared pre-PLV and post-PLV with and without inferior vena cava (IVC) occlusions. PLV increased cardiac output (0.93+/-0.5, p = 0.01) as a result of increased stroke volume (5.12+/-4.24, p = 0.06) and heart rate (14.5+/-8.44, p = 0.02). Contractility (+/- dP/dt, 240.33+/-74.28, p = 0.001) and external work (650.8+/-320.4, p = 0.01) were also improved. Left ventricular end-diastolic elastance (0.15+/-0.14, p = 0.10) nearly doubled after PLV. Our results indicated an improved cardiac function as measured by increased cardiac output, stroke volume, ejection fraction (EF), and contractility.

Cardiac Output↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A systematic review of oral health assessment by nurses and carers for residents with dementia in residential care facilities.

This paper presents systematic review findings to best summarize the assessment of oral health and the use of oral assessment tools by nurses and carers for adults with dementia living in residential aged care facilities. The systematic review searched electronic databases for articles in English (1980 to 2002) and supplemented these with a secondary search of references cited in articles meeting the review inclusion criteria. Delineation is needed between a comprehensive dental examination conducted by a qualified dentist and a dental assessment screening by a carer, nurse, allied health professional or medical practitioner. Dental examinations should be supplemented with oral health assessments and screenings by trained nurses and carers to monitor residents' oral health, evaluate oral hygiene care interventions, act as a trigger to call in a dentist when required, assist with residents' individualized oral hygiene care planning and assist with triaging and prioritization of residents' dental needs. To date, the most comprehensive, validated and reliable assessment screening tool for use by nurses and carers with cognitively impaired institutionalized residents is the Brief Oral Health Status Examination. Other less comprehensive oral assessment tools that are useful for nurses and carers of institutionalized dementia populations include the Index of Activities of Daily Oral Hygiene and the Mucosal Plaque Score. These review findings presented evidence to support the use of oral assessment screening tools by nurses and carers for cognitively impaired residents living in residential aged care facilities. Few validated and reliable tools have been published for use by carers in the cognitively impaired residential care population, and continued evolution of oral assessment screening tools needs to embrace the complete spectrum of residents' levels of cognitive impairment.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The perceptions of rural nurses towards role change within the context of organisational change.

This paper, derived from The role and function of the rural nurse in Australia study, describes the effects of organisational change upon the rural nurses participating in the study. It appears that whilst change is an inevitable and regular feature of rural health service delivery, it does not necessarily benefit rural nurses or communities for reasons unique to rural life. Nurses in the study responded positively to organisational change when it was congruent with the rural norms of community consultation and collaboration, or when it ensured the long-term viability of the health service. They responded negatively to organisational change that caused role overload, role conflict or role insecurity, particularly when they perceived they had little control over the change process. This paper emphasises the need for nurses to actively participate in the change processes affecting their livelihood and their communities.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A survey of nurses' views on indicators for continuing competence in nursing.

The study, commissioned by the Australian Nursing Council Inc. (ANCI), sought to develop an approach to the maintenance of continuing competence in nursing broadly acceptable to nurses in all States and Territories and included the conduct of a postal survey of registered nurses (RNs) throughout Australia. An options booklet and accompanying questionnaire were posted to a random sample of 2 % of RNs from all Sates and the Northern Territory in Australia. The sample consisted of 4,133 RNs and 1,005 completed questionnaires were returned representing a 24.3% response rate. Data were analysed using SPSSX. The results suggest that respondents most favoured the introduction of a signed declaration of competence for all nurses seeking annual relicensing and the conduct of random competency audits by nursing regulatory authorities.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Educating nurses to protect the past or to advance health care?: A polemic.

Internationally, nursing is challenged by recruitment and retention issues. On the one hand nursing is expanding and extending practice whilst on the other, lesser skilled workers are undertaking many roles which were previously fulfilled by nurses. This opinion paper contextualises the current debate and outlines many of the reasons that have been proffered for the apparent shortage. It then progresses to suggest strategies that may ensure nursing remains relevant to contemporary health care. Essentially a presentation of the authors' views, the intent of the paper is to generate debate.

Australia↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The experience of patients in a professional nursing unit.

The Geelong Hospital Professorial Nursing Unit was established in June 1989. The objectives of the Unit included the development of nursing practice. To further this objective many hospital routines and rituals were abandoned and primary nursing was introduced. This resulted in a milieu which is very different to the hospital's other patient care areas. One year later a qualitative study was carried out to provide an understanding of the relevance to patients and their significant others of their experience in the Unit. Insights obtained could assist nurses to identify the needs of patients and to design interventions to meet those needs.

Hospital Units↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of admission to a nursing unit.

This paper describes the results of a study of elderly patients admitted to hospital with fractured neck of femur, cerebral vascular accident or amputation of a lower limb who were, immediately post-crisis, transferred to a unit where nursing was perceived as the chief therapeutic activity. Patients' outcomes were compared with a control group who followed a normal patient pathway, either remaining in an acute hospital ward until discharge or being transferred to a community hospital for part of their stay. The study was a modified replication of a small pilot study carried out between 1983 and 1985.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied