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Biomedical subjects

D R Thompson

Publications and source records attributed to D R Thompson.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

The development of a classification system for nurses' work methods.

This study describes the development of a classification system for the clarification, understanding and measurement of nurses' work methods. The theoretical basis of the classification system is described. The system offered distinguishes between three common work methods: primary, team and task nursing; the strength of opportunity for nurse-patient interaction in each method being determined as either 'strong', 'moderate' or 'weak', according to how effectively they are practised. Preliminary testing of the system on 32 wards in 13 hospitals is described. It is concluded that further testing and possible refinement is required for validation of the system.

Decision Making↗
PubMed1991

Circadian variation in the frequency of onset of chest pain in acute myocardial infarction.

The time of onset of chest pain was studied prospectively in 1154 consecutive patients admitted to a coronary care unit with myocardial infarction during a five year period. Statistical analysis confirmed a previous finding in a retrospective study of a bimodal frequency distribution with peaks in the time of onset of chest pain between 2330 and 0030 hours and between 0630 and 0830 hours.

Angina Pectoris↗
PubMed1990

A prospective evaluation of in-hospital counselling for first time myocardial infarction men.

Self-ratings of anxiety and depression were studied over six months in 60 male patients, under 66 yr of age, who were admitted to a coronary care unit with a first time acute myocardial infarction. Patients were randomly assigned to either a treatment group, where they received a simple programme of in-hospital counselling in addition to routine care, or to a control group, where they received routine care only. All patients completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale and a battery of visual analogue scales measuring anxiety on a range of topics related to recovery from a myocardial infarction. Patients who received in-hospital counselling reported statistically significantly less anxiety and depression than those who received routine care alone. This effect was sustained for six months after leaving hospital. It is concluded that a simple programme of in-hospital counselling, provided by a coronary care nurse, is efficacious and should be routinely offered to first myocardial infarction patients in hospital.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1990

Wives' responses to counselling early after myocardial infarction.

Self-ratings of anxiety and depression were studied over six months in 60 wives of first time myocardial infarction patients. Couples were randomly assigned to either a treatment group, where they received a simple programme of education and psychological support in addition to routine care, or to a control group, where they received routine care only. All wives completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale and a battery of visual analogue scales measuring anxiety on a range of topics related to recovery from a heart attack. Wives in the treatment group reported statistically significantly less anxiety than controls. This effect was sustained for six months after the counselling. It is concluded that a simple programme of in hospital counselling is efficacious and should be routinely offered to the wives of coronary patients.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1990

In-hospital counselling for first-time myocardial infarction patients and spouses: effects on satisfaction.

Self-ratings of satisfaction were studied over 6 months in 60 male first-time myocardial infarction patients and their wives. Couples were randomly assigned to either a treatment group, where they received a simple programme of education and psychological support in addition to routine care, or to a control group, where they received routine care only. All patients completed visual analogue scales measuring satisfaction regarding their general health, life in general, care and information received. All wives completed visual analogue scales measuring satisfaction regarding information received and care the patient received. Patients and wives in the treatment group reported statistically significantly more satisfaction than those in the control group. This effect was sustained for 6 months after counselling.

Consumer Behavior↗
PubMed1989

The chemical form of mercury stored in South Atlantic seabirds.

Concentrations of total mercury and organic (methyl) mercury were measured in the liver tissue of adults of 12 seabird species collected at colonies on Gough Island, South Atlantic Ocean. Total mercury levels showed both great intra- and interspecies variation, ranging from a mean of 1343.0 microg g(-1) dry weight in wandering albatrosses to a mean of 0.8 microg g(-1) dry weight in broad-billed prions. Organic mercury levels were less variable both between, but especially within, species. Organic mercury levels, expressed as a percentage of total mercury levels, ranged from a mean of 2.6% in wandering albatrosses up to a mean of 92.6% in littee shearwaters. Within each species, individuals with the highest total mercury levels tended to have the lowest percentage organic mercury, this trend being statistically significant in several species. Two species exhibited a significant positive correlation between organic mercury levels, in absolute terms, and total mercury levels. When all 12 species were considered, a highly significant negative correlation between mean percentage organic mercury and mean total mercury was found (rs = -0.888, P < 0.001). These results provide evidence to suggest that some seabirds may be capable of demethylating organic mercury in a species-dependent and that eliminatory pathways for the excretion of dietary mercury may influence the mode of response of a particular species.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1989

A randomized controlled trial of in-hospital nursing support for first time myocardial infarction patients and their partners: effects on anxiety and depression.

This study monitored and compared levels of anxiety and depression reported by first myocardial infarction (MI) male patients and their partners, throughout the patients' hospital stay. An independent variable of a programme of supportive-educative counselling provided by a coronary care nurse was introduced to determine whether it significantly affected reactions. Sixty couples were randomly assigned to one of two groups: (a) the treatment group (in which they received the systematic programme of nursing support in addition to routine care), or (b) the control group (in which they received routine care but no other intervention). Anxiety and depression were measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale at 24 hours and 5 days after the patient's admission to hospital. At 5 days there were statistically significant differences between both groups with respect to the HAD scale mean scores. These findings strongly suggest that a simple programme of in-hospital couple counselling, provided by a coronary care nurse, statistically significantly reduces anxiety and depression in first MI male patients and anxiety in their partners.

Anxiety↗
PubMed1989

Temporary transvenous cardiac pacing: 6 years experience in one coronary care unit.

The role of temporary percutaneous endocardial pacing has been examined in a retrospective analysis of all paced patients admitted to one coronary care unit over a 6 year period. The majority of 162 cases (84.6%) were paced for complete heart block complicating acute myocardial infarction. These patients had a higher incidence of previous hypertension, myocardial infarction and diabetes, compared to matched controls (P less than 0.05, less than 0.02 and less than 0.001, respectively). Admission blood glucose levels were also higher (P less than 0.05). The in-hospital mortality was high (46.7%), especially for those with anterior myocardial infarction (74.5%). Twenty-five (15.4%) patients without recent myocardial infarction were paced for symptomatic brady-dysrhythmias, usually due to chronic complete heart block (Lenegre's disease) or sick sinus syndrome. Most later required permanent pacing. Complications of temporary pacing were more frequent in those who died, the most common being dysrhythmias during pacemaker insertion. Review of our cases suggests that whilst facilities for temporary pacing were extremely valuable, many cases treated were not haemodynamically compromised and probably did not require pacing. Guidelines should be established on coronary care units to prevent the unnecessary morbidity, mortality and expense of the procedure.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Support of wives of myocardial infarction patients.

Seventy-six wives of patients suffering a first myocardial infarction were studied by questionnaire 6 weeks after their husbands went home. Despite the routine provision of support and information to spouses during their husband's stay in hospital, a high proportion reported physical and emotional symptoms of stress. The majority of wives felt they were poorly informed about myocardial infarction, had not had enough opportunity to ask the experts questions, and had received most support from relatives. The reasons for these findings are discussed and suggestions for early and systematic nursing intervention are made in an attempt to reduce stress and prevent the development of unhealthy patterns of behaviour.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Data-based accountability: refocusing the medical record professional's role.

Changing times, as evidenced by the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986 and the Joint Commission's "Agenda for Change," have made many committees as well as traditional quality assurance and peer review methods obsolete. The new hospital-wide accountability system consists of accurate and valid clinical data, provided in a timely manner, and used effectively by responsible individuals. As has been true over the last 50 years, continuing change does not diminish the important role of the medical record professional. However, the changes do make it necessary for medical record professionals to avoid making themselves vulnerable through obsolescence, by clinging to methodology no longer of merit.

Hierarchy, Social↗
PubMed1987

Methemoglobin levels following intravenous lidocaine administration.

Methemoglobin levels were obtained before and after administration of IV lidocaine in 40 cardiac patients. Patients were given a 1-mg/kg bolus of IV lidocaine hydrochloride, started on a maintenance infusion at 2.0 mg/min, and given a second bolus of lidocaine of 0.5 mg/kg 15 minutes after the initial bolus. The maintenance infusion was adjusted from 1 to 4 mg/min according to clinical needs. Methemoglobin levels were drawn at zero, one, and six hours, and lidocaine levels were drawn at one and six hours after the initial bolus. Elevation of methemoglobin levels after lidocaine administration was statistically significant (P less than .05), but not clinically significant. The highest methemoglobin level obtained was 1.2%. Only one other patient had a level above 1%. No patient developed either signs of lidocaine toxicity or toxic levels of methemoglobin. Routine determination of methemoglobin levels is not clinically indicated following routine lidocaine administration. It may have some as-yet-undetermined value in lidocaine-toxic patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Specific sources and patterns of anxiety in male patients with first myocardial infarction.

Anxiety was studied on four occasions over one year in 76 men under 66 years of age, who were admitted to hospital with a first acute myocardial infarction. Anxiety was measured by the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and by a self-rating questionnaire. Average levels of State and self-rated anxiety fluctuated over the study period with levels peaking after admission, falling at the fifth day, rising at six weeks, and falling to their lowest level at one year. Reported specific sources of anxiety, including the myocardial infarction, return to work, the future and possible complications, ranked highest in hospital and at six weeks post-discharge.

Adult↗