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Biomedical subjects

E B Rudy

Publications and source records attributed to E B Rudy.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Development of a special care unit for chronically critically ill patients.

Intensive care units (ICUs) are recognized as one of the most expensive services provided by hospitals. Within these ICUs are a growing population of patients whose stays are extensively prolonged because of complications or underlying chronic health conditions that are exacerbated by a critical illness. These patients can be described as "chronically critically ill" and are costly to hospitals both in terms of actual dollars and in terms of the burden of care to nurses and physicians. This article describes the creation of a special care unit (SCU) designed specifically to meet the needs of chronically critically ill patients. The SCU environment is composed of a physical design that accommodates limited technology and care aimed at family involvement and rehabilitation, a case management practice model, and a shared governance management model. This structure is in contrast to traditional ICU environments, which include physical layouts that allow for high technology and close monitoring of patients, a primary nursing delivery system, and a bureaucratic management model. A research project to compare the effects of the SCU with the effects of the traditional ICUs on nurse and patient outcomes is described.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Running addiction and dyadic adjustment.

Running motivated by an addictive mechanism may overpower the sensible, beneficial approach to exercise. Neglect of family responsibilities and relationships may occur as a result of this addiction. Thirty-five marathon runners and their spouses were studied; 22 of the runners were women and 13 were men. Each runner and spouse completed the dyadic adjustment (DAS) and running addiction (RAS) scales; the spouses were asked to rate their own dyadic adjustment and the runners' addiction. Findings indicated little relationship between the runners' RAS and DAS scores; however, there was a significant negative relationship between spouses' rating of the runners' RAS and their own DAS, (r = -.59, p less than .001). The relationship between higher perceived levels of running addiction in the spouse and lower DAS scores was stronger in those spouses who did not run; (r = -.61, p less than .01) and for male spouses of female runners; (r = -.67, p less than .01).

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1989

Infection as a complication of liver transplant.

The prognosis for recipients of a liver transplant has been vastly improved by the advent of cyclosporine therapy, and the future holds even more promise with improvements in drug therapy and surgical techniques. The transition from experimental procedure to accepted clinical practice requires nursing to develop standards of care to promote quality care in transplant nursing. With postoperative infection identified as a major cause of mortality for this patient group, nurses will be expected to be skillful in assessing and monitoring for signs and symptoms of infection. Nurses will also need to understand what is involved in the clinical diagnosis of infection, the role of immunosuppressive drug therapy, and the laboratory findings that predispose or herald infection. Infection control standards and methods to manage the risk of infection are appropriate areas of research for critical care nursing and hold the potential for improved patient outcomes for this vulnerable group of transplant patients.

Humans↗
PubMed1987

Marathon running: comparison of physical and psychosocial risks for men and women.

Physical and psychosocial risks of running and addiction were compared in a sample of female (n = 112) and male (n = 108) marathon runners. While female runners reported more pain in the knee, shin, hip, and heel, and more stress fractures, than the men, no injuries were significantly higher in women. Over 40% of both male and female subjects reported knee injury, making it the most common running injury reported. There were no significant differences in level of self esteem, anxiety, or running addiction between the two groups. There was, however, a significant relationship between level of negative addiction scores and two injuries: torn ligaments X2 (2,202) = 8.45, p less than .02, and hematuria X2 (2,202) = 11.31, p less than .005.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: impact and implication for the neurological system.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has reached epidemic proportions throughout the world. Because at least 40% of AIDS victims are neurologically symptomatic, the neuroscience nurse must be prepared to care for increasing numbers of these patients. This article will define the syndrome, identify risk groups, and discuss the possible etiology. An explanation of the immune system will facilitate understanding of AIDS and its impact on the neurological system. The role of the nurse will be considered, with emphasis on the psychosocial implications of the syndrome for its victims.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1986

Jogging: cardiovascular benefits and risks.

The cardiovascular benefits and risks of jogging are frequently debated. This article presents information on the effects of jogging and other aerobic exercise on heart rate, cardiac output, tissue oxygen consumption and blood pressure. The indirect effects of jogging on cardiac risk factors, such as serum lipids, blood clotting and glucose metabolism, are discussed. Along with the positive outcomes from jogging, the risks to the cardiovascular system are presented. These risks include a sudden drop in blood pressure at the cessation of intense jogging, cardiac arrhythmias and ischemia. The primary care nurse practitioner can play an important role in prescribing a level of exercise that is safe and will enhance physical fitness, particularly cardiovascular fitness. Guidelines for prescribing an exercise program for a variety of patient populations are reviewed, and the need for exercise monitoring by the individual is stressed.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Magnetic resonance imaging: new horizon in diagnostic techniques.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as a new diagnostic technology has the capacity for both imaging of body tissues or organs in action and spectroscopy which examines the chemistry of individual cells in health and disease. The principles and application of imaging without the use of ionizing radiation are presented. Potential hazards associated with magnetic resonance imaging center primarily around metal implants, metal prosthesis, and cardiac pacemakers. While this scanning is considered a painless procedure, there are several areas where patient teaching and support are important.

Anxiety↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Do-not-resuscitate practices in the chronically critically ill.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders in the chronically critically ill; to identify the differences in clinical and demographic characteristics of chronically critically ill patients who have DNR orders and those who do not; to identify the differences in the cost of care between patients with and without DNR orders; and to identify the differences in DNR practices between an experimental special care unit and the traditional intensive care unit (ICU). DESIGN: Randomized, prospective design with a block randomization scheme. SUBJECTS: Two hundred twenty patients who met the following eligibility criteria for enrollment in a parent study of the special care unit: an ICU stay of at least 5 days, an absence of pulmonary artery monitoring, an absence of frequent titration of intravenous vasopressors, an Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score of less than 18, and a Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System score of less than 39. SETTING: A large, urban academic medical center. MEASURES: Clinical and demographic variables describing the study populations, mental status, and timing of DNR orders, mortality rates, and cost of hospitalization. RESULTS: There was no difference in the frequency of DNR orders between the special care unit versus the intensive care unit--although patients in the special care unit had a longer interval between hospital admission and initiation of the DNR order. DNR patients differed from non-DNR in that they were older, less likely to be married, and had a higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score on admission to the study. The mortality rate in the DNR group was 71% versus 6% in the non-DNR group. There was no difference in total costs. DNR patients were also more likely to have an impaired mental status on admission, and more likely to have deterioration in mental status by the time of discharge than the non-DNR patients.

Aged↗