Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Elizabeth Madigan

Publications and source records attributed to Elizabeth Madigan.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Comorbidity, disability, and geriatric syndromes in elderly cancer patients receiving home health care.

PURPOSE: To assess the prevalence of comorbidity, disability, and geriatric syndromes, or a combination thereof, in elders with cancer receiving home health care (HHC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using the Ohio Cancer Incidence Surveillance System, we identified Ohio residents 65 years of age or older who were diagnosed with incident breast (n = 952), prostate (n = 324), or colorectal cancer (n = 1,276) during the 28-month study period, August 1999 through November 2001. We used the Outcome and Assessment Information Set, a database compiling comprehensive assessment forms completed for all HHC patients, to group individuals in independent and overlapping categories of comorbidity, disability, and geriatric syndromes on the basis of the patients' clinical condition 14 days before the date of the assessment. RESULTS: The proportion with no comorbidity, disability, or geriatric syndromes was 26.4% in breast cancer patients, 12.0% in prostate cancer patients, and 14.0% in colorectal cancer patients. The proportion of patients presenting all three entities at once was 11.7%, 24.7%, and 15.7%, respectively, in three cancer sites. As expected, the proportion of patients with no comorbidity, disability, or geriatric syndromes declined gradually with increasing age, and that of patients with all three entities was highest among patients 85 years or older. CONCLUSION: The proposed taxonomy will help us gain a more nuanced understanding of older cancer patients' clinical presentation and may lead to a more accurate identification of older patients who might benefit from standard cancer treatment, and those who might experience adverse outcomes.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2004

The effect of fluid density and volume on the accuracy of test weighing in a simulated oral feeding situation.

BACKGROUND: For preterm infants and infants who have difficulty with oral feeding, excessive drooling during oral feedings can result in inaccurate assessment of intake. The drooled volume is typically estimated by visual and tactile assessment of the bib. Research, however, has demonstrated that visual assessment is inaccurate. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of a scale that was used for the test weighing of milk that was drooled during a study of oral feeding for preterm infants. Additionally, the effect of weighing solutions with different densities on the accuracy of test weights was examined. METHOD: Descriptive, comparative design. PROCEDURES: A simulated feeding situation was performed using 3 fluids (water, Enfamil(20), and Enfamil(24)) and 3 volume ranges (1 mL to 10 mL, 11 mL to 20 mL, and 21 mL to 30 mL). Data collection sessions were conducted for each of the 3 fluids using each range of volumes, for a total of 180 test weights. The research assistant performing the test weights was blinded to the preweight of the bib and the amount of fluid being applied to the bib. RESULTS: Differences between the actual volume applied to the bib and the volume estimated by the scale were very small, with 51% of the differences equaling 0 mL and 48% of the differences between -1 mL and 1 mL. There were significant differences in errors related to both the type of fluid (F = 25.7; df = 2; P < 0.001) and volume range (F = 12.7; df = 2; P < 0.001), as well as for the interaction between the 2 factors (F = 7.02; df = 4; P < 0.001). Water had significantly less mean error than either formula, and large volumes had significantly greater mean error than either small or medium volumes. CONCLUSIONS: Test weighing is an accurate method for measuring fluids of different densities and volumes in a simulation of drooling during oral feeding. The increased error with larger volumes of higher density solutions was not clinically significant. The study supports the need to consider both the accuracy of the scale and characteristics of the fluid when test weighing is used to measure volumes of fluids.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2003

APN-directed transitional home care model: achieving positive outcomes for patients with COPD.

Advanced practice nurses (APNs) have not been widely used in home care, despite evidence of their effectiveness with a variety of patient groups. This study examined the use of the transitional model for home care patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The study found patients cared for by an APN-directed visit team had fewer nursing visits, rehospitalizations, and acute care visits. Depressive symptoms were also less, and functional abilities increased compared with patients cared for by a usual care model.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed2003

Care of patients with long-term indwelling urinary catheters.

The complications and management of long-term indwelling catheters used for urinary retention and incontinence were reviewed. Research evidence from 1992 - 2002 was located through searches of CINAHL (38 articles), and Medline (89 articles). Fifty studies were critiqued for this review. The most common complications of long-term indwelling catheters are bacteriuria, encrustation, and blockage. Less common is the prevalence of bacteremia and renal disease. Risk factors for bacteriuria include female gender, older age, and long-term indwelling catheter use. Urinary white blood cells are the best indicator of urinary tract infection. For drainable catheter systems used by community dwelling adults, daily bag cleaning with a diluted bleach solution (1:10) is effective in reducing bacterial counts to negligible numbers. Application of topical antibiotic cream to the meatus around the catheter does not reduce bacteriuria. Silicone catheters and larger lumen size catheters are more resistant to encrustation than other catheter types and smaller lumen size catheters. Acidifying the urine without removing the urease-producing bacteria does not reduce encrustation. Removal of catheter blockage is preventive for renal disease. Because of the complications of long-term indwelling catheter usage, periodic assessment and voiding trials should be used to determine the continued need for a catheter. Evidence-based recommendations for managing indwelling urinary catheters include screening for risk factors and evaluating urinary white blood cell count for infection, and assessment of the continued need for a catheter. Interventions include consideration of closed versus open drainage systems, type of catheter, and size of catheter lumen.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The relationship between HIV-related knowledge and safe sexual behavior in African American women dwelling in the rural southeast.

There is an epidemiological shift toward increased rates of HIV infection in African American women, despite widely available information regarding HIV prevention. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between HIV-related knowledge and high-risk sexual behavior while controlling for related variables. A multivariate regression model was selected to differentiate the effects of these variables. The participants were 75 African American women, aged 18 to 38. The results indicated a positive relationship between HIV-related knowledge and high-risk sexual behaviors using the Pearson's r correlation coefficient (0.411, p < .001). Age of first sexual experience, number of lifetime sexual partners, income, educational level, and level of HIV-related knowledge were then regressed onto level of high risk sexual behavior using a hierarchical techniques. Only total years of education achieved statistical significance (p < .001 on the first step and p < .05 on the second step).

Adolescent↗