Biomedical subjects

J W Albarran

Publications and source records attributed to J W Albarran.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Paediatric critical care nurses' attitudes and experiences of parental presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a European survey.

BACKGROUND: Although recent resuscitation guidelines are supportive of family presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation literature from the last decade suggests that it is often discouraged, and the subject remains a controversial issue. OBJECTIVES: To determine the experiences and attitudes of European paediatric critical care nurses about parental presence during the resuscitation of a child. DESIGN: A survey design was employed. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of European paediatric critical care nurses was used. METHODS: A structured questionnaire was used, which incorporated a series of attitude statements that were rated using a 5-point Likert scale. Differences in attitudes were explored in three areas: decision-making, processes and outcomes of resuscitation. RESULTS: The results from this survey suggest that European paediatric nurses are very supportive of parental presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Only a few nurses reported that their unit had a policy that covered parental presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and most nurses did not support the use of a dedicated nurse to look after the parents during resuscitation. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with previous studies relating to adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation, paediatric nurses experience family member presence more frequently than adult critical care nurses and appear to be more supportive of relatives' presence. It is recommended that paediatric intensive care units establish local policies that cover parental presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

A European survey of critical care nurses' attitudes and experiences of having family members present during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

This paper presents the results of a survey into the experiences and attitudes of 124 European critical care nurses to the presence of family members during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Nurses from mainland Europe were less experienced and less sure about the consequences of relatives witnessing resuscitation than United Kingdom (UK) nurses. Generally, nurses supported the presence of family members, although UK nurses held significantly more positive attitudes than their non-UK counterparts in the areas of decision-making, processes and outcomes of resuscitation. Differences in attitudes are explored in the discussion. On the basis of results from this study, it is recommended that further policy guidance is required.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Lesbian, gay and bisexual experiences within critical care nursing, 1988-1998: a survey of the literature.

The aim of this paper is to provide an analysis of the extent to which gay, lesbian and bisexual service user experiences are represented within the critical care literature. A survey of five well established critical care journals, covering the period 1988-1998, was conducted in order to reveal the range of themes addressed within them. The findings suggest that these groups are invisible in this field of practice and consequently their particular concerns have remained marginalised. The implications of this absence are far reaching, potentially inhibiting nurses from establishing effective caring relationships with either lesbians, gays or bisexuals and from identifying and developing appropriate interventions for the care of these patients and their families.

Bibliometrics↗

PubMed2000

Are manual gestures, verbal descriptors and pain radiation as reported by patients reliable indicators of myocardial infarction? Preliminary findings and implications.

Patients experiencing an episode of acute chest pain need to be assessed promptly and effectively to ensure optimal management. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there were specific aspects of patients' symptom reports which could be viewed as additional indicators of myocardial infarction (MI) and contribute to the assessment process. The sample consisted of 267 patients who presented with an episode of acute chest pain. Methods of data collection were based on, or modified from, previous studies which had investigated the use of manual gestures, choice of verbal descriptors and extent of pain radiation in patients with and without MI. To determine whether these variables were of significance in the diagnosis, the responses of those with (n = 118) and without MI (n = 149) were compared. The results suggest that it is currently impossible to draw any conclusions as to whether the variables studied can be judged as reliable indicators of MI. The findings indicate that there are some differences between the groups particularly in the language used. Moreover, women with MI characterized their symptoms through stronger emotive words such as 'worrying' (P = 0.014) 'frightening' and 'intolerable' and also differed from their male counterparts in their reports regarding pain radiation. Implications for practice and for research are discussed.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

An analysis of professional, specialist and advanced nursing practice in critical care.

A recent document, The Future of Professional Practice--Standards for Education and Practice Following Registration (United Kingdom Central Council (UKCC) 1994a), has laid down a structure for clinical practice, providing a pathway for nurses to progress from the professional level, through to specialist and advanced levels, according to clinical expertise and educational preparation. The purpose of this article thus sets out to analyse critically these distinct levels in relation to critical care nursing. In particular, the paper discusses the development of advanced practice and how the proposed levels may be integrated within critical care.

Career Mobility↗

PubMed1997

Problems with providing education on resuming sexual activity after myocardial infarction: developing written information for patients.

This article contains a review of the importance and the adverse consequences of patients not receiving information about resuming sexual activity following an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The available evidence indicates that nurses are failing to supply this form of advice for a number of reasons. Therefore this paper is focused on the development of an information leaflet which can be used as a vehicle for assisting nurses in meeting patients' needs in this area, the content of which may not have been conceived as important or considered at all during the period of the patients' hospitalisation.

Female↗

PubMed1992

Advocacy in critical care--an evaluation of the implications for nurses and the future.

Patient advocacy is now considered an integral part of a nurse's role, however there is continued debate concerning whether a nurse can ever truly represent patients' views and interests. The purpose of this paper is to examine why it is necessary for nurses in critical care areas to consider patient advocacy from professional, ethical and moral perspectives. First definitions of advocacy are reviewed, and this is followed by a critical evaluation of the legitimacy of the idea that nurses are the ideal health care professionals to be patient advocates. In conclusion key issues are identified and recommendations made for preparing future nurse advocates.

Critical Care↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Should nurses be politically aware?

In the present atmosphere of change, nurses need to develop political awareness. This article reviews the many factors that have mitigated against such a development and examines how these have adversely affected the profession. It proposes that nurses must develop political awareness as only by becoming politically knowledgeable can they can control and shape their own destiny, and effectively contribute to the decisions that affect their patients.

Education, Nursing↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Exploring the nature of informed consent in coronary care practice.

The nature of informed consent is bound within legal and moral duties. An analysis of informed consent includes the elements of understanding, disclosure, competence, voluntariness and authorisation, all of which can be affected by a variety of factors. Nurses can make a unique contribution to informed consent situations either as advocates, interpreters, coordinators, witnesses or culture brokers. In order to fulfill their obligations to the patient and manage potential conflicts, nurses need to have a substantial awareness to the diversity of issues and pitfalls. Communication skills and building a therapeutic alliance with the patient are at the heart of nursing care. Nurses are taking on duties previously associated with medical practice-it is unclear how this affects their roles as information givers.

Communication↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty: advancing the nursing perspective.

Balloon mitral valvuloplasty is increasingly used to widen the narrowed mitral orifice in selected patients with valve stenosis and is a cheaper alternative to open heart surgery. This technique is gaining wide acceptance in clinical practice due to certain advantages, such as being less invasive and thus abolishing the need for thoracotomy, reduced costs and shorter hospital stay. Recent research indicates that there are substantial long-term benefits, such as improved functional capacity and relief from symptoms, which compare favourably with surgical valvotomy. As interventional cardiology expands, nurses must meet the new challenges and continue to expand and develop the unique nursing perspective in this field of patient care. A key role for nurses is to develop a trusting relationship, provide information to meet the patient's needs and emotional support.

Catheterization↗