Biomedical subjects

K H Miller

Publications and source records attributed to K H Miller.

22 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

A strategy for responding to the training needs of nursing staff in a new cardiac/neurosurgical ICU and telemetry unit.

The decision of the Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) to expand its capacity to care for acute cardiac surgical and neurosurgical patients resulted in the need for an education and training program for a large group of nursing staff. In such situations, where an existing service is being expanded or a new service initiated, nursing education departments must quickly devise simple and cost-effective mechanisms to promote the competency of nursing staff. Nurse educators, staff nurses, nurse managers, and clinical nurse specialists all play a role in planning and implementing the relevant education and evaluation program. BWH chose to recruit temporary special projects staff nurses to address these increased educational needs.

Cardiology↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Recovery from coronary artery bypass surgery: age-related outcomes.

As people age, their incidence of coronary heart disease increases. The majority of persons undergoing invasive procedures such as coronary artery bypass surgery are 65 and older. Because of population trends related to aging, it is projected that there will be exponential increases in the numbers of people requiring treatment for this health problem in the future. Changes in health care reimbursement have significantly decreased hospital length of stay, resulting in many patients completing their recovery either in a rehabilitation facility or at home. Patients with multiple preoperative comorbidities are at risk for postoperative complications. Older patients usually have more health problems after coronary artery bypass surgery because they have more risk factors prior to the procedure. It is not known whether there are differences in outcomes between comparatively older and younger patients when they are matched by risk classification. Information on the recovery of patients at home will enable nurses to meet their care needs prior to surgery and after discharge from the hospital.

Age Factors↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Voice terminal may offer opportunities for employment to the disabled.

A rapidly growing information industry based on the combined technologies of the digital computer and telecommunications offers unique opportunities for employment of the physically handicapped. In the studies reported here, the use of voice control was investigated as an alternative to mechanical control for two quadriplegic clients too severely disabled to successfully operate a typewriter keyboard. Using a recently developed voice terminal, the clients were able to type finished copy and program a remotely located computer entirely by voice control. The voice terminal is presently in production. An evaluation of the vocational potential of the voice terminal is currently being conducted by the Rehabilitation Services Administration, DHEW.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Impact of risk classification on nursing resource utilization, postoperative length of stay, and hospital costs for cardiac surgical patients.

Outcomes after cardiac surgery are a concern for patients, health care providers, and insurers. Because of the current economic climate, there is a demand for positive outcomes and an evaluation of negative results. The results of this study showed significant differences in nursing resource utilization, postoperative length of stay, and hospital costs by risk classification group. Risk classification models could serve as a template for staffing patterns and reimbursement based on patients' clinical profiles.

Aged↗