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Biomedical subjects

P Woodrow

Publications and source records attributed to P Woodrow.

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
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Interventions for confusion and dementia. 3: Reminiscence.

The aims of reality orientation, which was discussed in the previous article of this series (Vol 7(17): 1018-20), are to achieve behavioural improvements. The aims of reminiscence, however, are empowerment and the provision of pleasure and it is therefore more associated with quality of life and quality of care. Reminiscence can be an enjoyable activity. Used in a structured way, it can achieve a sense of wellbeing, and increase empathy between healthcare workers and clients. This article discusses the benefits and problems of reminiscence, and suggests means to develop reminiscence skills and materials.

Confusion↗
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Interventions for confusion and dementia. 4: Alternative approaches.

While reality orientation and reminiscence are useful therapies, recent years have been a growing awareness of other approaches to caring for people with dementia. This article discusses some of the less established, but potentially valuable, approaches--validation therapy, resolution therapy and multisensory environments. Validation therapy seeks to help care givers understand the thoughts and feelings of care receivers. In contrast to the confrontational approach of reality orientation, it encourages empathy between giver and receiver. Resolution therapy develops aspects of validation therapy, adopting a less structured, more psychodynamic and individualistic approach. Multisensory environments use sensory stimulation to achieve pleasure for the individual. All three approaches have a limited knowledge base, but share a humanistic philosophy that enables them to contribute to a person's quality of life.

Confusion↗
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Interventions for confusion and dementia. 5: Changing cultures.

Previous articles in this series (Vol 7(15): 891-94; Vol 7(17): 1018-20; Vol 7(19): 1145-49; Vol 7(20): 1247-50) have explored the promotion of quality of life for people with dementia and how this can be achieved through existing interventions. This final article moves from discussing specific interventions to cover wider issues around healthcare beliefs and values. A brief historical overview of dementia care is given, outlining the inherited structures and values. Much valuable work has been carried out by the Bradford Dementia Group, who has described changes in dementia care as moving from an 'old' to a 'new' culture. This 'new culture', offering a comprehensive person-centred approach to holistic care, is explored with reference to the work of Kitwood, who has done much to promote quality of life for people suffering from dementia.

Attitude to Health↗
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An introduction to the reading of electrocardiograms.

This article introduces the basic principles of reading electrocardiograms (ECGs) for nurses who are unfamiliar with reading them. For more experienced practitioners there are a number of useful articles and books (e.g. Hampton, 1992a, b) that will help further their knowledge. The ECG records cardiac electrical activity as a graph; interpretation is illustrated here by sinus rhythm. A single ECG lead (lead II) is used throughout this article. Atrial fibrillation is described to show a contrasting dysrhythmia. Specific nursing care is suggested for patients being monitored or having ECGs taken.

Atrial Fibrillation↗
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Comparing no-touch and tympanic thermometer temperature recordings.

Temperature is a vital sign which can be measured using various types of clinical thermometers. Pulmonary artery temperature is considered the 'gold standard', but this measurement is not usually clinically practical. There is currently no consensus for optimal alternative site or equipment. This research compares 178 simultaneous measurements from 5 clinical areas, using two types of thermometers: tympanic and no-touch temporal. No-touch thermometers were all set to oral equivalent. Tympanic thermometers were adjusted to either oral (n=105) or core (n=73) equivalent. Maximum acceptable difference was identified as 1oC. Two data sets (oral/core; oral/oral) were analysed using Bland-Altman method on Excel programmes, comparing all thermometers and separating oral and core-equivalent tympanics. The two thermometers were found not to be equivalent. As a simple comparison between two thermometers, this research cannot identify which thermometer is more accurate.

Bias↗
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Dopamine at work.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Aged↗
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Numeracy skills.

This article describes how to solve some of the more frequently encountered mathematical problems experienced in clinical practice. It covers equations, dosage calculations, and ratios and percentages, as well as touching on the use of graphs and conversion tables.

Clinical Competence↗
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The effects of ecstasy.

Nurses working in critical care are seeing an increasing number of Ecstasy overdoses. This article describes the effects of Ecstasy and discusses the need for nurses to know more about the drug and the consequences of overdose.

Cause of Death↗
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Pulse oximetry.

Pulse oximetry provides a non-invasive means to measure pulse rate and haemoglobin saturation. Philip Woodrow describes the nurse's role in its use.

Heart Rate↗
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Head injuries: acute care.

Nurses working in acute care settings will encounter patients with various head injuries. Philip Woodrow describes the nurse's role in care planning, monitoring and assessing these patients, and in providing a safe environment for their recovery.

Acute Disease↗
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Establishing an in-house journal.

Articles in journals such as Nursing Standard offer nurses a valuable means to keep their knowledge updated, but how many people do you know who have written an article? The majority of research undertaken by nurses remains unpublished (Humphris 1999), so much potentially useful experience, knowledge, ideas and research are lost. This article describes how the School of Health, Biological and Environmental Sciences (HeBES) at Middlesex University established an in-house journal to encourage nurses to develop their skills of writing for publication.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
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Will nursing ICU patients in semi-recumbent positions reduce rates of nosocomial infection?

Ventilator-associated pneumonia is the main cause of ICU-acquired infection. Infection significantly increases mortality, length of ICU stay and costs (both financial and humanitarian). Ventilator-associated pneumonia is usually caused by aspiration. Ventilator-associated pneumonia risks are highest among patients who are fed through a nasogastric/orogastric tube. A semi-recumbent position reduces the risk of aspiration, so should reduce the risk of acquiring ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Critical Care↗
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Role of the lecturer practitioner: 2.

The first part of this article examined the development of the role of the lecturer practitioner within nursing. This article discusses the qualifications needed for the role, the conflicts that may arise as a result of the dual nature of the role, and the career structure.

Career Mobility↗