International nursing review
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Research evidence supports that the role of the professional practice environment is crucial for the delivery of quality care as it is significantly correlated with patient and nurse outcomes. However, in countries sharing similar cultural and ethnic backgrounds, like Cyprus and Greece, as well as the increased mobility of patients and healthcare workers, there is a lack of information regarding this issue. The aim of this study is to explore and compare Cypriot and Greek nurses' perceptions of their professional practice environment. ⋯ Measuring nurses' perceptions of their professional practice environment may assist managers and policymakers in introducing interventions that contribute to a better practice environment and consequently to improved nursing, as well as patient, outcomes.
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The International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists is improving anaesthesia patient care through a voluntary Anesthesia Program Approval Process (APAP) for schools and programmes. It is the result of a coordinated effort by anaesthesia leaders from many nations to implement a voluntary quality improvement system for education. These leaders firmly believe that meeting international education standards is an important way to improve anaesthesia, pain management and resuscitative care to patients worldwide. ⋯ As national governments, education ministers and heads of education institutions work to decrease shortages of healthcare workers, they would benefit from considering the value offered by quality improvement systems supported by professional organizations. When education programmes are measured against standards developed by experts in a profession, policy makers can be assured that the programmes have met certain standards of quality. They can also be confident that graduates of approved programmes are appropriately trained healthcare workers for their citizens.
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Dissatisfaction with childbirth care can have a negative impact on a woman's health and well-being, as well as her relationships with her infant. ⋯ Development of national evidence-based policies and quality assurance systems would help reduce the rate of obstetric interventions and give greater emphasis to respect for women's preferences during labour and birth.
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Nurses play a vital role in caring for people with diabetes where knowledge constitutes the cornerstone of this care. ⋯ Promoting continuing education in diabetes for nurses requires continuous effort and creativity. Healthcare system administrators must acknowledge and prioritize the need for this education.