Journal of clinical nursing
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Chemotherapy: the effect of oral cryotherapy on the development of mucositis.
The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of oral cryotherapy on the development of chemotherapy-induced mucositis in patients administered combined chemotherapy. ⋯ Aggressive cancer therapy places patients at greater risk for oral complications and treatment-related consequences. Unfortunately, prevention and/or treatment of such oral sequelae have often become overlooked as priorities of the treatment team. Effective approaches for the prevention or treatment of oral mucositis have not been standardized, and vary considerably among institutions. Prophylactic measures begin with an increased emphasis on improved oral status. Oral cryotherapy, the therapeutic administration of cold, is a prophylactic measure for oral inflammation. The relevance for clinical practice will be to understand the content of mucositis; comprehensive care should focus on the prevention of this complication in the clinical practice.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparison of plain ice and flavoured ice for preventing oral mucositis associated with the use of 5 fluorouracil.
The study aimed to compare the use of plain ice, flavoured ice and standard care, to evaluate the effect on mucositis and to determine patients' perceptions of the two forms of oral cryotherapy. ⋯ The benefits of cryotherapy appear to outweigh the problems in this sample of patients. The intervention should be tailored to individual patients, based on preferences for plain versus flavoured ice and small chips vs. larger blocks. Unsweetened frozen fruit juices should be evaluated. Time constraints could be addressed by providing transportable containers of ice.
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To provide a description of ward nurses perceptions of the intensive care unit liaison nurse role. ⋯ Collaboration with ward nurses in developing specialist roles such as the intensive care unit liaison nurse is essential in ensuring improvements in patient and family care across the continuum.
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RAFAELA is a new Finnish PCS, which is used in several University Hospitals and Central Hospitals and has aroused considerable interest in hospitals in Europe. ⋯ Information on which units resources should be allocated to is needed in the planning of staff resources of the whole hospital. More resources do not solve the managerial problem of the right allocation of resources. If resources are placed wrongly, the problems of daily staff management and cost control continue.
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The purpose of this study was to explore dimensions of the management of the older person following care in an emergency department in preparation for discharge home by identifying perceptions and attitudes of staff in both emergency department and primary care sectors. ⋯ Implications for practice include a need for a multidisciplinary approach to developing referral guidelines, staff training and a comprehensive dissemination of information between sectors ultimately to improve quality and continuity of care for the older person.