Journal of clinical nursing
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Group intervention to improve quality of life in haemodialysis patients.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of group intervention on depression, self-efficacy and quality of life in haemodialysis patients. ⋯ The present study was conducted with a group of outpatients, did not require expensive resources and was not time intensive, making it a viable therapy, clinically suitable for haemodialysis patients.
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Review
A European survey of enteral nutrition practices and procedures in adult intensive care units.
The aim of this survey was to gain an overview of enteral nutrition practices and procedures of European adult intensive care units and to describe current trends. ⋯ This study is relevant to all nurses working in critical care areas. The findings suggest that when an intensive care unit is supported by a nutritional support team it is more likely that a nutritional score will be used and nutritional assessments will be made daily. Many intensive care practices do not conform to international guidelines for enteral feeding. Nutritional assessment and the use of nutritional risk scores are areas that would benefit from further application in intensive care. This study may provide an impetus for intensive care units to review their nutrition assessment practices and to advance evidence-based guidelines, developed by multi-professional teams, which ensure the safe and effective management of patients receiving enteral nutrition.
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Applying ethical principles as a framework, a review of the literature will be presented regarding the decision-making process of slow codes. ⋯ Decision-making regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation is increasingly problematic in Ireland. The literature review suggests that clinical guidelines regarding decision-making and cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be introduced to reduce the likelihood of slow codes occurring, but also that nurses and doctors endeavour to communicate more effectively with patients and family.
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Multicenter Study
Communication between patients with chronic kidney disease and nurses about managing pain in the acute hospital setting.
The aim of this paper is to examine communication between patients with chronic kidney disease and nurses about managing pain in the acute hospital setting. ⋯ Specific analgesic and non-pharmacological guidelines for patients with chronic kidney disease should be developed and made available in practice to facilitate effective pain management. Change champions of renal units are needed to support nurses in dedicating specified time for communicating with patients about managing pain.
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To determine which routine nursing procedures performed on conscious intensive care unit (ICU) patients were painful and which routine procedures were not painful. ⋯ Nurses need to recognise of the fact that routine procedures can cause pain and to use analgesia appropriately to minimize this pain. Practice guidelines should recommend that pain relieving measures be considered as part of routine procedural instructions. Analgesic prescription and administration could be improved for this patient group.