International journal of nursing studies
-
Indwelling urinary catheters (IUC) are the primary cause of urinary tract infection in acute care. Current research aimed at reducing the use of IUCs in acute care has focused on the prompt removal of catheters already placed. This paper evaluates attempts to minimise the initial placement of IUCs. ⋯ More work is needed to establish when the initial placement of an IUC is appropriate in order to better understand when IUCs are overused and inform the development of methodologically robust research on the potential of interventions to minimise the initial placement of IUCs.
-
One out of seven patients is involved in an adverse event. The first priority after such an event is the patient and their family (first victim). However the involved health care professionals can also become victims in the sense that they are traumatized after the event (second victim). They can experience significant personal and professional distress. Second victims use different coping strategies in the aftermath of an adverse event, which can have a significant impact on clinicians, colleagues, and subsequent the patients. It is estimated that nearly half of health care providers experience the impact as a second victim at least once in their career. Because of this broad impact it is important to offer support. ⋯ Second victim support is needed to care for health care workers and to improve quality of care. Support can be provided at the individual and organizational level. Programs need to include support provided immediately post adverse event as well as on middle long and long term basis.
-
Review
Evaluation of Quality of Life instruments for use in COPD care and research: a systematic review.
Quality of Life (QoL) measurements to quantify disease burden have become an important outcome measure in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) research and treatment. A large variety of QoL instruments is available. The objective of this review was to comprehensively evaluate content and psychometric properties of available QoL instruments used in COPD care and research. ⋯ Despite the comprehensive overview we could not uniformly recommend the best instrument to evaluate QoL in COPD patients. However, we could recommend the disease specific instruments CRQ, CAT, SGRQ, or LCOPD. In addition to the best evidence synthesis, the decision to use one instrument over another, will be driven by study purpose and research questions in combination with the domains of the instrument. Given the large availability of instruments we discourage to develop new instruments, instead we encourage to design studies according the COSMIN standards to evaluate the psychometric properties of the existing instruments.
-
The aim of this review was to identify best practices of formal new graduate nurse transition programs. This information would be useful for organizations in their support and development of formal transition programs for newly hired nurses. ⋯ The variability in research designs limits the conclusions that can be drawn about best practices in transition programs for new graduate nurses. The presence of a formal new graduate transition program resulted in good retention and improved competency. The stronger evidence suggests that new graduate education should focus on practical skill development, preceptors should receive a level of formal training, formal support should be available at least through the difficult six to nine month post-hire period, opportunities for connection with their peers should be provided, and organizations should strive to ensure clinical units with healthy work environments.
-
End-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a debilitating, life-limiting condition. A palliative approach is appropriate for individuals with end-stage COPD, yet currently few interventions embrace this holistic, multidisciplinary and inclusive perspective. ⋯ Further investigation is required to address the complex personal, provider and system elements associated with managing end-stage COPD. A comprehensive and collaborative approach is required to address the complex and varied needs of individuals with end-stage COPD and their families.