Contemp Nurse
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Review
'Sorry, were you sleeping? Nurses' role in the promotion of sleep for critically ill patients.
During critical illness sleep is important for immune function and restorative processes. Despite theoretical evidence and scientific understanding of the effects of sleep deprivation in the critically ill, research is yet to be entirely translated into institutional practices and department cultural norms. ⋯ A paradigm shift in nursing and institutional culture is required to implement sleep promotion research and strategies to minimise adverse outcomes for patients.
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Review
The diagnostic journey of ovarian cancer: a review of the literature and suggestions for practice.
Ovarian cancer is the most lethal form of gynaecological cancer. It can be difficult to diagnose, with the majority of diagnoses made at a late stage of disease. An integrative literature review was conducted to explore the ovarian cancer diagnostic journey of women and to examine the potential contribution of using a person-centred approach. ⋯ This paper proposes utilising the principles of PCHC to improve women's experience of the diagnostic journey. Specific strategies are suggested for each delay phase to enhance the experience for women. Whilst the challenges in diagnosing the disease are likely to remain until a screening test is available, it is hoped that by implementing strategies based upon PCHC, nurses may facilitate the ovarian cancer diagnostic process and improve the diagnostic experience for women.
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Delirium remains a commonly occurring problem for older people and staff in acute care settings. The aim of this review of current literature is to find contemporary evidence on which to base practice modalities. Although the literature provides an exposition of the concerns with which practitioners are currently faced and highlights the consistent themes identified, there is little research evidence regarding the effectiveness of treatment protocols for the management of older people with delirium in acute care setting.
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Review
Mechanisms and classifications of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: a literature review.
COPD is a prevalent chronic health condition secondary to only heart disease and stroke. A review of the literature reveals whilst smoking is the most common aetiological factor, environmental and occupational pollutions, genetic predisposition, hyper-responsive airways and respiratory infections are additional mechanisms to the development of COPD in susceptible individuals. ⋯ However, there are inconsistent parameters of disease severity between each of the international respiratory bodies, which must influence reporting of outcomes. This paper reviews the literature reports of the mechanisms; systemic effects, disease-staging systems used in COPD and the relationship between disease severity and health outcomes.
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Domestic violence against women within their childbearing years can lead to serious injury and death of both the mother and infant. Evidence suggests that women are particularly vulnerable to domestic violence during pregnancy and the post-natal period. During pregnancy and the post-natal period women are more likely to come into contact with health workers who are uniquely positioned to identify and support women experiencing domestic violence. ⋯ Identified within this review is that there is a paucity of literature that explores domestic violence against women throughout the childbearing years, in particular the postnatal period. This is especially so in relation to women's experiential accounts. Examination of the literature also reveals that the issue of domestic violence against childbearing women is poorly addressed by health care professionals.