Current Issue : October - December Volume : 2015 Issue Number : 4 Articles : 7 Articles
Background. Needleless connectors (NC) are used on virtually all intravascular devices, providing an easy access point for infusion\nconnection. Colonization of NC is considered the cause of 50% of postinsertion catheter-related infections. Breaks in aseptic\ntechnique, from failure to disinfect, result in contamination and subsequent biofilm formation within NC and catheters increasing\nthe potential for infection of central and peripheral catheters. Methods.This systematic review evaluated 140 studies and 34 abstracts\non NC disinfection practices, the impact of hub contamination on infection, and measures of education and compliance. Results.\nThe greatest risk for contamination of the catheter after insertion is the NC with 33ââ?¬â??45% contaminated, and compliance with\ndisinfection as low as 10%. The optimal technique or disinfection time has not been identified, although scrubbing with 70%\nalcohol for 5ââ?¬â??60 seconds is recommended. Studies have reported statistically significant results in infection reduction when passive\nalcohol disinfection caps are used (48ââ?¬â??86% reduction). Clinical Implications. It is critical for healthcare facilities and clinicians\nto take responsibility for compliance with basic principles of asepsis compliance, to involve frontline staff in strategies, to facilitate\neducation that promotes understanding of the consequences of failure, and to comply with the standard of care for hub disinfection....
Background. The purpose of this study of preterm infants was to test the effect of four approaches to the time of transition from\ngavage to full oral feedings, time to discharge, and weight gain during the transition. Methods. A randomized experimental design\nwas used with four intervention groups: early start (32 weeks� postmenstrual age)/slow progressing experience (gradually increasing\noral feedings offered per day); early start/maximum experience (oral feedings offered at every feeding opportunity); late start (34\nweeks� postmenstrual age)/slow progressing experience; and late start/maximum experience. Results. The analysis included 86\npreterm infants. Once oral feedings were initiated, infants in the late start/maximum experience group achieved full oral feeding\nand were discharged to home significantly sooner than infants in either early start group. Although not significantly different,\nthese infants also achieved these outcomes sooner than infants in the late start/slow progressing experience group. There were\nno differences in weight gain across groups. Conclusions. Results suggest starting oral feedings later in preterm infants may result\nin more rapid transition to full oral feedings and discharge although not at early postnatal ages. Provision of a more consistent\napproach to oral feeding may support infant neurodevelopment and reduce length of hospitalization....
Flushing and locking of intravenous catheters are thought to be essential in the prevention of occlusion. The clinical sign of an\nocclusion is catheter malfunction and flushing is strongly recommended to ensure a well-functioning catheter. Therefore fluid\ndynamics, flushing techniques, and sufficient flushing volumes are important matters in adequate flushing in all catheter types. If\na catheter is not in use, it is locked. For years, it has been thought that the catheter has to be filled with an anticoagulant to prevent\ncatheter occlusion. Heparin has played a key role in locking venous catheters. However, the high number of risks associated with\nheparin forces us to look for alternatives. A long time ago, 0.9% sodium chloride was already introduced as locking solution in\nperipheral cannulas.More recently, a 0.9% sodium chloride lock has also been investigated in other types of catheters.Thrombolytic\nagents have also been studied as a locking solution because their antithrombotic effect was suggested as superior to heparin. Other\ncatheter lock solutions focus on the anti-infective properties of the locks such as antibiotics and chelating agents. Still, the most\neffective locking solution will depend on the catheter type and the patient�s condition....
Background. Nursing documentation has long traditions and represents core element of nursing, but the documentation is often\ncriticized of being incomplete. Nursing diagnoses are an important research topic in nursing in terms of quality of nursing\nassessment, interventions, and outcome in addition to facilitating communication and continuity. Aim. The aim of this study\nwas to explore the nurses� and nursing students� experiences after implementing free text format nursing diagnoses in a medical\ndepartment. Method.The study design included educational intervention of free text nursing diagnoses. Data was collected through\nfive focus group interviews with 18 nurses and 6 students as informants. The data was analyzed using qualitative content analysis.\nResults.The informants describe positive experiences concerning free text format nursing diagnoses� use and usefulness; it promotes\nreflection and discussion and is described as a useful tool in the diagnostic process, though it was challenging to find the diagnosis�\nappropriate formulation. Conclusion. Our findings indicate a valid usability of free text format nursing diagnoses as it promotes the\ndiagnostic process. The use seems to enhance critical thinking and may serve as valuable preparation towards an implementation\nof standardized nursing diagnoses. Use and support of key personnel seem valuable in an implementation process....
The present study, undertaken to assess the perception of nursing students regarding integrated internship in the preparation of staff nurse position among B.Sc. (N) final year undergraduate students included total 43 students (21, 47%) female and (22, 53%) male in a private hospital setting Kanpur (U.P). Majority of students (96%) perceived that there was a significant enrichment in preparation in three aspects: Knowledge, Skill and attitude that is because of their learning in the internship period, they would efficiently and confidentially function in the ward....
The objective of this study was to increase knowledge of sexual abuse against older residents in nursing homes. A qualitative\napproach was used. Through a focus group interview with staff in nursing homes, the aim was to reveal employees� thoughts,\nexperiences, and attitudes. Findings from the focus group interview show that sexual abuse of older residents is a taboo topic\namong health professionals. Acts of sexual abuse are difficult to imagine; it is hard to believe that it occurs. The fact that staff are not\naware that it could happen, or have a hard time believing that it actually happens, can amplify the residents� vulnerable position as\npotential victims of abuse, and it makes it even more challenging to report or uncover such acts. The study highlights the need for\neducation of all health care workers in Norway as well as more research on sexual abuse against older residents in nursing homes.\nFurthermore, there is a need for good policies and reporting systems, as an important step towards addressing sexual abuse of the\naged in a more appropriate way. Further research must aim to reveal more about this taboo area....
Collaboration is a complex process influenced by organizational, professional, interpersonal, and personal factors. Research has\ndemonstrated that collaborationmay also be influenced by social factors. Nurses spendmuch of their time working in collaborative\nteams, yet little is known about how they socially interact in practice. This qualitative case study explored nurse perceptions of social\ninteraction in relation to collaboration. Data were collected using telephone interviews and documentary reviews from fourteen\noncology nurses employed at one cancer center in Canada. Thematic analysis revealed two themes: knowing you is trusting you\nand formal and informal opportunities. Nurses reported that social interaction meant getting to know someone personally as well\nas professionally. Social interaction was enacted inside of work during breaks/meals and outside of work at planned events. Social\ninteraction was facilitated by having a long-term current and/or previous professional and personal relationship. The barriers to\nsocial interaction included a lack of time to get to know each other, workload issues, and poor interpersonal skills. Findings suggest\nthat social interaction is an important factor in the collaborative relationship among oncology nurses.Nurse leaders need to promote\nsocial interaction opportunities and facilitate educational sessions to improve social and interpersonal skills....
Loading....