Thesis (M.S.)--Boston University / Anxiety is a common reponse in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The source of this anxiety is attributed to a multitude of factors. Research findings support the relationship between preoperative preparation and a reduction in anxiety. However, a lack of information exists as to the role of critical care nurses in this process. This purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a structured preoperative education/orientation visit by the critical care nurse on the level of patient anxiety. A sample of 21 patients were drawn from the population of cardiac surgical patients and randomly assigned to the experimental or control group. Subjects in the experimental group received a structured preoperative education/orientation visit by a critical care nurse the evening prior to surgery. Subjects in the control group did not receive the visit. Subjects in both groups completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory preoperatively and the A-State Scale plus an additional questionaire postoperatively. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance on repeated measures and a t-test comparison of mean anxiety scores. Findings revealed no significant differences in postoperative state anxiety scores between the experimental and control group. Results from the second questionaire indicated that subjects in the experimental group felt the preoperative visit was helpful. Furthennore, those patients who had the continuity of the same nurse conducting the preoperative visit and assuming primary care postoperatively in the intensive care unit responded more favorably on the questionaires. There were however, significant pre-existing differences in age and trait anxiety scores between the groups. This fact, in addition to the small sample size limit the ability to evaluate the effectiveness of the experimental intervention. Thus, further research is warranted to determine the effect of a preoperative education/orientation visit by critical care nurses utilizing a larger sample size.

No / Little is known about the career decisions qualified nurses make, although it is clear that some areas of practice are more popular than others. This qualitative descriptive study considers one common area, surgery, and explores the motivation for decisions made by Registered Nurses (RNs) to work in this area. A sample of 16 RNs working within surgical areas participated in semi-structured interviews, using a thematic interview schedule. Findings were analysed using the framework suggested by Morse and Field. Analysis of findings indicates that all participants actively chose to work within surgery and that this was because of the pace and turnover of surgical work, personal satisfaction at the recovery of patients; the close links between this type of work; and participants' original aims when first entering nursing and participants' preference of surgery to other areas of nursing work. Participants actively rejected working in areas where patients were likely to suffer from chronic long-term conditions where recovery was unlikely and felt that these areas were likely to be depressing and unrewarding. These findings suggest that participants actively chose to work with 'healthy' patients in preference to those who may be considered 'ill', and this is closely linked to the identified need of participants to be able to 'make patients better'. Participants were reluctant to work in areas where they would be unlikely to achieve this aim.

Approximately 65% of all surgeries are conducted in the outpatient surgery setting involving more than 35 million patients. Thirty-five to fifty percent of these outpatients will experience post discharge nausea and vomiting (PDNV), nausea and vomiting that occurs after discharge from the health care facility after surgery. A dearth of literature details the problems associated with nausea and vomiting experienced by patients after discharge home from outpatient surgery. The purposes of this dissertation were to (1) review the current knowledge in the area of post discharge nausea and vomiting; (2) present results of an integrative review of the research literature to determine best evidence for prevention of PDNV in adults or rescue of patients who suffer from post discharge nausea and vomiting (PDNV); (3) present a critical review and analysis of measurement of nausea and vomiting after discharge from outpatient surgery, and (4) present findings of a prospective research study. The purposes of the research study were to: 1) describe the incidence and severity of PDNV over a 7-day period in a sample of adult surgical patients undergoing outpatient surgeries under general anesthesia, 2) describe the pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic modalities of care used by patients with PDNV to manage it, 3) compare the incidence and severity of PDNV between those who do and do not use pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic modalities, and 4) determine outcomes associated with PDNV. This study was part of a multi-site study that had as a primary objective development of a simplified risk model for predicting patients most likely to suffer PDNV. In this research study we described the incidence and severity of PDNV in adult outpatients after ambulatory surgery, described the pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic modalities of care used by patients with PDNV to manage it, compared the incidence and severity of PDNV between those who do and do not use pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic modalities, and determined outcomes associated with PDNV.

No description available.

Os Sistemas de Informação Hospitalar podem ser definidos como uma rede integrada de informações, projetada para gerenciar aspectos assistenciais, administrativos e jurídicos em organizações de saúde. No contexto da busca pela melhoria da qualidade na assistência à saúde, proporcionada pelos avanços significativos das tecnologias da informação e comunicação, insere-se a necessidade da abordagem da sepse enquanto importante tema de saúde pública mundial. A sepse pode ser definida como síndrome de anormalidades fisiológicas, patológicas e bioquímicas induzidas por um processo infeccioso. A equipe multiprofissional de saúde deve atuar no reconhecimento precoce dos pacientes com quadro sugestivo de infecção e suas potenciais complicações, que podem culminar em síndrome séptica, estabelecendo medidas que garantam seu controle, manuseio precoce, intervenção eficaz e segura, por meio de uma assistência integral e contínua. O objetivo neste estudo foi verificar a contribuição dos Sistemas de Informação Hospitalar para a identificação precoce e o manejo da sepse em pacientes cirúrgicos de um hospital universitário. Trata-se de pesquisa com delineamento quantitativo, retrospectivo, descritivo e correlacional. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio dos Sistemas de Informação Hospitalar, mediante aprovação do Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa. A população foi composta de 28 pacientes que atenderam os critérios de inclusão da pesquisa. Na caracterização sociodemográfica desses pacientes, constatou-se predominância do sexo masculino (17; 60,7%), brancos (26; 92,9%), com 60 anos ou mais (21; 75,0%). Quanto à análise clínica do paciente, 11 apresentaram predominância do diagnóstico oncológico (39,3%) na admissão hospitalar, assim como 24 (85,7%) tiveram histórico de somente uma internação hospitalar no período. No final do período de internação (desfecho), predominantemente 20 pacientes (71,4%) evoluíram para óbito. Quanto ao tempo de internação, 13 pacientes (46,4%) permaneceram internados por tempo superior a 30 dias, com média de 30,5 (DP=25,0), a maioria dos pacientes (18; 64,8%) passou pelo procedimento cirúrgico até o quinto dia de internação, com média de 8,25 dias (DP=15,2). Da mesma forma, apresentaram predominância de desenvolvimento dos primeiros sinais de SIRS e de disfunção orgânica também até o quinto dia de internação 19 pacientes (67,8%), com média de 5,2 dias (DP=4,8), e 15 (53,6%), com média de 9,14 dias (DP=12,23), respectivamente. A confirmação ou hipótese do diagnóstico de sepse ocorreu até o décimo dia de internação com 15 pacientes (53,5%), com média de 11,6 (DP=13,4). Na análise da evolução dos pacientes para óbito, identificou-se significância estatística em relação à idade, à especialidade do diagnóstico na admissão e ao tempo de internação. O conteúdo dos registros realizados diariamente pela equipe multidisciplinar evidenciou que os primeiros sinais de SIRS foram identificados, predominantemente, no sistema de monitorização dos pacientes (26; 92,9%), enquanto os primeiros sinais de disfunção orgânica foram descritos nas evoluções da equipe de enfermagem (24; 85,7%). Os resultados evidenciam a importância da qualidade dos registros de enfermagem nos Sistemas de Informações Hospitalares, para identificação dos riscos, reconhecimento precoce e manejo adequado da sepse em pacientes submetidos a procedimentos cirúrgicos, enquanto integrantes da equipe multidisciplinar, visando o alcance de maior efetividade das ações de gerenciamento dos processos de assistência à saúde / Hospital information systems can be defined as an integrated network of information, designed to manage assistance, administrative and legal aspects in healthcare organizations. In the context of the quest for quality improvement in health care, provided by the significant advances of information and communication technologies, the need of sepsis as an important theme of global public health. Sepsis can be defined as abnormalities syndrome, pathological and physiological biochemical induced by an infectious process. The multidisciplinary team of health should act in the early recognition of patients with suggestive of infection and its potential complications, which can lead to septic syndrome, establishing measures to ensure the control, early intervention handling effective and safe, through a full and continuous assistance. The objective of this study was to verify the contribution of hospital information systems for early identification and management of sepsis in surgical patients in a university hospital. This is a quantitative, descriptive, retrospective and correlational research. The data collection was performed through hospital information systems, subject to the approval of the Research Ethics Committee. The population was composed of 28 patients who attended the inclusion criteria of the survey. In demographic characterization of these patients, there was a predominance of males (17; 60.7%), white (26; 92.9%), 60 years or older (21; 75.0%). For the clinical analysis of patient, 11 showed predominance of oncological diagnostics (39.3%) in hospital admission, as well as 24 (85.7%) had a history of only one hospitalization. At the end of the period of hospitalization (outcome), predominantly 20 patients (71.4%) evolved to death. Regarding length of stay 13 patients (46.4%) remained hospitalized for more than 30 days, with an average of 30.5 (SD = 25.0), most patients (18; 64.8%) passed the surgical procedure until the fifth day of hospitalization, averaging 8.25 days (SD = 15.2). Similarly, showed a predominance of development of the first signs of SIRS and organic dysfunction, too, until the fifth day of hospitalization 19 patients (67.8%), with an average of 5.2 days (DP = 4.8), and 15 (53.6%), with an average of 9.14 days (SD = 12.23), respectively. Confirmation or chance of diagnosis of sepsis occur until the tenth day of hospitalization with 15 patients (53.5%), with an average of 11.6 (SD = 13.4). In the analysis of the evolution of the patients to death, statistical significance was identified in relation to age, the speciality of the diagnosis on admission and length of stay. The contents of the records held daily by the multidisciplinary team showed that the first signs of SIRS were identified, predominantly, in the system of monitoring of the patients (92.9%), while 26; the first signs of organic dysfunction were described in the evolutions of the nursing staff (24; 85.7%). The results highlight the importance of the quality of nursing records in hospital information systems, to identify the risks, early recognition and appropriate management of sepsis in patients undergoing surgical procedures, while members of the multidisciplinary team, aiming at the achievement of greater effectiveness of the actions of management of care processes health

"September 2002" Includes bibliographical references (leaves 301-318)

For cardiac surgical patients, the immediate 2-hour recovery period is distinguished by potentially life-threatening haemodynamic instability. To ensure optimum patient outcomes, nurses of varying levels of experience must make rapid and accurate decisions in response to episodes of haemodynamic instability. Decision complexity, nurses’ characteristics, and environmental characteristics, have each been found to influence nurses' decision making in some form. However, the effect of the interplay between these influences on decision outcomes has not been investigated. The aim of the research reported in this thesis was to explore variability in critical care nurses' haemodynamic decision making as a function of interplay between haemodynamic decision complexity, nurses' experience, and specific environmental characteristics by applying a naturalistic decision making design. Thirty-eight nurses were observed recovering patients in the immediate 2-hour period after cardiac surgery. A follow-up semi-structured interview was conducted. A naturalistic decision making approach was used. An organising framework for the goals of therapy related to maintaining haemodynamic stability after cardiac surgery was developed to assist the observation and analysis of practice. The three goals of therapy were the optimisation of cardiovascular performance, the promotion of haemostasia, and the reestablishment of normothermia. The research was conducted in two phases. Phase One explored issues related to observation as method, and identified emergent themes. Phase Two incorporated findings of Phase 1, investigating the variability in nurses' haemodynamic decision making in relation to the three goals of therapy. The findings showed that patients had a high acuity after cardiac surgery and suffered numerous episodes of haemodynamic instability during the immediate 2-hour recovery period. The quality of nurses' decision making in relation to the three goals of therapy was influenced by the experience of the nurse and social interactions with colleagues. Experienced nurses demonstrated decision making that reflected the ability to recognise subtle changes in haemodynamic cues, integrate complex combinations of cues, and respond rapidly to instability. The quality of inexperienced nurses' decision making varied according to the level and form of decision support as well as the complexity of the task. When assistance was provided by nursing colleagues during the reception and recovery of patients, the characteristics of team decision making were observed. Team decision making in this context was categorised as either integrated or non integrated. Team decision making influenced nurses' emotions and actions and decision making practices. Findings revealed nurses' experience affected interactions with other team members and their perceptions of assuming responsibility for complex patients. Interplay between decision complexity, nurses' experience, and the environment in which decisions were made influenced the quality of nurses' decision making and created an environment of team decision making, which, in turn, influenced nurses' emotional responses and practice outcomes. The observed variability in haemodynamic decision making has implications for nurse education, nursing practice, and system processes regarding patient allocation and clinical supervision.

"September 2002" / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 301-318) / viii, 318 leaves : ill. (col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Clinical Nursing, 2003

There are many terms used to describe pressure ulcers: pressure sores, decubitus ulcers, bedsores, and pressure necrosis or ischaemic ulcers. Essentially they all describe damage to the patient's skin and underlying tissue. The nursing literature abounds with information about the risk, grading, prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers. These ulcers are a problem in hospital and long term care facilities, and are a major cause of morbidity. In the hospital setting they contribute to an extended length of stay and by doing so 'block' the bed for use by another patient. The ulcers are difficult to treat, are an ongoing cause for pain and discomfort for the patient and can be a strain on hospital finances. Pressure ulcers are not unique to modern times, as they have been discovered on the remains of an Egyptian mummified body (Armstrong & Bortz 2001). This would suggest that the problem dates back to the Pharoahs, and has continued to be a challenging problem throughout the centuries (Bridel 1992). The escalating costs of treating these ulcers today, has brought about an emphasis on the risk factors, prevention and the appropriate interventions, rather than an acceptance of these ulcers as a tolerable ondition (Bridel 1992). In the operating room, nurses are faced with unique challenges when caring for their patients. This is due to difficulty in caring for patients under the influence of the anaesthesia required for surgery, long periods of forced immobility and the inability of the patient to perceive pain and discomfort from the pressure of the hard surface of the operating room table. These problems are increased by nurses' inability to gain access to the patient because of the sterile drapes required to cover the patient for surgery. Armstrong and Bortz (2001) present information from one study in which it is stated that surgical patients have 90% greater chance of developing pressure ulcers than medical patients. One reason for this may be due to the limited information available in regard to the most effective support surface to place on top of the operating room table. This gap in information is problematic for operating room nurses as it limits their ability to select the most effective item of equipment, and determine if the chosen equipment reduces pressure on tissue intra- operatively. The most effective operating room table mattress used and the skills and knowledge of the operating room nurse about the aetiology and prevention of pressure ulcer prevention, are important aspects of nursing care and can influence patient outcomes. The potential for complications to occur may be dependent on single or combined factors such as the patient's age, disease processes, nutritional status and mobility. Preparatory and supportive nursing interventions for surgical procedures based on best available evidence, nursing experience and patient preference, can reduce the incidence of pressure ulcer development in the perioperative environment. This doctoral portfolio contains four separate sections related and linked together by a common theme - pressure ulcer prevention in the perioperative environment. This first section of the portfolio situates the topic and provides a brief overview of the portfolio. The second section is a critical review of the literature pertaining to the most commonly used operating room table mattresses, and the effectiveness of these mattresses in the prevention of pressure ulcer development. This review highlighted a lack of quality research in this area, and while many evaluations have been undertaken to determine the effectiveness of perating room table mattresses, the results are contradictory concerning the patients, exposures and interventions. Because of issues related to the methodological quality of published research in this area a systematic review using meta- analysis was not possible rather a critical review of the research literature is used. The third section of the portfolio reports on a hermeneutic ethnography of the perceived skills and knowledge of nurses in the prevention of pressure ulcer development in the perioperative environment. This study was designed to determine if pressure ulcer prevention forms an aspect of the everyday practice of perioperative nurses. This review has highlighted the need for operating room nurses to review practices when caring for patients in the perioperative environment particularly in respect of pressure ulcer prevention. The fourth and final section of the portfolio summarises the research and provides recommendations for nursing practice and further research in the area of pressure ulcer prevention in the perioperative environment. / Thesis (D.Nurs.)--Department of Clinical Nursing, 2004.

No description available.