The impact of occupational stress on physiological and psychological well-being of employees is well documented, as well as the adverse effects of occupational stress on organisational functioning. Nursing occupational stressors are divided in nursing-specific demands, job demands and lack of organisational support. If unattended, occupational stress may progress to burnout. Burnout is a type of response to chronic emotional and interpersonal stressors on the job and it is conceptualised as emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and personal accomplishment. It has been an issue particularly prominent in the human service occupations. The nursing profession specifically meets these criteria. Individuals who work under these circumstances are at greater risk of developing burnout. 53 nurses completed a biographical questionnaire, the Nursing Stress Survey (NSS) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Results indicate that trauma unit nursing staff experience moderate levels of occupational stress and average levels of burnout. Various stressors were identified that nursing staff experienced relatively severely. Emotional exhaustion is related to nursing-specific demands, job demands and lack of organisational support with large effect, indicating the importance of occupational stress in the development of burnout. It is important that management take cognizance of the relationships in order to have a pro-active approach to organisational stress management with the implementation of preventative interventions. / Dissertation (MCom (Human Resources Management))--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Human Resource Management / unrestricted

Bakgrund Trauma orsakas oftast av högenergivåld och de flesta som råkar ut för trauma är personer mellan 18 och 64 år. Sjuksköterskans ansvar vid omhändertagande av patienter som har råkat ut för trauma är att utföra personcentrerad omvårdnad med omvårdnadsprocessen som stöd. För att kunna tillgodose patientens behov i samband med omhändertagande av patienter som råkat ut för trauma behöver sjuksköterskan förstå vilka omvårdnadsbehoven är. Syfte Syftet var att identifiera omvårdnadsbehov hos patienter som blivit omhändertagna på sjukhus efter att ha råkat ut för trauma. Metod Studien genomfördes som en strukturerad litteraturstudie med inslag av den metodologi som används vid systematiska översikt med en kvalitativ ansats. För sökningen användes databaserna CINAHL och PubMed där tolv artiklar identifierades och sedan analyserades. Resultat I resultatet identifierades två kategorier och sex underkategorier som belyser att patienter som har råkat ut för trauma har flertalet fysiska- och psykiska omvårdnadsbehov i samband med omhändertagandet. Fysiska behov som identifierats är behov av adekvat smärtlindring, behov av varsamhet vid förflyttning samt behov av stöttning vid daglig aktivitet. Psykiska behov som identifierats är trygghet, närvaro, bemötande samt känslomässigt stöd. Framför allt de psykiska behoven hos patienter som råkat ut för trauma behöver fyllas av sjuksköterskan. Slutsats Vid utförande av personcentrerad omvårdnad kan patientens psykiska behov i högre grad tillgodoses. / Background Trauma is often caused by high energy mechanisms and often affects younger people between 18 and 64 years. Nurses’ responsibility for trauma care is to perform personcentred nursing with the nursing process as support. The nurse needs to understand patients’ needs to be able to meet them in connection with trauma care. Aim The aim of this study was to identify patients caring needs while receiving hospital care after suffering from trauma. Method This study was implemented as a structured literature study with the elements of the methodology used in systematic reviews with a qualitative approach. The databases CINAHL and PubMed were used for searching articles and twelve articles were identified and analysed. Results In the result two categories and six subcategories describe patients caring needs after suffering from trauma. Physical needs that have been identified are the need of pain relief, need of caution when moving and need of support during daily activities. Mental needs that have been identified are the need of security, need of presence, need of good reception, and need of emotional support. Above all, the mental needs of patients suffering from trauma need to be met by the nurse. Conclusions If nurses perform a person- centred nursing, the patient’s mental needs are met to a greater extent.

Triage assessment of patients on arrival at the emergency unit is an essential function in quality emergency care provision. Triage is the process of sorting and prioritising patients according to their level of acuity. This study was performed within an emergency unit that experienced serious problems with the sorting of patients on their arrival. After implementation of the Cape Triage Score, a questionnaire was distributed amongst staff utilising the new triage system. The investigation sought to answer specific questions concerning the triage nurse's roles, competencies required and strengths and weaknesses of the implemented system. The study also suggests guidelines to improve the triage system within the unit. The triage system was received well by participants. The roles of the triage nurse are multifaceted and extensive competencies are required. The strengths of the implemented triage system outweighed the weaknesses as perceived by the respondents. Guidelines for implementing triage in emergency units are provided. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

Triage assessment of patients on arrival at the emergency unit is an essential function in quality emergency care provision. Triage is the process of sorting and prioritising patients according to their level of acuity. This study was performed within an emergency unit that experienced serious problems with the sorting of patients on their arrival. After implementation of the Cape Triage Score, a questionnaire was distributed amongst staff utilising the new triage system. The investigation sought to answer specific questions concerning the triage nurse's roles, competencies required and strengths and weaknesses of the implemented system. The study also suggests guidelines to improve the triage system within the unit. The triage system was received well by participants. The roles of the triage nurse are multifaceted and extensive competencies are required. The strengths of the implemented triage system outweighed the weaknesses as perceived by the respondents. Guidelines for implementing triage in emergency units are provided. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)