Thesis (Ph. D.)--Northwestern University, 1977. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record.

Thesis (M.H.S.A.)--University of Michigan, 1984.

Thesis (M.H.S.A.)--University of Michigan, 1984.

The purpose of this study was to test the reliability and validity of the Verran and Snyder-Halpern (VSH) Sleep Scale on patients hospitalized in a coronary care unit (CCU) and to investigate the sleep characteristics of patients hospitalized in the CCU setting. Eighteen subjects aged 43 to 78 completed 30 nights of study using the VSH Sleep Scale. Results were compared to means from groups of healthy subjects and subjects hospitalized on general medical-surgical units. The VSH Sleep Scale demonstrated reliability in this group of CCU subjects. Factor analysis showed loadings on four factors rather than the theoretical three factors probably due to small sample size. The mean scores for this sample of CCU patients indicated their nighttime sleep was disturbed and ineffective. Significantly different sleep characteristics were demonstrated between CCU and healthy subjects. Comparisons between CCU and general medical-surgical subjects evidenced no differences in sleep characteristics.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Nursing Johannesburg, 2015 / Background: Despite the empirical evidence of the significance of weaning protocols in Intensive Care Units, variations still exist in the adoption of weaning protocols. Multidisciplinary teams hold the responsibility for the introduction and development of weaning protocols in PICU. Purpose: To explore and describe the opinions of multidisciplinary teams practicing in the paediatric and cardiothoracic ICU at an academic hospital in Johannesburg concerning weaning protocols from mechanical ventilation. Design: Qualitative descriptive. Method: Data was collected from multidisciplinary team comprising of registered nurses (n=8) and doctors (n=2) practicing in PICU and CTICU who were purposively selected using semi-structured interviews to obtain qualitative information on their opinions regarding weaning protocols. Data collected was analysed using a Braun and Clarke method of qualitative thematic analysis. Seven categories were identified in which three themes, which provided the fundamental structure of the findings for the discussion, emerged and included the following:  Unstructured weaning – the current practice.  Recognition of the need for weaning protocols.  Being not in favour of weaning. Results: The majority of the multidisciplinary team members recognise the need to develop weaning protocols in PICU for standardisation of practice. Currently there are no weaning protocols and a multidisciplinary approach was identified as an important strategy to develop the protocols. However, nurses practicing in PICU are not trained in Critical Care nursing which poses a challenge to the practice. Conclusion This study indicates that there is need for the development of weaning protocols in PICU. Although nurses are weaning patients in PICU, there are no standardised weaning protocols to guide the practice. The study therefore suggests the need to develop weaning protocols through multidisciplinary approach and training of nurses in critical care nursing to improve knowledge base and skills. Keywords: Mechanical ventilation, weaning, protocols, paediatric patients, opinions/perception and multidisciplinary team.

MSc, Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand / Handover is an internationally recognised formal procedure, which has become a ritual in daily nursing practice. A structured handover plays an important role in verbal as well as written interdisciplinary communication, decision making and patient treatment, thus ensuring patient safety and maintaining the continuity of care. The purpose of this study was to determine and describe the handover practices as reported by registered nurses working in emergency care units in private sector hospitals. The objectives determined the information content in current handover practices of registered nurses, including the view or opinions of these nurses regarding handover practices. Furthermore, this study indicated were there are differences in handover practices between specialists versus non – specialist nurses. A descriptive, prospective research design was used to collect data from registered nurses working in emergency care units at private sector hospitals (n = 8). All registered nurses (N = 142) who met the inclusion criteria, were invited to participate in the study. Registered nurses who returned completed questionnaires constituted the final sample (n = 117). Data on handover practices were collected by means of a 96 item (17 question / 5 page) self administered questionnaire. This data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi2, Bartlett’s test for equal variances, Spearman’s test, Pearson’s r, Fisher’s exact, student T-Test and Cronbach’s Alpha. The level of significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Epi-Info and STATA version 10 statistical computer packages were used for data analysis. Results indicated that 10.26% of registered nurses working in emergency care units had received formal training regarding handover practices and procedures. In order to solve lack of formal handover training problem, the researcher has established an acronym by using the word “HANDOVER”©, which may aid registered nurses with the handover practices and procedures. Thus, offering the handover structure and more user-friendly format. Use of a handover acronym pocket card was suggested for future formal training purposes.