SAMMANFATTNING Sjuksköterskan tillämpar omvårdnadsprocessen genom att observera, värdera, prioritera, dokumentera och vid behov åtgärda och hantera förändringar i allmäntillståndet, samt motverka komplikationer i samband med sjukdom, vård och behandling. Andningsfrekvens (AF) är den vitalparameter som först förändras och signalerar en förändring i allmäntillståndet. Vid de flesta hjärtstopp på sjukhus finns tecken till försämring hos patienten redan några timmar eller upp till ett dygn före.  Syftet var att undersöka sjuksköterskans inställning och följsamhet till att mäta och bedöma AF hos akuta sjuka patienter, för att tidigt upptäcka en försämring i patientens hälsotillstånd. Genom en litteraturstudie framkom fyra teman. Rutiners betydelse, sjuksköterskans inställning till AF och varför den inte mättes, värdet av förändringsarbete samt möjliga arbetssätt för att undvika vårdskador. Rutiner för mätning av AF, olika poängsystem och mätmallar för bedömning av vitalparametrar, påverkade antalet mätningar och registreringar av AF. Den enskilda sjuksköterskans inställning inverkade på mätningen och bedömningen av AF. Flera anledningar till varför AF inte mättes fanns. Studier visade att förändringsarbete och implementering av nya arbetssätt var ett komplext område, insatser krävdes inom flera områden på olika nivåer. Vårdskador och plötslig oväntad död minskade när nya rutiner och arbetssätt kombinerades med utbildning, uppföljning och återkoppling till personalen. AF är en viktig vitalparameter. Används inte den kunskapen för att hitta patienter på väg att försämras, riskerar patienterna att drabbas av vårdskador. Ett utbildningsbehov finns, den senaste forskningen har påvisat att rätt genomförd implementering av övervakningsrutiner och förändrat arbetssätt kan ge ett bra utfall i minskat antal vårdskador och oförutsedd död. / ABSTRACT The nurse applies the nursing process by observing, evaluating, prioritising, documenting and when necessary manage changes in the condition of the patient, and to prevent complications associated with disease, care and treatment. Respiratory Rate (RR) is the vital sign that first changes and signals changes in a patient’s condition. In most cardiac arrests there are signs of deterioration of the patient a few hours up to a day before the event.    The aim of this study was to investigate the nurse´s attitude and adherence to measure and assess RR in acutely ill patients, for an early detection of deterioration in the patient's state of health. Through a literature study four themes were emerged. The importance of guidelines, the nurses' attitude and why the RR was not measured, the value of change of management and possible ways to avoid injuries. Guidelines for the measurement of RR, different scoring systems and observations charts for the assessment of vital signs all affected the measuring and scorings of RR. The individual nurse's attitude affected the measurement and assessment of RR. Several reasons why RR was not measured were found. The studies showed that the process of change and implementation of new ways of working is a complex, and efforts were needed in several areas and at different levels. Care injuries and sudden unexpected deaths decreased when new routines and working procedures were combined with training, monitoring and feedback to the staff.   Research shows that RR is an important vital sign. If this knowledge is not used to find patients about to deteriorate, these patients risk suffering from permanent health effects. There is a need for significant training in this area and recent research has shown that a correct implementation of the procedures provide a good outcome in a decreased number of medical injuries and unexpected death

The quality of care for Swedish patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is continuously increasing. Nevertheless, a great potential for improvement still exists. The aim of the present study was to design and implement a systematic quality improvement (QI) collaborative in the area of AMI care, and to validate its usefulness primarily by analyzing its effect on hospital adherence to national guidelines. Also, the impact on patient morbidity and mortality was to be evaluated. The intervention was based on proven QI methodologies, as well as interactive use of a web-based quality registry with enhanced, powerful feedback functions. 19 hospitals in the intervention group were matched to 19 similar control hospitals. In comparison with the control group, the intervention group showed significantly higher post-interventional improvements in 4 out of 5 analyzed quality indicators (significance shown for ACE-inhibitors, Clopidogrel, Heparin/LMWH, Coronary angiography, no significance for Lipid-lowering therapy). From baseline to the post-intervention measurement, the intervention hospitals showed significantly lower all-cause mortality and cardiovascular re-admission rates (events per 100 patient-years; -2,82, 95% CI -5,26 to -0,39; -9,31, 95% CI -15,48 to -3,14, respectively). No significant improvements were seen in the control group. The improved guideline adherence rates in the intervention hospitals were sustained for all indicators but one (ACE-inhibitors), this during a follow-up measurement three months after study support withdrawal. No effects were seen on any indicators other than those primarily targeted. In conclusion, by combining a systematic QI collaborative with the utilization of a national quality registry, significant improvements in quality of care for patients with AMI can be achieved.

Background Healthcare-associated infections constitute a threat to patient safety and an economic burden on health systems worldwide. The most effective way to prevent healthcare-associated infections is through proper hand hygiene practice, but studies show that compliance is low. In 2009, the World Health Organization released hand hygiene guidelines and tools to address the issue.  Aim The aim of the study was to measure the compliance to the WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care among nursing staff in a private hospital in the Philippines using the evaluation framework of the World Health Organization. Method The method used to assess compliance was structured direct observations using the World Health Organization’s observation form. Data was collected in 15 days, during full shifts, and analyzed quantitatively based on overall compliance, according to indication, ward, week day/weekend and shift. Results A total of 1920 opportunities were recorded, of which 336 were hand rub performances, 168 hand wash and 1416 missed opportunities, giving an overall compliance of 26.25 percent. The ward with the highest compliance rate was the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (45.40 percent) and the lowest was Nursing Station 1 (22.26 percent). Conclusion The overall compliance rate of 26.25 percent is lower compared to most published studies and healthcare workers were more compliant to indications that protect themselves than to indications that protect patients. The results can be useful in improving quality of care and patient safety.

Low hand hygiene compliance among health staff is a problem globally in health care settings. Improving hand hygiene could prevent many of the health care associated infections that affects hundreds of millions of patients every year around the globe. The aim of this literature study was to describe obstacles to maintain proper hand hygiene in hospitals, seen from a global perspective. Eight articles from seven countries, all based on qualitative research have been analysed according to Friberg's five-step method that contributes to evidence-based nursing. The challenges to sustain hand hygiene found in the results were split into two main categories: Organizational factors and Individual factors. Organizational factors included five subcategories: Work environment, Inadequate education, Infrastructure, Insufficient management and Power structures. The results showed that when these factors were negatively affected so was compliance regarding proper hand hygiene. These were often issuesthat the health staff felt powerless to change and affect. Individual factors included two subcategories: Attitudes and social factors. Example of this could be healthcare workers neglected hygiene guidelines out of personal reasons or healthcare workers giving care to patients that didn’t accept how it was carried out because of social and cultural differences. The complex issues revolving these matters need to be addressed on an overall perspective. Cooperation between management and health staff is fundamental to obtain changes within healthcare organizations. Both parties need to work together to be able to improve hand hygiene compliance and to reduce healthcare associated infections.

Objectives Patients with type 2 diabetes are at much greater risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including coronary heart disease (CHD), compared to non-diabetics. The lowering of glucose, blood pressure, and plasma lipid levels has been shown to reduce CHD risk, and treatment goals for these risk factors are now part of clinical practice guidelines. However, the incidence and outcome of CHD in diabetic patients does not show the same favourable trend as in the general population. Thus, the overall aim of the thesis was to investigate how the treatment goals for CVD risk factors contained in the national guidelines for diabetes care were reflected in clinical practice, and to explore factors that might influence the remaining high incidence of CHD in the type 2 diabetes population. Research designs and results I. The effectiveness of the introduction of treatment goals for dyslipidaemia was evaluated in a retrospective observational population-based cross-sectional study of 971 diabetic patients participating in the Västerbotten Intervention Programme (VIP) 1995–2004. There was a stronger trend of decrease in cholesterol levels among patients with diabetes compared to the non-diabetic population in 2000–2004. Increased use of lipid-lowering agents influenced the trend in diabetic patients, even though only 25.3% received lipid-lowering treatment after the introduction of the new guidelines. II. The experiences of general practitioners relating to treatment practice for type 2 diabetes with specific focus on the prevention of cardiovascular disease were explored in a focus group study. The overall theme was ‘dilemmas’ in GPs’ treatment practice for patients with type 2 diabetes. Five main dilemma categories were identified. First, GPs were hesitant about labelling a person who feels healthy as ill. Second, as regards communicating a diabetes diagnosis and its consequences, GPs were unsure as to whether patients should be frightened or comforted. Third, GPs experienced uncertainty in their role: should they take responsibility for the care or not? Fourth, GPs expressed concern over a conflict between lifestyle changes and drug treatment. Fifth, the GPs described difficulties when attempting to translate science into reality. III. Screening for microvascular and coronary heart disease according to national guidelines was evaluated in a cross-sectional study of 201 screening-detected patients with type 2 diabetes 1.5±0.7 years after diagnosis. A larger proportion of diabetic patients was screened for nephropathy and retinopathy than for CHD. Twenty-three percent of the patients had minor or major ECG abnormalities, but ECG findings seemed to have little or no impact on CHD prevention using lipid-lowering medication and ASA. A clinical history of CHD correlated with a larger proportion of patients receiving secondary prevention. IV. Time trends relating to the achievement of treatment goals and 10-year CHD risk at three years of diabetes duration were studied in 19,382 patients with type 2 diabetes without CHD, who were reported by primary health care sources in the National Diabetes Register in 2003–2008. National treatment goals for glycaemia, blood pressure, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol were achieved in 78.4%, 65.5%, 55.6%, and 61.0%, respectively, of the diabetic patients in 2008 following a trend of improved results in 2003–2008. Absolute 10-year risk of CHD increased between year of diagnosis and follow up in a studied subgroup while modifiable risk decreased. Conclusions The introduction of treatment goals for dyslipidemia in Swedish national guidelines in 1999 were reflected in lowered cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Since the introduction of the guidelines, an increasing number of diabetic patients are treated in accordance with guidelines. A remaining microvascular focus on the patients together with the revealed dilemmas within the GP’s consultation with diabetic patients might negatively influence the remaining high incidence of CHD in the type 2 diabetes population. Lipid levels, blood pressure and smoking are targets for further improvements. / Kappa

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Treatment with coronary interventions, long-term treatment and life style changes can reduce symptoms and improve prognosis. The aim of this thesis was to investigate aspects of invasive treatment for multivessel coronary artery disease, and to investigate adherence to prevention guidelines one year after myocardial infarction.  We used the national quality registry SWEDEHEART to collect data on long term treatment one year after myocardial infarction for 51 620 patients < 75 years of age. For 17 236 of the patients, we collected LDL-cholesterol measurements from SWEDEHEART and defined use of lipid lowering drugs from the Prescribed Drug Register. We developed a questionnaire for post-PCI-patients to investigate patients’ understanding of cause and treatment of coronary artery disease. For 23 342 PCI-patients with multivessel coronary artery disease, SWEDEHEART-data was linked to Swedish health data registries to determine one year outcome for patients undergoing incomplete vs. complete revascularization.   Lipid control (LDL-cholesterol < 1.8 mmol/L) was attained by one in four patients one year after myocardial infarction, whereas blood pressure control (< 140 mmHg) was attained by two thirds of patients. Lipid and blood pressure control was lower for women but there was no gender difference in smoking cessation rate: 56 %. Over 90 % of patients were treated with a statin after myocardial infarction but treatment was intensified for only one in five patients with LDL-cholesterol above target. The questionnaire study revealed that non-modifiable factors such as age and heredity were more often seen as cause of coronary artery disease than modifiable life style factors. Only one in five patients perceived CAD as a chronic illness, requiring life style changes. Two thirds of PCI-patients with multivessel disease underwent incomplete revascularisation, and this was associated with a twofold risk for the combination of death, myocardial infarction and repeat revascularization up to one year, compared to patients who underwent complete revascularization. We conclude that  long term treatment after myocardial infarction is suboptimal in relation to guideline recommendations. Assessment of patients’ views on CAD and better health education post PCI may facilitate life style changes. Further studies need to investigate whether complete revascularization will improve outcome for PCI-patients with multivessel disease.

Thesis (Ph.D. in Clinical Sciences) -- University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, 2005. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 100-112). Free to UCDHSC affiliates. Online version available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations;

Bakgrund: Vårdrelaterade infektioner (VRI) är den vårdskada som är mest frekvent förekommande inom slutenvården. Detta drabbar inte bara den enskilda patienten utan skapar även stora kostnader och påfrestningar på organisations- och samhällsnivå. Sjuksköterskors tillämpning och följsamhet till evidensbaserade riktlinjer angående basala hygienrutiner är det mest effektiva sättet att förhindra uppkomst av VRI. Att undersöka vilka faktorer som påverkar följsamheten till basala hygienrutiner är av stor vikt, detta för att sjuksköterskor ska kunna öka sin teoretiska samt praktiska kunskap angående det preventiva arbete och på så vis utföra en säkrare patientvård. Syfte: Syftet med litteraturstudien var att identifiera och beskriva faktorer som kan påverka sjuksköterskans följsamhet till basala hygienrutiner i arbetet med att förhindra vårdrelaterade infektioner samt att beskriva datainsamlingsmetoderna i de inkluderade vetenskapliga artiklarna. Metod: En beskrivande litteraturstudie med resultat från tolv stycken vetenskapliga artiklar. Litteratursökningen utfördes i databaserna PubMed och Cinahl. Huvudresultat: Litteraturstudien visade att det var flera olika faktorer som bidrog till sjuksköterskors följsamhet till de evidensbaserade riktlinjerna angående basala hygienrutiner. Sjuksköterskors tillgänglighet till hygienprodukter visade sig vara en primär orsak. Bristande kunskap, tidsbrist samt hög arbetsbelastning var ytterligare orsaker till att rutiner kring basala hygienrutiner inte utfördes korrekt. Bra kollegor, god kommunikation och en trygg arbetsplats var däremot faktorer som påverkade det preventiva arbetet positivt. Enkäter, observationer och kombinerade datainsamlingsmetoder användes i de inkluderade vetenskapliga artiklarna. Slutsatser: Det framkommer ett flertal faktorer som ses påverka sjuksköterskors följsamhet till riktlinjer gällande basala hygienrutiner. Genom att skapa en medvetenhet hos sjuksköterskor angående dessa faktorer ges möjlighet att förbättra det preventiva arbetet mot VRI. / Background: Health-related infections (HRI) are the most frequent occurring care damages in inpatient care. HRI’s does not only impact the individual patient, but it also creates high costs and causes high levels of stress at the organization, as well as the community level. Nurses’ application of and compliance with evidence-based guidelines regarding basic hygiene routines is the most effective way to prevent HRI. An examination of the various factors that contributes to the lack of compliance with the different guidelines are crucial in order to increase the theoretical and practical knowledge amongst nurses. This automatically leads to the performing of a safer patient care. Aim: The purpose of this literature study was to identify and describe the various factors that may impact the nurse's compliance with basic hygiene routines in the prevention of healthcare related infections and to describe the data collection methods in the academic literature. Method: A descriptive literature study with results from 12 scientific articles. The literature research was performed in the databases PubMed and Cinahl. The articles were also reviewed based on their data collection method. Main results: Several factors contributed to how the nurses followed evidence-based guidelines regarding basic hygiene routines. The accessibility that nurses had to hygiene products was a primary cause. Lack of knowledge, time shortage, and high workload were additional causes as to why the basic hygiene routines were not properly performed. Contrary to this, good colleagues, good communication, and a safe workplace proved to be factors with a positive impact on preventive work. Surveys, observations and combined data collection methods were used in the included scientific articles. Conclusion: There are several factors that affect nurses compliance with guidelines regarding basic hygiene routines. By creating awareness among nurses regarding these factors, they are given the possibility of improving the preventive work against HRI.

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a risk condition describing a clustering of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. A number of risk and protective factors have been associated with MetS, and individuals with MetS are at a higher risk for developing chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Objective: To contribute to the understanding of MetS in Canada, and to describe how it is a risk state through which material, psychosocial, and behavioural factors associate with chronic diseases. This was examined through three objectives: (i) to describe the prevalence and distribution of MetS; (ii) to examine potential pathways linking income and education with MetS; and (iii) to examine the interplay between non-movement behaviours (NMBs, namely sleep, screen time, and sedentary behaviour) and MetS. Methods: The Canadian Health Measures Survey (2007-2009, 2009-2011, ages 18 and older) was used for all analyses, which include logistic regression, multinomial regression, and calculation of standardized logit coefficients. Results: MetS was prevalent among approximately 20% of Canadian adults. It was significantly associated with chronic diseases, such as diabetes (11.2% vs. 3.4% among those with MetS vs. the general population). A social gradient in MetS was identified, and the behavioural risk factors of alcohol use, smoking, physical inactivity, and screen time were suggested to be partial mediators of this pathway. Findings demonstrated that not adhering to physical activity guidelines (150 minutes or more of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week) was associated with increased odds of MetS. A stepwise moderating effect of guideline adherence on screen time and sleep behaviours was demonstrated. Conclusion: MetS is prevalent in Canadian adults, and a high proportion of individuals with MetS have chronic conditions. Addressing the modifiable determinants of physical inactivity, excess screen time, alcohol consumption, and smoking may reduce the social gradient in MetS. Furthermore, adhering to physical activity guidelines may mitigate the associations of NMBs with MetS. The current thesis suggests that healthy behaviours are associated with lower risk for MetS, and therefore, possibly for future chronic disease.

På Sveriges akutmottagningar ökar vistelsetiden för varje år och väntan på vårdplats kan bli lång. Längre vistelsetider ökar risken för vårdskador såsom trycksår. Vårdskador innebär lidande för patienten, förlänger vårdtiden och leder till ökade kostnader för hälsooch sjukvården. Akutsjuksköterskans preventiva omvårdnadsarbete minskar onödigt lidande och för tidig död. Trots att trycksår till stor del går att förebygga har det varit svårt att minska dess förekomst. Syftet var att beskriva det trycksårspreventiva arbetet inom akutsjukvård samt belysa vilka faktorer som kan påverka utförandet av detta arbete. Som metod valdes litteraturöversikt. Artikelsökningar genomfördes i databaserna PubMed, CINAHL och PsycINFO med sökord som bedömdes kunna svara på syftet. Sökningarna resulterade i att 20 vetenskapliga artiklar publicerade 2008-2017 inkluderades.  Bearbetningen av artiklarna resulterade i tre huvudkategorier: Riskbedömning och dokumentation, Det trycksårspreventiva arbetet och Faktorer som påverkar trycksårsprevention. Resultatet visade på en varierad förekomst av trycksårsprevention inom akutsjukvård, där flera faktorer påverkar dess utförande. Trycksårspreventiva åtgärder reducerar andelen trycksår vilket talar för hur viktigt det är. Slutsatsen var att för ett lyckat implementeringsarbete om trycksårsprevention behöver personal erhålla kunskap och utbildning, ha nära tillgång till trycksårspreventiv utrustning och erhålla feedback på sitt arbete samt stöd från sjukvårdens ledning. / The waiting time at Sweden's emergency departments increases for each year. Longer stays increases the risk of near misses such as pressure ulcers. Near misses in the health care causes suffering for the patient, prolongs hospital stays and leads to increased costs for the health care system. The preventive work of the emergency nurse reduces unnecessary suffering. Although pressure ulcers are preventable, it has been difficult to reduce them. The aim was to describe the pressure ulcer prevention in acute care and to highlight the factors that may affect the performance of different measures. The chosen method was a literature review including 20 articles related to the aim and published 2008-2017. The articles were retrieved from the databases PubMed, CINAHL and PsycINFO. The articles revealed three main categories: Risk assessment and documentation, Pressure ulcer preventive strategies, Factors affecting pressure ulcer prevention. The result showed a varied occurrence of pressure ulcer prevention in acute care, where several factors affect its occurrence. Preventive work reduces pressure ulcers, which proves how important it is. In conclusion a successful implementation of pressure ulcer prevention requires that staff need to receive knowledge and education, have close access to preventive instruments and receive feedback on their work and support from the healthcare management.