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Biomedical subjects

A L Robinson

Publications and source records attributed to A L Robinson.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Conflicts of practice confronting second line nurse managers in an accident and emergency department. Part I.

In recent times in Australia, there has been a proliferation of nursing career structures which aim to address the historical neglect of a career path for clinical nurses. Among these developments has been the formulation of a new and exciting nursing role, that of the second line nurse manager. This role was designed to give experienced nurses who traditionally worked 'in charge' formal recognition of their knowledge and skill, and sought to construct a role that encompassed both clinical and managerial responsibilities. However, the reality of these nurses' practice is fraught with problems and difficulties as they attempt to negotiate a new and uncharted domain. This paper recounts an action research study conducted by a group of second line nurse managers in an Accident and Emergency department, who sought to explore the dimensions of their practice. The study identifies problems with combining clinical and managerial responsibilities in the one role, within a context marked by a high level of unpredictability, and a culture which values clinical practice over other forms of nursing practice. The paper concludes with a number of recommendations to overcome these problems.

Conflict, Psychological

Conflicts of practice confronting second line nurse managers in an accident and emergency department. Part 2.

In recent times in Australia, there has been a proliferation of nursing career structures which aim to address the historical neglect of a career path for clinical nurses. Among these developments has been the formulation of a new and exciting nursing role, that of the second line nurse manager. This role was designed to give experienced nurses who traditionally worked 'in charge' formal recognition of their knowledge and skill, and sought to construct a role that encompassed both clinical and managerial responsibilities. However, the reality of these nurses' practice is fraught with problems and difficulties as they attempt to negotiate a new and uncharted domain. This paper recounts an action research study conducted by a group of second line nurse managers in an Accident and Emergency department, who sought to explore the dimensions of their practice. The study identifies problems with combining clinical and managerial responsibilities in the one role, within a context marked by a high level of unpredictability, and a culture which values clinical practice over other forms of nursing practice. The paper concludes with a number of recommendations to overcome these problems.

Conflict, Psychological

The influence of a subslab gravel layer and open area on soil-gas and radon entry into two experimental basements.

Measurements of steady-state soil-gas and 222Rn entry rates into two room-sized experimental basement structures were made for a range of structure depressurizations (0-40 Pa) and open floor areas (0-165 x 10(-4) m2). The structures are identical except that in one the floor slab lies directly on native soil whereas in the other the slab lies on a high-permeability gravel layer. The subslab gravel layer greatly enhances the soil-gas and radon entry rate into the structure. The radon entry rate into the structure with the subslab gravel layer is four times greater than the entry rate into the structure without the gravel layer with an open floor area of 165 x 10(-4) m2; however the ratio increases to 30 for an open floor area of 5.0 x 10(-4) m2. The relationship between open area and soil-gas entry rate is complex. It depends on both the amount and distribution of the open area as well as the permeability of the soil near the opening. The entry rate into the experimental structures is largely determined by the presence or absence of a subslab gravel layer. Therefore open area is a poor indicator of radon and soil-gas entry into the structures. The extension of the soil-gas pressure field created by structure depressurization is a good measure of the radon entry. The measured normalized radon entry rate into both structures has the same linear relationship with the average subslab pressure coupling is an estimate of the extension of the soil-gas pressure field. A three-dimensional finite-difference model correctly predicts the effect of a subslab gravel layer and different open area configurations on radon and soil-gas entry rate; however, the model underpredicts the absolute entry rate into each structure by a factor of 1.5.

Air Pollution, Indoor

Radiographic assessment of renal trauma: a 10-year prospective study of patient selection.

To develop criteria to determine which patients require radiographic assessment after blunt renal trauma, we studied prospectively 1,146 consecutive patients with either blunt (1,007) or penetrating (139) renal trauma between 1977 and 1987. Based on our preliminary results from 1977 to 1983, in which none of the 221 patients with blunt trauma and microscopic hematuria without shock had significant renal injuries, we designed a prospective study to determine if such patients could be managed safely without radiographic staging. During the last 10 years significant renal injuries were found in 44 patients (4.4 per cent) with blunt trauma and gross hematuria or microscopic hematuria associated with shock, and in 88 patients (63 per cent) with penetrating trauma. No significant injuries occurred in the 812 patients with blunt trauma and microscopic hematuria without shock, 404 of whom had complete radiographic assessment and 408 of whom did not. There were no delayed operations or significant sequelae related to the renal injury in these patients. We conclude that complete radiographic staging is mandatory in patients with penetrating trauma to the flank or abdomen and in patients with blunt trauma associated with either gross hematuria or microscopic hematuria and shock. However, patients with blunt trauma, microscopic hematuria and no shock who do not have associated major intra-abdominal injuries can be managed safely without excretory urography.

Abdominal Injuries

Play: the arena for acquisition of rules for competent behavior.

Play is acknowledged as a critical, complex arena of learning. In play, individuals process information about their location in space, time, and personal relationships. One mechanism for organizing this information is the rule. This paper defines the rule as a symbol and its relationship to skilled action. With this perspective of rules, preliminary questions about play are posed. The occupational therapist can organize the observation of play based on the yield from these questions.

Adult