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Biomedical subjects

C L Cason

Publications and source records attributed to C L Cason.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Where does culture fit in outcomes management?

The authors describe the concept of cultural competence and ways in which culture, a structure of care variable, is important to the delivery of culturally competent care. The role of culture in outcomes assessment and management is explored. The culture of the patient, the health care professional, and the organization is examined as it influences the potential to deliver culturally competent care. Strategies for developing a culturally competent work force are proposed with examples from ongoing projects in a large metroplex in the southwestern part of the United States.

Cultural Characteristics↗

Suitability of patient education materials for cardiac catheterization.

Changes in healthcare delivery for such diagnostic procedures as cardiac catheterization have resulted in an emphasis on patient self-study, using booklets and videotapes given to them before the procedure. This transition mandates an evaluation of the appropriateness and effectiveness of these materials. The purpose of this study was to systematically assess the suitability of materials used to prepare patients for cardiac catheterization. Three videotapes and four booklets were evaluated using the Suitability Assessment of Materials instrument. Concrete objective information (procedural and sensation information) was also evaluated. Scores revealed only one video and two booklets suitable for patient education. None received a superior rating. These results suggest that some patient educational materials used to prepare patients for cardiac catheterization are unsuitable. Clinicians should augment current suitable materials to enhance their effectiveness.

Cardiac Catheterization↗

Ameliorating adults' acute pain during phlebotomy with a distraction intervention.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a distraction intervention on subjects' perceptions of pain. During phlebotomy, 96 adults received either usual care or used a kaleidoscope as a distraction. After phlebotomy they rated their level of experienced pain with each of three instruments: Wong-Baker FACES Pain Scale, pain visual analogue scale, and Present Pain Intensity Scale. Statistical analyses revealed significantly lower perceptions of experienced pain among subjects using the kaleidoscope and concurrent validity for using the FACES Pain Scale with adults. Because the distraction intervention is effective, inexpensive, and easy to implement, its routine use during phlebotomy is recommended.

Adult↗

Recovery from laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedures.

The authors studied the postoperative experiences of 53 patients who had uncomplicated laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedures. Patients rated their pain, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue before surgery, before discharge, and on postoperative days one, two, three, four, and seven. The majority of patients reported more difficult and painful and slower recoveries than they expected or that they believed were indicated in the education materials provided to prepare them for surgery. The experiences of the patients in this study clearly indicate a need to modify preoperative preparatory education materials.

Adult↗

Preparatory information for myelogram.

This study identified preparatory information appropriate for patients undergoing myelogram. Twenty-eight patients (16 lumbar and 12 cervical) described the sensations they experienced as they were having a myelogram. Sensations reported by 40% or more of the participants having both kinds of myelograms included hard, cold examining table; wet and cold cleansing of site; stick with injection of local anesthetic; sharp stick with spinal needle insertion; and burning (cervical) or sharp, tingling (lumbar) with contrast medium injection. These sensations, linked with the temporal elements of the procedure, yield a preparatory information intervention appropriate for those scheduled for myelogram. When preparatory information is used for the same myelogram procedure as described in this study, patients should experience reduced anxiety before and during the procedure.

Adult↗

Discharge planning predicting patients' needs.

The elderly are at higher risk for longer and more frequent lengths of hospital stay than other adults. Comprehensive discharge planning programs, including early identification of those at risk, can alter these statistics. Screening inventories to identify patients at risk have been available for many years, but they are not specific to the needs of the elderly. The Blaylock Risk Assessment Screen (BRASS) is administered on admission and identifies patients at risk for prolonged hospital stay and in need of discharge planning resources. The nurse can use the data BRASS provides to improve care outcomes while the patient is in the hospital and in the transition to home care. It shows promise for use as the first phase of a discharge planning program.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Maternal-infant clinical nurse specialist performance assessment: reliability and validity of an evaluation tool.

The Maternal-Infant Clinical Nurse Specialist Performance Evaluation Tool was used to evaluate the clinical performance of two classes of graduate students (n = 7, n = 4) enrolled in maternal-infant clinical practicums. When used by raters very familiar with the tool, i.e., those participating in its development, it yielded valid (.90) and reliable (.93) ratings of performance. When used by raters with limited familiarity with the tool, both validity and reliability declined but were still quite acceptable (.68 and .81, respectively). Better training for such raters should produce even more useful results. These results warrant continued cautious, monitored use of the tool in maternal-infant nursing. The generic content of the tool offers the possibility of its generalization to other specialties.

Clinical Competence↗

A deterministic theory of clinical performance rating: promising early results.

The proposed theory provides a basis for both measuring and correcting rater stringency error in some grossly incomplete rating data matrices. The theoretical model fit (R = .92, .85, .82; joint p less than .000001) ratings made by faculty and resident physicians (n = 47, 31, and 29) of student clinical performance in each of three junior year medical student cohorts (n = 29, 30, and 35) better than alternative models. In these data the percentage of variation attributable to stringency and ability was about 35 and 40, respectively. Three-month test-retest reliability for rater stringencies was .16 less than r less than .29 (joint p less than .04). Cross-validation supported the proposed model (r = .61) over the conventional alternative (r = .41; z = 2.62, p less than .004). Both reliability and convergent validity of the ability construct were .20 greater for one corrected rating than for one observed (uncorrected) rating.

Clinical Clerkship↗

Identifying skilled management and evaluation needs of home health care patients.

This article describes the development of an assessment inventory to identify home care clients needing skilled management and evaluation services. Evidence supporting the inventory's content, criterion-related and predictive validity is presented. The inventory accurately predicted those patients readmitted within 60 days of discharge. Home health care nurses found the inventory easy to use without being time consuming. Use of the inventory by home health care nurses will permit care agencies to more easily document the need to continue care and reduce recidivism and cost while increasing care quality.

Aged↗

Backrest elevation and pulmonary artery pressures: research analysis.

Obtaining pulmonary artery pressure readings in the traditionally accepted flat, supine position can be uncomfortable for the patient and time consuming for the nurse. This analysis of published research suggests that some patients need not lie flat.

Blood Pressure Determination↗

Patients' recollections of critical care.

Warm, caring, competent critical care nurses who communicate respect for patients' dignity and individuality alleviate fear and stress of a critical care unit stay. Patients perceive these nurses as professionals who deliver quality care. When cared for by critical care nurses with these characteristics, patients' satisfaction with care is heightened. This article provides an insight to patients' responses concerning their care in a critical care unit.

Adult↗