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Biomedical subjects

D J Gosnell

Publications and source records attributed to D J Gosnell.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

Pressure ulcer incidence and severity in a community hospital.

In a study of 1320 adult patients admitted to a community hospital, there was a pressure ulcer incidence rate of 8.4%, with 3.2% of pressure ulcers present on admission. Of the 190 ulcers found, 63% (n = 120) were hospital acquired and were less severe than those present on admission. There was an average of 1.6 ulcers per patient; 56.3% (n = 107) were Stage I ulcers and 36.3% (n = 69) were Stage II ulcers. The most frequent sites were coccyx-sacral area, heels, and elbows. Preventive measures used most frequently were turning, special mattresses, and special skin care. After a pressure ulcer developed, the most frequently used treatment measures were special bed or mattress, frequent turning, and special ointments and dressings.

Adolescent↗

Evaluation of a hospital teaching program for breast self-examination.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of a hospital teaching program for breast self-examination. The retention of breast self-examination knowledge and the frequency and accuracy of breast self-examination of 50 subjects 9 months after hospitalization were examined. Findings of the study were that the majority of patients believed they had adequate knowledge to perform breast self-examination following the instructional program and 76% reported performing breast self-examination on a regular basis 9 months post hospitalization. Confidence in their knowledge and ability to perform breast self-examination as well as perceived susceptibility to breast cancer and perceived benefits of breast self-examination were positively related to subjects' breast self-examination practices.

Attitude to Health↗

Assessment and evaluation of pressure sores.

Pressure sore prevention is the desired goal to maintain skin integrity. It is a challenging nursing responsibility. The process of pressure sore prevention requires skilled nursing assessment of the integumentary system and knowledge of risk factors, as well as an ongoing evaluation plan to monitor incidence and the efficacy of nursing care. Pressure sore assessment is greatly aided by the availability of several research-based instruments. Assessment instruments grounded in research are rather unique because few nursing problems, other than pressure sores, have such instruments available. Further testing of the predictive validity of risk factors is needed even though instruments have already proved valuable in delineating high-risk patients. Well-designed programs of process and outcome evaluation can result in lower incidence rates and reduced severity of pressure sores. Assessment and evaluation are essential to quality nursing care.

Humans↗

Personnel resource distribution for nursing programs in Carnegie-classified Research I and II and Doctoral I institutions.

Increasingly, nursing education programs, like other major institutions in the United States, are being charged to "do more with less." How to acquire sufficient human and material resources is a continuing challenge in an era of economic constraint. Benchmark data on the distribution of personnel resources within nursing programs is nearly nonexistent. To assess the personnel resources of nursing programs of major size and stature within the United States, a Personnel Resource Survey was mailed to the universe of all nursing programs located in Carnegie-designated Doctoral I, Research II, and Research I universities and/or colleges in the United States (n = 96). The return rate was 58 per cent, with a useable survey rate of 51 per cent (n = 49). Comparative numbers and ratios of administrators, faculty, students, and various levels and types of support staff by Carnegie-type institutions are presented. Findings indicate that, overall, nursing programs in Research I universities had 1.5 to 2 times as many personnel resources per student than programs in Doctoral I and Research II institutions. Doctoral I and Research II programs closely resembled each other. The details of the data, as well as its standardization into full-time equivalents, are useful to both university and nursing administrators, faculty, and staff in their comparisons and procurement of needed resources.

Benchmarking↗