Biomedical subjects

Jacqueline Reilly

Publications and source records attributed to Jacqueline Reilly.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Surgical site infection - a European perspective of incidence and economic burden.

This retrospective review of reported surgical site infection (SSI) rates in Europe was undertaken to obtain an estimated scale of the problem and the associated economic burden. Preliminary literature searches revealed incomplete datasets when applying the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System criteria. Following an expanded literature search, studies were selected according to the number of parameters reported, from those identified as critical for accurate determination of SSI rates. Forty-eight studies were analysed. None of the reviewed studies recorded all the data necessary to enable a comparative assessment of the SSI rate to be undertaken. The estimated range from selected studies analysed varied widely from 1.5-20% - a consequence of inconsistencies in data collection methods, surveillance criteria and wide variations in the surgical procedures investigated - often unspecified. SSIs contribute greatly to the economic costs of surgical procedures - estimated range: 1.47-19.1 billion Euro dollars. The analysis suggests that the true rate of SSIs, currently unknown, is likely to have been previously under-reported. Consequently, the associated economic burden is also likely to be underestimated. A significant improvement in study design, data collection, analysis and reporting will be necessary to ensure that SSI baseline rates are more accurately assessed to enable the evaluation of future cost-effective measures.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed2004

Women's experiences of appearance concern and body control across the lifespan: challenging accepted wisdom.

This study adopted a lifespan approach to women's experiences of appearance concern and body control. Thirty-two women (aged 16 to 77) were interviewed about their exercise and food regulation. Results of the grounded theory analysis challenge social constructions of appearance concern as associated principally with the reproductive years, and of the body as malleable, and highlight the complexity of the relationship between appearance concern and body control. Despite frequent persistence of (or increase in) appearance concern beyond young adulthood, 'healthier' responses to appearance concern occurred due to changing priorities and increasing awareness. Findings highlight the utility of an inclusive and qualitative approach, and the absence of simple and sovereign factors determining an individual's levels of appearance concern or body control.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Career choice in nursing students: gendered constructs as psychological barriers.

BACKGROUND: Gendered views of nursing remain widespread. This study explores how such views may influence student nurses' career aspirations. METHOD: A group of preregistration student nurses completed a questionnaire distributed early in their first year of study of a 3 year Higher Diploma in Nursing. Data were gathered on career aspirations and the perceived gendered nature of a number of career options. Gender role orientation and occupational and academic self-efficacy were also measured using the Bem Sex Role Inventory and an adaptation of the Betz and Hackett Self-Efficacy Scale. RESULTS: The results document the relative popularity of each specialism within nursing and students' perceptions of the gendered nature of each of the various nurse careers. Differences in these perceptions as related to gender and gender role identity are also outlined. Gender and gender role orientation were found to be predictive of sex-typed career aspirations only. CONCLUSION: The psychological barriers that exist for both men and women as they pursue careers in nursing need to be addressed if the current shortage of nursing personnel across the United Kingdom (UK) is to be solved.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Changing surgical practice through feedback of performance data.

BACKGROUND: Changing health care practice is commonly attempted by feedback of performance data measured by clinical audit. However, empirical evidence of the effectiveness of clinical audit in changing practice is limited. Few studies have attempted to evaluate practice development or clinical outcomes within the conceptual framework of change theory. Several published studies have used passive feedback in an attempt to promote a change in practice. Sending information to health care workers on their performance is one of the simplest ways of attempting to change performance. AIMS: To evaluate the impact on infection rates of the passive feedback of surgical wound infection rate data to nurses and surgeons within an empirical rational approach to change, and the active feedback of data within a normative re-educative approach to change. METHODS: A prospective cohort study over a 3-year period of all surgical patients undergoing clean elective surgery (n = 2241). Patients were monitored whilst an inpatient and up to 30 days postoperatively by an independent observer to determine surgical wound infection rates. The method employed was 'gold standard' surveillance, whereby patients were followed up into the community setting. INTERVENTIONS: Interventions of feedback and withdrawal of feedback of infection rate data and introduction of guidelines for evidence-based surgical practice within a change theory framework were monitored by the incidence of infection during the periods of the particular intervention. RESULTS: Although the feedback of infection rate data impacted on the subsequent infection rates, the reduction was not statistically significant. However, a significant reduction in the infection rates was achieved following the introduction of guidelines for best surgical practice (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that if change in practice is to be achieved by the feedback of performance data, then the process of feedback should be active and within a normative re-educative approach to change.

General Surgery↗