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Biomedical subjects

K Buckwalter

Publications and source records attributed to K Buckwalter.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Digital radiographic image archival, retrieval, and management.

Data in the health care environment can encompass a wide range of contents, each representing one aspect of health care delivery. Examples of such a diverse and yet related content are diagnostic images, laboratory results, patient history, hospital administration, and insurance and payer coverage. The focus of this article is the handling of diagnostic imaging in general and radiographic imaging in particular, therefore fundamental concepts and issues are presented and discussed.

Computer Security↗
PubMed1998

Invisible residents: the chronically mentally ill elderly in nursing homes.

This article presents results from a retrospective study of psychological assessments of elderly persons with chronic mental illness residing in nursing homes. All residents (N = 570) received this assessment as part of federally mandated screening for mentally ill persons residing in long-term care. The process, the Preadmission Screening and Resident Review, was mandated by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA 87). These assessments were the first stage in a process to determine if the nursing home was the most appropriate placement for each resident. If nursing home care was deemed appropriate, then a psychological treatment program was to be established within the nursing home setting. The sample ranged in age from 50 to 104 (mean of 70). The majority had a diagnosis of schizophrenia and a history of psychiatric hospitalization occurring early in their life. The assessments did not include any quantifiable data on activities of daily living, cognitive functioning, or level of psychiatric impairment. Therefore, the researchers coded the narrative data so that it could be interpreted. The majority functioned within the none-to-mild range of cognitive impairment, and very few were completely dependent in the need for physical care. The most recorded symptom was social withdrawal. Neuroleptic medications were administered to 64% of elderly persons with chronic mental illness. Importantly, there was no relationship between demographic or clinical information and treatment recommendations. Implications of these findings for psychiatric nurses are discussed.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1997

Management of the patient with disruptive vocalization.

Disruptive vocalization (DV) is a common problem in the management of cognitively and physically impaired older people. This article reports the results of a consensus meeting convened to provide guidelines for clinicians and recommendations for researchers in this difficult and little-studied behavioral problem. DV arises largely in people with cognitive impairment and generally reflects an underlying need or discomfort. A variety of factors can precipitate and aggravate DV; the key to management is appropriate identification of all possible factors and development of an individualized treatment plan.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Measuring problem behaviors in dementia: developing a methodological agenda.

As many as 90% of persons with dementing illness demonstrate problem behaviors that range from repetitive verbalizations, agitation, and wandering to verbal and physical aggression toward self and others. Reliable and accurate measurement of these behaviors is crucial for tracking illness progression; for monitoring the effects of pharmacologic and behavioral interventions; and for continued investigation into the correlates of caregiver stress, burden, and coping. However, there is no single, universally accepted measure or methodology for operationalizing problem behaviors, and variations in definition and measurement across studies complicate drawing meaningful conclusions about these behaviors. This article is an overview of five factors that have complicated accurate and dependable measurement of problem behaviors in dementia: the shifting domain of problem behaviors, slippage across research constructs, unexplored rater bias, scoring bias, and the absence of benchmarking studies. A methodological agenda is discussed for future investigations in this rapidly growing area of gerontological research.

Behavior↗
PubMed1997

What interventions do nurses use in long-term care?

This study validated that the Nursing Interventions Classification is appropriate for use in long term care. It is comprehensive and supports the interventions nurses need and use in long term care practice. There is a need for additional research to determine its usefulness in other settings and with other patient populations, as well as studies based on practice versus respondent's opinion. For the elderly clients alone, there are many settings in which to verify use of NIC; including residential, assisted living, independent living, intermediate care units, skilled care units, low-stimulus units, hospice, adult day care and the emerging specialty units. An important next step will be to note the similarities and differences of interventions used across these settings to discern practice setting needs.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Bathing persons with dementia.

In the care of persons with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, bathing frequently poses a formidable challenge for caregivers. This article reports the results of a consensus conference on techniques to reduce disruptive behaviors during bathing, and to make the process less stressful for persons with dementia.

Baths↗
PubMed1995

Perceived changes in adult family members' roles and responsibilities during critical illness.

An exploratory design was used to study the effects of critical care hospitalization on family roles and responsibilities of adult family members and how these effects changed over time. A convenience sample of 52 subjects from pediatric, neonatal, surgical, medical, and cardiovascular intensive care units was used. Data were collected using an open-ended question contained in the Iowa ICU Family Scale (IIFS). Using qualitative techniques, seven themes were identified: (a) Pulling together, (b) Fragmentation of families, (c) Increased dependence, (d) Increased independence, (e) Increased responsibilities, (f) Change in routine, and (g) Change in feelings. These findings indicate that nurses need to implement family-centered interventions such as role supplementation programs or identification of support systems to decrease role strain and role overload in families during a crisis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Use of standardized nursing diagnoses and interventions in long-term care.

1. Standardized language for patient assessment, nursing diagnoses and interventions provide a common language for professionals in long-term care. 2. A comprehensive Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) was first published in 1992 by the Iowa Intervention Project and the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association offers a comprehensive list of nursing diagnoses. 3. Most frequently used nursing diagnoses were: Self Care Deficit: Bathing/Hygiene, Self Care Deficit: Dressing/Grooming, Impaired Physical Mobility, Altered Thought Process, and Potential for Injury.

Female↗
PubMed1995

What nursing diagnoses do nurses use in long term care?

The results of this survey validate that the NANDA nursing diagnoses classification is appropriate for use in long term care. Although ninety three percent of the current NANDA nursing diagnoses are used in practice, there remains a need for the development and testing of additional nursing diagnoses to describe patient problems encountered in long term care. Nurses in education and practice settings must work collaboratively to continue to identify, refine and validate the nursing diagnoses that are most appropriate for frail, older and/or chronically ill residents of long term care facilities.

Geriatric Nursing↗
PubMed1994

Emotional responses of family members during a critical care hospitalization.

BACKGROUND: The needs and satisfaction levels of family members of critically ill patients have received much attention in the literature. The feelings of family members, however, have not been thoroughly investigated. To develop appropriate nursing interventions to assist family members in coping with a critical care hospitalization, accurate information about their emotional response to the situation is needed. OBJECTIVE: To examine emotional responses of family members and their descriptions of supportive behaviors of others during a critical care hospitalization. METHODS: An exploratory design was used to study 52 subjects with critically ill family members in the pediatric, neonatal, medical, surgical and cardiovascular intensive care units in a large tertiary care hospital. The subjects kept daily logs of their feelings and the supportive behaviors of others. Thematic analysis was used to identify major themes. RESULTS: Analysis revealed a broad range of powerful emotions throughout the intensive care unit stay. Negative and positive emotions such as despair and joy were sometimes identified by subjects within a 24-hour period. Although fear, worry, anger and exhaustion were dominant themes during the first 24 hours and when the family received bad news about the patient, there was no pattern of emotional response evident as the stay progressed. Some differences between subjects drawn from the medical and neonatal intensive care units were evident. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that family members of critically ill patients experience deep emotional turmoil throughout the intensive care unit stay. Specific nursing interventions to promote adaptive coping are needed throughout the experience.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Displacement analysis of the temporomandibular condyle from magnetic resonance images.

A technique was developed to investigate the condylar displacement of the human temporomandibular joint. Condylar displacement was analyzed from magnetic resonance images of the joint. Fourteen static images were obtained during incremental jaw closure. Landmarks were identified on the magnetic resonance images and reference points were digitized. The condylar displacement was calculated based on an optimization algorithm. The technique was proven to be reproducible based on two feasibility tests. The results provided quantitative descriptions of the condylar displacement as a function of a prescribed jaw movement. The displacement was characterized by a translation of an anatomical point on the condyle and a rotation of the mandible. The condylar displacement was 6 mm at a mouth opening of 17 mm. Maximum rotation of the mandible was 12.3 degrees C. The motion of the condyle produced by the mechanical guidance system used in this study may be characterized as a small forward translation at the beginning of jaw opening, followed by a combination of translation and rotation.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed1993

Group functioning of a collaborative family research team.

Collaborative research teams are an attractive means of conducting nursing research in the clinical setting because of the many opportunities that collaboration can supply. These opportunities include a chance to: (1) network with other nurses who have similar interests, (2) share knowledge and expertise for designing clinical studies that directly affect daily practice, (3) develop instruments, (4) write grant proposals, (5) collect and analyze data, and (6) prepare manuscripts for publication. The effectiveness of research teams, however, is strongly influenced by group functioning. This article describes the functioning of a collaborative family interventions research team of nursing faculty members and CNSs at a large Midwestern university setting. The formation of the group and membership characteristics are described, along with strategies used to identify the research focus and individual and group goals. Aspects related to the influence of the group on members and the internal operations of the group are also addressed. Future strategies to be explored will focus on the size of the group and joint authorship issues. The authors also set forth a number of recommendations for development of collaborative research groups.

Clinical Nursing Research↗