Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to L Hollinger-Smith.
A clinical residency program for acute care nurse practitioners (ACNPs) was developed to facilitate the strengthening of practice competencies and role performance. Strengthening collaboration between physicians and ACNPs and supporting the growth of ACNPs through supportive and individualized learning opportunities were key components to a highly successful initiative.
1. A survey of knowledge, practice and attitudes about physical restraints was completed by nursing staff (RN, LPN, CNA) from four hospitals. 2. Nurses from both geriatric and geropsychiatric units reported significantly more educational activities about restraint use than did nurses on medical units. 3. RNs had the highest knowledge scores (56%), but lacked specific information about the dangers associated with restraint use. 4. While education about restraints is important, staff need role models who can help them problem solve and examine alternatives to restraints.
This article focuses on the development of the role of the MPCLN in the acute care setting. The need for such a role clearly exists to meet the complex needs of medical inpatient populations. Patients with primary psychiatric disorders or psychiatric disorders concomitant or secondary to physical disease, as well as the growing elderly population will all require psychiatric interventions. Less than 1% of acute care medical patients receive psychiatric care for psychiatric symptoms and disorders. Implementing the role of the MPCLN would have a positive impact on quality of care, reduced health care costs, decreased patient LOS, and nursing satisfaction.
The Homan Square Project, a collaborative community development effort, exemplifies the World Health Organization's model for cities. This article describes the implementation of a health care component--a joint venture between the College of Nursing at Rush University and Rush Primary Care Institute of the Rush System for Health--in partnership with the North Lawndale community coalition on Chicago's West Side. The health care programs and services include a primary health care clinic, school-based health centers, family education and counseling programs, and screening services linking the community to secondary/tertiary care systems. Investment of resources toward the health care component of the Homan Square Project includes paid and contributed time of nurse practitioner faculty in areas such as prenatal care, women's health, school nursing, parenting skills, and mental health. Based on preliminary evaluation of the health program, outcomes have focused on the types, quality, and quantity of services delivered to the community. Overall, the Homan Square Project has provided a unique opportunity for the interface of service delivery and academic education with the goal of improving the quality of life for a developing inner-city community.