Somewhere in the world every month expert military critical care/trauma providers are working side-by-side with host nations to help them develop their trauma and disaster management systems. This article discusses the Air Force Medical System's (AFMS) mission to provide humanitarian and civic assistance, disaster response, and care of wartime injured. Within the context of this tripartite mission, the article introduces the AFMS's flagship international course, "Leadership Course in Regional Disaster Response and Trauma System Management," and highlights the that military critical care nurses play in this international effort.

Altruism↗

PubMed2003

A qualitative study of barriers and facilitators of the charge nurse role.

This qualitative study examines the barriers and facilitators to the role of charge nurse at a medical center. The authors interviewed 42 nursing personnel, including charge nurses (12), head nurses (10), staff nurses (11), and supervisory personnel (9). A total of 24 barriers and facilitators in three categories were identified: personal (11), interpersonal (8), and organizational (5). These factors could be used to inform developmental coaching and educational programs for charge nurses.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMed2003

A qualitative study of charge nurse competencies.

Little information exists regarding competencies required to function as a charge nurse. This qualitative study identified charge nurse competencies. Data sources were interviews (N = 42) with charge nurses, head nurses, staff nurses, and supervisory personnel. A total of 54 competencies were identified in four categories: clinical/technical, critical thinking, organizational and human relations skills. The charge nurses who were interviewed primarily came from medical-surgical and intensive care units. The competencies derived from their interviews reflect leadership and management skills that medical-surgical nurses need to function as effective charge nurses.

Clinical Nursing Research↗

PubMed2002

Stomatitis: an overview: protecting the oral cavity during cancer treatment.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Medical-surgical nurses in the military.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Honduras↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Research comparing three heel ulcer-prevention devices.

OBJECTIVE: To compare 3 pressure-reduction devices for effectiveness in prevention of heel ulcers in moderate-risk to high-risk patients. DESIGN: A prospective quasi-experimental 3-group design was used. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: A sample of 338 "moderate-risk to high-risk" adult inpatients, ages 18 to 97, at 2 medical centers in South Texas were studied. INSTRUMENTS: The Braden Scale for Pressure Ulcer Risk and investigator-developed history and skin assessment tools were used. METHODS: Subjects were randomly assigned to the High-Cushion Kodel Heel Protector (bunny boot), Egg Crate Heel Lift Positioner (egg crate), or EHOB Foot Waffle Air Cushion (foot waffle). Data are demographics, Braden scores, comorbidities, skin assessments, lengths of stay, and costs of devices. Analyses were Chi-square, analysis of variance, and regression. RESULTS: Of 240 subjects with complete data, 77 (32%) were assigned to the bunny boot group, 87 (36.3%) to the egg crate, and 76 (31.7%) to the foot waffle. Twelve ulcers developed in 240 subjects (5% incidence). Six subjects had only 1 foot. Eleven ulcers were Stage I (nonblanchable erythema), and 1 was Stage II (partial thickness). Overall incidence was 3.9% for the bunny boot, 4.6% for the egg crate, and 6.6% for the foot waffle (not significantly different among groups). The bunny boot with pillows was most cost effective (F[3], N = 240) = 1.342, p <or= .001). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the bunny boot was as effective as higher-tech devices. The results, however, were confounded by nurses adding pillows to the bunny boot group.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Research and commentary: Change in exercise tolerance, activity and sleep patterns, and quality of life in patients with cancer participating in a structured exercise program.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To investigate the feasibility of an exercise program patterned after a phase II cardiac rehabilitation program to improve selected physiologic and psychological parameters of health in patients with cancer. DESIGN: Prospective, repeated measures study. SETTING: Two major military medical centers in the southwestern United States. SAMPLE: 62 patients diagnosed with cancer within the previous two years. Ages ranged from 24-83 (meanX = 59). Half of the participants were male and half were female. Minorities made up 29% of the sample. Participants had a wide range of cancer diagnoses and all stages of cancer. Fifteen subjects were undergoing treatment when they enrolled in the study. More than half of the subjects exercised prior to their cancer diagnoses, but fewer than half were able to resume an exercise routine following their cancer diagnoses. METHODS: Subjects met two days each week for 12 weeks for exercise and education. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Exercise tolerance as measured with a graded exercise test, activity and sleep patterns as measured with a wrist actigraph, and quality of life (QOL) as measured with the Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation System-Short Form. FINDINGS: Significant improvements were observed over time in exercise tolerance, selected activity and sleep patterns, and QOL among the 46 (74%) subjects who completed the program. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with various types and stages of cancer can safely exercise using a cardiac rehabilitation model and can realize significant improvements in exercise tolerance, selected activity and sleep patterns, and QOL. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Most people are aware that regular exercise is part of a healthy lifestyle. After cancer diagnosis and treatment, patients experience uncertainty regarding how to resume exercise or how to begin an exercise program as part of their rehabilitation. Participation in a structured exercise program can provide patients with a safe environment within which to exercise at an intensity appropriate to their individual needs.

Adaptation, Psychological↗