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Biomedical subjects

M L Shannon

Publications and source records attributed to M L Shannon.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Protecting the skin of the elderly patient in the intensive care unit.

This article summarizes the ways in which factors in the ICU setting can affect skin breakdown in the elderly patient. The effects of aging, the presence of underlying chronic factors, and the imposition of critical illness may affect the skin of the elderly patient in ways not experienced in a younger patient population. It is important that ICU nurses recognize the unique differences and challenges in maintaining the skin integrity of the elderly, critically ill patient. Even though not all pressure ulcers in this population will be preventable in the ICU setting, an awareness of special risk factors in the geriatric patient will enable the ICU nurse to maintain the highest level of skin care for the geriatric patient.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1989

Pressure ulcer prevalence in two general hospitals.

This is the report of prevalence and identification of possible major factors of significance in the production of pressure ulcers in two general hospitals of 1,301 and 1,006 beds. One of the two hospitals included a 160-bed Spinal Cord Injury and 120-bed Nursing Home Care Unit where research data were also collected on two populations at increased risk. Data were analyzed using SPSSX, chi square, analysis of variance, and Cramer's contingency coefficient. Factors of significance associated with pressure ulcers in this study were: diagnosis; decreased hemoglobin, hematocrit, total protein, and albumin levels; mobility status; restraints; and bowel incontinence. Factors which were inconclusive were: diastolic blood pressure below 60, surgery within two weeks of pressure ulcer development, and nutrition.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Investigation of rocking as a postoperative intervention to promote gastrointestinal motility.

Debilitating gas pain is a common sequel for patients who have undergone abdominal surgery. Resulting from impaired motility induced by the mechanical and psychological stresses of surgery, as well as the effects of anaesthetic and analgesic agents, accumulated gas in the bowel often leads to longer and more unpleasant hospital stays. In this article, the authors describe ongoing research aimed at mediating gas effects in women post-hysterectomy. Using rocking as a moderator of the surgical stress response, the study hypothesizes a more rapid resumption of GI motility with decreased gaseous distention and associated pain, and less emotional distress for patients who follow a regimen of rocking in addition to ambulation. A sample of 34 patients is being studied, and data are being collected during a preadmission process and 5 postoperative days.

Adolescent↗