Biomedical subjects

R Fritsch-deBruyn

Publications and source records attributed to R Fritsch-deBruyn.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1991

Setting up a school-based sexual education program to help prevent AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are common today, but many parents, teachers and students do not fully understand the diseases or what constitutes their prevention. Young persons, for a variety of reasons (e.g., developmental issues, peer pressure, societal influences) are becoming sexually active at earlier ages than ever before. However, early sexual activity often is not accompanied by knowledge about the consequences. Three nurse practitioners and one nurse educator from a university in the Northeast developed creative ways of educating students to help them avoid becoming the AIDS and STD patients of tomorrow. The nurses' efforts led to the development of an education program for parents and students (grades 7 through 12). The information obtained from these programs can help serve as a model for clinicians interested in conducting AIDS and STD secondary-school education programs.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1990

Cuddler Program provides soothing answers.

Volunteer cuddler programs have the potential to enhance the human caring aspects of complex technological nursing care provided premature infants. Nurse researchers have identified the value of human touch and stimulation to the development of premature infants. Although the fragile premature infant may not always appear to respond overtly, the weight gain, and social and mental development of the cuddled babies give testimony to the effectiveness of human attention. The infants' improved well-being and subsequent earlier hospital discharge as a result of cuddling are convincing rationale to implement a cuddler program. A well administered hospital volunteer program is an excellent resource for cuddlers. Volunteers tend to be readily attracted to a neonatal nursery and their services have proven to be safe and therapeutic. After determining the type of service needed, nurse administrators and directors of volunteer programs may team together to develop their strategy. A literature review about cuddler programs and the development of the premature infant contain valuable information of research findings and experience of other nurses. Staff nurse and physician involvement in the program are essential for overall success as well as identifying an effective person to coordinate the plan. The team of planners need a program development and implementation schedule, a volunteer job description and a training plan. Orientation of all nursing staff to the program may occur simultaneously with volunteer recruitment. Evaluation of a cuddler program utilizing predetermined criteria should occur at scheduled intervals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A check on nurses' knowledge and sense of responsibility for discharge planning.

Nurse educators and managers have identified discharge planning as a critical step in the nursing process. Appropriate discharge planning has the potential to facilitate the patients' return to wellness and to provide a cost effective measure of health care. Staff nurses' and nurse administrators' knowledge of discharge planning is identified, as well as both groups' perceptions of the staff nurse responsibility relative to discharge planning. The results showed that staff nurses have significantly less knowledge than nurse administrators. A discharge planning program for implementation by staff development personnel is reported.

Administrative Personnel↗