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S Kinn

Publications and source records attributed to S Kinn.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Nutritional awareness of critically ill surgical high-dependency patients.

It has been recognized that malnutrition in hospital is a serious problem that may go undetected. There is growing evidence that early nutritional support in high-risk patients helps reduce postoperative complications; however, malnutrition is often diagnosed only once it is well established. This study showed that, both retrospectively and prospectively; there were no formal nutritional assessments of patients in a high-dependency unit (HDU), that time to feeding was generally within the recommended 5-7 day postoperative period, and that the most common form of supplementary feeding was total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Prospectively, the choice of supplementary feeding was dependent on the type of surgery and the individual patient's condition. Since this study was completed, a dietician has been allocated to the HDU and carries out formal nutritional assessments on a daily basis. Further research is required to assess the impact of the dietician on patient nutrition.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A falls risk-assessment tool in an elderly care environment.

Falls are a major cause of morbidity and mortality among older people. In an inpatient setting it has been suggested that the introduction of risk-assessment tools may be an important way of managing the issue. The study reported in this article was carried out in two stages. First, fall incidents were identified retrospectively using 'falls incident forms' and nursing notes, and the characteristics and management of patients who had fallen were compared with those who had not fallen. A risk-assessment tool and care plan were developed and evaluated prospectively. By analysing the data in stage one it was found that falls incidence reporting was poor and patients who had fallen had more evidence of previous falls than those who had not fallen. In stage two staff found the risk-assessment tool and care plan easy to complete; however, there was little documentation about whether any appropriate interventions, specific to the individuals' risk score, were carried out. Appropriate interventions identified on the risk-assessment tool were put into place inconsistently. As a result of this work the hospital has set up a multidisciplinary group to look at falls management.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical audit: a tool for nursing practice.

Nurses are probably more aware of clinical audit now than at any time in history, but what do they actually know about it? Aware that for many, the words cause unnecessary fear and anxiety, the author has set out a simple guide to audit. The information in the article is based on a successful series of workshops on clinical audit she and her colleagues ran for nurses in the Greater Glasgow area.

Humans↗