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Biomedical subjects

S Redfern

Publications and source records attributed to S Redfern.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1986

The development of an observation schedule for measuring nurse-patient touch, using an ergonomic approach.

An observation schedule for recording nurse-patient touch was developed, using an ergonomic approach to design. A preliminary study using video-tape analysis and a ward survey indicated that 'instrumental touch' was more frequently employed by nursing staff than 'expressive touch'. Three levels of relevant information relating to touch were recorded: General circumstances (the type of hospital, etc.); Demographic variables (relating to participants in the touch episode); Events specifically relating to the touch episode. The third section of the schedule was tested in an acute geriatric ward, using inter-observer reliability techniques. Reliability was found to be acceptable for those where the criteria for categorization were reasonably objective. It was concluded that an instrument for recording nurse-patient touch has useful applications for both ergonomic and nursing research.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Applying triangulation to the assessment of quality of nursing.

The claim that generic quality assessment instruments provide an objective assessment of quality of nursing care is questioned. Recent research suggests that most instruments are in need of extensive validity testing, particularly in relation to the concepts that they purport to assess. This paper outlines a research study designed to test the validity of the generic quality assessment instruments, Monitor, Senior Monitor and Qualpacs. In the absence of an independent criterion of quality against which to validate these instruments we propose a multiple triangulation research strategy in order to achieve the goals of 'confirmation' and 'completeness' within the same research design. The research incorporates approaches that purport to focus on quality of nursing care that are complementary to the generic instruments. We pay particular attention to the meanings of quality of nursing to those most closely involved and in positions of expertise--that is, nurses and patients. Comparisons between scores from the generic instruments and data generated by these complementary approaches will enable a more accurate picture of the validity of the generic instruments to emerge. The research should also increase our understanding of the meaning of quality in relation to nursing care.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Gout: nursing and medical actions.

Sally Chesson and Sarah Redfern give an overview of the signs, symptoms and nursing care of individuals suffering from gout. Principally a disease affecting men, this condition, extremely painful in the acute stages, is definitively diagnosed by the detection of crystals in joint aspirate. Pain results from the deposition of crystalline sodium urate in the synovial joint but nursing care also requires consideration of associated immobility, anxiety and irritability which the patient may experience.

Gout↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Individualised patient care: a framework for guidelines.

It is assumed that individualised patient care (IPC) benefits both patients and nurses. This study set out to clarify what IPC means to nurses and how they practise it, as well as how it is experienced by patients. With some exceptions, IPC was not practised widely in the seven wards used as case studies. Even in the wards where it was more common, there were some examples of bad practice. Factors that facilitated IPC were: the personal qualities of the nurses; a shared understanding among the ward team of the goals of nursing care and what constitutes good practice; levels of staffing and skill mix; effective leadership and management of nursing work.

Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Three years on: how NDUs are meeting the challenge.

This paper, the first of two, describes the major challenges faced by 28 nursing development units (NDUs) during three years of Department of Health funding. The findings suggest that structural and process issues in the NDUs and their host organisations were the main challenges in the early period of their existence. Given this, the importance of wider organisational commitment and support is vital if an NDU is to survive and flourish.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗