PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

T T Dowd

Publications and source records attributed to T T Dowd.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Fluid intake and urinary incontinence in older community-dwelling women.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common problem and requires adjustment to self-care. Noninvasive methods to manage UI should be tried first. Although many individuals restrict fluid intake to reduce incontinent episodes, clinical hunches suggest that adequate hydration is more useful in the management of UI. This study was conducted to determine the effects of hydration on the number of UI episodes. Women were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: increase fluid intake by 500 cc, maintain fluid intake at baseline level, or decrease by 300 cc. Thirty-two women kept fluid intake and output diaries for 5 weeks. Adherence to fluid intake protocols was poor, and consequently, quantitative results were nonsignificant. However, follow-up interviews revealed that 20 women reported decreased UI episodes since participating in the study and felt that the most significant learning was their recognition of the need to increase fluid intake. Community health nurses can provide guidance in self-assessment of fluid intake patterns to help manage UI.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Urinary incontinence in an acute care setting.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of urinary incontinence in an acute care setting and the approaches to the management of it. STUDY DESIGN: An audit of hospital charts containing a diagnosis of urinary incontinence was conducted to gather data about patient demographics, related factors such as skin integrity and orientation, urinary tract infections, and nursing interventions. The audit was conducted by two data collectors who had an established interrater reliability at 100%. RESULTS: A 0.87% prevalence rate of cases with a diagnosis of urinary incontinence was found. An additional 13% of cases were documented only in nurses' notes. Nursing comfort measures were the primary choice the management of urinary incontinence. Bladder training and discharge planning were implemented infrequently. Additional findings regarding gender and age distribution, mental status, and management strategies are reported. CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to diagnosis and treat urinary incontinence must be directed to all age groups. Nursing protocols for accurate and consistent assessment, documentation, and discharge planning with follow-up should be implemented in the acute care setting so that patients can benefit from improved procedures to treat and manage urinary incontinence.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1991

Discovering older women's experience of urinary incontinence.

Grounded theory was used to acquire an understanding of older women's experience of urinary incontinence (UI). Women explained that accidents or other problems related to the UI were threats to their self-esteem. These threats provided strong incentives to develop an effective continence care system which would help to protect their self-esteem. If they were successful in developing an effective system, it was possible that they could accept the UI and lead "normal" lives. Examination of the data using the constant comparative method revealed the self-care system that the women in this study produced to manage the UI, but not how they developed or sustained it. Further investigation into how women with UI develop and sustain continence care routines is needed, so that nurses can provide better assessments and nursing care.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1991

Promoting clinical research through collegial relationships.

Collegiality among nurses from education, practice, and administration works with open communication, planning, mutual support, and commitment. A research study conducted as a joint effort succeed by establishing collegial relationships. Preliminary efforts directed at promoting positive collaborative relationships proved worthwhile. Interpersonal conflicts were decreased through goal setting, mutual respect for expertise, and sharing power. Communication guidelines established a framework using knowledge, skills, and abilities; and power shifted according to expertise. The joint research effort demonstrated the benefits of collegiality. The staff nurse met criteria for career ladder progression; administration supported improved patient care; and nurse educators conducted a high-quality research study.

Career Mobility↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Capturing scarce resources: documentation and communication.

When charting does not reflect nursing activities, reimbursement may be denied. Skilled nursing care documentation of quality care rendered allows for reimbursement. Accountability for nursing care goes beyond planning and implementation; it also includes responsible recording and communication of activities. There are many chronic conditions that benefit from nursing intervention yet are not part of admitting diagnoses. Urinary incontinence is an example of a common problem encountered by nurses in hospital settings that requires time, patience, knowledge, and skill to assist those having this condition. It is cost effective to provide the care necessary to improve the treatment and management of urinary incontinence; it is revenue effective to assure that nursing and medical documentation is complete to cover the cost of nursing time and expertise spent providing care to patients with this condition.

Communication↗