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Biomedical subjects

Terry Ferns

Publications and source records attributed to Terry Ferns.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Violence and aggression in the emergency department: factors impinging on nursing research.

This paper examines issues involved in the debate regarding the role of research in nursing. The authors take the example of violence and aggression in the emergency field to discuss methodological, philosophical, professional, logistical, power differentials and leadership theory that influence and explain the process of conducting research surrounding violence and aggression experienced by nurses working in emergency departments. The paper examines the importance of research and discusses practical issues that impinge or frustrate clinical nursing staff who wish to conduct original research.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2005

Terminology, stereotypes and aggressive dynamics in the accident and emergency department.

There is a perception that violence against staff practising in accident and emergency (A&E) departments is increasing [Fernandes, C.M.B., Bouthillette, F., Raboud, J.M., Bullock, L., Moore, C.F., Christenson, J.M., Grafstein, E., Rae, S., Ouellet, L., Gillrie, C., Way, M., 1999. Violence in the emergency department: a survey of health care workers, Canadian Medical Association Journal 11, 1-6; Jenkins, M.G., Rocke, L.G., McNicholl, B.P., Hughes, D.M., 1998. Violence and verbal abuse against staff in the A and E departments: a survey of consultants in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, Journal of Accident and Emergency Medicine 15, 262-265; . A survey of violence towards nursing staff in one large Irish Accident and Emergency department, Journal of Emergency Nursing 23(3), 214-219]. This paper discusses traditional stereotypes of the violent A&E client by critiquing the current literature. The paper then goes on to question whether some health care professionals themselves are contributing to a climate of fear and the development of conflict.

Aggression↗
PubMed2005

Violence in the accident and emergency department--an international perspective.

Violence and aggression experienced by emergency nurses has been the focus of international concern. This paper examines the phenomena of violence experienced by emergency department nursing staff from an international perspective by reviewing original, published research studies. Methodological inconsistencies and concerns, a lack of comprehensive studies and persistent under-reporting may mean that the reality of clinical practise has not being captured by researchers. The literature suggests that clients presenting with weapons in the emergency department may be characteristic of North American departments but is much less likely to occur in the United Kingdom were weapons use is much more likely to be opportunistic. Excessive verbal abuse is a global phenomenon and nursing staff and organisations may be significantly affected by workplace violence. However, violence against nursing staff remains poorly researched or understood.

Aggression↗
PubMed2002

The nature and causes of violent incidents in intensive-care settings.

Violence in health-care settings is a common occurrence. This paper reports on a questionnaire survey to establish the incidence of such events in a critical-care environment. Nurses were asked how they had responded to a violent attack, whether they felt it was intentional and whether they had made a formal report. There are implications for training and reporting systems.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The causes of anaphylaxis and its management in adults.

Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening condition which nurses may encounter while practising in any sphere of nursing. This article reviews the management of adults presenting with severe anaphylaxis in a general hospital setting. It summarizes data obtained from studies on the incidence of anaphylaxis, explains their significance, and defines the terms used when describing the pathophysiology of the condition. This is followed by an examination of the pathophysiology surrounding anaphylaxis with a summary of common causative agents. An overview of the management of patients with anaphylaxis is presented, together with a summary of the literature relating to the legal and ethical issues that nurses may face when encountering patients presenting with or experiencing anaphylaxis.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Personal safety in the accident and emergency department.

Violence and aggression continues to be a significant problem for staff practising in accident and emergency (A&E) areas. In recent years the number of articles examining factors related to violence and aggression in the A&E department have steadily increased, allowing for a more in-depth examination of data. This article considers the characteristics of individuals who assault A&E staff, introducing the reader to the "recreational fighter", an individual who enjoys and is attracted to violent confrontations. The article goes on to consider the role of gender, alcohol, age and social history in relation to the characteristics of individuals who assault nursing staff practising in A&E and offers a number of strategies for nursing staff to consider when attempting to minimize the risk of personal physical assault.

Emergency Service, Hospital↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Angels and swingers, matrons and sinners: nursing stereotypes.

Media sexual stereotyping of the nursing profession is a well-recognized phenomenon; however the sexual stereotyping of the image of the nurse by the sex/pornography industry is a much less publicized or discussed phenomenon within the nursing profession. This paper aims to examine the presentation of the sexual stereotyping of nurses by newspapers and the sex/pornography industry. Both national and local newspapers in the UK frequently use derogatory terminology to depict the sexual stereotyping of nurses. Images and sexual stereotyping of nursing by the sex industry is also noted. The media was found to emphasize both positive and negative nursing stereotypes and in comparison with other occupations and professions sexual stereotyping was prevalent. The utilization of nursing imagery is also significantly visible across a wide range of pornographic and sex industry material.

Erotica↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A balanced approach to dealing with violence and aggression at work.

The Government has introduced tough measures in dealing with violence and aggression in the workplace. Employers have a duty to provide adequate safety measures and training to reduce risks and ensure, where possible, the health, safety and welfare of their employees. This article highlights the responsibilities of employers and the pressures in both hospital and community environments on staff at risk from violent or abusive incidents. The patient's perspective is discussed, suggesting that more understanding between patients and staff is needed. The article looks at the "NHS Zero Tolerance Zone Campaign" and whether this can be enhanced by introducing training of an empathetic nature along with other practical environmental issues. It suggests that there are alternative and more effective, techniques in dealing with violence and aggression that can be used to defuse a situation before it ever becomes a physical altercation. The philosophies of eastern martial arts can teach us a lot about personal self-esteem and confidence which are two key elements in managing conflict situations.

Aggression↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Reporting incidents of violence and aggression towards NHS staff.

Violence and aggression against nursing staff have been the subject of an ongoing campaign. However, incidents of violence continue to be under-reported. This article discusses factors leading to under-reporting of incidents and focuses on how nursing staffs' attitudes and responses to violence may contribute to the likelihood of reporting incidents. Change management techniques are proposed to address the under-reporting of incidents and to improve the work environment.

Aggression↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Under-reporting of violent incidents against nursing staff.

This article examines factors that contribute to nurses failing to report incidents of violence and aggression in the clinical area and it develops the information published in a previous article (Ferns and Chojnacka 2005). Broader social factors are considered, including gender, violence experienced by women, the status of the nursing profession and bureaucratic structures that contribute to under-reporting. The life experiences of individual nursing staff play a significant role in how they react to violence in the clinical area. Strategies to minimise violence against nurses should consider the social, political and personal issues that limit the reporting of violent incidents. Only by reporting such incidents can the extent of violence towards nurses be determined and minimised.

Assertiveness↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Violence, aggression and physical assault in healthcare settings.

All healthcare professionals are at risk from violent and aggressive patients, however, it has been found that nurses are at particular risk. The actual incidence is difficult to determine because the definition of what constitutes a physical assault or a violent event is vague. This article considers how the terms violence, aggression and physical assault are conceptualised in the healthcare setting and suggests that nursing staff need to identify and act on any incident that compromises their personal safety.

Aggression↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Conducting respiratory assessments in acute care.

Conducting comprehensive respiratory assessments involves extensive data collection and analysis and requires skill and knowledge. Terry Ferns and Irena Chojnacka examine how to approach these assessments systematically and professionally.

Acute Disease↗