Biomedical subjects

Tess M Pape

Publications and source records attributed to Tess M Pape.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2002

Invitational theory and perioperative nursing preceptorships.

The role of perioperative nurses is unique in that they must be able to maintain clinical expertise in nursing practice and develop technical surgical skills. Even experienced perioperative nurses who transfer to the OR from other hospital settings or change employment to another facility require a certain amount of preceptor orientation. The current shortage of experienced perioperative nurses calls for the development of strategies to increase their number. "Inviting" OR preceptorship experiences may increase the recruitment, retention, and, subsequently, number of perioperative nurses. Nurse preceptors may be either personally or professionally "inviting" or "disinviting" when sharing knowledge and techniques with less experienced nurses. This article includes findings from a research study of perioperative nurse preceptees. The intent of the study was to identify whether the invitational operating room teaching survey could be used as a reliable tool in the OR. Survey items evaluate preceptees' attitudes toward preceptors and characteristics of effective preceptors. Cronbach's alpha reliability analysis revealed reliability of the tool.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Evidence-based nursing practice: to infinity and beyond.

BACKGROUND: Medical errors are in the news almost daily, frequently after patients have experienced ineffective and unsafe protocols. As a result, patients and family members lose trust in the healthcare system. Nursing practice is changing almost daily with advances in nursing research and improvements in technology and practice. Reading, understanding, and managing these large amounts of information have become difficult for most nurses and organizations. METHODS: This article provides an historical background for evidence-based practice and methods for assimilating research into practice. RESULTS: Systematic reviews and other decision-making models are discussed using specific questions for establishing policy guidelines. CONCLUSION: Evidence-based practice encompasses implementing the best-known practices into the clinical setting using a scientific approach. As a result, safe, high-quality, and cost-effective care will be more likely to occur consistently.

Attitude to Health↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Innovative approaches to reducing nurses' distractions during medication administration.

BACKGROUND: Contributing factors to medication errors include distractions, lack of focus, and failure to follow standard operating procedures. The nursing unit is vulnerable to a multitude of interruptions and distractions that affect the working memory and the ability to focus during critical times. Methods that prevent these environmental effects on nurses can help avert medication errors. METHODS: A process improvement study examined the effects of standard protocols and visible signage within a hospital setting. The project was patterned after another study using similar techniques. Rapid Cycle Testing was used as one of the strategies for this process improvement project. Rapid Cycle Tests have become a part of the newly adopted Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control steps at this particular hospital. RESULTS: As a result, a medication administration check-list improved focus and standardized practice. Visible signage also reduced nurses' distractions and improved focus. CONCLUSION: The results provide evidence that protocol checklists and signage can be used as reminders to reduce distractions, and are simple, inexpensive tools for medication safety.

Adult↗