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Biomedical subjects

W Zernike

Publications and source records attributed to W Zernike.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

A study of the impact of discharge information for surgical patients.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To establish whether the routine information surgical patients receive about the management of pain and wound care during their hospitalization is sufficient for them to care for themselves without seeking assistance from a health professional or health care agency. BACKGROUND: While there has been considerable evidence suggesting cost benefits of discharge information the health care environment is constantly changing. Contemporary issues such as increased patient participation, extensive use of technology, reduction in health care expenditure, and greater awareness of consumer rights necessitate further inquiry into the appropriateness of discharge information. METHOD: One hundred and fifty-eight adult patients discharged within a week of their operation participated in the study. A written questionnaire was distributed within 24 hours prior to discharge and a telephone interview conducted 1 to 2 weeks after discharge. At the time of discharge the majority of patients had received information. FINDINGS: Those patients who had received information were less likely to access a health facility than those who had not received information. However, the telephone interview, revealed that there was no evidence that patients who believed they were well informed within 24 hours of discharge about the management of their wound, still felt well informed 1 to 2 weeks later. CONCLUSION: Nurses need to be aware that patients who leave the hospital with little or no discharge information may not be confident in the management of their health condition and therefore may access a health facility, if even just for reassurance.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Evaluation of a constipation risk assessment scale.

This project was undertaken in order to evaluate the utility of a constipation risk assessment scale and the accompanying bowel management protocol. The risk assessment scale was primarily introduced to teach and guide staff in managing constipation when caring for patients. The intention of the project was to reduce the incidence of constipation in patients during their admission to hospital.

Constipation↗
PubMed1998

Evaluating the effectiveness of two teaching strategies for patients diagnosed with hypertension.

This study investigated whether a structured patient-centred education programme was more effective than the normal ad hoc information that patients receive in improving their knowledge of hypertension whilst in hospital. Forty patients were assessed to determine their knowledge level regarding the management of risk factors related to hypertension. A pre-test was performed shortly after admission to hospital. Twenty patients in the test group received a structured education programme, and 20 patients in the control group received the usual ad hoc information. Two post-tests were performed, one at the time of discharge and the other approximately 8 weeks after discharge, to determine the change in knowledge levels. Comparison of the pre- and post-tests of the test group revealed a significant increase in knowledge level at the time of discharge from hospital. Patients were found to retain this new knowledge at 8 weeks and 1 year after discharge. No significant difference was found for the control group. This study has shown that a structured approach to health education is more effective in improving patients' knowledge about their condition than relying on the ad hoc information that patients traditionally receive during their hospitalization.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Patient aggression in a general hospital setting: do nurses perceive it to be a problem?

Aggressive incidents in the general hospital setting have been recognised as problematic for health care workers. Despite an awareness of the problem by nursing staff, there is little known about these incidents. A survey was therefore conducted in a metropolitan tertiary hospital to determine the prevalence and extent of patient aggression in order to direct future management strategies. A survey tool elicited information about the aggressor, factors leading to the incident, the nature of the incident, how it was managed and the outcome. Sixty-eight incidents of aggression were reported over a five-month period; all were reported by nursing staff. The majority of incidents occurred after hours when staff resources were limited. Frequent actions taken by staff to manage aggressive patients were chemical and physical restraint. Nurses identified that many of the incidents were unavoidable despite the aggression management training they had received. This paper outlines strategies taken by the hospital to address the issues identified in the survey.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

An exploratory study from the patients' perspective of living with allergies.

Allergic disease is one of the most prevalent chronic medical conditions in the world. Allergen avoidance has been accepted as a form of treatment for allergic disease; however, the success of treatment is often dependent on how patients choose to manage their condition. The purpose of this study was to explore how allergic conditions affect the lives of allergy sufferers and what information they believe would be useful to other allergy sufferers in the management of their allergic condition. Patients suffering from non-life-threatening allergies stated that their allergy affected many aspects of their life, such as their work, their social life, their emotional state, their physical appearance and, hence, their interactions with others. The chronic symptoms of their condition caused the greatest concern to patients. Many of these participants 'accepted their condition' and undertook controlling-measures as part of their daily life. In contrast, patients suffering from life-threatening allergies stated that their allergy did not affect their life. Knowledge of their allergic condition was more important than acceptance. The findings elicited from allergy sufferers identified how nurses can educate patients about their condition and assist them in learning to live with their condition.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1994

Preventing heel pressure sores: a comparison of heel pressure relieving devices.

It has been widely recognized that elderly patients with an orthopaedic problem are predisposed to developing heel pressure sores. In this study four pressure-reducing devices, commonly used in the prevention of heel ulcers, were objectively compared for their ability to decrease or remove pressure on the heels of patients with fractured necks of femurs and fractured femurs. Forty-one patients were randomly allocated a pressure relieving device. The efficacy of the device was evaluated by continuously assessing the skin integrity of both heels on a daily basis over a period of 12 days. Data were collected over a 30 month period. The four devices were foam splints, eggshell foam, duoderm and heel protector boots. Foam splints and eggshell foam proved to be more effective devices in relieving pressure exerted on the heel. This study recognizes that meticulous nursing care remains the critical element in prevention of heel ulcers; however, the use of eggshell foam and foam splints in conjuction with this enhances the maintenance of skin integrity.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Heel pressure relieving devices how effective are they?

This study of patients hospitalized for hip replacement or treatment of hip dislocation or fractured neck or shaft of the femur compared the efficacy of three approaches to the care of the patients' heels. A control group of 15 patients received routine nursing care and treatment groups of 15 and 20 patients received routine nursing care combined with the use of hydrocolloid dressing and eggcrate foam respectively. The combination of routine nursing care and the use of eggcrate foam was found to be more effective method of maintaining skin integrity than nursing care alone or nursing care combined with the use of hydrocolloid dressing. The study findings support the use of eggcrate foam as a heel pressure relieving device and it is recommended that its use is initiated from the time patients are admitted to hospital.

Adolescent↗