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Results for “Pilot Projects”

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PubMedDate not supplied

Critical care staff rotation: outcomes of a survey and pilot study.

Staff rotation is defined as a reciprocal exchange of staff between two or more clinical areas for a predetermined period of time. The rationale for introducing a 'Critical Care Nurse Rotation Programme' includes important issues such as improving nurses' knowledge and skills, providing development opportunities, networking, the ability to recruit and retain nurses and the provision of a more versatile and flexible workforce. To gain the understanding of nurses' views and opinions on critical care rotation programmes, evidence was collected by means of questionnaires involving 153 critical care nurses and by undertaking semi-structured interviews with four nurses. On the basis of the responses, a pilot of three Critical Care Nurse Rotation Programmes was introduced. An evaluation of the pilot project assessed participants, supervisors and senior nurses' experience of rotation and revealed very positive experiences being reported. The benefits highlighted included improving clinical skills and experience, improving interdepartmental relationships, heightened motivation and opportunities to network. The disadvantages focused on the operational and managerial issues, such as difficulties maintaining supervision and providing an adequate supernumerary period. Evidence from the survey and pilot study suggests that in the future, providing rotational programmes for critical care nurses would be a valuable strategy for recruitment, retention and developing the workforce.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMed2006

Yoga for patients and carers in a palliative day care setting.

This study suggests that yoga can be of benefit to patients (and carers) in palliative care settings. Complementary therapies have been employed in our day care unit for several years--aromatherapy, reflexology and massage--and have grown in popularity, enabling relaxation and a feeling of well-being. For patients striving to remain physically fit and, in consultation with our physiotherapist, we felt there may be a role for a gentle form of yoga. A study of the literature yielded information on yoga and cancer but little evidence of its use in palliative care. Having identified a form of yoga that could be adapted for those with physical frailties-- Dru yoga--a 12-week pilot project was introduced into the day care unit. This proved to be highly successful and has now been incorporated as part of our therapeutic service.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1997

Point-of-service outcomes data and its effect on asthma treatment: a salmeterol pilot investigation.

Outcomes data have enabled physicians to have a much more complete overview of the patient's quality of life and health than their predecessors. One medical center has sought to develop a comprehensive point-of-service outcomes measurement tool for the assessment of patients with asthma. This information may provide a real-time overview on a desktop computer system of the patient's progress. A pilot project involving a therapeutic intervention in patients with asthma was conducted to test the utility of this outcomes tool in a practice setting.

Albuterol↗

PubMed1989

Establishment of a permanent decentralized pharmacy in the coronary and progressive care units.

Critical care units, such as Coronary Care Units (CCU) and Progressive Care Units (PCU), are patient care areas with complex and rapidly changing needs. Services that enable health care providers in these areas to function more quickly and accurately are constantly sought. A 3 week pilot project was organized in a pharmacy department to evaluate the potential impact of a decentralized pharmacy service in the CCU and PCU areas. Distributive and clinical pharmacy services were provided by two pharmacists during the study. Nursing evaluated the study period as being highly favorable, and missing doses decreased by 57%. The departments of nursing and administration responded to this pilot by funding positions from nursing toward the establishment of a permanent decentralized pharmacy in these units.

Baltimore↗

PubMed1995

Housestaff training in cancer pain education.

A program for improving housestaff education in cancer pain control was piloted on an inpatient oncology unit during academic year 1992-93. Housestaff (four or five first-year residents and two more senior residents per month) received a three-day lecture series each month. A total of 32 housestaff participated. A questionnaire (Test A) about cancer pain was administered before the series. The subjects scored 58% correct (range 49-69). When Test A was repeated at the end of each rotation, the subjects scored 83% correct (range 82-86, p < 0.0001). A quiz on analgesic dosing (Test B) was also administered. The subjects scored 38% (range 20-56) before the lectures, 81% (range 72-93) immediately after the lectures, and 57% (range 44-67) at the end of the rotation. The authors conclude that this pilot project improves knowledge about cancer pain, but sustained reinforcement is needed if analgesic dosing skills are to be maintained.

Education, Medical, Graduate↗

PubMed2003

Responsiveness of the Bournemouth and Oswestry questionnaires: a prospective pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The assessment of health-related quality-of-life outcome information has become an essential feature in the delivery of quality health care. Outcome assessment and increased clinical research capacity have been identified as recommended areas of priority for chiropractic research, chiropractic colleges, and the profession. OBJECTIVE: This article reports the results of a multisite pilot project utilizing New York Chiropractic College's 3 off-campus health centers. In the project, we sought to examine generic issues related to research infrastructure and feasibility, perform pilot testing of the responsiveness of the revised Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the Bournemouth Questionnaire (BQ), and develop estimates of change and population size for the possible future projects. METHODS: We describe the infrastructure created to conduct the project, including an on-site clinician research manager; on-site student research assistants; identification, recruitment, and patient flow; demographic and clinical characteristics; and abstraction instruments. Responsiveness study subjects completed 3 health-related quality-of-life assessments at baseline, 15 days, and 30 days. At 45 days, or at discharge, subjects completed the same questionnaires and a global rating of change. Responsiveness is reported by analysis of standardized estimates of change, relative efficiency, and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve plots. RESULTS: We successfully identified 82% of possible study patients; the real eligibility rate in our population was 30%. In 4 months, 70 patients were accrued, and 26 patients followed through to provide global ratings of change scores. Responsiveness by standardized change scores was numerical rating scale (NRS) = 1.19, ODI = 0.91, BQ = 0.78; by relative efficiency it was BQ/ODI = 0.86, ODI/NRS = 0.76, BQ/NRS = 0.66. Area under the curves ranged from 0.69 for the BQ to 0.86 for the NRS. CONCLUSIONS: Recommendations for modification and use of the infrastructure, research capacity, and future outcome and appropriateness assessment projects are offered.

Adult↗

PubMed1978

Life-support training in high-density population centers.

Death and disability from ischemic heart disease, trauma, and other medical emergencies may be reduced significantly by developing an Emergency Medical Services system based on training for the nonmedical population in basic life-support skills; this is particularly appropriate in high-density population centers where professional response time is complicated by confestion and traffic. A pilot project in New York City, which designed and implemented a first-response capability for medical emergencies in corporations, using employees in a system congruent with the fire warden plans in effect, was completed in May 1977. To obtain an initial assessment of the medical impact of such training and the effectiveness of such a medical emergency response system during the pilot phase, The Regional Emergency Medical Services Council of New York City, Inc., obtained reports from the 24 participating corporations on all reported medical and surgical emergencies occurring in the working environment. The authors conclude that this approach to development of a first response-capability can provide an effective community base for an effective Emergency Medical Services system in urban areas.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Early detection of osseointegration using scanning electron microscopy and the interfacial biopsy chamber: a pilot study.

This pilot project attempted to demonstrate microscopic evidence of osseointegration in a controlled environment as originally presented by Brånemark. The Interfacial Biopsy Chamber was developed to collect titanium/tissue serial biopsies of the implant-tissue interface at various stages of wound healing. It was surgically placed in two Flemish giant rabbits and titanium/tissue biopsies were collected at 35 and 70 days. The biopsies were examined using scanning electron microscopy (x2000, x3200, and x7500) and light microscopy (x230). Osseous tissue was found in intimate contact with the titanium implant surface with no evidence of an intervening fibrous layer. Cells with the morphological characteristics of osteoblasts were observed covering the titanium surface. Processes extending from the main body of these cells were in intimate contact with the titanium surface, following the machining striations. The photomicrographs were similar to those presented earlier by Brånemark. The project also suggested the use of the Interfacial Biopsy Chamber as a research instrument for the collection of implant/tissue interface serial biopsy samples.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

[Word processing of medical records and epicrises at a hospital department].

In January 1988 a pilot project was initiated at the Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Tromsø, to explore the possible use of word processing in routine operations of patient documentation. The project was evaluated at the end of ten months, and had resulted in a reduction of approximately 25% in the required written operations. Other notable results were reduced use of extra staff and overtime, and a general improvement in the staff's working conditions. The department's doctors reported no deterioration in the quality of the patient documentation produced using the new procedures. The successful outcome of the project was made possible by using the hospital's internal resources to develop suitable procedures for the instruction and supervision of the relevant staff, to install equipment, and to prepare a users' manual.

Hospital Departments↗

PubMed1994

Top performer survey: computerized psychological assessment in aircrew.

There were 29 (80%) subjects from a squadron of 36 F-16 pilots who voluntarily participated in a newly developed anonymous, self-administered, computerized testing protocol. The test battery consisted of two 2.5-h blocks that gathered demographic information and measured personality (MMPI-2), cognitive capacity (MAB), crew coordination skills (PCI), and history of psychiatric diagnoses (C-DIS). The test battery also included a peer rating survey that collected information about the squadron's top performers and their personal qualities. Results indicated that aviators can agree who are top performers and what personal qualities are important in top performers. This pilot project demonstrated the success of the battery to gather aircrew information in a field location. Test data are presented.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Medical savings accounts (MSAs)--big benefits for small business.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, passed by Congress last year, implemented a four-year pilot project that allows employees of small businesses to set up tax-free interest-bearing medical savings accounts. These accounts offer advantages for both employees and employers

Career Mobility↗

PubMed2001

[Economic approach to breast cancer screening in Belgium].

In Belgium, the breast cancer screening by mammography involves a great number of women. It is largely non organized and regarded to the small number of data, it is impossible to determine if this screening is utile and if it has a good "cost-benefit" ratio. This work studies the economical aspects of breast cancer screening in the belgian healthcare system. From information found in other countries, we build four models corresponding to an organized and spontaneous screening. We studied the total processes from screening to diagnosis, including the quality assurance and the evaluation of effectiveness in the organized models. We then applied the reimbursements of the belgian health insurance in the models and compared the costs. It appears that a screening for breast cancer must be organized to give a best "cost-effectiveness" ratio. Pilot projects should be the best way to study the best organization modalities in Belgium.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1996

Monitoring managed care's quality.

The Health Plan Employer Data and information Set (HEDIS) relies on over 60 quality indicators divided into five categories to measure a health plan's performance. In 1995, the National Committee for Quality Assurance issued "report cards" for 21 health plans participating in its pilot project. The Health Care Financing Administration also will be measuring quality among the managed care organizations providing care to Medicare patients.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S.↗

PubMed1998

[How I treat a diabetes type 2 patient: the DREAM project for better general practitioner-specialist collaboration. Diabetes Reinforcement of Adequate Management].

Type 2 diabetes is an important public health problem because of its high prevalence and morbidity rate which both are associated with a considerable social and human cost. The general practitioner should play a central role in the management of patients with type 2 diabetes and try to meet the therapeutic objectives. Main goals include reinforcement of early diagnosis, by a better screening of individuals at risk for type 2 diabetes, achievement of a good glycaemic control, through an optimized antidiabetic treatment, correction of associated risk factors as well as detection and treatment of disease complications. DREAM ("Diabetes Reinforcement of Adequate Management") is a pilot project which started in Liege area end 1997 for at least 2 years. It aims at improving the management of type 2 diabetic patients through a better free collaboration between general practitioners and diabetologists and the adhesion to an optimized therapeutic strategy. This ambitious project benefits from the valuable support of three pharmaceutical companies.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

[Psychiatric patients and relatives instruct German police officers - an anti-stigma project of "BASTA - the alliance for mentally ill people"].

Contact with police officers due to schizophrenia and resort to violence in such interactions is a common occurrence and represents a source for stigmatisation of mentally ill people. Aim of this project was to establish a program for police officers to reduce that stigma. The seminar was developed by a German anti-stigma organisation in cooperation with sociology teachers of the Bavarian police academy. Evaluations focussed on the police officers "social distance" and "negative stereotypes" towards mentally ill people. The personal contact between officers and the referees (patients, relatives, professionals) was the core of the seminar. Results of a debriefing after the pilot-project was overall positive. Evaluations in the renewal years showed significant improvement within the scale "social distance" (p < 0.0001) and amelioration in the stereotype-categories "violence" and "treatability". The need for special training of the police regarding mental illnesses was acknowledged by all participants. Personal contact of police officers with patients and relatives appeared to be important for the efficacy of this seminar and should become a main focus in similar anti-stigma interventions.

Caregivers↗

PubMed1975

Training paraprofessionals: a learning experience for psychiatric residents.

As a pilot project within a psychiatric residency program, two psychiatric residents conducted a six-month interviewing and data-recording course for paraprofessionals in a comprehensive community mental health center. The program benefited the paraprofessionals and the institution, but the authors feel the most important benefits were to the residents themselves. Through the project they grappled with and tested solutions to such issues as accountability, delegation of clinical responsibility, supervision of subordinates, administration, and leadership.

Curriculum↗

PubMed1999

The struggle for recognition: The nurse practitioner in New South Wales, Australia.

Recognition of clinical expertise seems to be a worldwide struggle for nurses. In New South Wales (NSW), Australia, nurse practitioners (NPs) are currently struggling for formal recognition of their position. The role of NP is seen as a means of fulfilling the desire of expert nurses for optimal autonomy and recognition in the health care system. This article examines advanced nursing practice within the context of the Australian health care system and the NP movement in NSW, including the pilot projects conducted. Discussion includes contentious issues such as nurse-prescribed medications, Medicare funding, and support for the NP role from within the nursing and medical professions.

Humans↗

PubMed2004

Family health nursing: the education programme for the WHO Europe Scottish Pilot.

This article outlines the development of the family health nurse (FNH) programme, which was delivered by the University of Stirling in the highlands and islands of Scotland as part of a World Health Organization European pilot project. An outline of the structure of the programme and its key features is described. The concept of the FHN emerged from the WHO's initiative to develop a practitioner who has the family as the organizing focus of their practice (WHO, 2000). An insight is provided into the experience of the first students to undergo this programme, along with a brief summary of the main findings of the external evaluation of both the education programme and the implementation of the role in the remote and rural communities of the highlands and islands of Scotland. Suggestions are made that will hopefully influence the second phase of this project that the Scottish Executive are supporting in an urban setting, which is due to begin in September 2004.

Curriculum↗