Reports 2001

The aim of the study was to investigate how organ donation is promoted and managed, aimed specifically to patients and relatives.

A review of the literature identifies nurses as a key component in the process of organ donation, but also highlights that approaching relatives is problematic and stressful for nursing staff.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia;  it is a serious condition that is poorly treated.   Better management will substantially reduce the burden of illness on society through prevention of stroke and reduced mortality.

A study was designed to assess the benefits of a nurse-directed AF clinic over the existing route referral.   The clinic is run by an experienced cardiology nurse and operated according to a specific protocol, allowing rapid assessment for DCC of patients with uncomplicated AF.

This study was undertaken into the lived experiences of health professionals and patients within an acute surgical setting.   It took place in the context of health-carer/patient communications of a lung/oesophageal cancer diagnosis.

Serving as a back-drop to the study is a review of the literature which casts light on the problems attendant on such interactions, an overview of the research to date and a presentation of the Health Service's recent initiatives to prioritise communication in cancer care as a major area for research and development.

The impact of domestic violence on individuals' health can be minor on one end of a continuum of catastrophic on the other.   The National Health Service and health care professionals could make a particular contribution to this problem as it is one of the services that almost all victims of this type of violence will come into contact with (DOH, 2000).

Accident and Emergency departments may well be the first place that individuals with injuries caused by domestic violence attend.

Having a family member admitted to an intensive care (ICU) will be a traumatic experience for the patient, other family members and friends.   One of the fundamental needs that relatives have, at this time, is the need for hope.   This report will describe a Grounded Theory study undertaken to explore the hope experience of nurses at the Royal Adelaide Hospital (South Australia).

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is one major cause of death and morbidity in the Western World (Zevallos et al 1992).   Myocardial Infraction (MI) commonly referred to as a ‘heart attack’ or ‘coronary thrombosis’ is the most acute manifestation of CHD.   The experience of surviving an MI is recognised as affecting an individual’s and their partners’ physical, mental and social health, as well as their perception of well-being (Ebbeseb et al 1990) key determinants of health-related quality of life.   However, despite being frequently documented, the impact of MI on health-related quality of life has rarely been systematically studied.

In the last few years various high profile incidents involving people with mental health problems and the opposition to the closure of psychiatric hospitals increased public fears about the risk people with mental health problems present to the public.   The national confidential inquiries into homicides and suicides also persistently indicated that professionals are failing to provide adequate care for people with mental health problems.

Telephone triage in Ireland is still at a fairly embryonic stage, although there are many enthusiastic and dedicated nurses who are working to organise formal educational programmes.   In the UK nurse triage services have been used for a longer period of time but training programmes for nurses are still not fully recognised.   Despite this a framework of competence in telephone nursing practice is available.

In the USA telephone triage has been a feature of healthcare services for over twenty years, initially training was available only from private companies and was not professionally accredited.   This situation has changed recently with the introduction of the new Telephone Nursing Practice Certification Examination.

Ovarian cancer is the most common cause of death from gynaecological malignancy in the UK, Europe and the USA.   Due to the non-specific nature and insidious onset of the disease around 80% of women present with advanced disease, corresponding with the depressing five-year survival figures.   This ‘silent killer’ has a prolonged and variable course characterised by an initial response to antineoplastic therapies followed by relapse and progression.

Until the introduction of the disposable nappy some thirty years ago, there was no choice – square, cotton, terry nappies were the only option, usually changed and laundered by women.   Disposables offered a quick, convenient and labour saving alternative.

Art is said to have the capacity to elevate us above human misery and to make each human experience triumphant.   Art may be perceived as something to be consumed, yet there are arguments that tell us that in our lives we can MAKE art rather than just consuming it.   The nurse’s work is sometimes perceived as art.   This study is undertaken to assess whether student and hospice nurses perceive their work as an art form which provides aesthetic outcome for both the nurse and the patient.

There is evidence that some male academics argue vehemently in order to discredit works which prize nursing as both art and aesthetic;  this study wished to assess whether male nurses of the above population were more or less likely to perceive nursing as both art and aesthetic than female nurses.

This phenomenological study was carried out to explore patient’s experiences of living with a leg ulcer.   Eight participants were recruited from a secondary care leg ulcer clinic within a large teaching hospital in the UK.   All of the participants had current venous leg ulceration within a duration varying between 5 months and 34 years.

Four major categories were formed:  Symptoms, treatment;  Perceptions, emotions and coping strategies; and Restrictions.   A number of interesting issues emerged from the data with the findings suggestion that leg ulcers have a significant impact upon individuals, with the degree to which this occurs varying between persons.

Key recommendations arose from the study:

-   the promotion of consistent treatment for leg ulcer patients

-   consideration of a support network to address the needs of those living with a leg ulcer

- Dissemination of the findings of this study among health care professionals raise their awareness of the issues affecting leg ulcer patients, enabling them to provide more responsive care.

This is a report of an international study of how people with learning disabilities access secondary health care services in the UK (Edinburgh and Stoke) and Canada (Toronto).

The main aims of the study were: -

      -   Visit areas that have developed new systems to improve access

- Benchmark good practice in the process of pre-admission assessment and planning

-   Explore how services have been developed in response to needs highlighted in evidence-base.

Day Surgery benefits patients, Hospital Trusts and the NHS as a whole.   It reduces waiting lists and the demand for in-patient beds.   It is also patient focused, empowering them to be able to recover in their own homes and minimising disruption to their lives. 

The authors of this study are two nurses who have worked in Day Surgery