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JAN – JUN 2011 VOL-12, NO.1 QUALITY IN NURSING CARE * Rogina J. S. Savarimuthu, M.Sc (N)., M.Sc (Psy) ABSTRACT Quality health care is the optimal delivery of effective, efficient and cost-benefit professional health services to people and communities. As nurses are the largest group among health care professionals and are legally liable and morally responsible for their care, quality nursing care is essential. Quality nursing care is the delivery of safe care based on nursing standards which eventually results in patient satisfaction. Florence Nightingale has been a pioneer in providing quality nursing care. Today nurses are expected to render quality nursing care in the most effective and efficient way with the maximum utilization of scarce resources. Regular monitoring and feedback systems maintained through quality management committee aid in providing quality nursing care in each institution. This article focuses on the historical perspective of quality care, its importance and indicators, quality models and functions of nursing quality management committee. Crosby's 14 steps Quality Improvement are also discussed. STRESS MANAGEMENT AMONG NURSES * Irin Light, C, M.Sc (N) ABSTRACT It is universally recognized that nursing is, by its very nature, a stressful occupation. Stress Management Intervention (SMI) Programmes aim at changing the degree of stress potential in a situation by reducing the intensity or number of stressors present, helping employees modify their appraisal of a potentially stressful situation and helping them cope more effectively with the consequences of stress. The major types of organizational stress management intervention programmes are those relating to physical health which includes relaxation techniques, physical exercise, biofeedback, nutritional counseling and Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). The emotional health includes Cognitive Restructuring (Rational-Emotive Therapy, Rational Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Therapy) and Coping Skills Therapies (Systematic Rational Restructuring, Anxiety-Management Training, Stress Inoculation Training), Problem-solving therapies, Work Load Management, Assertiveness Training, Hardiness Training, Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) and Time Management. The stress management intervention at the organizational level results in good health for the nurses as well as increased productivity for the hospitals. NURSES’ ROLE IN THE COMPREHENSIVE CARE OF PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS * Josephine Sukumaran, M.Sc (N) ABSTRACT Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). MS usually affects women more than men. The disorder commonly begins between the ages of 20 and 40. The exact cause is unknown, but MS is believed to result from damage to the myelin sheath. Persons with MS commonly experience restrictions in mobility and functional activities. Physical, psychological, environmental and economic factors contribute to these difficulties. Though MS is a chronic condition, treatments and specialist care can help people to manage many of the symptoms. The nurse may come in contact with a person with MS in a wide range of settings i.e., primary, acute or long term care. The chronic aspects of this demyelinating disease emphasize a need for care and the maintenance of physical, psychological and social health, evaluation and management of symptoms, and appropriate referrals. The physiological, social and behavioral responses of the person to the illness are an integral part of nursing care. EFFECT OF COMMUNICATION BOARD ON THE COMMUNICATION PROCESS OF MECHANICALLY VENTILATED PATIENTS * Lydia Annie J, M.Sc (N) ABSTRACT Communication is the essence of human life. Interacting with those who have conditions that impair communication requires special thought and sensitivity. Such patients benefit greatly when the nurses adapt communication techniques to suit their unique circumstances. Therefore, an experimental study was conducted among 60 patients, to assess the effect of communication board on the communication process of the mechanically ventilated patients after cardiac surgery at the Apollo Hospitals, Chennai. The effect of communication board was assessed in terms of mechanically ventilated patients' communication process and their satisfaction. The results revealed that the subjects in the experimental group communicated better (17.23 vs. 9.53) and were highly satisfied (32.63 vs. 20.57) with their communication than those in the control group. REVIEW OF LITERATURE * Vathsala Sadan, M.Sc (N)., Ph.D ABSTRACT Reviewing the literature is an important step in the research process. It is essential that a researcher has to build on the existing knowledge. The two types of literature used are the theoretical and empirical literature. The literature search process has changed since the introduction of computers. Use of electronic data bases are of great value in the literature review process. Critiquing the existing resources will take us through an understanding of the current knowledge on the research problem .A well organized review of literature will definitely help the researcher to develop a good context for the research study. Searching the literature, reading the literature and writing the literature are the three major stages of literature review. This article describes briefly about these three stages of literature review. CONTINUING EDUCATION SERIES NO.20 SPINAL CORD INJURY AND REHABILITATION: ROLE OF NURSES * Priscilla Sam, M.Sc (N)
ABSTRACT Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the complex traumatic conditions affecting people of all age groups. Care for such clients requires collaboration with various healthcare professionals. In order to be an effective team member, the nurse needs to have a sound knowledge about SCI that will enable her to identify the needs and problems of these clients and provide holistic care. This would result in improvement in the overall survival and quality of life of clients with spinal cord injury. The article provides a brief review of the relevant anatomy and physiology. The etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic measures, management and rehabilitation are presented in detail. CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE * Era Deepika ABSTRACT Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) is a degenerative neurological disorder that is incurable and invariably fatal. It is some times called a human form of MADCOW disease. The brain develops holes and takes up a sponge like appearance. This is caused by an infectious protein called prions. The Pathophysiology, diagnosis and available treatment options are presented in the article. There is no cure and all treatments are experimental. Educating the public not to consume contaminated beef is important towards its prevention particularly in developing countries. TEST ANXIETY AND ITS INFLUENCE ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE * Mary Rita K, M.Sc (N) ABSTRACT Test Anxiety is a natural phenomenon seen in students and is believed to affect their academic performance. The level of test anxiety and its influence on academic performance were assessed among postgraduate students (PG) in the Meenakshi College of Nursing, Chennai, South India. Twenty eight students were studied using the purposive sampling method. A self administered standardized questionnaire was used to assess the level of anxiety before the University examinations. Academic performance was assessed after the University examination results. The study findings revealed that all the students experienced moderate to severe level of anxiety and the academic performance was good among 50% of students and it was fair in 46.4% of students. A very low negative correlation was found between test anxiety and academic performance. There was a significant association between the academic performance and marital status. NEEDLE STICK INJURY AMONG NURSING PERSONNEL IN A MEDICAL COLLEGE HOSPITAL IN SOUTH INDIA * Anand Kalaskar, MBBS., MD ABSTRACT Healthcare workers especially nurses are very prone for accidental needle stick injuries. Inspite of education and interventions for prevention, needle stick injuries are still common. A survey was performed to estimate the magnitude of needle stick injuries (NSIs) among nurses and nursing students in a teaching hospital in Kanyakumari District of Southern Tamil Nadu, India. The surveillance data of NSI over a period of one year (Dec. 2008 to Nov. 2009) was reviewed. Questionnaires were distributed to 108 staff nurses and 510 nursing students to identify self reported NSIs, of whom 102 staff nurses and 458 students returned completed questionnaires. Among the respondents, 164 (29%) had sustained NSIs and had subsequent follow up for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis C virus. Most (162) were negative for these viruses except for two who were positive, one for Hepatitis B virus and one for HIV. Proper education, appropriate waste disposal of the sharps and adopting universal precautions are necessary to prevent NSI among nurses. |