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JULY – DECEMBER 2008 VOL-9, NO.2 PROFESSIONAL REGULATION: ESSENTIAL ELEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE * Shandrila Immanuel, M.Sc (N) ABSTRACT Nursing in 21st century has occupied a central position in health care system and nurses are shouldering key responsibilities in shaping the outcomes of health care. As the professional nurse is vital to the health, safety and well-being of patients in all facets of health care, it requires professional discipline. Though the professional nurse gains knowledge and develops positive skills and attitude through educational and occupational experiences, her professional practice is influenced by nursing standards set by professional bodies. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to define regulation, emphasize the need for professional regulation, present the principles underpinning professional regulation and describe the existing professional regulation. The article also highlights the role of regulatory professional bodies in guiding every nurse, not only to protect the history and heritage of the profession but also reach out and envision, shape and support professional nursing practice. NURSING CARE PROTOCOL FOR HIP REPLACEMENT * Priscilla Roselyn Sam, M.Sc (N) ABSTRACT Joint disease necessitates surgical interventions to relieve pain, improve stability and improve the function. Hip replacement is one of the most reliable operations in orthopaedic surgery and consistently decreases or eliminates the pain and stiffness, thereby improving quality of life. It is therefore essential for nurses to expand their understanding and ability to provide quality health care for these patients undergoing surgery. This article will sensitize the nurses to be basically prepared, update their knowledge and develop competence in providing quality care based on nursing care protocol. CAREGIVERS' PERCEPTION OF THEIR PROBLEMS AND NEEDS IN PALLIATIVE CARE SETTINGS - A LITERATURE REVIEW * Anitha Stanley, B.Sc (N) ABSTRACT This literature review aimed to describe the problems and needs of the family caregivers and the nurse's role in meeting them in palliative care settings. A literature search in electronic databases and manual searches were done. Scrutiny and evaluation led to the selection of 18 scientific studies, which formed the base for the results. The results showed that the caregivers encountered multi-dimensional problems and variety of needs. This has an impact on the caregivers as well as the care recipients well being. The findings provide incentives for the nurses to implement family centred palliative care services and offer care, which entails physical, psychological and psychosocial dimensions. This corroborates the need for implementing holistic family centred palliative services and emphasizes the need for treating the patient and the caregiver as patient-caregiver dyad. The nurse can do this by providing information, being supportive and organizing the support network. Through this, the family caregivers can establish meaning and cohesion in the midst of prevailing chaos. CONTINUING EDUCATION SERIES - No : 15 RETINAL DETACHMENT * Bala Seetharaman, M.Sc (N) ABSTRACT Retinal Detachment (RD) is the separation of the neurosensory retina from the retinal pigment epithelium caused by a breakdown of the forces that attach the neurosensory retina to the retinal pigment epithelium. It is a medical emergency. Several different procedures are required for RD, depending on the extent, duration of the RD and the condition of the retina. The Fundamental goals in ophthalmic nursing should include the preservation of vision and prevention of further visual loss. EFFECTIVENESS OF STRUCTURED TEACHING PROGRAMME ON KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF DIABETIC PATIENTS ON PREVENTION OF COMPLICATIONS * Priscilla K, M. Sc (N) ABSTRACT A quasi experimental study was carried out in the diabetic clinic of Christian Fellowship Community Health (CFCH) Centre, Ambilikkai, South India to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on knowledge and practice of diabetic patients on prevention of complications. A sample of 30 newly diagnosed diabetic patients were selected by convenience sampling method. A self administered questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge and practice of patients on selected complications of diabetes (hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia and wound infection). The structured teaching programme was given to the group by using a video compact disc followed by discussion with flash cards. Post assessment was done after 2 weeks. Findings revealed that the knowledge and practice of diabetic patients on the prevention of selected complications of diabetes mellitus was significantly increased after the structured teaching programme. There was significant association between knowledge and selected demographic variables like age and education. Significant association was also seen between practice and education and income. A positive correlation was found between knowledge and practice. KNOWLEDGE OF NURSING PERSONNEL AND ADEQUACY OF NURSING CARE GIVEN TO PATIENTS WITH MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION * T. Jeni Christal Vimala, M.Sc(N) ABSTRACT A descriptive study was carried out in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of Christian Medical College(CMC), Vellore, to determine the knowledge of nursing personnel regarding care of Myocardial Infarction(MI) patients and adequacy of nursing care given in selected aspects of care to patients with MI. Thirty patients and ten nurses working in CCU were selected using convenience sampling method. The nurses working in CCU were given a questionnaire to assess their knowledge on care of patients with MI. The adequacy of nursing care on selected aspects was assessed using an observation checklist. Study findings report that the knowledge of nursing personnel was adequate in the aspects of assessment and immediate care, treatment, safety, comfort, rest and nutrition. The knowledge of nursing personnel in relation to psychological needs was inadequate. The nursing care provided was adequate in the aspects of assessment and immediate care, treatment, safety, psychological needs, comfort and rest. The care provided was found to be inadequate in meeting the nutritional needs. |