JANUARY – JUNE 2005 VOL-6, NO.1 OUTCOMES MANAGEMENT IN NURSING * Diane Jedlicka, Ph.D., R.N., CNS ABSTRACT Outcomes are the end result of a treatment or intervention. Outcomes management represents a data driven approach to improve the health care outcomes of patients. Nurses are in a unique position to use outcomes management to provide quality care for their patients. The process of outcomes management involves several components. It is essential to describe the desired outcomes and identify the indicators to measure the results. Tools for data collection should be integrated into ward routines. Results must then be analyzed and used for clinical decision making. ROLE OF DIET IN CANCER PREVENTION * Roselin V. Rhenius, B.Sc (N)., R.N., R.M., M.Sc (N) ABSTRACT Research to date has uncovered a few definite relationships between diet and cancer risk. Dietary risk factors for which there is convincing evidence are overweight and obesity, a high consumption of alcoholic beverages, aflatoxin, high dietary intake of preserved meats, salt preserved foods and very hot (thermally) drinks and food. After tobacco, overweight and obesity appear to be the most important known avoidable causes of cancer. Probable protective factors are consumption of fruits and vegetables and physical activity. WHO is also engaged in preparing a Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health under a May 2002 mandate from Member States to address the growing global burden of chronic diseases including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity (WHO / FAO Report, 2003). The role of diet in the etiology of the major cancers and the dietary recommendations for preventing cancers are highlighted in this article. STUDENT ARTICLE NURSES’ KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE REGARDING * Shijoy Annie Mathew, VIII Semester, B.Sc (N) ABSTRACT This study was conducted in a Paediatric Medical ward of the Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore, to assess the knowledge and practice of nursing personnel regarding nebulisation therapy for children between the age group (0-12 years). A sample of thirty observations of the nebulisation therapy done by the nursing personnel (eight nursing staff and two nursing students) was observed. Practice of the nursing personnel was observed with the help of an observational checklist and knowledge was assessed with the help of a questionnaire. Results on the whole were found to be moderately adequate. IMPACT OF SIMPLE LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE AND EDUCATION FOR * Ghayathri Ananthi, B.Sc (N)., R.N., R.M ABSTRACT Lymphoedema is a devastating, debilitating, stressful and painful condition causing immense heartache and embarrassment to the patient. A quasi experimental study was carried out in the oncology department and palliative care clinic of the ChristianMedicalCollege (CMC), Vellore to determine the impact of simple lymphatic drainage and education for lymphoedema in cancer patients. A sample of thirty patients with limb lymphoedema were chosen. A total of thirty one lower limbs and twelve upper limbs were taken. The functional independence of the patients, the physical appearance, mobility, volume and pain in the lymphoedematous limb were assessed before and after simple lymphatic drainage and education. The post interventional assessment was conducted a week after the pre interventional assessment. Instruments used were Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scale (State University Research Foundation, New York 1993), a checklist to assess the physical condition and a numerical rating scale to assess the pain. The study findings revealed that there was a significant improvement in functional independence, reduction in edema of the lower limbs, improvement in the mobility of both upper and lower limbs and reduction of pain. Thus it was found that simple lymphatic drainage and education for lymphoedema in cancer patients were effective. CONTINUING EDUCATION SERIES – NO. 8 MANAGEMENT OF A CHILD ON VENTILATOR – PART II * Sundari Edwin, B.Sc., R.N., R.M., M.Sc (N) This article is a continuation of the previous Continuing Education Series on Management of a Child on Ventilator (Part 1). ABSTRACT Mechanical ventilatory support is an integral component in the delivery of critical care in children. Increasingly, pediatric critical care nurses face the challenge of caring for children who require mechanical ventilation. Irrespective of the location in which care is to be provided, it is important that nurses caring for such children understand the fundamental principles related to mechanical ventilation, implications on their respiratory function, associated complications and specific nursing care measures. This article reviews the nursing care of a child on mechanical ventilatory support.
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