摘要:

Procedures for indwelling central venous catheter care (ICVC) vary from utilization of strict, lengthy procedures to more lenient ones. Nurses on a hematology/oncology unit wanted to change the current ICVC care procedure to one that required fewer supplies and less time, yet was effective in minimizing catheter related infections. This prospective, quasi-experimental study of adult hospitalized hematology/oncology patients compared the rate of ICVC-related infections in an established catheter care procedure group (n - 21) and a treatment group (n = 36) using two different procedures for catheter care. Additional data examined were factors likely to increase infection risk, inflammation at catheter entrance and exit sites, and catheter complications. Broviac, Cook, and Hickman catheters were inserted. Descriptive statistics and the chi-square test, p > 0.05, were used for data analysis. The findings indicated no significant difference in the incidence of catheter-related infections in the treatment and control groups. A neutrophil count of under 22% was the only common factor likely to increase the risk for infections. The most common catheter complications, excluding infection, were dysfunction and displacement. Exit site erythema of 1.1–3.0 cm was correlated with local catheter infections. A shorter catheter care procedure may be as effective as longer procedures in minimizing catheter related infections.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1987

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Protocols for the control and treatment of oral mucositis as a side effect of radiation therapy are absent in current nursing literature. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of two oral care protocols on physical condition of the mouth and perception of comfort in patients receiving external radiation therapy to the head and neck area. Fifteen patients prescribed a minimum of 5,000 rads were randomly assigned to follow one of two specific Mouth Care Protocols: half-strength hydrogen peroxide or a solution of baking soda and water. Scores of physical condition of the mouth and perception of comfort were obtained using the Oral Examination and Perception Guides. The findings revealed a significant difference at the 0.05 level in the mean scores of perception of comfort in patients using half-strength hydrogen peroxide. The results of this study suggest that the systematic performance of oral care may be more effective in minimizing the destructive effects of radiation on the oral mucosa than the oral agent used. It also appears that consistency in both person and frequency of reinforcement promotes patient compliance.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1987

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1987

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

A descriptive study explored the ramifications of home deaths on widows of home hospice patients, as compared with widows following the deaths of their husbands within hospital settings. The hypothesis stated that differences existed in coping abilities between these groups. Data were collected from the F-COPES inventory, the Jalowiec Coping Scale, and a demographic data sheet in the homes of 32 widows whose husbands had died at home, as well as 36 widows whose spouses had died within a hospital, approximately 1 year after the death. Interviews were conducted with five widows from each group. Descriptive analyses, chi-square tests, t test techniques, and multiple regression analyses were used to identify differences in coping behaviors between the groups, as well as strengths and weaknesses of the instruments. The results of this study (p > 0.05) demonstrated that widows following death at home of their husbands utilized different coping mechanisms during the bereavement period than widows who did not participate in a hospice program. Thus, the hypothesis was supported. A theoretical framework for this project was developed on the basis of recent sociological endeavors in the study of coping and social support. Findings indicated areas for further hospice program development, recognition of some problems of widows, and recommendations for use of home hospices. Ideas for further research were generated.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1987

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

This article presents data pertaining to the informational needs of recently diagnosed cancer patients, which are described in relation to their nature, relevance, and scope in relation to disease, personal, family, and social concerns. The informational needs of these patients were measured by the Derdiarian Informational Needs Assessment (DINA) instrument, which was developed in the first phase of the study. Its content validity was established by 100% agreement among experts; the test-retest reliability was determined by McNemar test of symmetry measures ranging from 88 (p = 0.14) to 100% (p = 1.0), and the test-retest reliability of the importance value items of DINA were determined by paired t test measures ranging from 1(21) = −1.7, (p = 0.75) to 1(23) = 0.0, (p = 1.0). The differences in informational needs among groups different in person- and situation-related variables were very few, indicating the need for further exploration of the relationship between such variables and informational needs.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1987

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1987

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1987

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1987

数据来源: OVID