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Paterson, J. E. (2006). Nurses' clinical decision-making: The journey to advancing practice. Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: This dissertation reports on a scholarly journey to better understand the processes of clinical decision-making by nurses. It begins by identifying the various terms used to describe a clinical decision, its components and the contexts within which clinical decisions are made. Two philosophies of decision-making are summarised. Some insight into the history of the phenomenological and the rationalist theories of decision-making is offered. The author notes that it became evident that both of these theories are applicable to all nurses and their clinical decision making competencies. Four studies that were undertaken to analyse the decision-making methods of nurse practitioners are critiqued. Of the studies two are British, one is American and one is Australian. The author has summarised the combined findings that identified that the nurses were using a blend of decision-making processes that involved rational decision making as well as the use of intuition. The studies identified that sound clinical decision-making is determined by appropriate educational and clinical preparation and supported by a formal mentoring process and the use of critical reflective practice. In conclusion, the author reflects on her knowledge of decision making prior to embarking on the dissertation and states her intent to facilitate and support advanced decision-making by her colleagues. She goes on to say that uppermost is the need for an institutional and managerial environment that encourages advanced and independent decision-making by nurses.
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Rose, A. (2000). Is case management an efficient and effective model of care for complex patients in an acute medical setting? Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: This thesis looks at the prospect of developing and implementing case management as a model of care for complex patients in an acute medical setting. An extensive literature review was conducted to explore the concept of case management and to identify the role of the case manager, including the qualities and qualifications required for the position. Clinical pathways are a tool used in case management so these are also included in the literature review. As the author had been involved in the development of the first clinical pathway for Hutt Valley Health, this is used as an example to clarify how case management and clinical pathways can be used in conjunction. A discussion chapter examines the advantages and disadvantages of case management which shows that it can be an effective and efficient model of care through the development of clinical pathways. The ethical implications of case management are also considered. The thesis concludes with recommendations for the continued development of case management as a model of care to improve the quality of care for both patients and the organisation. During the course of the thesis, other areas that are worth further investigation have also been identified, such as the relevance of case management to different cultures. The thesis suggests that a proposal for case management for complex patients in the acute care setting is developed along with a job description for the role of the case manager.
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Bickley, J. (2002). A study of medical, nursing, and institutional not-for-resuscitation (NFR) discourses. Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: This study investigates the way that medical, nursing and institutional discourses construct knowledge in the specific context of Not-for-resuscitation (NFR)in a New Zealand general hospital where NFR guidelines are available in the wards and from the regional ethics committee. The thesis argues that there are ranges of techniques that staff use to construct NFR knowledge, enacted through various forms of speech and silence, which result in orderly and disorderly experiences for patients nearing death. The study was conducted through a critical analysis of the talk of health professionals and the Chairperson of the Regional Ethics Committee.
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Rose, L., Nelson, S., Johnston, L., & Presneill, J. J. (2008). Workforce profile, organisation structure and role responsibility for ventilation and weaning practices in Australia and New Zealand intensive care units. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 17(8), 1035–1043.
Abstract: The aim of this research is to provide an analysis of the scope of nursing practice and inter-professional role responsibility for ventilatory decision-making in Australian and New Zealand intensive care units (ICU). Self-administered questionnaires were sent to nurse managers of eligible ICUs within Australia and New Zealand. Survey responses were available from 54/180 ICUs. The majority (71%) were located within metropolitan areas and categorised as a tertiary level ICU (50%). The mean number of nurses employed per ICU bed was 4.7 in Australia and 4.2 in New Zealand, with 69% (IQR: 47-80%) of nurses holding a postgraduate specialty qualification. All units reported a 1:1 nurse-to-patient ratio for ventilated patients with 71% reporting a 1:2 nurse-to-patient ratio for non- ventilated patients. Key ventilator decisions, including assessment of weaning and extubation readiness, were reported as predominantly made by nurses and doctors in collaboration. Overall, nurses described high levels of autonomy and influence in ventilator decision-making. Decisions to change ventilator settings, including FiO(2) (91%, 95% CI: 80-97), ventilator rate (65%, 95% CI: 51-77) and pressure support adjustment (57%, 95% CI: 43-71), were made independently by nurses. The authors conclude that the results of the survey suggest that, within the Australian and New Zealand context, nurses participate actively in ventilation and weaning decisions. In addition, they suggest, the results support an association between the education profile and skill-mix of nurses and the level of collaborative practice in ICU.
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