|
|
Cavanagh, C. (2004). Dignity and palliative care: A search to discover the true meaning of the concept of “dying with dignity”.
Abstract: This paper presents an exploration of a foundational goal of palliative care nursing which is to help patients die with dignity. The paper presents this practice exploration as a journey to gain understanding of the concept of dignity; the author notes that it does not avoid the difficulties encountered in practice situations because dying with dignity is unique and curiously also invisible and different for everyone. Much of human life is conducted through stories and much of nursing involves telling and listening to stories. Many of our social institutions are comprised almost entirely of opportunities for telling and retelling stories. Nurses are constantly listening to patients telling them what is going on in their lives and because of this the stories related here are written bold and raw. The three stories explore and reveal in-depth details of nursing practice that evolved and changed after reflection. The paper also reveals and explores the untold and often painful stories that challenge nurses' capacity to offer dignified care. To deepen the exploration towards discovering ways to articulate the complexity of dignity, the author reflected on the nature of the practice changes documented in the stories and then used a range of diverse literature and her love of the paintings and philosophy of a New Zealander, Ralph Hotere, to support her ideas that dignity is indeed a complex phenomenon.
|
|
|
|
Stewart, R. (2005). Opportunistic chlamydia testing: Improving nursing practice through self-audit and reflection. Nursing Praxis in New Zealand, 21(1), 43–52.
Abstract: This article details how an individual family planning nurse's practice concerning opportunistic testing for sexually transmitted chlamydia was improved through an audit of her testing rates and reflection on the outcome. The leading curable sexually transmitted infection in New Zealand, chlamydia, (including the incidence and spread of the infection and why it is a public health issue) is discussed, and the audit examined. The first audit of fifty consecutive client visits exposed a lack of opportunistic testing. The second looking at a similar but more recent group of client visits, made after the results of the first (zero opportunistic testing) were known, shows an increase in testing and education about chlamydia. Important clinical issues concerning chlamydia testing and treatment are considered. In conclusion the article challenges other nurses in the community to take a lead in raising awareness of the consequences of undiagnosed chlamydial infection and find ways of increasing opportunistic testing for chlamydia within their practice.
|
|
|
|
Horsburgh, M., Goodyear-Smith, F., Yallop, J., & O'Connor, S. (2008). Implementation of a nursing initiative in primary care: A case report, cardiovascular disease risk reduction. New Zealand Family Physician, 35(3), 183–186.
Abstract: The aim was to report on implementation of a nursing initiative of cardiovascular disease (CVD) screening risk assessment at the Mornington Health Centre, Dunedin, with initial outcomes after six months. The practice aim was 80% of their eligible population assessed within three to four years, particularly targeting high-risk groups. The audit indicates that in their first six months, Mornington Health Centre had screened 42% of their eligible patients. This is described as very successful progress towards their goal of 80%. A number of key organisational factors are identified that are likely to have contributed to the development and success of the nurse CVD risk assessment programme at Mornington Health Centre. The authors suggest that this case study demonstrates how organisational change, where the practice nurse role in the multidisciplinary team is clear, can facilitate a practice to meet a population-based goal.
|
|
