Abstract: The aim of this research was to ascertain the opinions of ward nurses (registered and enrolled nurses) on a critical care outreach (CCO) service and the early warning score (EWS) tool and how CCO helps them care for ward patients whose condition is deteriorating. An 18-item Likert scale questionnaire was adapted to gain opinions on three aspects of the service: The usability of the EWS tool and the escalation protocol; the role and usefulness of the critical care outreach nurse (CCON); and education and sharing of critical care skills. The research was conducted in a 270-bed New Zealand hospital with a nurse-led outreach team. The survey was distributed to adult general wards. It found 45 percent of ward nurses found EWS useful in identifying patients whose condition was deteriorating, 58 percent found EWS easy to use and 82 percent found EWS helped them prioritise workloads. On the role and usefulness of the CCON, 41 percent of surveyed nurses found the post-ICU review helpful, 65 said CCONs were approachable, 71 percent found the CCON shift time of 3pm-11pm was useful, 69 percent said the CCON demonstrated sound clinical knowledge, and 54 percent rated CCONs teaching as sufficient for their needs. When CCO was present, nurses were able to formulate an effective management plan for potentially deteriorating patients and acquired critical care skills needed to manage such patients. The results are comparable with other research which sought nurse opinion of CCO. It indicates nurses believe CCO to be instrumental in increasing critical care skills to prevent deterioration in the clinical area.

Abstract: This observational study analyses the responses of 38 nurses from two similar units that use different patient handling systems to test the reliability and validity of the Safe Patient Handling Survey (TM) SPH Survey(TM), a perception survey and improvement tool for employees and employers. Currently there is a lack of tools for evaluating patient handling systems. The survey contains 55 questions divided into 6 clusters, staff and patient injury and violence questions, and picture questions depicting unsafe techniques. The data were analysed to see how the SPH Survey(TM) scores correlate with incidents, and its ability to detect differences between the two units. The results of the Pearson and Cronbach(TM) alpha tests show strong reliability, validity and consistency of the SPH Survey(TM). ANOVA comparison of means and Spearman(TM) rho tests shows that higher (better) scores on the SPH Survey(TM) clusters correlate with lower numbers of patient injuries, lower reports of verbal and physical violence episodes, and lower staff injuries. Differences were detected between the units with Unit 2 scoring higher than Unit 1 in all SPH Survey(TM) clusters and scoring lower in staff and patient injuries and violence incidents. Although the analysis was limited by the small sample size, the study has created a sound basis for further investigation. The SPH Survey(TM) is shown to be an easy way to reliably evaluate patient handling systems and workplace culture, target improvement initiatives, and continually monitor the level of patient handling risk in the workplace. Low-risk patient handling gives health care providers the means to focus on delivering high quality patient care, without endangering their own health and well-being.

Abstract: We hypothesized that the use of an Action Plan might assist self management for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).A pilot process and randomized, controlled study were undertaken to evaluate an action plan that provided advice on management of usual care and exacerbations, together with a booklet on self management. Fifty six subjects with COPD recruited through general practitioners (GPs) completed the six month study, 27 in the control group and 29 in the intervention group. The control group received usual care from their GP and the intervention group received a booklet and Action Plan from their practice nurse plus a supply of prednisone and antibiotic from their GP.The two groups were demographically similar with a mean age of 68 yrs. The resources were well received by GPs, practice nurses and the intervention group subjects. After six months there were no differences in quality of life scores or pulmonary function. There were significant changes in self management behaviour in the intervention group compared to controls. In response to seterioting symptoms, 34 versus7% (p= 0.014) initiated prednisone treatment and 44 versus 7 % (p=0.002 initiated antibiotics.Subjects in the intervention group readily adopted self management skills but did not shpw any difference in quality of life or lung function parameters. A larger prospective controlled clinical trial of this approach is warranted

Abstract: Objective; The objective of this study is to determine if attending a nursing education session on menopause has an impact on women's management of their menopausal symptoms and consequently their quality of life for women aged 40 to 60 years. The hypothesis is that women attending education sessions will start or increase health promotion activities which will reduce menopausal symptoms and thus improve their quality of life.Design and method; Two questionaires were given to the women on the day of the education sessions and another questionnaire was sent to the participant three months later. The sample of 30 completed questionnaires includes feedback from Pacific Island women. A combination of quantitative and qualitative methods were used. The measure of quality of life has been based on the level of impact of menopausal on each women's life before the education session and three months later.Results; Initial analysis indicates that diet, exercise and time out were most commonly reported health activities utilized for relief of symptoms with HRT and herbal remedies used less often. Three months after the education session there was a significant reduction in the impact of symptoms in most categories with 140 incidences of total disappearance of symptoms, 24 incidences of reduction of symptoms, 17 incidences of symptoms increasing while 36 symptoms remained unchanged. Only one woman reported that she continued to have no control over her symptoms while the rest of the sample indicated that they had some or total control. The most common changes in health promotion activities were reduction in caffeine, exercise, relaxation and lubrication with sex. Herbal, homeopathy, dietary and hormone treatment rated low in health activities after the three months.Conclusion; Initial analysis indicates that menopausal symptoms has significantly improved for the majority of women who attended the nursing education session

Abstract: Examines whether a postgraduate programme for Well Child/Tamariki Ora (WCTO) nurses prepares nurses new to child health to understand primary health care, health promotion, community nursing and nursing theory. Uses on online survey devised by Plunket National Educators to evaluate the (WCTO) strand of the Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Health Care Specialty Nursing curriculum against the delivery of the programme. Assesses student experience and student perceptions of the impact of their learning on their nursing practice. Considers whether it enables nurses to consider the specific populations in their care, or to encourage individuals, families and communities to increase their skills in health-focused daily living. Seeks to ascertain whether the structure of the programme, based on the clinical integration approach, supports nursing practice and academic study.