Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Health-Services Utilisation Amongst Older Persons During The Last Year Of Life: A Population-Based Study, Danielle Ní Chróinín, David E. Goldsbury, Alexander Beveridge, Patricia M. Davidson, Afaf Girgis, Nicholas Ingham, Jane L. Phillips, Anne M. Wilkinson, Jane M. Ingham, Dianne L. O'Connell

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

BACKGROUND: Accurate population-based data regarding hospital-based care utilisation by older persons during their last year of life are important in health services planning. We investigated patterns of acute hospital-based service use at the end of life, amongst older decedents in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.

METHODS: Data from all persons aged ≥70 years who died in the state of NSW Australia in 2007 were included. Several measures of hospital-based service utilisation during the last year of life were assessed from retrospectively linked data comprising data for all registered deaths, cause of death, hospital care during the last year of life …

Effect Of Skin-To-Skin Contact On Parents' Sleep Quality, Mood, Parent-Infant Interaction And Cortisol Concentrations In Neonatal Care Units: Study Protocol Of A Randomised Controlled Trial, Charlotte Angelhoff, Ylva Thernström Blomqvist, Charlotte Sahlén Helmer, Emma Olsson, Shefaly Shorey, Anneli Frostell, Evalotte Mörelius

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

INTRODUCTION: Separation after preterm birth is a major stressor for infants and parents. Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) is a method of care suitable to use in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to minimise separation between parents and infants. Less separation leads to increased possibilities for parent-infant interaction, provided that the parents' sleep quality is satisfactory. We aimed to evaluate the effect of continuous SSC on sleep quality and mood in parents of preterm infants borndischarge.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A randomised intervention study with two arms-intervention versus standard care. Data will be collected from 50 families. Eligible families will be randomly …

Test-Retest Reliability Of The Short-Form Survivor Unmet Needs Survey, Karen Taylor, Max Bulsara, Leanne Monterosso

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Objective: Reliable and valid needs assessment measures are important assessment tools in cancer survivorship care. A new 30-item short-form version of the Survivor Unmet Needs Survey (SF-SUNS) was developed and validated with cancer survivors, including hematology cancer survivors; however, test-retest reliability has not been established. The objective of this study was to assess the test-retest reliability of the SF-SUNS with a cohort of lymphoma survivors (n = 40).

Methods: Test-retest reliability of the SF-SUNS was conducted at two time points: baseline (time 1) and 5 days later (time 2). Test-retest data were collected from lymphoma cancer survivors (n …

Prevalence And Factors Associated With Underutilization Of Antenatal Care Services In Nigeria: A Comparative Study Of Rural And Urban Residences Based On The 2013 Nigeria Demographic And Health Survey, Emmanuel O. Adewuyi, Asa Auta, Vishnu Khanal, Olasunkanmi D. Bamidele, Cynthia P. Akuoko, Kazeem Adefemi, Samson J. Tapshak, Yun Zhao

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Introduction Antenatal care (ANC) is a major public health intervention aimed at ensuring safe pregnancy outcomes. In Nigeria, the recommended minimum of four times ANC attendance is underutilized. This study investigates the prevalence and factors associated with underutilization of ANC services with a focus on the differences between rural and urban residences in Nigeria. Methods We analyzed the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey dataset with adjustment for the sampling weight and the cluster design of the survey. The prevalence of underutilization of ANC was assessed using frequency tabulation while associated factors were examined using Chi-Square test and multivariable logistic …

Measuring The Prevalence Of Intradialytic Hypotension In A Satellite Dialysis Clinic: Are We Too Complacent?, Ulrich Steinwandel, Nick Gibson, Mandy Towell-Barnard, Richard Parsons, James J. R. Rippey, Johan Rosman

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Aims and objectives

To measure the prevalence of symptomatic (S‐IDH) and asymptomatic intradialytic hypotension (A‐IDH) or postdialysis overhydration in a satellite haemodialysis clinic in Western Australia.

Background

Intradialytic hypotension is one of the most common side effects of haemodialysis caused by ultrafiltration provoking a temporary volume depletion. The prevalence of asymptomatic hypotension during dialysis has been rarely reported, but is considered to have the same negative consequences as symptomatic hypotension on various end organs like the brain and the gastrointestinal tract.

Design

Observational study on a retrospective 3‐month period of nursing recorded fluid‐related adverse events.

Methods

Data collection on the …

Nurse-Led Primary Health Care For Homeless Men: A Multimethods Descriptive Study, Michael A. Roche, Christine M. Duffield, Judith Smith, Dana A. Kelly, Robyn Cook, Jen M. Bichel-Findlay, Carla Saunders, David J. Carter

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Aim: To explore the primary healthcare needs and health service use of homeless men in inner Sydney. Background: People experiencing homelessness have greater health needs than the general population and place high demands on tertiary care, which is expensive and may not be the optimum service for their needs. Accessible, approachable and affordable primary healthcare services could improve the health of homeless persons and potentially decrease costs to the healthcare system. Methods: A multimethod design using a cross-sectional survey (n = 40) and administrative data (n = 2 707 daily summaries) collected from a nurse-led primary healthcare clinic for homeless …

Lifestyle Health Behaviors Of Nurses And Midwives: The ‘Fit For The Future’ Study, Lin Perry, Xiaoyue Xu, Robyn Callagher, Rachel Nicholls, David Sibbritt, Christine Duffield

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Nurses and midwives (nurses) are the principle role models and health educators for the wider population. This study sought to identify the health-related behaviors of the nursing workforce of New South Wales (NSW), Australia, compared to contemporary recommendations for healthy living and to the Australian general population, matched by gender and age. An electronic cross-sectional survey delivered in 2014–2015 recruited 5041 nurses through the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association and professional networks. Validated health behavior measures were collected and compared to Australian National Health Survey data. Compared with younger nurses, older nurses reported greater adherence to fruit and vegetable guideline …

Can A Renal Nurse Assess Fluid Status Using Ultrasound On The Inferior Vena Cava? A Cross-Sectional Interrater Study: Ultrasound On The Inferior Vena Cava, Ulrich Steinwandel, Nicholas Gibson, Amanda Towell, James Rippey

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Introduction:

Ultrasound of the inferior vena cava (IVC-US) has been used to estimate intravascular volume status and fluid removal during a hemodialysis session. Usually, renal nurses rely on other, imprecise methods to determine ultrafiltration. To date, no study has examined whether renal nurses can reliably perform ultrasound for volume assessment and for potential prevention of intradialytic hypotension. This pilot study aimed to determine if a renal nurse could master the skill of performing and correctly interpreting Point of Care Ultrasound on patients receiving hemodialysis.

Methods:

After receiving theoretical training and performing 100 training scans, a renal nurse performed …

The Weakening Of Kin Ties: Exploring The Need For Life-World Led Interventions, Gert Schout, Gideon De Jong

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The protective features that families and wider social relationships can have are required to meet the demands of life in contemporary Western societies. Choice and detraditionalization, however; impede this source of solidarity. Family Group Conferencing (FGC) and other life-world led interventions have the potential to strengthen primary groups. This paper explores the need for such a social intervention, using insights from sociological and philosophical theories and empirical findings from a case study of the research project ‘FGC in mental health’. This need is understandable considering the weakening of kin ties, the poor qualities of state agencies to mobilise self-care and …

Barriers To Promoting Mobility In Hospitalized Older Adults, Gordana Dermody, Christine R. Kovach

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Hospitalized older adults who do not receive sufficient mobility are more likely to sustain negative health outcomes, including higher rates of mortality and institutionalization. Accordingly, the purpose of the current secondary data analysis was to examine the nurse-promoted mobility of hospitalized older adults and the association between nurses’ barriers and nurse-promoted mobility. In addition, the relationship among patient severity of illness, proxy levels for function, and nurse-promoted mobility was examined. The final study sample included 61 nurses working in medical units caring for a total of 77 older adults. Findings suggest nurse knowledge gaps and attitude barriers could potentially influence …

In The Shadow Of The Ivory Tower: Experiences Of Midwives And Nurses Undertaking Phds, Sadie Geraghty, Kim Oliver

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Aims: The aims of this study were to gain an understanding of the experiences of nurses and midwives enrolled in a PhD, explore any barriers that PhD students encounter whilst completing the degree, and develop recommendations for consideration in formulating support strategies to encourage completion for nurses and midwives enrolled on a PhD degree. Background: It is important to understand what is happening at doctoral level education for nurses and midwives, and how those enrolled on PhD courses can successfully complete their studies, transition learning, and acquire the ability to undertake research into the clinical environments. Design: The criteria for …

Are Midwifery Students Adequately Prepared For Vaginal Breech Birth In Clinical Practice?, Steffne Nel, Sadie Geraghty

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

While the value of the clinical skills and expertise required to enable safe vaginal breech birth remains high, midwives who possess these skills are becoming scarce. Additionally, for many midwifery students, vaginal breech birth is becoming somewhat of an elusive event, rarely experienced in clinical practice when completing their training. Not so long ago, this was a standard competency taught to and held by obstetricians and midwives alike, but for those in developed nations working within robust healthcare systems, the frequency of planned vaginal breech birth is on a downward trend, and this is reflected in midwifery educational curriculums.

The Nexus Of Nursing Leadership And A Culture Of Safer Patient Care, Melanie Murray, Deborah R. Sundin, Vicki C. Cope

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Aims and objectives: To explore the connection between +6 nursing leadership and enhanced patient safety. Background: Critical reports from the Institute of Medicine in 1999 and Francis QC report of 2013 indicate that healthcare organisations, inclusive of nursing leadership, were remiss or inconsistent in fostering a culture of safety. The factors required to foster organisational safety culture include supportive leadership, effective communication, an orientation programme and ongoing training, appropriate staffing, open communication regarding errors, compliance to policy and procedure, and environmental safety and security. As nurses have the highest patient interaction, and leadership is discernible at all levels of nursing, …

Cynicism About Change, Work Engagement, And Job Satisfaction Of Public Sector Nurses, Diep T. N. Nguyen, Stephen T. Teo, David Pick

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This paper uses the job demands‐resources theory to examine the consequences of changes on nursing work. Data were collected from 220 public sector nurses in Australia to test the model. We conducted a two‐wave data collection process where independent variables (organisational change, workload, job control, nursing administrative stressors, cynicism about organisational change, and demographic variables) were collected in Time 1. The dependent variables (nursing work engagement and job satisfaction) were collected 6 months later. Changes to nursing work were found to cause high workload and an increase of administrative stressors that leads to an increase in nurses’ change cynicism. Job …

Development Of An Australian Nursing Critical Thinking Tool Using A Delphi Process, Elisabeth R. Jacob, Christine M. Duffield, Darren Jacob

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Aim: To develop a critical thinking assessment tool for Australian undergraduate nurses. Background: Critical thinking is an important skill but difficult to assess in nursing practice. There are often many responses a nurse can make to a clinical problem or situation. Some responses are more correct than others and these decisions have an impact on a patient's care and safety. Differences in a response can relate to the depth of knowledge, experience and critical thinking ability of the individual nurse. Design: This study used a Delphi process to develop five clinical case studies together with the most appropriate clinical responses …