Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Quality Of Life Of Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease On Dialysis In South Africa: A Grounded Theory Analysis, Pretty Ntombithini Mbeje, Ntombifikile Gloria Mtshali

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

Introduction: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a global health problem with increasing prevalence worldwide. The number of patients with ESRD will increase to almost 60% by 2020, with the potential to greatly impact patients’ quality of life (QOL). This study aimed to explore and analyze QOL in patients with ESRD on dialysis.

Methods: Grounded theory, under pinned by a social constructivism paradigm, was used. Data collection occurred simultaneously in the natural settings of four selected public hospitals. A coding process was used to analyze rich data and generate findings from three focus group discussions.

Results: Results revealed that some participants …

Navigating A Difficult Transition In Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Clinical Case Study, Tina Hyman, Michael Salinero, Francisco Javier Jimenez-Carcamo, Margarita Pallares, Maribel Matos

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

Over the past 20 years, Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) patients and providers have seen an increase in options to treat PAH. Currently, there are choices for the delivery of medications approved to treat patients with PAH where at one point the only option was intravenous (IV) therapy. This case study details the transition from IV Epoprostenol to oral Treprostinil for the treatment of a 53 year old female diagnosed with severe Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension whose quality of life became unbearable by the IV medication delivery route. This patient was a synchronized swimmer in her youth and her passion for water …

Implanting Loop Recorders In A Hospital Unit Versus The Electrophysiology Laboratory: A Retrospective Chart Review, Marie Paule Lafontant, Valerie E. Smith, Nohemi Sadule Rios, Marsha Camille Lambert

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

Introduction: Cardiac arrhythmias and unexplained syncopal episodes remain a challenge for clinicians to diagnose. The recent creation of the smallest Implantable Loop Recorder (ILR) assists in identifying the causes behind cardiac and neurological events. The current study aimed to compare the practice of implanting loop recorders at the bedside in the Cardiac and Vascular Care Unit (CVCU) to implantations in the Electrophysiology Laboratory (EP Lab).

Methods: This study was a retrospective review of electronic medical records. Data abstraction included implantation dates, time of admission and discharge, length of stay (LOS), number of healthcare staff involved, and cost of the procedure. …