Medical-surgical supplies consumption and nurses' attitude towards cost-effectiveness in two health care sectors: a comparative study

A correlation study was carried out to estimate retrospectively the consumption rate of the frequently used medical-surgical supplies over a year, examine nurses' attitude toward cost-effectiveness, explore the effect of selected sociodemographic variables on nurses attitude toward cost-effectiveness and compare between selected intensive cue units [ICUs] affiliated to private and governmental health care sectors in relation to the previously mentioned variables. Eighty baccalaureate nurses were randomly selected, 40 from each sector to constitute the study sample. Blaney/Hobson attitude scale [1988], auditing sheet and brief socio-demographic data sheet were utilized to collect data pertinent to the study. The findings revealed that private ICU nurses showed a tendency to have higher mean age, years of experience and less years in current job. Also, the majority of them [72.5%] possessed more positive attitudes toward cost effectiveness compared with 42.5% of the governmental ICU nurses. Private sector nurses' attitude toward cost effectiveness was negatively correlated to years of experience and years in current job, however their average daily consumption of about two thirds of the frequently used medical- surgical supplies was higher, despite the lower occupancy rate in their units [81% Vs 95%]. The implications of these findings were discussed from the perspectives of developing nursing strategies to deal with nurses attitudes as it relates to cost, services and patient outcomes

Assessing quality of nursing care provided by nurse in terms of the emergency surgery wards

This study was done over 6 months to assess quality of nursing care provided by the nurse interns in the emergency surgery ward. Donabedian's model [structure, process and outcome] was the conceptual framework for this study. Concurrent and intermittent observations using assessment sheets were used by the investigators for data collection. Since structural factors were perceived to have influence on the quality of nursing care, an inventory checklist was used to assess availability and adequacy of structural factors such as policies, procedures, equipment, supplies and physical set-up. The findings of the study indicated that the nursing care provided by the interns was of low quality. However, assessment of the structural factors indicated absence of permanent head nurse, lack of equipment and supplies necessary for providing nursing care

Patients' strategies to manage stressors related to their chronic illness

The studied sample consisted of 100 patients; all the available arthritic, diabetic and hypertensive patients. A structured interview was used for data collection utilizing the modified illness, stressors scale and a modified coping scale. The conclusion of the study indicated that all the studied groups have perceived different stressors related to their illness and used different coping strategies. A major implication suggested by this study is the need for continuous nursing efforts to provide services as well as alternatives that enable chronic ill patients to stay active as long as possible and to improve the quality of the participation in support groups assist patients and their families and counseling is recommended to help them to cope with their stressors