AACN competency-based essentials revisit: Evidence-based validation of entrustable professional activities in Asia.

AIM: This study intended to validate the competency-based approach through an entrustable professional activity in the nursing undergraduate education arena in Taiwan. BACKGROUND: Entrustable professional activity is a recommended strategy to enhance nursing competencies and skills. It has been widely applied to nursing education in Western countries, especially graduate programs. However, its effects in eastern countries and undergraduate programs remain unclear. DESIGN: A quasi-experimental comparison design was used. METHOD: The study is conducted at the Department of Nursing at a university in southern Taiwan. A total of 72 Two-Year Nursing Program students participated in the study. After implementing the designated entrustable professional activity in the Wound Care Nursing course, outcomes were measured using the Competency Inventory of Nursing Students, Learning Satisfaction and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations. These outcomes were then compared with post-test results at the end of the semester. About 90 % of students completed the study with the test group (n=31) receiving extra activity and the comparison group (n=34) receiving usual teaching. Data were analyzed through chi-square, paired t and Student's t-test. RESULTS: The test group demonstrated significantly higher scores in perceived competency and clinical examinations than the comparison group. However, both groups experienced an increase in learning satisfaction without reaching a significant difference. CONCLUSION: Results of the study indicate that competency-based pedagogy, e.g., using entrustable professional activities, should be integrated into nursing curricula to meet the new American Association of Colleges of Nursing standards with compelling evidence.

Effect of Nanofillers on Properties and Pervaporation Performance of Nanocomposite Membranes: A Review.

In recent years, a well-known membrane-based process called pervaporation (PV), has attracted remarkable attention due to its advantages for selective separation of a wide variety of liquid mixtures. However, some restrictions of polymeric membranes have led to research studies on developing membranes for efficient separation in the PV process. Recent studies have focused on preparation of nanocomposite membranes as an effective method to improve both selectivity and permeability of polymeric membranes. The present study provides a review of PV nanocomposite membranes for various applications. In this review, recent developments in the field of nanocomposite membranes, including the fabrication methods, characterization, and PV performance, are summarized.

Best practice guidelines for stroke in Cameroon: An innovative and participatory knowledge translation project.

BACKGROUND: Although the adherence to stroke guidelines in high-income countries has been shown to be associated with improved patient outcomes, the research, development and implementation of rehabilitation related guidelines in African countries is lacking. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this article is to describe how a group of front-line practitioners collaborated with academics and students to develop best practice guidelines (BPG) for the management and rehabilitation of stroke in adult patients in Cameroon. METHOD: A working group was established and adapted internationally recognised processes for the development of best practice guidelines. The group determined the scope of the guidelines, documented current practices, and critically appraised evidence to develop guidelines relevant to the Cameroon context. RESULTS: The primary result of this project is best practice guidelines which provided an overview of the provision of stroke rehabilitation services in the region, and made 83 practice recommendations to improve these services. We also report on the successes and challenges encountered during the process, and the working group's recommendations aimed at encouraging others to consider similar projects. CONCLUSION: This project demonstrated that there is interest and capacity for improving stroke rehabilitation practices and for stroke guideline development in Africa.

Drug-use patterns in an intensive care unit of a hospital in Iran: an observational prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: the aim of this study was to evaluate drug-use patterns, investigate the factors influencing patient outcome, and determine the cost of drugs utilized in the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: in an observational prospective study, drug prescriptions for 113 patients admitted to the ICU of a hospital in Iran were recorded. The cost of drugs in ICU and the entire hospital was also calculated. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression were used to present the results. KEY FINDINGS: the mean age of patients was 50.3 years (SD = 20.4). The average ICU stay was 6 days. The mean length of stay was significantly lower in surgical patients compared to medical patients (odds ratio (OR) = 0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.84-0.97). Mortality rate was significantly higher among medical patients (OR = 10.5, 95% CI 3.7-29.8). There was a significant positive association between the total number of prescribed drugs or antibiotics received by patients and mortality. Patients received an average of 8.2 drugs at admission, 10.1 drugs during the first 24h and an average of 14.6 drugs over their entire stay at the icu. among drug groups, antibiotics and sedatives were most ordered drugs in icu. CONCLUSIONS: antibiotics are responsible for the majority of ICU drug costs. Appropriate selection of antibiotics in terms of type, dose and duration of therapy could tremendously reduce the expenses in hospitals without negatively influencing the quality of healthcare.

The Iranian population is graying: are we ready?

BACKGROUND: Iran has gone through sharp demographic changes in the past three decades. Presently, in Iran, there is a lack of health promotional activities targeting the elderly which can lead to a decrease in their quality of life and an increase in their disability rates. Those most vulnerable amongst the elderly are females, who have low education and low socioeconomic status. For them and others, few social services, accessible housing options and long-term care facilities exist. METHODS: Data was gathered using population projections over an 80-year period (1975 - 2055), facilitated by spectrum software prepared by the USAID/Health Policy Initiative with data source derived from projections of the United Nations, World Population Prospects. Projections derived were on the expected population, the median age of the population, population pyramids, total fertility rates, life expectancy, and dependency ratio. RESULTS: Projections showed that by the middle of this century approximately one fifth of the population will be over 60, with the median age of the population almost doubling from what it is today and the dependency ratio increasing steadily. Currently, the resources are not sufficient to address the special needs of an elderly population and are at risk for becoming even more strained over the 80 year span. CONCLUSION: Iran must begin to prepare itself for the impact that a massive ageing population will have in the ensuing years. Recommendations suggest developing policies supportive of accessible and affordable housing and care facilities, establishing community health programs that aid the elderly in continuing to live at home, and strengthening the availability of pension plans.