The aging process in prison: pathologies and health conditions in old inmates. An epidemiological research in Italy.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Elderly may suffer from different pathologies during their detention in jail because of their age. Conditions in jails were tough and adapting to that life could be problematic for the elder population. This article aimed to analyse the pathologies and health conditions in a sample of elder inmates from Italy. METHODS: The sample was composed by 94 elderly inmates. The research is multicentric. We selected jails from the cities of Bari, Taranto, Foggia, Lecce, Brescia, Bergamo, Cremona and Mantua. The study was conducted by interviewing the prisoners over 60 years of age, in the period between September and December 2017. RESULTS: 64% of the sample was in a "Not Optimal" health status. Most of pathologies were Cardiac pathologies (23.4%), Diabetes (12.8 %) and Surgery (9.6%). Statistically significant differences were found for heart disease (p=0.02) and Neoplasia (p=0.025) in the prison of Bari compared to all the other prisons. Statistically significant differences were found for Hypertension in Foggia and Taranto prisons compared to all the other (p=0.023). Furthermore, 18.1% of inmates ended up having an addiction. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis showed that in our sample physical problems were more frequent than psychological one. In fact, in spite of in the literature there was a high prevalence of mental health problems among elderly inmates, we did not find this result. However, stress conditions may increase the risk of pathologies: for example, being in jail and adapt to new hard environment may increase the risk of getting sick. Heart disease pathologies and diabetes were very common in our sample as confirmed by the literature.

Evaluation of clinician response to wireless technology.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety, use and response of clinical staff to wireless technology. A convenience sample of clinical staff was surveyed using a variety of assessment tools. The environmental assessment determined there was no interference between the wireless devices and the biomedical equipment on the patient care units. Survey results indicated a high level of acceptance for the wireless technology related to perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, impact, adoption, advantage and future need. Results indicated a strong, significant relationship between adoption and perceived usefulness (r(s)=.71 p<.01; r(2)(s)=.50).

Corn fiber oil lowers plasma cholesterol levels and increases cholesterol excretion greater than corn oil and similar to diets containing soy sterols and soy stanols in hamsters.

The aims of this study were to compare the cholesterol-lowering properties of corn fiber oil (CFO) to corn oil (CO), whether the addition of soy stanols or soy sterols to CO at similar levels in CFO would increase CO's cholesterol-lowering properties, and the mechanism(s) of action of these dietary ingredients. Fifty male Golden Syrian hamsters were divided into 5 groups of 10 hamsters each, based on similar plasma total cholesterol (TC) levels. The first group of hamsters was fed a chow-based hypercholesterolemic diet containing either 5% coconut oil + 0.24% cholesterol (coconut oil), 5% CO, 5% CFO, 5% CO + 0.6% soy sterols (sterol), or 5% CO + 0.6% soy stanols (stanol) in place of the coconut oil for 4 weeks. The stanol diet significantly inhibited the elevation of plasma TC compared to all other dietary treatments. Also, the CFO and sterol diets significantly inhibited the elevation of plasma TC compared to the CO and coconut oil diets. The CFO, sterol, and stanol diets significantly inhibited the elevation of plasma non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol compared to the CO and coconut oil diets. The stanol diet significantly inhibited the elevation of plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) compared to all other dietary treatments. The sterol diet significantly inhibited the elevation of plasma HDL-C compared to the CO and coconut oil diets, whereas the CFO diet significantly inhibited the elevation of plasma HDL-C compared to the coconut oil diet only. No differences were observed between the CFO and CO for plasma HDL-C. There were no differences observed between groups for plasma triglycerides. The CO and CFO diets had significantly less hepatic TC compared to the coconut oil, sterol, and stanol diets. The CO and CFO diets had significantly less hepatic free cholesterol compared to the sterol and stanol diets but not compared to the coconut oil diet; whereas the coconut oil and sterol diets had significantly less hepatic free cholesterol compared to the stanol diet. The CFO, sterol, and stanol diets excreted significantly more fecal cholesterol compared to the coconut oil and CO diets. In summary, CFO reduces plasma and hepatic cholesterol concentrations and increases fecal cholesterol excretion greater than CO through some other mechanism(s) in addition to increase dietary sterols and stanols-possibly oryzanols.

Predictors of nurse adoption of a computerized information system as an innovation.

This descriptive study focused on factors that influence the diffusion and adoption of an innovation after it is first introduced to members of a social system. A dearth of knowledge exists in this area regarding nurses as adopters and information technology as the innovation. The purpose of the study was to explore a set of individual, technological, and organizational characteristics as predictors of hospital nurse adoption of a computerized information system (CIS) as an innovation. A computerized system for staffing, scheduling and productivity management was selected as the innovation. The sample included 193 staff nurses and 34 nurse managers in one large teaching research hospital. A self-report written survey method was used to test a set of 12 independent variables in relation to innovation adoption. Using multiple regression analysis, 50% of the variance in adoption was explained by all 12 predictors (p < .001). The results suggest that focus on the perceived advantages of an innovation, the perceived need, values held by peers regarding the innovation and use of communication mechanisms facilitate nurse adoption of a computerized information system as an innovation.

Predictors of nurse adoption of a computerized information system as an innovation.

This descriptive study focused on factors that influence the diffusion and adoption of an innovation after it is first introduced to members of a social system. The purposes of the study were 1) to explore a set of individual, technological, and organizational characteristics as predictors of hospital nurse adoption of a computerized information system (CIS) as an innovation, and 2) to investigate the effect of organizational position on innovation adoption. A computerized nursing information system for staffing, scheduling and productivity management was selected as the innovation.

Imaging: an innovative technology.

Imaging systems combine several technologies to bring the visual dimension to the information age. Computer literature identifies imaging technology as one of the top five fastest growing technologies for the 1990s, with a projected growth rate of 54% and revenues of $6.8 billion by the end of 1993 (Runyan, 1989). Acceptance and use of digital imaging systems have grown because of the maturation of some key technologies which underlie image processing and the increased demand for image and graphic applications in the commercial and scientific sectors. This article presents the historical development of imaging technology, along with a brief description of how the technology works. Current limitations and future possibilities of the digital imaging process are presented. Applications and implications of this technology also are discussed.

Diffusion of technology innovation.

Within the context of nursing informatics as a field that addresses the use of information technology by nurses as they care for patients, carry out administrative tasks in health facilities, and educate others in the discipline, this article presents the theoretic perspectives of the adoption and implementation of such technologies. Research in the area of diffusion of innovations is reviewed from the perspective of classical diffusion theory and organizational theory. The state of the art and methodological issues of research in this area are addressed. Areas for future study are proposed.

Innovation. The promise and the perils for nursing and information technology.

The concept of innovation refers to the process of bringing new ideas into use. It has been studied from the perspective of classical, organizational, and political theory; yet many aspects of the process remain unknown. Addressed here is the management of innovations, whether social, organizational, or technical in nature. The use of power, participation management, and the construction of change are offered as skills useful in the managing process. Opportunities or sources for creating innovation are reviewed, as are the principles that guide the innovation process.

Nursing informatics: a model curriculum for an emerging role.

The authors delineate the emerging role of the nurse as Information Systems Specialist and describe a prototype educational program in Nursing Informatics which is designed to prepare nurses for this role. Major duties, knowledge required, and resulting interactions related to the role are discussed in relation to the curriculum design and course content. The projected impact of this model program is also addressed.

Radon: implications for the health professional.

Radon is a colorless, odorless gas formed by radioactive decay of radium and uranium, which are naturally present in the earth's crust. When concentrated indoors, this invisible gas becomes a potential health hazard. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that up to 20,000 lung cancer deaths annually can be attributed to prolonged radon exposure. Radon is an important health issue that should be understood by all health care professionals. This paper discusses some of the important issues regarding radon, such as the incidences of lung cancer believed to be attributable to radon, the high-risk areas in the United States, federal safety guidelines, and public apathy. These issues and their impact on the health care required by professionals, especially nurse practitioners, are discussed.

Graduate specialization in nursing informatics.

This article describes the need and rationale for developing nursing informatics as a new area of graduate level specialization. Included are the results of a comprehensive needs assessment study that was conducted to determine the employment opportunities for graduates of such a program of study as well as the potential student applicant pool. The findings clearly indicate the immediate and future demand for master's prepared nurses in this field and the importance of a timely academic response.

Levels of computer education for professional nursing. Development of a prototype graduate course.

Leveling computer education for professional nurses at the undergraduate and graduate levels is presented via a four-tiered model. Foundational course content at level 2 for all graduate nursing students preparing for advanced nursing roles is described. A quasi-experimental study (N = 80) demonstrated the effectiveness of the course in terms of the attitude changes toward computerization and perceived knowledge about computer applications in nursing.

Computers and nursing diagnoses. Issues in implementation.

In summary, the issue of using computerized systems for nursing diagnosis is really a question of when and how, not if, because we look to technology to simplify our information processing requirements. In a society that is moving quickly to increase applications of computers, there are still many technical as well as professional issues that need to be addressed. How we define computerized information systems can define how we practice. It is critical then to recognize nursing's responsibility to use technology to emphasize a commitment to care that is both individualized and humanistic. As we look to technology to simplify our information processing requirements, the process of developing computer applications for nursing holds great promise.