ABSTRACT
PURPOSE/AIM: The aim of this study was to explore the perceived quality of sleep and sleep disturbances in hospitalized patients. DESIGN: A prospective descriptive, exploratory, cross-sectional study was conducted at a 172-bed community hospital in Northeast Ohio. A convenient sample of 100 hospitalized patients was recruited from medical/surgical, progressive care, and intensive care units. METHODS: Participants used the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire to report sleep. A quality of sleep assessment survey was used to collect information regarding 17 factors leading to decreased quality of sleep. RESULTS: Mean sleep score was 47.92 for each question regarding sleep depth, latency, awakenings, time spent awake, and overall sleep quality. Pearson's correlation showed a significantly positive correlation between measure of noise and sleep score. Five environmental factors were identified as most disruptive to sleep: pain, laboratory draws, staff, blood pressure checks, and intravenous alarms. CONCLUSION: The positive correlation between sleeping well and higher noise levels is noteworthy. Raising awareness about the importance of sleep in the hospital setting and introducing interventions to promote a quiet environment and minimize sleep-disturbing factors may increase patient satisfaction scores and improve healing.
Subject(s)
Inpatients/psychology , Noise/adverse effects , Sleep Wake Disorders/epidemiology , Sleep , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Hospitalization , Hospitals, Community , Humans , Inpatients/statistics & numerical data , Male , Middle Aged , Ohio/epidemiology , Prospective Studies , Risk Factors , Young AdultABSTRACT
As patient advocates, nurses are responsible for speaking up against unsafe practices. Nursing students must develop the confidence to speak up for patient safety so that they can hold themselves, as well as their peers and coworkers, accountable for patients' well-being. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a senior practicum course on confidence for speaking up for patient safety in nursing students. Confidence in speaking up for patient safety was measured with the Health Professional Education in Patient Safety Survey. The study showed a significant increase in nursing students' confidence after the senior practicum course, but there was no significant change in students' confidence in questioning someone of authority.
Subject(s)
Attitude of Health Personnel , Communication , Curriculum , Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate , Patient Safety , Self Concept , Adult , Clinical Competence , Humans , LeadershipABSTRACT
This study examined the relationships among external counterpulsation (a noninvasive treatment for angina), cardiac output, functional limitations, and quality of life. Patients significantly improved their distance walked from the beginning to the end of the external counterpulsation program yet did not perceive differences in angina or quality of life.
Subject(s)
Angina Pectoris/therapy , Cardiac Output/physiology , Counterpulsation , Exercise Tolerance/physiology , Quality of Life , Aged , Angina Pectoris/physiopathology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pilot Projects , Surveys and Questionnaires , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
The AACN, in their 2008 Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice, recommends that colleges of nursing faculty incorporate competencies into their baccalaureate curriculum that focus on the development of professional communication skills. The authors provide a plan to incorporate a standardized communication tool (ISBARR) throughout all levels of an undergraduate curriculum.
Subject(s)
Curriculum , Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate , Interdisciplinary Communication , Students, Nursing , Clinical Competence , Data Collection , Faculty, Nursing , HumansABSTRACT
This study determines the effects of 15 potential predictors on cardiac rehabilitation (CR) initiation: demographic information, measures of perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, perceived cardiac threat, social support, depression, comorbid conditions, left ventricular ejection fraction, strength of physician recommendation, and benefits and barriers. Results showed that greater strength of physician recommendation and less disease severity were significant predictors of higher levels of CR initiation; female gender was a marginally significant predictor of less CR initiation. The strength of the associations for these predictors varied. Strength of physician recommendation was the strongest predictor. This information can be used to increase the number of patients starting CR through programs designed to increase physician awareness of the importance of their recommendation, the continuing need to refer women to CR, and the need to design programs that meet women's needs.
