Introducing the Basic Knowledge Assessment Tool for pediatric critical care nursing (PEDS-BKAT).

A 9-member educational task force and a 4-member panel of experts was used to establish the validity of the PEDS-BKAT, which was modified from version 4 of the adult BKAT for critical care nursing. A sample of 105 pediatric ICU nurses from 6 settings took the PEDS-BKAT. Test results include a mean score of 78.9 points and a reliability of 0.86 (coefficient alpha). The PEDS-BKAT can be used to assess knowledge before and after orientation, to determine learning needs for veteran staff nurses, for advanced placement of new employees with previous experience in a pediatric ICU, and in nursing research. Copies of the PEDS-BKAT are available upon request.

The Basic Knowledge Assessment Tool (BKAT) for critical care nursing: its use and effect on orientation programs.

Findings from this study of 54 subjects who used the BKAT-3 in their professional practice indicate that it is being used most frequently in orientation programs conducted in critical care units, and that content and scores of the BKAT have resulted in changes in those programs. Scores are also being used for placement of nurses with previous critical care experience. In addition, findings from this study and from the literature indicate that research continues to be conducted using scores on the BKAT as a dependent variable, and that moderate to moderately high correlations exist between intended and actual use of the BKAT.

Is stress at hospital discharge after acute myocardial infarction greater in women than in men?

BACKGROUND: Stress surrounding hospital discharge after acute myocardial infarction increases the likelihood that the condition will recur. Although increased age, a more severe illness and a higher incidence of persistent cardiac symptoms suggest that women would experience more stress at discharge, data comparing stress experienced by women and men have not been reported. PURPOSE: To compare the level of stress experienced by women and men at hospital discharge after acute myocardial infarction. SAMPLE: Data from 54 women and 182 men from a government hospital, two private community hospitals and a teaching/community hospital. RESULTS: Stress scores of women were not found to be different from those of men, nor were five of the six most stressful concerns identified in the study. No difference was found in severity of illness or age. CONCLUSIONS: Women and men experience similar levels of stress at hospital discharge after acute myocardial infarction. Furthermore, both genders can benefit equally from interventions designed to reduce stress.

Faith in recovery. Spiritual support after an acute MI.

Data from a sample of ninety AMI patients indicate that the majority of these patients find that their spiritual views are a source of help, both at hospital discharge and during early recovery at home. Conversely, a small group of these patients said they did not receive help. Since the remainder of the patients were unsure if they received help from their religious or life views, I believe that all AMI patients could benefit from spiritual care provided by Christian nurses. Findings also indicate that subjects who experienced spiritual support at home also experienced decreased stress.

New from nursing research: the basic knowledge assessment tool (BKAT) for critical care nursing.

The BKAT is a valid and reliable test of basic knowledge in critical care nursing. Validity was established through a panel of nine experts in critical care nursing practice and education. Reliability was established at the alpha coefficient of 0.86 for the total test during the pilot study on a sample of 100 nurses working in CCUs . The BKAT , which is a 90-item test, has been used on both a supervised and an unsupervised basis. Findings from the pilot study included a statistically significant difference in basic knowledge between new graduates and nurses with 6 months to more than 5 years of experience in critical care nursing, and that the length of critical care experience is the best predictor of basic knowledge. No statistically significant differences were found in basic knowledge in the following groups of nurses: (1) ICU, SICU , and coronary care unit nurses, (2) those working in university or teaching hospitals, community hospitals, and government hospitals, and (3) nurses with an associate degree, diploma, or baccalaureate degree. The BKAT -2, a revision of the BKAT , indicates that the basic knowledge assessment tool can be updated as new technologies and new knowledge become part of the body of nursing knowledge related to safe practice in critical care nursing.

Effect of structured preparation for transfer on patient anxiety on leaving coronary care unit.

This study compared the effect of teaching methods on patient anxiety after leaving the coronary care unit. Twenty myocardial infarction patients were studied; half received from the investigator structured pretransfer teaching designed to orient them to differences in the environment and care in the progressive unit. All subjects received unstructured pretransfer teaching by CCU nurses. Data were analyzed using a two-tailed t test for independent groups with a .05 alpha. As measured by a psychological questionnaire, no statistical differences were found in patient anxiety between groups at the time of transfer. However, the anxiety level of subjects who received structured pretransfer teaching was significantly lower than the anxiety level of control subjects on each of four physiological parameters measured: systolic blood pressure the day and time of transfer and heart rates the day and time of transfer. An indication exists, therefore, that a structured pretransfer teaching program is a more appropriate type of nursing intervention than an unstructured one.