ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess nurses' knowledge of botulism, a Centers for Disease Control Category A bioterrorism agent, one case of which constitutes an emergency. DESIGN: The study utilized survey research. SAMPLE: The cluster sample included 1,414 registered nurses. MEASURE: The survey gathered demographic data and nurses' knowledge of the background, manifestation and management of botulism. RESULTS: The mean percentage of correct answers for the sample was 25.95%, with a standard deviation (SD) of ±19.89%. Only 90 (6.3%) achieved 60% or more correct. Educational preparation, experience, specialty/area of practice and whether nurses had a class in disaster medicine were also examined and although differences were noted, none of these factors accounted for a score of 60% or above. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate the need for an assessment of the current education nurses receive about botulism.
Subject(s)
Bioterrorism/psychology , Botulism/psychology , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Nurses/psychology , Cluster Analysis , Emergency Nursing/education , Humans , Needs AssessmentSubject(s)
Anxiety , Botulism/psychology , Depression , Adult , Aged , Botulism/epidemiology , Depersonalization , Disease Outbreaks , Family , Female , Humans , Illinois , Interviews as Topic , Male , Middle AgedSubject(s)
Botulism/physiopathology , Catastrophic Illness , Health Status , Health , Adult , Aged , Botulism/psychology , Botulism/rehabilitation , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Illinois , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Middle Aged , Respiration, Artificial , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
During the third largest outbreak of botulism reported in the United States, affective responses of patients and their family members were assessed to monitor and compare the emotional distress experienced by the two groups during the initial, acute phase of the life-threatening illness. Ratings of 12 patients and 16 family members indicated that family members were significantly more fearful and depressed than patients during the first week and as fearful and depressed as patients during the second week of hospitalization/treatment. Anxiety and helplessness decreased significantly in both groups by week 2. Results illustrate the impact of catastrophic illness on the entire family system and provide support for the utility of family-oriented, crisis interventions. In future outbreaks of catastrophic illness, the early identification of emotional distress and informational needs and provision of appropriate counselling to family members as well as patients may be clinically indicated and valuable in facilitating the coping process.
Subject(s)
Botulism/psychology , Family , Adult , Aged , Anger , Anxiety/etiology , Botulism/complications , Depression/etiology , Fear , Female , Hospitalization , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Although botulinum toxin is thought not to affect the human CNS, previous studies have not examined those behaviors, such as memory, that have been shown to be dependent on central acetylcholine transmission. In eight patients with type A botulism, subjective analysis, bedside memory testing, and formal memory testing with Hebb's verbal sequencing test, Corsi's nonverbal sequencing test, and Buschke's verbal serial list learning test failed to demonstrate impairment in immediate and recent memory. Botulism severe enough to block peripheral nicotinic and muscarinic cholinergic transmission does not block those central cholinergic synapses involved in memory.
