ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical application of the Barthel Index as an indicator of nursing dependency in a younger disabled unit. DESIGN: A prospective study of 132 patients (mean age 49) with chronic neurological problems. SETTING: A younger disabled unit at a District General Hospital, Oxford. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Barthel Index, and total nursing hours. RESULTS: The Median Barthel Index was 7 (95% confidence interval 6-9). The mean nursing hours were 2.7 +/- 1.7 (CI 2.41-2.99). Spearman rank order correlation coefficient between the Barthel Index and nursing hours was r = -0.69 (CI -0.79 to -0.59). CONCLUSIONS: Regression analysis showed that it was possible to use the Barthel Index as an indicator of nursing dependency particularly in physical care, and that it was independent of age and diagnosis.
Subject(s)
Central Nervous System Diseases/nursing , Rehabilitation Nursing , Activities of Daily Living , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Central Nervous System Diseases/physiopathology , Central Nervous System Diseases/rehabilitation , Chronic Disease , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Regression Analysis , Sensitivity and Specificity , Spinal Cord Diseases/nursing , Spinal Cord Diseases/physiopathology , Spinal Cord Diseases/rehabilitation , United KingdomSubject(s)
Societies, Nursing , Specialties, Nursing , Spinal Cord Diseases/nursing , Humans , SpainSubject(s)
Abscess/etiology , Abscess/nursing , Accidents, Traffic , Anesthesia, Epidural/adverse effects , Cesarean Section , Home Care Services/standards , Malpractice/legislation & jurisprudence , Meningitis/complications , Nursing Staff, Hospital/legislation & jurisprudence , Quadriplegia , Spinal Cord Diseases/complications , Adult , Female , Humans , Illinois , Louisiana , Male , Medical Staff, Hospital/legislation & jurisprudence , Meningitis/nursing , Pregnancy , Resuscitation , Spinal Cord Diseases/nursingABSTRACT
Instruments developed for use in any clinical setting must be tested for validity and reliability. The interrater reliability of neuroscience nurses' assessments for motor power using the Sunnybrook Health Science Centre Spinal Cord Testing record was determined using eleven patients with spinal cord lesions. Percentage of agreement between raters exceeded the predetermined acceptable level of 80%, and Kappa coefficient of agreement indicated excellent interrater agreement (K = .90, p less than .001). Study limitations are identified, and indications for further research discussed.
Subject(s)
Motor Skills , Neurologic Examination/standards , Nursing Assessment/standards , Spinal Cord Diseases/nursing , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Nursing Evaluation Research , Observer Variation , Spinal Cord Diseases/physiopathologyABSTRACT
The rehabilitation nurse may care for patients with arthritis in a variety of settings. When the patient has advanced RA, the problem of cervical myelopathy may require surgical intervention and use of the halo-body jacket immobilization orthosis. Expert pre- and postoperative management requires a knowledge of surgical nursing as well as rehabilitation nursing, in the traditional sense, to prevent complications and promote optimum recovery. When dealing with people who have lived with RA for many years, the rehabilitation nurse must continue to assess the patient's knowledge of the disease and use of self-management strategies and community resources.
Subject(s)
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/therapy , Orthotic Devices , Spinal Cord Diseases/therapy , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/complications , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/nursing , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/surgery , Humans , Operating Room Nursing , Postoperative Care , Spinal Cord Diseases/etiology , Spinal Cord Diseases/nursing , Spinal Cord Diseases/surgeryABSTRACT
Intramedullary spinal cord abscesses are rare lesions that cause a variety of neurologic problems. This article reviews pathogenesis and symptoms associated with these lesions. In addition, specific nursing interventions for care of patients with intramedullary spinal cord abscesses are presented. These interventions focus on diagnostic testing, treatment options and a plan of care for patients diagnosed with this disease entity.
