Blood Pressure Measurement Training Program and Adherence of Public Health Nurses to BP Measurement Guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the level of adherence of public health nurses to BP measurement guidelines based on their knowledge if the guidelines and skills in BP measurement before and after Blood Pressure Measurement Training Program (BPMTP). METHODS: An experimental pre- and post-test design using two-staged cluster randomization was conducted. 118 PHNs (mean age ± 38.45 years, mean years of experience ± 13.45 years; 84.1% women) from six districts in Manila were equally assigned to either the BPMTP group or control group. Structured instruments were used. RESULTS: Demographic characteristics, current BP measurement practices, and level of adherence to BP measurement guidelines based on knowledge of the guidelines and skills in BP measurement were equivalent in both groups at baseline. Nurses in the BPMTP group showed improved adherence (p=<0.05) compared to nurses in the control group. Both groups did not show significant change in their skill on recording, interpretation, and referral (p=1.000). CONCLUSION: This study showed that Blood Pressure Measurement Training Package is feasible in improving adherence of nurses based on their increased knowledge of the BP measurement guidelines and skills in BP measurement. A larger-scale study is warranted to show that BPMTP can potentially improve clinical management of hypertension in public health clinics globally.

Work environment of nurses in the Philippines: A preliminary study

@#<p style="text-align: justify;">Work environment has been described as an important factor in the job satisfaction of nurses and their quality of service provided. However, little is known of the present work environment of Filipino nurses in the country. This study used a cross-sectional design to describe work environment variables affecting Filipino nurses; determine the degree of nurses' job satisfaction;, and determine their intention to remain in their present work environment. A self-administered survey was developed by the study team and was distributed during the PNA national conference   through the Chapter Presidents. This   study discovered   that the lowest positive responses were in the Physiologic  and  Safety  Needs  but  despite  this  result,  nurses  reported  high  job satisfaction and intend to remain in their present work environment.</p>

Supporting dignified dying in the Philippines.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the appropriateness of the International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP) Palliative Care for Dignified Dying catalogue for palliative nursing in the Philippines. METHODS: The study recruited 230 nurses to complete the ICNP Dignified Dying survey. Participants rated ICNP nursing intervention items and identified additional interventions for promoting dignified dying. RESULTS: All of the intervention items were scored on average as being at least 'slightly important'. The three top-ranked nursing intervention categories were providing social support, maintaining privacy boundaries, and relieving psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS: The ICNP Palliative Care for Dignified Dying catalogue lists nursing interventions that are appropriate to promoting dignity at the end of life in the Philippines.

Symptom monitoring and self-care practices among Filipino cancer patients.

The purpose of this study was to assess patient-reported symptoms and self-care methods used during cancer treatments, using checklists. A descriptive study was performed at the cancer institute of a national medical center in Manila on 100 patients undergoing combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy, n = 37, or chemotherapy alone, n = 63. Instruments used were (a) 25-item patient-reported Therapy-Related Symptoms Checklist (TRSC), (b) Self-care Methods (with the 25 TRSC items) tool, (c) Karnofsky Scale, (d) Demographic form, and (e) Health form. The TRSC (Philippine version) Cronbach alpha = .83. The TRSC scores inversely, significantly correlated with nurse-rated Karnofsky measure of functional status (r = -0.45; P < .001)-all evidences of internal consistency reliability, construct, and concurrent validity; similar findings were found in Midwestern United States and 2 other Asian settings. Compared with those receiving chemotherapy alone, patients who had combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy reported more symptoms with greater severity on several TRSC subscales. Self-care methods most used were in 2 categories: (a) diet/nutrition/lifestyle change (eg, modify food/eating habits; eat vegetables and fruits (papaya); use nutritional supplements; have naps, rest, sleep) to manage eating, oropharynx, nausea, and fatigue subscale symptoms; and (b) mind/body control (eg, prayer, praying the rosary, music) to relieve fatigue subscale, other symptoms. The TRSC (Philippine version) and Self-care Methods assess patient-reported symptoms and patients' self-care use. Oncology symptom management is enhanced by a valid clinical assessment tool.