Identifying How to Support Nurse Educators Nationally to Teach Nursing Informatics.

Preparing nurses for practice and ensuring nursing informatics is included in their curricula is a challenge for many nurse educators. This study asked nurse educators from around New Zealand (n=40) what they perceived as the concerns, barriers and facilitators to implementing nursing informatics within their curricula. Among the findings a key issue is the constantly evolving nature of information and communication technology in healthcare and nursing which results in the ongoing need for professional development to keep up-to-date. Outcomes from this study are recommendations which will inform our next steps in this project to support nurse educators provide the best education possible for new nurses.

Regression Equations for Weight Estimation in Paediatric Resuscitation.

BACKGROUND: Weight estimation is critical in paediatric resuscitation, as stopping to weigh a child could influence their survival. Weight estimation methods used in New Zealand (NZ) are not accurate for the population, increasing the complexity of prescribing medication and selecting equipment. AIM: Develop regression equations (RE) to predict the weight of NZ children based on height, sex, age and ethnicity to be deployed in a mobile application (Weight Estimation Without Waiting). METHODS: The RE was derived from retrospective regression modelling of a large existing dataset. Data were presented using descriptive statistics and calculation of means, limits of agreement and the proportion of weight estimates within a percentage of actual weight. CONCLUSION: The RE developed in this study outperformed existing age-based weight estimation methods while providing a method to ensure that weight estimation techniques evolve with NZ children.

Education Into Policy: Embedding Health Informatics to Prepare Future Nurses-New Zealand Case Study.

BACKGROUND: Preparing emerging health professionals for practicing in an ever-changing health care environment along with continually evolving technology is an international concern. This is particularly pertinent for nursing because nurses make up the largest part of the health workforce. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore how health informatics can be included in undergraduate health professional education. METHODS: A case study approach was used to consider health informatics within undergraduate nursing education in New Zealand. This has led to the development of nursing informatics guidelines for nurses entering practice. RESULTS: The process used to develop nursing informatics guidelines for entry to practice in New Zealand is described. The final guidelines are based on the literature and are refined using an advisory group and an iterative process. CONCLUSIONS: Although this study describes the development of nursing informatics guidelines for nurses entering practice, the challenge is to move these guidelines from educational rhetoric to policy. It is only by ensuring that health informatics is embedded in the undergraduate education of all health professionals can we be assured that future health professionals are prepared to work effectively, efficiently, and safely with information and communication technologies as part of their practice.

Health and Nutritional Literacy of New Zealand Nursing Students.

BACKGROUND: The published literature suggests that RNs are more overweight and obese than the general population. This research investigates associations between nutrition literacy, anthropometry measures, and nutritional biomarkers in an undergraduate nursing student population. METHOD: Year-one nursing students from two tertiary education institutions in New Zealand were invited to participate in an observational, convenience sample study. Data collection from participants (N = 103) included a nutrition literacy questionnaire, anthropometry measures, and blood lipid, glucose, and HbA1c concentrations. RESULTS: Approximately 51% of participants were either overweight or obese, which is a similar prevalence to the New Zealand demographic-matched population. Mean body mass index was 26.7 ± 6.3 kg/m2 and body fat was 29% ± 8.3%. The mean literacy score was 56.7% ± 13.2%. The literacy score was inversely associated with anthropometry measures and total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and positively associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: Nutrition literacy had a statistically significant influence on anthropometry and lipid measures. [J Nurs Educ. 2017;56(1):43-48.].

Emergency weight estimation lookup tables for New Zealand children aged 5-10 years.

OBJECTIVE: To derive novel emergency weight estimation tables for New Zealand children aged 5-10 years using ethnicity and sex to increase accuracy and precision. METHODS: Using an existing dataset (collected in five New Zealand primary schools during July 2013; n = 376), body mass index and current emergency weight estimates were calculated. Stepwise regression with Akanke Information produced two best-fit models for predicting weight, one based on age and the other on height. Potential explanatory variables included ethnicity, sex and body habitus. RESULTS: The length-based model included height, ethnicity and body habitus. Accuracy (weight estimates within 10% of actual weight) for the length-based lookup table (74.8%) was similar to that for the Broselow-Luten tape (73.4%). The age-based model included age, sex, ethnicity and body habitus. Accuracy (51.3%) for the age-based lookup table was better than for existing formulae including Shann (45.7%), Advanced Paediatric Life Support (39.1%) and Theron (28.7%). CONCLUSION: The most accurate method for weight estimation in Auckland children aged 5-10 years is either the novel length-based lookup table or the existing Broselow-Luten tape. When length-based methods are not possible, the age-based lookup tables incorporating age, sex, ethnicity and body habitus are more accurate than existing methods of weight estimation.

Weight estimation in paediatric resuscitation: A hefty issue in New Zealand.

OBJECTIVE: To test the accuracy of weight estimation methods currently used in New Zealand to predict a child's weight in emergency resuscitation. METHODS: A prospective, observational study. Data were collected in July 2013 at five Auckland schools among children aged 5-10 years. Collected demographic information included age, ethnicity, sex and school decile. Standardised measures included weight, height and Broselow-Luten tape (2011 version, limited to children 43-143 cm) weight. Age-based weight estimates were calculated for APLS, Shann and Theron formulae. Mean bias (actual weight - estimated weight) and clinical accuracy (proportion of estimates within 10% of actual weight) are reported. Bland-Altman plots illustrate agreement and 95% limits of agreement. RESULTS: The 376 participants weighed between 14.2 and 93.1 kg. The proportion of weight estimates within 10% of actual weight were 28.7%, 39.1% and 45.7% for the age-based formula (Theron, APLS and Shann, respectively). The mean bias was negative for Theron (-6.5) and positive for APLS (7.8) and Shann (7.7). For the length-based Broselow-Luten tape method (n = 305), the proportion of weight estimates within 10% of actual weight was 73.4% and mean bias was 1.1. CONCLUSION: For children under 143 cm in height, the Broselow-Luten tape outperforms other weight estimation methods, accurately estimating weight in approximately three out of four children. The age-based estimation methods performed poorly overall, with variation by age and ethnicity.