Treatmnent Patterns for Pediatric Acute CHUs Media: A Gap in Evidence-Based Theory and Clinical Practice.

Unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics is costly, leads to serious unintended side effects, and increases the risk of developing antibiotic resistance. Children are at high risk of receiving unnecessary antibiotics because they consume more antibiotics than any other age group, likely due to inaccurate prescribing by health care providers. Treatment of acute otitis media is the most common reason children are prescribed antibiotics. Evidence-based guidelines regarding the appropriate treatment of nonsevere acute otitis media in children have been established. A retrospective, descriptive, chart review project was completed comparing the diagnosis and treatment of acute otitis media in children six months to 12 years of age in clinics and the emergency department of a large academic medical center with the American Academy of Pediatrics' treatment guidelines. Findings of the chart review included 100 patient encounters. Documentation indicated that although none of these children with acute otitis media met the guideline criteria for antibiotics, 92 of the 100 children were prescribed antibiotics.

Empowering community health: an educational approach.

Collaborative efforts among community members, health care professionals, and faith-based institutions can prove valuable in efforts to improve community health. This study used data obtained from before and after health risk assessment surveys to assess participant's knowledge of risk factors leading to chronic diseases among African Americans in an underserved community of Alabama. Data obtained from activity logs and health screening sessions was used to assess effect of knowledge gained on lifestyle practices. The study findings support the need for ongoing population-specific education program development in religious institutions located inside underserved communities.

Essential tools for a study abroad nursing course.

Research results indicate that study-abroad programs have positive learning outcomes. Drawing on their experiences as faculty in a study-abroad program for student nurses, the authors identify basic educational components and learning activities that can be used to maximize students' learning in a study-abroad program in a low-resource country.

Practical strategies for providing culturally sensitive, ethical care in developing nations.

Providing health care in developing nations results in cultural and ethical challenges for health care professionals. The authors' intent is to raise readers' awareness of how to maintain an ethical and culturally sensitive approach to practice in developing nations. Four practical approaches to ethical decision-making, developed from the literature and praxis, in conjunction with traditional moral theory and guidelines from professional and international organizations are discussed. Ethical multiculturalism, a view that combines universalism and multiculturalism undergirds culturally appropriate and ethically responsive decisions.

Lessons learned from Hurricane Mitch: a guide for holistic practice.

Hurricanes are often devastating for the victims. Although millions of dollars and hours are invested, relief efforts could be more effective. The purpose of this article is to utilize the lessons learned from Hurricane Mitch as a guide for holistic practice in both hurricane preparation and response planning.

Development of the choices and acquisition of antibiotics model from a descriptive study of a lay Honduran population.

Antibiotic resistance is a global public health problem that is accelerated by overuse and misuse of antibiotics. In today's world of increasing international travel and exchange of goods, the spread of antibiotic resistant organisms is a growing threat. Despite significant antibiotic use in developing nations, research to describe and curtail inappropriate use is limited. In this study, the investigators developed a model of antibiotic use, choices and acquisition of antibiotics model, from a study of a lay population in Honduras. A representative sample of 939 rural and urban Hondurans completed the Preguntas Para El Uso de Antibiotics questionnaire to determine how the participant made choices about antibiotic use. The study indicated that the rural participants used significantly fewer antibiotics than the urban participants and that the demographic indicators did not show a significant difference in antibiotic use in those of lower socioeconomic status. In addition, the participants reported that they seek out professional advice and care rather than self-prescribing. Implications for educational and empowerment programs based on the model are discussed.

Early diagnosis key to epithelial ovarian cancer detection.

Ovarian cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death for women and the most fatal of all gynecologic malignancies. Labeled "the whispering disease," ovarian cancer has an insidious onset with vague symptoms such as gastrointestinal upset, abdominal bloating and fatigue. Early diagnosis is often delayed and patients present with advanced disease. This article provides an overview of ovarian cancer, including epidemiology, classification, risk factors, screening and early detection.

Assisted living facilities as a site for NP practice.

PURPOSE: To describe what an assisted living facility (ALF) is who resides in ALFs, and the benefits of nurse practitioner (NP) practice in an ALF for the client, facility, NP, and practice. DATA SOURCES: Selected scientific literature, legal and regulatory guidelines, consumer information and guidelines, Internet sites, and the authors' experiences. CONCLUSIONS: Assisted living facilities are nonmedical residential settings grounded in a philosophy of providing residents with choice, autonomy, privacy, independence, dignity, and respect in a housing environment as homelike as possible. Nationally, ALFs vary considerably by size, services provided, and regulations imposed by states. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Assisted living facilities are now a popular choice for individuals who desire assistance with selected activities of daily living (ADL) while maintaining maximum independence. They are becoming an excellent site for the provision of in-home primary care in order to facilitate aging in place.

Nuts and bolts of NP practice in assisted living facilities.

PURPOSE: To describe the practical issues associated with setting up a nurse practitioner (NP) practice in an assisted living facility (ALF), including record keeping, maintaining communication, and scheduling and coordination issues. DATA SOURCES: Selected scientific literature, legal and regulatory guidelines, and the authors' experiences. CONCLUSIONS: Initiating a NP practice in an ALF can be a rewarding experience, but it will not be without its own unique challenges. Procedures that maintain excellent communication between the NP, the home practice site, the resident and family, the ALF facility, and other services required by the needs of the resident take time and effort to establish but are worth the extra effort. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Nurse practitioners who establish a practice in an ALF need to be familiar with state regulations, facility procedures and culture, and the needs of elders who are aging in place and integrate all that into their office practice sites in order to be successful.