Evaluating mental illness-substance abuse stigmatic perceptions through education: A library-nursing initiative.

In this library-nursing initiative, the goal was to identify any changes in stigmatic perceptions among public library staff regarding mental health and substance abuse, post 3-day educational sessions. A total of n = 37 library staff participated in this project and attended all three educational sessions and completed a pre- and postquestionnaire designed to address common mental health and substance abuse-related stigmatic perceptions among public library staff. Upon analysis of the pre- and postresponses, we identified that there were statistically significant changes in two perceptions, namely; "embarrassed to disclose mental illness" and "commonality of substance abuse" (p ≤ .05). Therefore, it is essential that behavioral health nurses engage and collaborate with local public libraries to educate and build a safe environment for vulnerable populations like those affected with mental illness and substance abuse in the community settings.

Making Fall Risk Assessment Clinically Relevant in an Adult Psychiatric Setting.

The purpose of this non-experimental descriptive study was to measure psychiatric clinical nurses' (N = 25) perceptions of the Edmonson Psychiatric Falls Risk Assessment Tool© (EPFRAT) compared to the Morse Fall Scale (MFS) and to evaluate patient falls with injury rates 12 months before and after the study. The setting was a 27-bed, adult psychiatric unit in a community-based teaching hospital located in the Northeast region of the United States. The EPFRAT and MFS were used to assess fall risk in 216 patients over 3 months. Findings indicated that the EPFRAT was more user-friendly and relevant; improved nurses' clinical judgment in identifying high-risk patients; and nurses were supportive toward changing practice from using the MFS to EPFRAT for fall risk assessment. Falls with injury rates decreased by 0.52 per 1,000 patient care days post-implementation of the EPFRAT. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 58(2), 21-26.].

Effects of Animal-Assisted Activity on Mood States and Feelings in a Psychiatric Setting.

BACKGROUND: Research has shown that animal-assisted activity (AAA) effectively improves physiological, psychological, emotional, and social well-being in various environments. AIMS: To identify how AAA affects mood states and feelings among both patients and staff on inpatient psychiatric units. METHODS: This study used a quasi-experimental, pre-/posttest design with nonequivalent comparison groups. Quantitative data were collected using the Visual Analog Mood Scale. Demographic data, with an open-ended question, were obtained postsessions. RESULTS: Significant changes were observed pre- and postexposure to AAA sessions with a therapy dog. Negative moods decreased, and positive moods increased as measured by the Visual Analog Mood Scale. Content analysis identified themes of feeling happy, feeling relaxed, and feeling calm. CONCLUSIONS: This research expands scientific evidence associated with AAA by identifying changes in mood states and feelings among individuals in a psychiatric setting.

Designing a Virtual Simulation Case for Cultural Competence Using a Community-Based Participatory Research Approach: A Puerto Rican Case.

In this study, a community-based participatory research approach was used for developing content for a virtual simulation case. The virtual simulation case was designed to develop the cultural competence of prelicensure nursing students in caring for a Puerto Rican patient with diabetes. This article presents the method used to establish a Puerto Rican community advisory board to develop content for a virtual simulation case for cultural competency.