Evaluating patients' health using a hierarchical multi-attribute decision model.

Evaluation of a patient's health status is an essential part of the healthcare process. For this purpose, Henderson's model of basic living activities (BLA) is often proposed as a set of criteria to be used in nursing. Despite its clarity and theoretical background, the model is only partially used in clinical practice. In this paper, we present the methodology for a hierarchical multi-attribute decision model to increase the practical efficiency of the BLA model. The result is a computerized model for the evaluation of a patient's health status. This model was tested in clinical practice by 17 nurses in two health centres in Slovenia and a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis was carried out. The strengths included providing a holistic understanding of the nature and level of the nursing problems, enriching the documentation and reducing the possibility of overlooking something important. As a part of electronic documentation, this computerized model supports systematic patient data gathering and evaluation.

The development and testing of information system for community nursing.

The paper presents the development and testing of information system (IS) for community nursing (CN). The goal of IS is to support CN practice and to encourage research and development in the field. The development was based on analysis of CN process. Principal functions of CN were analysed. The logical data model and corresponding user interface were designed. A special emphasis in the development process was put on testing in practice and users' training. The developed IS will: increase work efficiency, introduce process-oriented nursing doctrine, support integrated treatment of the subjects and enable data comparison and exchange. An important subsidary goal of the IS development and usage is the harmonisation of concepts and terminology used in Slovenia with those used in the EU. In this framework International Classification of Nursing Practice (ICNP) which was translated into Slovene was introduced and tested.

The influence of obesity, constitution and physical work on the phenomenon of urinary incontinence in women.

Urinary incontinence in women is a common and complex problem which can be defined and classified as stress, urge and mixed incontinence. Three of the eight most common risk factors are obesity, constitution and physical work, in addition to age, length of menstrual cycle, number of pregnancies, education and level of health awareness. Women with the diagnosis of urinary incontinence were invited to respond to questionnaires on a voluntary basis. The three factors found to be associated with urinary incontinence are increased body weight, strong osteomuscular structure and hard physical work. These indicate that the work of a health team must take a holistic approach to women even before the phenomenon of urinary incontinence occurs.

Nursing in Slovenia.

Nursing in Slovenia is undergoing an extensive series of changes as the country adjusts to its recent independence. Nursing is succeeding in its professional development with the establishment of university degree programmes, active participation at international conferences and contributions to international publications. Nursing research is being carried out by individual nurses and through the WHO Collaborating Centre. Continued professionalization is being planned and the Nurses Association of Slovenia is vital to its implementation.