Thursday, January 30, 2014

What is evidence-based practice?

It is not merely finding the research.  It is combining the research with your clinical expertise in light of patient & family preferences & values.

Check out this quick overview:
http://guides.mclibrary.duke.edu/content.php?pid=431451&sid=3529499

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Want empowerment? Decreased LOS & Falls?

Want to ….
1.Empower yourself?
2.Shorten LOS?
3.Reduce falls?


Various research studies show that RN CERTIFICATION is related to
1.Nurse empowerment (p<.05)
2.Shorter LOS (p<.001)
3.Fewer falls (p<.04)


Source: Krapohl, G. Manojlovich, M. ,Redman, R., & Zhang, L. (2010). Nursing specialty certification & nurse sensitive patient outcomes in the intensive care unit. American Journal of Critical Care, 19(6), 490-499.
http://www.aacn.org/WD/CETests/Media/A1019063.pdf

Facial features to be used to diagnose pain in dementia sufferers

Facial features to be used to diagnose pain in dementia sufferers

Undiagnosed pain of dementia sufferers could soon be measured by facial recognition technology, as part of an Electronic Pain Assessment Tool (ePAT) being developed at Curtin University.  The ePAT, which is linked to the camera on a smart phone or tablet, is designed to quickly and accurately detect, evaluate and document the severity of pain in non-communicative patients with dementia.
http://healthsciences.curtin.edu.au/news_facial-features-used-to-diagnose-pain-in-dementia-sufferers.cfm

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Enjoy the holidays free from luggage-related injuries
November 12, 2013 Source: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Holiday travel can mean long lines and hurried sprints through sprawling terminals. It also can mean neck, wrist, back and shoulder pain, and even injury, from carrying and lifting heavy luggage. In fact, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were 53,790 luggage-related injuries in 2012. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these tips for safely lifting and carrying luggage.

See https://members.aapainmanage.org/aapmssa/ecmssamsganalytics.click_through?p_mail_id=E79650A17510607B1C53110 for tips!