African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 7 (4), pp. 001-008, April, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

First time stroke survivors' perceptions of their health status and their goals for recovery

Irene Hartigan¹*, Elizabeth O’Connell² Geraldine McCarthy³ and Denis O'Mahony⁴

¹Lecturer at the Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, Ireland.

²Lecturer Practitioner at the Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, Ireland.

³Professor and Head of School at the Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, Ireland.

⁴Consultant Physician in Geriatric Medicine to Cork University Teaching Hospitals and Senior Lecturer at the School of Medicine, University College, Cork Ireland.

Accepted 08 January, 2019

Abstract

Stroke is an intensely individual, complex and life changing experience. Stroke recovery has many dimensions, and perceptions of health status are thought to affect recovery. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe patients' perceptions of their health status and their goals for recovery from early post stroke. Following ethical approval, semi structured interviews were conducted with patients (n=10) diagnosed with a first incident of stroke. Time following stroke onset ranged from 4 to 7 days. Gender difference was equal, and mean age of participants was 77 years. Participants considered themselves to be active and in excellent health prior to the stroke onset. All participants perceived that their health had declined since the stroke onset, but they were hopeful for the future. Two distinct themes emerged; "sudden fear and helplessness" and "regaining control in life". Participants reported wanting to quickly return to doing everyday things and identified individual goals for recovery. The patients' experience should be considered early post stroke to provide a complete picture of their role in recovery. Participants believed that the greatest challenge would be testing themselves at home. This study reinforces the importance of engaging with patients early post stroke so that recovery goals are identified that help restore meaning through the re-establishment of previous activities. Patient goals for recovery need to be discussed and devised in conjunction with health care professionals.

Key words: Stroke, health status, goals, recovery.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 7 (3), pp. 001-008, March, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Papers

Irish staff nurses perceptions of clinical incident reporting

Elizabeth Fitzgerald¹*, Desmond Cawley² and Neil J. Rowan²

¹Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway, Ireland.

²Department of Nursing and Health Science, Athlone Institute of Technology, Ireland.

Accepted 13 October, 2018

Abstract

Clinical incident reporting identifies actual and potential risks to patient safety and then eliminates those risks through a system of procedural changes, policy enactment or changes in staff education. This constitutes the first study to explore perceptions of registered nursing staff towards efficacy of clinical incident reporting in Ireland since the launch of the national “STARSweb” incident reporting system in 2004. A survey of 210 nurses using open and closed questions was conducted across three separate acute hospitals in the Irish midlands region. While the majority of participants (90%) had submitted at least one clinical incident report, few received prompt feedback (12%) or prior appropriate training (30%) on this topic. A clear definition of what participants understood of the term “clinical incident” was not evident. However, fear of repercussion or disciplinary action from management was not considered an issue in terms of barriers to reporting. However it is evident that further training in clinical incident reporting is required and modifications to reporting systems at governance level within hospitals are necessary in supporting staff in their work. When considering effective management of clinical incident reporting, managers should ensure that staff nurses receive appropriate feedback and promote the importance of this feedback to enhance clinical incident reporting.

Key words: Incident reporting, near miss, risk management, adverse event, clinical, human error.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 7 (3), pp. 001-008, March, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Papers

Cultural competence outcomes assessment: A strategy and model

Lori A. Escallier¹*, Judith T. Fullerton² and Barbara Ann M. Messina¹

¹Stony Brook University, School of Nursing Health Sciences Center, Stony Brook, NewYork 11794, United States of America.

²University of CA, San Diego (retired) 7717 Canyon Point Lane, San Diego, CA 92126-2049, United States of America.

Accepted 23 January, 2019

Abstract

The nursing profession has acknowledged its responsibility to prepare all practitioners to provide culturally respectful care to diverse patient populations. A culturally competent academic and clinical teaching milieu is a strategy for shaping clinical nursing expertise. It is a vital link between theory and practice. This article presents a replicable model of the process in which one U.S. University School of Nursing engaged to assess the cultural competence of the nursing curricula at both undergraduate and graduate levels, the cultural awareness of faculty and students, and the perceptions of clients about the degree of cultural sensitivity demonstrated by program graduates.

Key words: Cultural competence, cultural sensitivity, nursing workforce diversity, strategic approach.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 7 (3), pp. 001-005, March, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Papers

Assessing the effects of industrial unrest on Ghana health service: A case study of nurses at Korle-Bu teaching hospital

Gerald Dapaah Gyamfi

Institute of Professional Studies, Faculty of Management, P.O. Box LG 149, Legon, Accra, Ghana. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: 00233-242-874208.

Accepted 06 January, 2019

Abstract

This paper assessed the effects of industrial unrest from the perspectives of a cross-section of fifty nurses and patients at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Accra, Ghana in West Africa, spanning the period of 2004 to 2008. The deductive study was based on descriptive analyses of statistical data gathered from the data subjects, who were randomly selected. The study revealed that strikes by the nurses in Ghana sent signals to the international community about workers’ unrest in Ghana and increased the national and household expenditure. It also revealed that when the nurses went on strike the health of the patients deteriorated which brought about reduction in the revenue generation of the economy of Ghana. The study recommended that to reduce the frequency of nurses industrial unrests and its impact on Ghana, the Government should take steps to reduce the high wage disparity among the health workers, educate the nurses on the repercussions of their strike actions on patients, put in place crises interventions committee at the hospitals and provide special rewards for the night services of nurses.

Key words: Strike action, ADHA, KBTH.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 7 (3), pp. 001-008, March, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Papers

Helpless patients’ satisfaction with quality of nursing care in Federal tertiary hospitals, Enugu, Southeast, Nigeria

Ehiemere Ijeoma O.¹*, Nwaneri Ada¹, Iheanacho Peace¹ and Akpati V.²

¹Department of Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Nigeria.

²Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Accepted 11 January, 2019

Abstract

The satisfaction of patients with the care they receive from healthcare providers has become one of the most important approaches to the measurement of the quality of care in recent times as against the predominantly clinical and administrative approaches. This is because patients’ satisfaction could serve as index for compliance and non-compliance with care regimen. The study was to determine helpless patients’ satisfaction with quality of care received at tertiary hospitals in Enugu. A descriptive survey research design was used for the study. A total population of 105 helpless patients (those that need assistance with the activities of daily living) were studied. Tools for data collection were questionnaire and interview guide. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results showed that helpless patients were satisfied with physical and psychological care but satisfaction with spiritual care was marginal. Nurses seemed to lack skills for meeting spiritual needs of the patients. Patients’ satisfaction with nurses attitude was marginally positive. The study showed that there was need for improvement in the care nurses provide for helpless patients in the spiritual dimension. Opportunities for continuing education programme in spiritual care and in interpersonal relationship need to be addressed.

Key words: Helpless patients, satisfaction, quality, nursing care, tertiary hospitals.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 7 (3), pp. 001-009, March, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Influence of nurses' characteristics and education on their attitudes towards death and dying: A review of literature

Khaled Abdallah Khader¹, Samiha Suhail Jarrah² and Jafar Alasad³*

¹Education coordinator, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan.

²Department of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Applied Science Private University, Jordan.

³College of Nursing, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (MC 3105), P. O. Box 22490, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia.

Accepted 10 October, 2018

Abstract

Nurses working in cancer centers deal frequently with the phenomenon of death and dying during the daily care of patients. Their demographic and experiential characteristics and previous educational background can shape their attitudes toward care for dying patients. To review relevant literature related to nursing care at the end of life and nurses’ attitudes towards death and dying, a literature search was conducted utilizing Medline, Elton B Stephens Company, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. The descriptor words were: death, dying, death experience, nursing, palliative care, attitudes, attitudes toward care of the dying, attitude change, and end-of-life. The review showed that certain standardized education programs, like end of life nursing education consortium, can change nurses' attitudes toward death and dying. By using several education methods, including role playing, case studies, reflection and open discussion, such programs help nurses reflect on their emotions and cope with the scene and thoughts of death and dying. Moreover, for change to occur, adequate duration of education is necessary. End of life education is vital for nursing curricula and in-service education to improve nurses' attitude toward death and dying and consequently improve quality of nursing care of dying patients.

Key words: Death, near-death experience, nursing care, palliative care, end-of-life, attitude to death, education.