Use of dietary linoleic acid for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease and death: evaluation of recovered data from the Sydney Diet Heart Study and updated meta-analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of replacing dietary saturated fat with omega 6 linoleic acid, for the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease and death.

Design: Evaluation of recovered data from the Sydney Diet Heart Study, a single blinded, parallel group, randomized controlled trial conducted in 1966-73; and an updated meta-analysis including these previously missing data.

Setting: Ambulatory, coronary care clinic in Sydney, Australia.

Fostering nursing research among nurse clinicians in an Australian area health service.

Background: The Nursing Research Centre for Adaptation in Health and Illness (NRCAHI) is a collaborative effort of the University of Sydney and Central Sydney Area Health Service (CSAHS) in Sydney, Australia. This article reports findings of a research needs-analysis of clinical nursing staff in CSAHS that was conducted to provide research training.

Method: A questionnaire was administered to a random sample of nurses working in CSAHS.

Strategies for promoting research participation among nurses employed as academics in the university sector.

This article documents the process of developing a research culture and enhancing research participation among nurses employed within the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Sydney. It outlines strategies and lessons learned by the researchers in order to provide information useful for others wishing to enhance research productivity. When the Institute of Nursing Studies at the Sydney College of Advanced Education amalgamated with the University of Sydney, the university sector added new dimensions to the job responsibilities of nurse academics.

Infrared thermometry in the diagnosis and treatment of heat exhaustion.

Infrared (IR) thermometers (FirstTemp 2000A, Intelligent Medical Systems, California) were used to monitor tympanic temperature (Tty) in 12 collapsed fun-runners suspected of suffering exertion-induced heat exhaustion (EIHE). Rectal temperature (Tre) was monitored via digital clinical thermometers. Conditions during the fun-run and in the field treatment centre were cool (air temperature 16-18 degrees C, relative humidity 60-65%).

The effects of All-RN and RN-EN staffing on the quality and cost of patient care.

This paper presents empirical evidence from a study that compared the quality and costs of patient care provided by two staffing regimes in an acute medical and an acute surgical ward in one hospital. As assessed by patient outcomes, there were few significant differences in either ward in the quality of care provided by all registered nursing staff and staff that was comprised of 80% registered nurses and 20% enrolled nurses. In the acute medical ward the all-registered nursing staff was more expensive per day and per hour for patient care adjusted for patient dependency; in the acute surgical ward the registered-enrolled nurse staff mix was more costly.