Just Pop It: Early AROM After Cervical Ripening Reduces the Time to Delivery.

In pregnant patients at term undergoing induction of labor, early time-based artificial rupture of membranes (AROM) within 1 hour of Foley bulb expulsion results in a shorter duration of labor by nearly 9 hours with no significant difference in cesarean delivery rates or maternal or neonatal adverse outcomes..

PURL: Can viscous fiber lower glycemic markers in type 2 diabetes?

The first meta-analysis to focus on viscous dietary fiber in T2D suggests a potential role for this supplement in improving glycemic control.

PURL: How old is too old for statins?

When to start, continue, or stop statins in those ages ≥ 75 years has been a quandary. Here's what 2 studies have to say.

PURL: NPH insulin: It remains a good option.

NPH insulin holds its own against basal insulin analogs-and it's cheaper.

PURL: Supplemental oxygen: More isn't always better.

A recent study says that in certain populations, supplemental oxygen above certain levels can increase mortality.

PURL: Best timing for measuring orthostatic vital signs?

We typically take a blood pressure within 3 minutes of a patient rising from a supine to a standing position. But is that too long?

PURL: Can vitamin D prevent acute respiratory infections?

A systematic review and meta-analysis says Yes, but the dosages used may not be what you'd expect.

PURL: First-time, mild diverticulitis: Antibiotics or watchful waiting?

Don't jump to antibiotic Tx for mild, uncomplicated diverticulitis, a recent RCT says. Observation may be just as effective.

Discharge Planning: Screening Older Patients for Multidisciplinary Team Referral.

The objective was to determine whether the Elders Risk Assessment Index can predict multi-disciplinary team referral of older patients (≥ 65 years) in Emergency Department same-day discharges. The study identified 1,376 qualifying individuals from a regional New Zealand hospital database. Of these, 12.

Toward Developing a Nurse Endoscopist Role in New Zealand.

The purpose of this exploratory descriptive mixed-method study was to explore the potential role of the nurse endoscopist as a part of the solution in fulfilling the workforce requirements of a bowel screening program, ascertain the possible enablers of a nurse endoscopist role in New Zealand, and determine whether there are endoscopy nurses who would wish to follow the nurse endoscopist/nurse practitioner pathway. A questionnaire with both open- and closed-ended questions gained in-depth information regarding the aspirations of New Zealand endoscopy nurses, their perceived enablers and barriers of a nurse endoscopist role, and statistical information on the New Zealand endoscopy nursing workforce. New Zealand has a highly experienced and educated endoscopy nursing workforce who supports the development of the nurse endoscopist role, some of whom expressed interest in a nurse endoscopist/practitioner pathway.

Exercise treadmill tests in patients with low cardiovascular risk: are we wasting our time?

INTRODUCTION The efficacy and cost-effectiveness of exercise treadmill testing for patients with low cardiovascular risk is unclear. This is due to the low incidence of coronary artery disease in this population and the potential for false-positive results leading to additional invasive and expensive investigation. AIM To investigate the value of exercise treadmill testing (ETT) as a predictor of coronary artery disease in patients with different levels of cardiovascular risk.

Changes in Health Perceptions of Male Prisoners Following a Smoking Cessation Program.

The aim was to explore the changes in health perceptions of men in prison following a smoking cessation program. Interviews, lung age tests, and a quality-of-life questionnaire were carried out with prisoners. Four main themes emerged from the interviews: the increase in exercise tolerance with improvements in general health, an ability to taste food again, an acknowledgment of stress, and the reasoning behind beginning smoking.

Prevalence of intimate partner violence disclosed during routine screening in a large general practice.

Introduction: Domestic violence in its myriad shapes and forms is a crime affecting every level of society. Gaining a true understanding of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimology allows for the meaningful provision of intervention services.

Aim: To explore the prevalence of IPV disclosure during routine screening in a large general practice in provincial New Zealand.

Factors Influencing Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation Attendance.

Purpose: In the current health climate, the length of stay of cardiac patients in hospital has been decreasing, and this has significantly reduced the time nurses and colleagues have for providing inpatient cardiac rehabilitation (CR). The purpose of this research was to determine if inpatient CR has an influence on outpatient cardiac rehabilitation attendance for women, Māori, and older people.

Methods: An audit of patients discharged from hospital between November 2011 and July 2012 with a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome were sent a postal questionnaire.

Exploring New Zealand orthopaedic nurses' knowledge of osteoporosis.

Background: Osteoporosis is a highly prevalent yet preventable disease. Nurses can play a major role in the prevention of osteoporosis and preventive treatment of patients who have had an osteoporotic fracture.

Purpose: This study explored whether New Zealand orthopaedic nurses have the knowledge to provide osteoporosis prevention education, and also examined these nurses' perceptions of their role in the diagnosis and prevention of osteoporosis.

Barriers and enablers to emergency department nurses' management of patients' pain.

Pain is the most common reason for presentation to the emergency department (ED). On presentation patients expect rapid pain relief, yet this is often not met. Despite extensive improvements in analgesia medication there are still barriers to nurses' assessment, management, documentation, and reassessment of pain.

Implementing a Continuity of Cancer Care nursing role into a New Zealand primary health organisation - the patient's perspective.

Introduction: A Continuity of Cancer Care pilot project was established in two urban general practices, with the goal of improving cancer care and patient access to services. Practice nurses were engaged as coordinators to implement a model of care and patient navigation to offer continued and consistent care, and to assist the patient to navigate their cancer experience.

Aim: The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Continuity of Cancer Care pilot project.

Nutritional risk amongst community-living Maori and non-Maori older people in Hawke's Bay.

Introduction: Maintaining good nutrition is vital for healthy ageing. Poor nutrition increases the risk of hospitalisation, disability and mortality. Research shows clinical malnutrition is preceded by a state of nutritional risk and screening can identify older people at risk of poor nutrition or who currently have impaired nutritional status.

Evaluation of Tu Meke PHO's Wairua Tangata Programme: a primary mental health initiative for underserved communities.

Background And Context: New Zealand's primary mental health initiatives (PMHIs) have successfully filled a health service gap and shown good outcomes for many presenting with mild to moderate anxiety/depression in primary health care settings. Maori have higher rates of mental health disorders and complexity of social and mental health needs not matched by access to PMHIs.

Assessment Of Problem: The Wairua Tangata Programme (WTP), a Hawkes Bay PMHI, aimed to provide an integrated, flexible, holistic, tikanga Maori-based therapeutic service targeting underserved Maori, Pacific and Quintile 5 populations.

Mental health nurses' beliefs about smoking by mental health facility inpatients.

This study examined beliefs of mental health nurses about smoking by clients, nurses, and visitors in inpatient facilities and identified the influence of years of experience, smoke-free status, and workplace on these beliefs. Data were collected by a survey, distributed via a nursing newsletter with approximately 600 members. Descriptive statistics and cross-tabulations explored the data.

Nurses' perceptions of nurse-led healthy lifestyle clinics.

Introduction: Nineteen Nurse-Led Healthy Lifestyle Clinics (NLHLCs) were implemented and targeted Maori, Pacific and people living in high deprivation areas. The general focus of the clinics was on lifestyle issues and much of the nursing was educative and preventative care. The aim of this project was to assess nurses' experiences and opinions of their participation in the clinics.

Clinical outcomes and patients' perceptions of nurse-led healthy lifestyle clinics.

Background And Context: The Nurse-Led Healthy Lifestyle Clinics focussed on lifestyle issues for patients with known health inequalities. Much of the nursing was educative and preventative care. This evaluation assessed patient experiences and opinions, as well as clinical outcomes.

Nurse practitioner access to radiology and laboratory services.

With the advent of the New Zealand nurse practitioner (NP) role in 2001, ordering, conducting and interpreting diagnostic and laboratory tests became part of the NP scope of practice. However, anecdotal literature suggests there are national inconsistencies, barriers and limitations for some nurse practitioners in accessing diagnostic services. This paper is a report on a quantitative descriptive survey completed in 2008 exploring NP access to radiology and laboratory services.