Examination of Hospital Policies Regarding Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Attire in the Operating Room.

The purpose of this study was to examine operating room (OR) policies related to infection control and attire worn by Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) and the attitudes of CRNAs toward these policies. A 20-question survey was distributed to a random sample of 3,000 members of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. The response rate was 26% (N = 790).

Implementation of a teaching assistant program in graduate nursing education.

Identifying and educating students who have an interest and talent to be future educators is a challenge throughout academia, including nursing. The ideal scenario is to identify students early in their education and construct or scaffold a unique relationship between professor and student. The authors discuss a teaching assistant model, implemented in a nursing graduate program, which augments the education process while developing potential future nursing educators.

Workplace aggression: assessment of prevalence in the field of nurse anesthesia.

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of workplace aggression in the field of nurse anesthesia. A second focus was to assess the negative impact of aggressive behavior and how it affects the work environment of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). Data analyses from the Workplace Aggression Research Questionnaire revealed that CRNAs experience verbal, active, and direct aggression more frequently than physical, passive, and indirect aggression.

A published student journal: effect on graduate students of nurse anesthesia.

The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of a published student journal on the education, knowledge base, and clinical practice of nurse anesthesia students. This study used a correlational design with a descriptive component. An assessment tool was included with the July 2003 issue of The Student journal of Nurse Anesthesia (SJNA), now known as The International Student journal of Nurse Anesthesia.

Providing smoking cessation counseling: a national survey among nurse anesthetists.

Current research has demonstrated that smokers have an increased incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications. Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) have knowledge of a patient's smoking status and are in a unique position to provide smoking cessation counseling (SCC). The results from a national survey about SCC practice among CRNAs is revealed in this article.

The use of a computer website prior to scheduled surgery (a pilot study): impact on patient information, acquisition, anxiety level, and overall satisfaction with anesthesia care.

Scheduled surgery can often be a stressful time for patients. While anesthesia providers give a full explanation of care to the patient, research suggests that anxiety and time constraints imposed by the system may hinder the amount and quality of information provided. Use of technology to augment dissemination of information may have an impact.

CRNA-conducted research: is it being done?

An emphasis on research was established with the 1998 Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) requirement that all nurse anesthetists graduate with a master's level of education. Nursing research is essential to expand the profession's knowledge base and to establish a foundation for evidence-based practice. However, to date there are no existing data indicating whether practicing CRNAs are conducting research or to what extent.

Isopropyl alcohol inhalation: alternative treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Background: The mechanisms for postoperative nausea and vomiting are numerous and pathways not well elucidated. Although many medications have been developed to help prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting, the search for better approaches to recovery treatment continues.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) inhalation for treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting for patients who have general anesthesia for a surgical procedure.

Postoperative pain management: morphine versus ketorolac.

Without proper management, postoperative pain can grow to intolerable levels and interfere with functioning and healing. Historically, morphine had no equal for postoperative pain management. Its side effects, however, are troubling.