Patients in need of comprehensive geriatric assessment: The utility of the InterRAI emergency department screener.

Introduction: The interRAI Emergency Department-Screener (ED-screener) is a risk stratification instrument incorporating functional and social aspects to identify older adults in EDs. The aim was to assess the construct validity and utility of the ED-screener in comparison with more established instruments.

Methods: The ED-screener, Triage Risk Screening Tool (TRST) and Identification of Seniors at Risk (ISAR) were administered to older ED-patients.

The effectiveness of the Pain Resource Nurse Program to improve pain management in the hospital setting: A cluster randomized controlled trial.

Background: The Pain Resource Nurse program is a widely disseminated, evidence-based, nursing staff development program, designed to improve pain management in hospitals. The program has shown promising results, but has never been tested with a rigorous research design.

Objectives: Our objective was to test the effectiveness of the Pain Resource Nurse program.

Determinants of Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Pain among Nurses in a University Hospital: A Cross-sectional Study.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the primary determinants of knowledge and attitudes regarding pain among nurses in a hospital setting. All registered nurses employed at participating units at a university hospital were invited to participate. Information on work experience, education, and hospital unit was evaluated using a questionnaire.

Preparing families of intensive care patients for withdrawal of life support: a pilot study.

Background: Most deaths in intensive care occur after withdrawal of life support. Although preparation of patients' families is recommended, the specific information required has not been theoretically developed or tested.

Objective: To assess the feasibility of testing 4 tailored messages to prepare families of patients having a planned withdrawal of life support, to assess barriers to conducting such a study, and to obtain preliminary data on measurable effects that could be used to compare such preparation with usual care.

Systematic review of relaxation interventions for pain.

Purpose: To review randomized trials of relaxation interventions used for the treatment of pain in adults and to synthesize evidence regarding the efficacy of specific techniques.

Design: Integrative review.

Methods: A literature search was conducted using the terms "relaxation" and "pain" in CINAHL, Medline, and PsychInfo from 1996 to March 2005.