Research in the Rehabilitation Unit Presents Challenges to Nurse Researchers.

Purpose: Gathering data from patients on a rehabilitation unit poses challenges for nurse researchers.

Design: A case study is presented that describes ways the researchers attempted to meet these challenges while conducting their study.

Methods: The case study presents the approaches that the investigators took to undertake the study and then described the ways in which these approaches could have been improved.

The relationship between pressure ulcer prevalence, body mass index, and Braden scales and subscales: a further analysis.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether any of the Braden subscales were more strongly related to pressure ulcer occurrence than the Braden total score in obese and nonobese hospitalized patients. The authors investigated whether defining high risk for the total Braden score of 16 or less was associated with pressure ulcer occurrence.

Pilot testing the augmentech body position sensor on the morbidly obese patient.

The Augmentech Body Position Sensor (ABPS), a device for monitoring patient repositioning, was tested for use in morbidly obese patients. Specific aims were to: determine whether there was correspondence between data on patient turning and repositioning from the ABPS and data gathered through human observation; determine whether the ABPS is an acceptable instrument for measuring body movements in morbidly obese patients in terms of ease of use, comfort and ability to stay in place. A descriptive study was conducted.

Barriers to transition of obese patients from hospital to community.

Objectives: To identify barriers encountered by case managers in hospitals, home care agencies, and nursing homes in the transition of the obese patient from the hospital to the community.

Study Design: Exploratory descriptive design was used. Hospital case managers, nursing home administrators, and Medicare-certified home healthcare agency administrators were surveyed to identify barriers.

The association of BMI and Braden total score on the occurrence of pressure ulcers.

Purpose: We compared pressure ulcer (PU) prevalence patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more, and Braden Scale scores of 16 or more to patients with lower BMI.

Methods: A cross-sectional study by using existing data was conducted combining patient skin status with BMI. Subjects underwent skin assessment for evidence of skin breakdown by nurses trained in PU assessment.

Trauma intensive care unit survival: how good is an educated guess?

Background: Resource utilization in medicine is becoming a more and more urgent issue with ongoing national discussions on healthcare coverage. In the management of a trauma system, large amounts of resources and money are expended on individual patients in hope of a "great save." In addition, those of us caring for these patients are required to estimate outcomes daily to the family in an effort to choose the best course of care for an individual patient.

Tissue oxygenation monitoring in the field: a new EMS vital sign.

Background: A tissue hemoglobin oxygen saturation (STO2) monitor was created to assess the perfusion status of a peripheral muscle bed using near infrared light to directly measure oxygen saturation in the microcirculation. Hypoperfusion has been noted when the STO2 is <75%. The use of this technology has not been tested in the prehospital setting.

Challenges in caring for morbidly obese patients.

This study aimed to determine how morbidly obese patients and their families manage activities of daily living (ADLs) at home. A survey design was used for this descriptive study. Home healthcare professionals identified both challenges and innovations in managing the ADLs of the morbidly obese in the home.