Outcomes Associated With a Nurse-Driven Palliative Care Screening Tool in the Intensive Care Unit.

Background: Access to specialty palliative care delivery in the intensive care unit is inconsistent across institutions. The intensive care unit at the study institution uses a screening tool to identify patients likely to benefit from specialty palliative care, yet little is known about outcomes associated with the use of screening tools.

Objective: To identify outcomes associated with specialty palliative care referral among patients with critical illness.

The use of a game-based learning platform to engage nursing students: A descriptive, qualitative study.

Baccalaureate nursing programs require students to complete a research course, and faculty find it challenging to engage students. Educational gaming has recently gained attention as a technique to motivate students and enhance learning. The purpose of this pilot study was to describe undergraduate nursing students' reflections of their experiences with 3D Gamelab, a game-based learning platform.

The Changing Nature of Guilt in Family Caregivers: Living Through Care Transitions of Parents at the End of Life.

Older adults cared for at home by family members at the end of life are at risk for care transitions to residential and institutional care settings. These transitions are emotionally distressing and fraught with suffering for both families and the older adult. A theoretical model titled "The Changing Nature of Guilt in Family Caregivers: Living Through Care Transitions of Parents at the End of Life" was developed using the method of grounded theory.

Characteristics of Prison Hospice Patients: Medical History, Hospice Care, and End-of-Life Symptom Prevalence.

Increasing numbers of prisoners in the United States are dying from age-related and chronic illnesses while incarcerated. This study is among the first to document characteristics of a population of prison hospice patients. Retrospective review of medical records for all patients admitted to the Louisiana State Penitentiary prison hospice program between January 1, 2004, and May 31, 2012 (N = 79) examined demographics, medical history, hospice diagnosis, length of stay, and end-of-life symptom prevalence on admission and during final 72 hours before death.

Communicating with patients and their families about palliative and end-of-life care: comfort and educational needs of nurses.

Introduction: Effectively discussing palliative care with patients and families requires knowledge and skill. The purpose of this study was to determine perceived needs of inpatient nurses for communicating with patients and families about palliative and end-of-life (EoL) care.

Method: A non-experimental design was used.

Awaiting diagnosis of breast cancer: strategies of enduring for preserving self.

Purpose/objectives: To explicate the emotional experiences of women undergoing breast cancer diagnosis who are waiting for the results of breast biopsy.

Research Approach: Glaserian Grounded Theory.

Setting: Urban area in western Canada.

Somali Bantu refugees in southwest Idaho: assessment using participatory research.

The Somali Bantu represent a subset of African refugees, many of whom are preliterate with no native written language. This population presents significant challenges for nurses and other healthcare providers. A community-based participatory research project using qualitative techniques to combine community and cultural assessment was conducted over 18 months.