Nurses' voices: policy, practice and ethics.

This article deals with nurses' ethical concerns raised by the consequences of changes in governmental and institutional policies on nursing practice and patient care. The aims of this project were to explore perspectives of registered nurses who provide or manage direct patient care on policies that affect nursing and patient care, and to provide input to policy makers for the development of more patient-centred policies. Four focus groups were conducted with a total of 36 registered nurse participants.

HIV antibody testing: the gap between policy and practice.

In response to recent laws regulating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody testing practices in all federal hospitals, our university-affiliated Veterans Affairs Hospital instituted several interventions designed to increase appropriate testing. Specific hospital policy requiring restriction of testing to high-risk individuals, provision of pre- and posttest counseling, and documentation of written consent was instituted. In addition, an education campaign to inform physicians of hospital policy and training of counselors as physician extenders was undertaken.

Home care for children dying of cancer.

The feasibility of home care as an alternative to hospitalization for children dying of cancer was studied. The home care system was defined as nurse-directed with a consultant physician and did not entail extensive participation by other health professionals. Of 58 children cared for at home during the 2-year project, 79% died at home and 21% died in the hospital or en route to it.