Home-Based Reiki by Informal Caregivers: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study.

This pilot study explored whether Reiki delivered by family caregivers to cancer patients in a home setting was feasible in reducing cancer symptoms and enhancing health-related outcomes. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods study design was applied using pre-/post-Reiki questionnaires and post-Reiki interviews. Six patient-caregiver dyads from an outpatient clinic and cancer support facilities in northeast America performed daily Reiki at home for 3 weeks.

Implementation of the Brøset Violence Checklist on an Acute Psychiatric Unit.

Violence on inpatient psychiatric settings has significant consequences for patients and staff. Research is needed to determine if Brøset Violence Checklist (BVC) is an accurate predictor of violence. The study aims were to determine the relationship between BVC scores and incidence of violent behavior within 24 hours, to compare scores among those requiring high-level nursing interventions for violence, and to investigate the impact of scores on length of stay (LOS) and 30 day-readmission rates.

Safety of Reiki Therapy for Newborns at Risk for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.

The incidence of opioid abuse and subsequent drug withdrawal is exponentially on the rise in the United States for many populations including newborns who are born to drug-addicted mothers. These newborns often exhibit symptoms of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) within 24 to 72 hours of birth. Treatment of NAS includes monitoring of withdrawal symptoms, managing physiological parameters, and the use of supportive and pharmacologic treatments.

Registered nurse perceptions after implementation of a nurse residency program.

Nurse residency programs (NRPs) are an effective mechanism for transitioning newly licensed registered nurses (NLRNs) to practice. No studies have investigated how experienced nurses view NLRN performance after NRPs. The purpose of this quality initiative was to identify experienced nurses' satisfaction with NLRN proficiency before and after implementation of an NRP using the Nursing Practice Readiness Tool.

Predictors of engagement in a coping and communication support intervention for older patients with advanced cancer.

Objectives: To examine patterns and predictors of engagement in a coping and communication support (CCS) intervention tailored to the preferences of middle-aged and older patients in the early treatment phase for late-stage cancer.

Design: Randomized controlled trial examining processes and outcomes of a CCS intervention for patients with late-stage cancer over time.

Setting: Two ambulatory cancer clinics providing care for underserved populations in Cleveland.

Establishing treatment fidelity in a coping and communication support telephone intervention for aging patients with advanced cancer and their family caregivers.

A randomized controlled trial of a nurse-delivered coping and communication support (CCS) intervention tailored to the preferences of middle-aged and older patients with advanced cancer and their family caregivers is tested for its value in improving outcomes for quality cancer care. An intervention study must be reliably delivered to estimate the accuracy of findings or make valid conclusions about the outcomes of research. The purpose of this article was to describe methodology for ensuring treatment fidelity in this patient-centered CCS intervention.

Family caregiver engagement in a coping and communication support intervention tailored to advanced cancer patients and families.

We describe family caregiver (FCG) participation in a tailored coping and communication support intervention for advanced cancer patients and families. Preliminary descriptive data on characteristics and patterns of early engagement in the intervention for 132 FCGs are presented. Engagement assessed at an initial in-person meeting and the following 6 weeks includes problems raised, strategies used, and initiation, frequency, and mode of contact.

A coping and communication support intervention tailored to older patients diagnosed with late-stage cancer.

As our society ages, increasing numbers of older Americans will be diagnosed and eventually will die of cancer. To date, psycho-oncology interventions for advanced cancer patients have been more successful in reaching younger adult age groups and generally have not been designed to respond to the unique needs and preferences of older patients. Theories and research on successful aging (Baltes and Baltes 1990; Baltes 1997), health information processing style (Miller 1995; Miller et al 2001) and non-directive client-centered therapy (Rogers 1951, 1967), have guided the development of a coping and communication support (CCS) intervention.

Self-care for the caregiver.

Palliative care nurses can face unique stressors and compassion fatigue working in their field. Working with the dying and their families, communicating with other health care professionals, and handling ethical issues are often sources of stress in palliative care. The biochemistry and theory of stress are discussed.

Communication skills: breaking bad news in the clinical setting.

Oncology nurses need to develop expert communication skills, especially when delivering bad news to patients and families. Patients and families differ in their needs for levels of information, interpretation of information delivered to them, and responses to unfavorable news. When bad news is delivered in a sensitive and caring manner, morale can be maintained, and the process of coming to terms with illness or death is possible through realistic expectations and hope.

A comparative analysis of individuals with spinal cord injury who differ in unplanned utilization of health services.

The purpose of this descriptive study is to describe the profile of individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) who frequently use health care services in an unplanned manner so that nursing interventions could be designed to decrease utilization. The medical records of 78 subjects with SCI were reviewed for demographic and injury-related variables, comorbid health conditions, discharge disposition, and health care utilization for five years. Based on the rate of unplanned utilization of health care services, three groups of users were identified: non-user, low-user, and high-user groups.

Clinical nursing judgment related to reducing the incidence of falls by elderly patients.

The incidence of falls among elderly patients has been and continues to be a major challenge for nurses. Falls add physical injury and mental stress to patients' existing health problems, are a deterrent to rehabilitation, and increase healthcare costs. This study describes the variables that nurses identify as influencing their clinical decision making and the nursing behaviors associated with preventing patient falls.

Geriatric falls: prevention strategies for the staff.

1. Multiple falls and injuries are more prevalent among elderly over the age of 75 and are the second leading cause of accidental death in the elderly. The risk for falling is noted to be significantly greater in the hospitalized elderly.

Molecular mimicry in Lyme disease: monoclonal antibody H9724 to B. burgdorferi flagellin specifically detects chaperonin-HSP60.

A monoclonal antibody (H9724), specific for the 41-kDa flagellar protein of the Lyme disease pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi, cross-reacts with human axons and detects one major protein in human neuroblastoma cell extracts. The homologous cross-reacting protein has now been isolated from calf adrenal and identified as chaperonin-HSP60 by N-terminal sequencing.

Using diversional activity to enhance coping.

Diversional activity deficit, a nursing diagnosis that occurs with prolonged hospital treatment, requires creative and practical ways for nurses to support patients. A tool designed to assess diversional needs is described. Benefits include improved relationships and enhanced patient coping with a minimum of cost and inconvenience.