Postnatal Cytomegalovirus Infection of Preterm and Very-low-birth-weight Infants Through Maternal Breast Milk: Does It Matter?

Background: Postnatal infection with cytomegalovirus (CMV) in very-preterm and very-low-birth-weight infants, transmitted through breast milk (BM), is potentially associated with adverse outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the incidence and clinical significance of postnatal CMV infection in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit.

Methods: Infants of CMV-seropositive mothers born in a neonatal intensive care unit in Melbourne, Australia, were observed for 14 weeks from birth in a prospective cohort study.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of an eLearning program in the nursing observation and assessment of acute surgical patients: A naturalistic observational study.

Aim/objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an eLearn program in changing surgical nurses' approach to clinical assessment.

Background: Nurses need to have the knowledge and skills to recognise and respond to changes in patients' physiological condition in a timely manner. A private health service in Melbourne, Australia developed an online (eLearn) program highlighting the importance of clinical assessment and provided nurses with an overview of the Airway,Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposures ('ABCDE') approach.

Developing acute care-based mental health nurses' knowledge and skills in providing recovery-orientated care: A mixed methods study.

Recovery-oriented principles have progressively been accepted as a standard of mental health practice in many countries, including Australia. A private mental health Clinic in Melbourne, Australia, is dedicated to embedding the principles of recovery-oriented practice into care by (i) providing recovery education and training for their staff and (ii) co-designing resources with consumers to promote active consumer engagement and participation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of these initiatives on staff knowledge and provision of recovery-oriented care in acute care.

Effect of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program for patients receiving weight management interventions on eating behaviours and health-related quality of life.

Unlabelled: The rapid rise in obesity prevalence is life-style related and tackling this problem requires a pro-active multi-faceted approach to management. A private health care provider in Melbourne, Australia, developed a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program for patients who had undergone bariatric surgery or receiving pharmacological weight loss treatments. The study aim was to assess the programs' effect on patients' quality of life, mental well-being, and eating behaviours.

Empathic and listening styles of first year undergraduate nursing students: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Effective communication and empathy are fundamental to nurse-patient relationships and good nursing practice. Although the importance of listening is widely accepted in the nursing practice, little research exists regarding the empathic and listening styles of undergraduate nursing students.

Purpose: This study investigated empathic and listening styles of first year nursing students.

Evaluation of a blended learning approach to developing specialty-nursing practice. An exploratory descriptive qualitative study.

Background: An ageing population and a transitioning workforce is creating demands on healthcare workforces. Clinical and procedural knowledge deficits cause anxieties in new and experienced nurses alike when integrating into new teams. Overcoming these boundaries can be achieved with Introductory programs.

A narrative review of parental education in preparing expectant and new fathers for early parental skills.

Objective: To explore expectant and new fathers' views of antenatal education classes in preparing them for early parenting skills.

Design: This review used a narrative review approach. Search strategy of electronic databases includes Medline, CINAHL, ProQuest, Scopus and PubMed.

Scope of Practice, Role Legitimacy, and Role Potential for Cancer Care Coordinators.

Objective: The cancer care coordinator (CCC) role has become a priority in providing coordinated, patient-centered, supported care for patients, and their families experiencing cancer. The CCC role exists with heterogeneity across tumor streams, clinical disciplines, and institutions. This study explored CCCs perceptions and experiences of their role, scope of practice, and potential for future role development.

Support during pregnancy for women at increased risk of low birthweight babies.

Background: Studies consistently show a relationship between social disadvantage and low birthweight. Many countries have programmes offering special assistance to women thought to be at risk for giving birth to a low birthweight infant. These programmes, collectively referred to in this review as additional social support, may include emotional support, which gives a person a feeling of being loved and cared for, tangible/instrumental support, in the form of direct assistance/home visits, and informational support, through the provision of advice, guidance and counselling.

The relationship between empathy and burnout - lessons for paramedics: a scoping review.

Background: The concepts of empathy and burnout are critical for practicing paramedics and the profession. While there has been an increasing body of research on the relationship between empathy and burnout with physicians and nurses, surprisingly, no research has been undertaken with paramedics. The aim of this scoping review was to explore the relationship between empathy and burnout.

Learning style preferences of Australian accelerated postgraduate pre-registration nursing students: A cross-sectional survey.

Graduate entry programs leading to registration are gaining momentum in nursing. These programs attract student cohorts with professional, cultural, gender and age diversity. As a consequence of this diversity, such accelerated programs challenge traditional pedagogical methods used in nursing and require different approaches.

A proposed framework of supportive and palliative care for people with high-grade glioma.

Background: Patients with malignant high-grade glioma (HGG) have significant supportive and palliative care needs, yet few tailored guidelines exist to inform practice. This study sought to develop an HGG framework of supportive and palliative care informed by needs reported by patients, families, and health care professionals (HCPs).

Methods: This study integrates a mixed-methods research program involving: (i) exploring experiences through systematic literature review and qualitative study (10 patients, 23 carers, and 36 HCPs); and (ii) an epidemiological cohort study (N = 1821) describing care of cases of HGG in Victoria, Australia using linked hospital datasets.

A conceptual model: Redesigning how we provide palliative care for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Unlabelled: ABSTRACTBackground:Despite significant needs, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) make limited use of palliative care, in part because the current models of palliative care do not address their key concerns.

Objective: Our aim was to develop a tailored model of palliative care for patients with COPD and their family caregivers.

Method: Based on information gathered within a program of studies (qualitative research exploring experiences, a cohort study examining service use), an expert advisory committee evaluated and integrated data, developed responses, formulated principles to inform care, and made recommendations for practice.

Effects of mindfulness on maternal stress, depressive symptoms and awareness of present moment experience: A pilot randomised trial.

Objective: To determine the feasibility and acceptability and measure the effects of a mindfulness intervention compared to a pregnancy support program on stress, depressive symptoms and awareness of present moment experience.

Design: A pilot randomised trial using mixed methods.

Participants And Setting: Forty-eight women attending a maternity service were randomly allocated to a mindfulness-based or pregnancy support program.

Establishing a nurse practitioner model to enhance continuity between palliative care settings.

Background: Nurse practitioners (NP) are relatively new in Australia with national registration achieved in 2010. Most NP-related literature is about establishing models and scope of practice. This paper reports on the establishment and 12-month evaluation of an NP model of care, between inpatient and community palliative care services, developed to coordinate client care between hospital and home.

Mindfulness and perinatal mental health: A systematic review.

Background: Perinatal stress is associated with adverse maternal and infant outcomes. Mindfulness training may offer a safe and acceptable strategy to support perinatal mental health.

Aim: To critically appraise and synthesise the best available evidence regarding the effectiveness of mindfulness training during pregnancy to support perinatal mental health.

Intrapartum fetal scalp lactate sampling for fetal assessment in the presence of a non-reassuring fetal heart rate trace.

Background: Fetal scalp blood sampling for lactate estimation may be considered following identification of an abnormal or non-reassuring fetal heart rate pattern. The smaller volume of blood required for this test, compared with the more traditional pH estimation, may improve sampling rates. The appropriate use of this practice mandates systematic review of its safety and clinical effectiveness prior to widespread introduction.

Leadership and management skills of general practice nurses: experience or education?

A key finding of this qualitative exploratory descriptive study into advanced nursing for general practice nurses (Australian setting) revealed that participants viewed leadership and management as best learnt 'apprenticeship' style on the job by years of experience. Participants (48) comprised of general practice nurses, practice managers and general practitioners from metropolitan Melbourne were interviewed. Other findings demonstrated that the participants generally had limited awareness that postgraduate education can assist in the development of leadership and management in advanced nursing practice.

Fetal pulse oximetry for fetal assessment in labour.

Background: The use of conventional cardiotocographic (CTG) monitoring of fetal well-being during labour is associated with an increased caesarean section rate, compared with intermittent auscultation of the fetal heart rate, resulting in a reduction in neonatal seizures, although no differences in other neonatal outcomes. To improve the sensitivity of this test and therefore reduce the number of caesarean sections performed for nonreassuring fetal status, several additional measures of evaluating fetal well-being have been considered. These have demonstrated some effect on reducing caesarean section rates, for example, fetal scalp blood sampling for pH estimation/lactate measurement.

Midwives' and doctors' perceptions of their preparation for and practice in managing the perineum in the second stage of labour: a cross-sectional survey.

Objective: to identify the perceptions of midwives and doctors at Monash Women's regarding their educational preparation and practices used for perineal management during the second stage of labour.

Design: anonymous cross-sectional semi-structured questionnaire ('The survey').

Setting: the three maternity hospitals that form Monash Women's Maternity Services, Monash Health, Victoria, Australia.

Development of self-efficacy of newly graduated registered nurses in an aged care program.

Aim: To evaluate an aged care program in developing self-efficacy of newly graduated registered nurses.

Methods: An evaluation of the program was conducted using a mixed methods approach. Twenty-four nurses completed the pre- and post-survey of aged care nursing self efficacy and attended one of three focus groups held to gain in-depth understanding of their insight into the program.

Malaysian nurses' skin care practices of preterm infants: experience vs. knowledge.

This study sought to explore the impact of Malaysian nurses' perceptions, knowledge and experiences in preterm infant skin care practices using a descriptive approach. Questionnaires were distributed to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurses in one teaching hospital in Malaysia. A knowledge gap was revealed among nurses in both theoretical and practical knowledge of preterm infant skin.