Monitoring Temperature: Knowledge and Skills of Outpatients With Cancer.

Background: Elevated temperature can be the first sign of infection; obtaining an accurate temperature in patients undergoing chemotherapy is critical.

Objectives: This study sought to determine outpatients' temperature-monitoring knowledge and skills; whether an educational DVD could increase knowledge; and the level of agreement between a home thermometer and a calibrated hospital thermometer.

Methods: The intervention was an educational DVD.

Improving Mandatory Vaccination Against Influenza: Minimizing Anxiety of Employees to Maximize Health of Patients.

The objective was to describe qualitatively the attitudes among employees toward mandatory vaccination against influenza to ultimately improve such programs and prevent hospital-acquired influenza. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 21 employees at a freestanding children's hospital. Analysis of interview transcripts used grounded theory and the constant comparative method; codes were iteratively revised and refined as themes emerged.

Do Elderly Patients Use Patient-Controlled Analgesia Medication Delivery Systems Correctly?

Background: Although prior studies have shown patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) to be appropriate for use by children and adults, no studies have specifically evaluated the ability of elderly patients to use the technology correctly.

Purpose: To determine whether elderly, postoperative patients can properly use PCA devices.

Methods: Using a descriptive study design, a convenience sample of elderly, postoperative orthopedic patients was observed while using a PCA device and surveyed about the proper use of the device.

Research priorities for nursing professional development: a modified e-Delphi study.

In 2010, the National Nursing Staff Development Organization Research Committee identified the need to delineate research priorities for nursing professional development (NPD). A Delphi study with 13 experts in NPD resulted in the identification of 24 priorities for the next 5 years. These priorities provide the future direction for NPD research and funding.

Immunogenicity of hepatitis B vaccine among hemodialysis patients: effect of revaccination of non-responders and duration of protection.

Background: Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for patients on hemodialysis, however, seroprotection after a primary vaccine series is suboptimum. Limited data are available on the effect of revaccination of non-responders and on persistence of immunity in this population.

Methods: Hepatitis B vaccine (40 μg/dose) was given to 77 susceptible patients on hemodialysis (0, 1, and 6 month schedule).