Standardized blood pressure (BP) measurements for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are paramount in the management of hypertension. Evidence shows nursing staff adherence to best practice guidelines for BP measurement are suboptimal. A pre-/posttest pilot study implementing a six-week hybrid educational intervention for nursing staff was conducted in an outpatient nephrology office. The Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Beliefs Scale was administered to participants (n = 6) to assess individual beliefs about EBP and implementing EBP guidelines for BP measurement. One Likert-type question measured participant change in BP measurement. Improvement was noted in EBP beliefs and ability to implement EBP guidelines post-intervention. A favorable response was present for participant change in BP measurement per guidelines post-intervention. The intervention is a feasible method to improve staff adherence to EBP guidelines for BP measurement.
{"title":"Standardizing Blood Pressure Measurement for Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease in the Outpatient Nephrology Office Setting: A Pilot Study.","authors":"Chuck Dugan, Vicki Montoya","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Standardized blood pressure (BP) measurements for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are paramount in the management of hypertension. Evidence shows nursing staff adherence to best practice guidelines for BP measurement are suboptimal. A pre-/posttest pilot study implementing a six-week hybrid educational intervention for nursing staff was conducted in an outpatient nephrology office. The Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Beliefs Scale was administered to participants (n = 6) to assess individual beliefs about EBP and implementing EBP guidelines for BP measurement. One Likert-type question measured participant change in BP measurement. Improvement was noted in EBP beliefs and ability to implement EBP guidelines post-intervention. A favorable response was present for participant change in BP measurement per guidelines post-intervention. The intervention is a feasible method to improve staff adherence to EBP guidelines for BP measurement.</p>","PeriodicalId":54363,"journal":{"name":"Nephrology Nursing Journal","volume":"51 4","pages":"337-357"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142127329","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Managing post-transplant care poses challenges for kidney transplant recipients, often due to food affordability and the ability to participate in physical activity. This study explored recipients' self-management of care and the influence of social determinants of health on physical activity and diet. A single-center, cross-sectional study recruited 26 participants via My Chart (an Integrated Healthcare Information System patient portal) to complete an 86-question survey. Participants had a mean age of 61 years, and 85% held an associate degree or higher. Body mass index correlated negatively with avoiding high-calorie foods; age and education correlated positively with physical activity. Kidney transplant recipients exhibited limited exercise and frequent high-calorie food consumption. Targeted interventions, particularly promoting regular physical activity, are crucial for improving post-transplant care.
{"title":"Social Determinants of Health Factors and Self-Management of Care in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Tara O'Brien, Kelsey King, Jeffrey Messinger","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Managing post-transplant care poses challenges for kidney transplant recipients, often due to food affordability and the ability to participate in physical activity. This study explored recipients' self-management of care and the influence of social determinants of health on physical activity and diet. A single-center, cross-sectional study recruited 26 participants via My Chart (an Integrated Healthcare Information System patient portal) to complete an 86-question survey. Participants had a mean age of 61 years, and 85% held an associate degree or higher. Body mass index correlated negatively with avoiding high-calorie foods; age and education correlated positively with physical activity. Kidney transplant recipients exhibited limited exercise and frequent high-calorie food consumption. Targeted interventions, particularly promoting regular physical activity, are crucial for improving post-transplant care.</p>","PeriodicalId":54363,"journal":{"name":"Nephrology Nursing Journal","volume":"51 4","pages":"369-376"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142127328","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The PICOT (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Out - come, Timeframe) framework succinctly gives structure to developing and solving a research or clinical question. It acts as a framework to assist a researcher or clinician to drill down to the essence of their question. This guides the researcher or clinician to formulate exact questions, identify relevant research or evidence, and tailor interventions to address the problem or challenging situation they are looking to solve or resolve. This article describes the PICOT framework and utilizes a clinical case study to illustrate its applicability and implementation.
{"title":"Exploring the Evidence: Generating a Research Question: Using the PICOT Framework for Clinical Inquiry.","authors":"Katie Feldner, Paula Dutka","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The PICOT (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Out - come, Timeframe) framework succinctly gives structure to developing and solving a research or clinical question. It acts as a framework to assist a researcher or clinician to drill down to the essence of their question. This guides the researcher or clinician to formulate exact questions, identify relevant research or evidence, and tailor interventions to address the problem or challenging situation they are looking to solve or resolve. This article describes the PICOT framework and utilizes a clinical case study to illustrate its applicability and implementation.</p>","PeriodicalId":54363,"journal":{"name":"Nephrology Nursing Journal","volume":"51 4","pages":"393-395"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142127326","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This article provides an update on patient safety data recently reviewed by and recommendations of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Tech - nology. This article attempts to capture the impact of the eroding ability of the nursing workforce to perform its traditional role of blocking errors before they harm patients. Some strategies, tactics, and practice examples to assist in renewing this protective capacity in today's challenging environment are presented. Finally, acknowledging the variability of substantive support for maintaining a safety culture provided by individual health care organizations, this article encourages and applauds the personal courage of nephrology nurses and other health care providers as they engage and assist their clinical and quality improvement teams in addressing the persistence of what Hughes (2008) termed the "everydayness of errors" (p. 1-7).
{"title":"The Challenges of Implementing a Safety Culture.","authors":"Bonnie Greenspan, Glenda Payne","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This article provides an update on patient safety data recently reviewed by and recommendations of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Tech - nology. This article attempts to capture the impact of the eroding ability of the nursing workforce to perform its traditional role of blocking errors before they harm patients. Some strategies, tactics, and practice examples to assist in renewing this protective capacity in today's challenging environment are presented. Finally, acknowledging the variability of substantive support for maintaining a safety culture provided by individual health care organizations, this article encourages and applauds the personal courage of nephrology nurses and other health care providers as they engage and assist their clinical and quality improvement teams in addressing the persistence of what Hughes (2008) termed the \"everydayness of errors\" (p. 1-7).</p>","PeriodicalId":54363,"journal":{"name":"Nephrology Nursing Journal","volume":"51 4","pages":"313-357"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142127330","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Maria Skoulatou, Ourania Govina, Ioannis Kalemikerakis, Aspasia Prountzou, Panagiota Tsougia, Anna Kavga-Paltoglou
The objective of this systematic review was the evaluation of the burden of family caregivers of patients on hemodialysis and its correlation with caregivers' quality of life. Articles from PubMed and Scopus published between 2012 to 2022 were retrieved from using the key words burden, family caregivers, quality of life, and hemodialysis patients. Articles reviewed included quantitative data indicating the family caregiver burden ranged from moderate to severe. The correlation between burden and quality of life was negative. Nephrology nurses in hemodialysis units should contribute to the design and implementation of educational programs and support strategies for family caregivers of patients on hemodialysis to support caregivers, reduce their burden, and improve their quality of life.
{"title":"Burden and Quality of Life of Family Caregivers Caring for Patients on Hemodialysis.","authors":"Maria Skoulatou, Ourania Govina, Ioannis Kalemikerakis, Aspasia Prountzou, Panagiota Tsougia, Anna Kavga-Paltoglou","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The objective of this systematic review was the evaluation of the burden of family caregivers of patients on hemodialysis and its correlation with caregivers' quality of life. Articles from PubMed and Scopus published between 2012 to 2022 were retrieved from using the key words burden, family caregivers, quality of life, and hemodialysis patients. Articles reviewed included quantitative data indicating the family caregiver burden ranged from moderate to severe. The correlation between burden and quality of life was negative. Nephrology nurses in hemodialysis units should contribute to the design and implementation of educational programs and support strategies for family caregivers of patients on hemodialysis to support caregivers, reduce their burden, and improve their quality of life.</p>","PeriodicalId":54363,"journal":{"name":"Nephrology Nursing Journal","volume":"51 4","pages":"377-388"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142127324","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The importance of the Life Safety Code (LSC) cannot be understated. The LSC is composed of a set of components, measures, and protocols with the overarching goal of protecting and preserving human life. This article describes the LSC survey process in dialysis facilities. Ensuring the physical plant and its infrastructure is critical for patient safety. The survey tasks, provider, and building management responsibilities are reviewed. Implications for nephrology nursing regarding survey readiness and best practices for an LSC survey are discussed.
{"title":"Nurse Manager's Guide to Life Safety Code for Dialysis Facilities.","authors":"Thomas Scheidel, Jennifer Vavrinchik","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The importance of the Life Safety Code (LSC) cannot be understated. The LSC is composed of a set of components, measures, and protocols with the overarching goal of protecting and preserving human life. This article describes the LSC survey process in dialysis facilities. Ensuring the physical plant and its infrastructure is critical for patient safety. The survey tasks, provider, and building management responsibilities are reviewed. Implications for nephrology nursing regarding survey readiness and best practices for an LSC survey are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":54363,"journal":{"name":"Nephrology Nursing Journal","volume":"51 3","pages":"271-278"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141472608","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
There has been much written about work-life balance, both in nursing and other professions. Additionally, the term has taken on multiple definitions over the years, and it is often touted as central to an organization's mission. The Cambridge Dictionary defines work-life balance quite simply as "the amount of time you spend doing your job compared with the amount of time you spend with your family and doing things you enjoy." If it is such a simple concept, why is it such a dominant subject in nursing literature? This article explores the essential components of work-life balance, how health care organizations struggle to define it and differ in what they may promote on paper versus what they practice, and examine why work-life balance is crucial to nurses' overall well-being.
{"title":"Work-Life Balance.","authors":"Wendy Lester","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>There has been much written about work-life balance, both in nursing and other professions. Additionally, the term has taken on multiple definitions over the years, and it is often touted as central to an organization's mission. The <i>Cambridge Dictionary</i> defines work-life balance quite simply as \"the amount of time you spend doing your job compared with the amount of time you spend with your family and doing things you enjoy.\" If it is such a simple concept, why is it such a dominant subject in nursing literature? This article explores the essential components of work-life balance, how health care organizations struggle to define it and differ in what they may promote on paper versus what they practice, and examine why work-life balance is crucial to nurses' overall well-being.</p>","PeriodicalId":54363,"journal":{"name":"Nephrology Nursing Journal","volume":"51 3","pages":"231-236"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141472612","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
In nephrology nursing, effective leadership ensures optimal patient care and cohesive teamwork. Despite this, nurses often overlook their leadership potential, leading to underrepresentation in health care leadership roles. This article explores the significance of nursing leadership in nephrology care and delves into the principles of transformational leadership as a fitting approach. Transformational leadership emphasizes inspiring and motivating teams toward shared goals, fostering innovation, and individualized consideration. Each aspect of transformational leadership is discussed, including how it can be applied to nephrology nursing leaders, emphasizing their role in shaping organizational culture, promoting home modalities, and fostering professional development. By embracing transformational leadership, nephrology nursing can enhance patient outcomes, address workforce challenges, and cultivate a new generation of influential leaders. This article advocates for adopting transformational leadership to meet the evolving needs of nephrology care and supporting the professional growth of nephrology nurses in leadership roles.
{"title":"Embracing Transformational Leadership in Nephrology Nursing.","authors":"Allison Hunn","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In nephrology nursing, effective leadership ensures optimal patient care and cohesive teamwork. Despite this, nurses often overlook their leadership potential, leading to underrepresentation in health care leadership roles. This article explores the significance of nursing leadership in nephrology care and delves into the principles of transformational leadership as a fitting approach. Transformational leadership emphasizes inspiring and motivating teams toward shared goals, fostering innovation, and individualized consideration. Each aspect of transformational leadership is discussed, including how it can be applied to nephrology nursing leaders, emphasizing their role in shaping organizational culture, promoting home modalities, and fostering professional development. By embracing transformational leadership, nephrology nursing can enhance patient outcomes, address workforce challenges, and cultivate a new generation of influential leaders. This article advocates for adopting transformational leadership to meet the evolving needs of nephrology care and supporting the professional growth of nephrology nurses in leadership roles.</p>","PeriodicalId":54363,"journal":{"name":"Nephrology Nursing Journal","volume":"51 3","pages":"225-229"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141472605","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}