Nursing management of hearing impairment in nursing facility residents.

J Gerontol Nurs. 2008 Nov; 34(11): 9-17Adams-Wendling L, Pimple C, Adams S, Titler MGThis article has described the key points in the evidence-based practice guideline entitled Nursing Management of Hearing Impairment in Nursing Facility Residents. The guideline outlining the nursing management of nursing facility residents with hearing impairment is supported by 175 articles: 94 research articles (both experimental and descriptive) and 81 nonresearch articles (expert opinion). The full guideline includes the significance of hearing impairment, key definitions, individuals at risk, assessment criteria and tools, description of practice, and steps for evaluation and outcomes. We believe the implementation of this evidence-based practice guideline will improve the quality of life and quality of care of nursing facility residents.

Budgeting nursing workload for required minimum data set assessments.

J Nurs Manag. 2007 May; 15(4): 442-8Adams-Wendling L, DeDonder J, Tidwell S, Pimple C, Schmiot L, Okeson DAIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of an instrument used to measure nursing workload of federally mandated assessments. Specifically, the instrument measures the nursing workload of the resident assessment instrument the mandated assessment tool used in nursing facilities. BACKGROUND: It is imperative that nursing managers and nurse executives in health care organizations have a process to budget Registered Nurse full-time equivalents required for federally mandated assessments. METHODS: The sample (N=48) included nursing facility minimum data set Coordinators. Reliability and validity scores of the nursing workload instrument are calculated using Pearson correlation coefficients (r). RESULTS: The nursing workload instrument demonstrated reliability and validity. Total nursing workload to complete the minimum data set for nursing facilities is summarized. CONCLUSION: The results provide support for a reliable and valid instrument to measure nursing workload for standardized minimum data set assessments.

A rose by any other name.

Skinmed. 2007 May-Jun; 6(3): 139-41Engle J, Desir J, Bernstein JMA 40-year-old man visited Haiti in the winter. His visit was uneventful, and he went swimming in the ocean. A week after his return he developed a small "pimple" on his right fifth finger. This condition progressed for several weeks, with new lesions developing over the extensor surface of his forearm and in the antecubital fossa. He had tender axillary adenopathy. The patient started a new job when he returned from Haiti, working 4 days per week in a greenhouse. He denied any fever, chills, or night sweats. He was in good health without any underlying chronic health problems. Physical examination revealed a small eschar over the distal phalanx of the patient's right fifth finger (Figure 1). There were 2 erythematous nodules over the extensor surface of his right forearm (Figure 2) as well as over the antecubital fossa (Figure 3). A punch biopsy was performed and results showed suppurative granulomatous dermatitis. Sporothrix schenckii was grown from the specimen.