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Care Workers (care + worker)
Kinds of Care Workers Selected AbstractsBeliefs on Mandatory Influenza Vaccination of Health Care Workers in Nursing Homes: A Questionnaire Study from the NetherlandsJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 12 2009Ingrid Looijmans-van den Akker MD OBJECTIVES: To assess whether nursing homes (NHs) made organizational improvements to increase influenza vaccination rates in healthcare workers (HCWs) and to quantify the beliefs of NH administrators on the arguments used in favor of implementation of mandatory influenza vaccination of HCWs. DESIGN: Anonymous questionnaire study. SETTING: Dutch NHs. PARTICIPANTS: Dutch NH administrators. MEASUREMENTS: Influenza vaccination rates in NH residents and NH HCWs, organizational aspects of influenza vaccination of HCWs, and agreement of respondents with arguments in favor of implementation of mandatory influenza vaccination in HCWs. RESULTS: Of the 310 distributed questionnaires, 185 were returned (response rate 59.7%). The average vaccination rate in NH HCWs was 18.8% and in NH residents was 91.6%. In all, 126 (68.1%) NHs had a written policy, 161 (87.0%) actively requested that their employees be immunized, and 161 (87.0%) offered information to HCWs in any way. Despite the fact that the majority of NH administrators (>69%) agreed with all arguments in favor of implementation of mandatory influenza vaccination, only a minority (24.3%) agreed that mandatory vaccination should be implemented if voluntary vaccination fails to reach sufficient vaccination rates. CONCLUSION: Despite the low vaccination rate of NH HCWs, most NH administrators did not support mandatory influenza vaccination of NH HCWs. [source] Nursing practice and oral fluid intake of older people with dementiaJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 21 2008Sandra Ullrich Aim., This paper describes the findings of a descriptive study about what nurses do to ensure that older people with dementia have adequate hydration. Background., Frail nursing home residents, particularly those who cannot accurately communicate their thirst as a result of Alzheimer's disease and who depend on nursing staff for their fluid intake, are at risk of dehydration. While the interventions that promote nutrition in older people with dementia are documented, the specific interventions for improving oral hydration in older people with dementia remain poorly studied and understood. Design., Observational study. Methods., Ten care workers and seven residents were observed for the types of behavioural nursing interventions and assistance provided to residents when promoting oral fluid intake. Observational data were compared with resident-care plans to determine whether what was carried out by care workers was consistent with what was being documented. Results., Care workers provided a wide variety of behavioural interventions to the residents when promoting oral fluid intake. The resident-care plans did not sufficiently represent the specific interventions implemented by care workers. Conclusions., A more rigorous approach is required in defining the specific behavioural interactions practised by care workers, which promote oral fluid intake in older people with dementia. Nurses determined the content of care documented in care plans, yet they were not the predominant implementers of that care. Care plans need to be accurate in terms of the specific nursing actions that respond to the level of assistance required by the resident, both behaviourally and physically. Relevance to clinical practice., Sound knowledge and reflective practices should be implemented by care workers of the nursing interventions that promote adequate oral fluid intake. Care plans should serve a dual purpose and facilitate communication between staff members and provide sufficient flexibility to allow for the contribution of novel ways in which to promote oral fluid intake while also being educative. [source] Haemodynamic crisis and reversible multiorgan failure caused by HIV post-exposure prophylaxis after needle-stick injury in a health care workerHIV MEDICINE, Issue 2 2004T Feldt We report the case of a 59-year-old nurse from our HIV ward who developed a severe haemodynamic crisis with concomitant acute multiorgan failure after initiation of a post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with zidovudine/lamivudine (CombivirTM) and lopinavir/ritonavir (KaletraTM) after a needle-stick injury with an HIV-contaminated needle. Although serious and life-threatening adverse effects of post-exposure prophylaxis have been documented in several cases, this is the first report of a severe acute cardiovascular incident following PEP initiation. [source] Post-exposure prophylaxis with a maraviroc-containing regimen after occupational exposure to a multi-resistant HIV-infected source personJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 1 2008Frédéric Méchai Abstract We report the case of a health care worker who received a post-exposure prophylaxis including an investigational drug, maraviroc, after a needle stick percutaneous injury to an HIV-infected patient with late-stage disease and harboring a multi-drug resistant virus. Post-exposure prophylaxis including maraviroc was pursued for a total of 28 days, with a weekly clinical and biological evaluation. Post-exposure prophylaxis was well tolerated, with no increase in liver function tests. The health care worker remained HIV-negative after a 6-month follow-up. J. Med. Virol. 80:9,10, 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The role of the senior health care worker in critical careNURSING IN CRITICAL CARE, Issue 4 2004Paula Ormandy Summary ,,This article identifies that the introduction of the support worker role in the critical care team facilitates flexibility when organizing and managing patient care ,,Qualified nurses' time can be used more effectively, enhancing the quality of the patient care delivered ,,Aspects of the qualified nurses' workload in critical care can be shared and delegated successfully to unqualified staff ,,It is our view that staffing levels in critical care environments need to be reviewed with more flexible working practices to meet the current and future demands of critical care ,,There is a need for national consensus amongst qualified nurses to clarify and define the role of the support worker and develop a critical care competency framework to standardize training ,,To ensure proficiency, adequate training and appropriate accountability, support workers require regulation by a nationally recognized body [source] Impact of publicly sponsored interventions on musculoskeletal injury claims in nursing homes,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 9 2009Robert M. Park MS Abstract Background The rate of lost-time sprains and strains in private nursing homes is over three times the national average, and for back injuries, almost four times the national average. The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) has sponsored interventions that were preferentially promoted to nursing homes in 2000,2001, including training, consultation, and grants up to $40,000 for equipment purchases. Methods This study evaluated the impact of BWC interventions on back injury claim rates using BWC data on claims, interventions, and employer payroll for all Ohio nursing homes during 1995,2004 using Poisson regression. A subset of nursing homes was analyzed with more detailed data that allowed estimation of the impact of staffing levels and resident acuity on claim rates. Costs of interventions were compared to the associated savings in claim costs. Results A $500 equipment purchase per nursing home worker was associated with a 21% reduction in back injury rate. Assuming an equipment life of 10 years, this translates to an estimated $768 reduction in claim costs per worker, a present value of $495 with a 5% discount rate applied. Results for training courses were equivocal. Only those receiving below-median hours had a significant 19% reduction in claim rates. Injury rates did not generally decline with consultation independent of equipment purchases, although possible confounding, misclassification, and bias due to non-random management participation clouds interpretation. In nursing homes with available data, resident acuity was modestly associated with back injury risk, and the injury rate increased with resident-to-staff ratio (acting through three terms: RR,=,1.50 for each additional resident per staff member; for the ratio alone, RR,=,1.32, 95% CI,=,1.18,1.48). In these NHs, an expenditure of $908 per resident care worker (equivalent to $500 per employee in the other model) was also associated with a 21% reduction in injury rate. However, with a resident-to-staff ratio greater than 2.0, the same expenditure was associated with a $1,643 reduction in back claim costs over 10 years per employee, a present value of $1,062 with 5% discount rate. Conclusions Expenditures for ergonomic equipment in nursing homes by the Ohio BWC were associated with fewer worker injuries and reductions in claim costs that were similar in magnitude to expenditures. Un-estimated benefits and costs also need to be considered in assessing full health and financial impacts. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:683,697, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Immunisation Rates in Older Veterans and War WidowsAUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL ON AGEING, Issue 3 2000Balakrishnan Nair Aim: To study the immunisation rates of veterans and war widows aged 70 years and above in New South Wales and Queensland, as part of the Preventive Care Trial. Method: A trained health care worker assessed subjects at home regarding health, illness and immunisation status. Results: Suboptimal immunisation rate for influenza (72%) and poor rates for pneumococcus (14%) and tetanus (43%) were detected. Conclusion: Subjects in this study were not immunised according to recommended guidelines. Further education campaigns are warranted to improve immunisation rates in older people. [source] FS07.2 Occupational contact dermatitis and workers' compensationCONTACT DERMATITIS, Issue 3 2004Kathryn Frowen Statistics for occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) in Australia are gathered from workers' compensation (WC) data and research has indicated that occurrence is underestimated by as much as 400%. This study investigated reasons which might influence decisions whether to claim WC or not. A questionnaire was posted to 168 individuals diagnosed with significantly work related OCD at a specialised occupational dermatology clinic, therefore fulfilling valid claim criteria under the WC scheme operating in the state of Victoria. 70 completed responses were analysed. Ages ranged from 18,65 and only 40% had claimed workers' compensation, with those under 45 y less likely to claim. Females were significantly (P < 0.05) less likely to claim, as were respondents who had dermatitis present for less than 6 months. At the time of diagnosis, 37% of respondents were health care workers, 10% hairdressers, 7% food handlers, and 29% worked in hospitals, 24% manufacturing, 10% hairdressing salons, and 7% each vehicle maintenance, food service and trades. 31% no longer worked for the same employer, however 90% of respondents were still employed. Those who did not claim WC lost less time from work than those who claimed, but more non-claimants still had skin problems quite often or constantly than did claimants. 28.6% of non-claimants had all or some of their medical and/or lost time costs paid by their employer, and only 18% of claimants had all of their costs paid by their employer or WC insurer. Although the sample size was small, interesting data was also obtained from the qualitative responses. [source] FC03.1 Experience from joint occupational health/dermatology clinicsCONTACT DERMATITIS, Issue 3 2004Yat Wing Wong Background:, A monthly consultant led occupational health/dermatology clinic was started in 1999 providing rapid access to staff with suspected occupational skin disease including natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy and teaching for the occupational health staff. Objectives:, To evaluate the characteristics and outcome of staff attending this clinic and to assess patient satisfaction. Methods:, A retrospective case note survey was performed from staff attending the clinic from 1999 to 2002. A questionnaire was sent to them >3 months following consultation. Results:, A total of 116 patients were identified (12 male, 104 female), and 85 (73%) were nurses. 77 (66%) patients were referred with hand eczema (HE). Of the 45 patients referred with adverse reactions or exacerbation of hand dermatitis following the use of latex gloves, only 4 had positive prick tests and were considered to have NRL allergy. Patients with significant HE or occupational exacerbation of HE were referred for patch testing (n = 36). Of the remainder, most could be discharged after a single visit. 49/95 (52%) questionnaires were returned, 34/45 (76%) patients found the consultation useful. As a separate study, the data recorded within the patch test clinic looking at health care workers (HCW) referred both from this clinic and from other sources was analysed. This showed relevant positive patch tests in 16/49 (33%) patients. In 55/99 (56%), an occupational cause was likely. Conclusion:, Occupational skin disease in HCW is common, attendance at the clinic was beneficial and a single visit was sufficient in most cases. [source] Latex allergy: diagnosis and managementDERMATOLOGIC THERAPY, Issue 4 2004James S. Taylor ABSTRACT:, Latex allergy is an IgE-mediated immediate hypersensitivity response to natural rubber latex (NRL) protein with a variety of clinical signs ranging from contact urticaria, angioedema, asthma, and anaphylaxis. Major allergens include dipped latex products such as gloves and balloons. In highest risk for NRL allergy are patients with spina bifida, but health care workers and others who wear latex gloves are also at risk. NRL allergic patients may also react to fruits/foods, especially banana, kiwi, and avocado. Diagnosis is made by a positive latex RAST and/or skin prick test or challenge test to NRL. Allergen avoidance and substitution and the use of latex-safe devices including synthetic gloves (vinyl, synthetic polyisoprene, neoprene, nitrile, block polymers, or polyurethane) are essential for the affected patient. Accommodation in the workplace may include the use of powder-free, low-allergen NRL gloves or synthetic gloves. These preventive measures have significantly reduced the prevalence of reported reactions to NRL. Hyposensitization is not yet feasible. [source] New and experimental approaches to treatment of diabetic foot ulcers: a comprehensive review of emerging treatment strategiesDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 11 2004R. Eldor Abstract Diabetic foot ulcers occur in up to 15% of all diabetic patients and are a leading cause of nontraumatic amputation worldwide. Neuropathy, abnormal foot biomechanics, peripheral vascular disease and external trauma are the major contributors to the development of a foot ulcer in the diabetic patient. Therapy today includes repeated debridement, offloading, and dressings, for lower grade ulcers, and broad spectrum antibiotics and occasionally limited or complete amputation for higher grades, requiring a team effort of health care workers from various specialties. The large population affected by diabetic foot ulcers and the high rates of failure ending with amputation even with the best therapeutic regimens, have resulted in the development of new therapies and are the focus of this review. These include new off loading techniques, dressings from various materials, methods to promote wound closure using artificial skin grafts, different growth factors or wound bed modulators and methods of debridement. These new techniques are promising but still mostly unproven and traditional approaches cannot be replaced. New and generally more expensive therapies should be seen as adding to traditional approaches. [source] Preparedness for anthrax attack: the effect of knowledge on the willingness to treat patientsDISASTERS, Issue 3 2010Ariel Rokach Little is known about the factors that may impact on the willingness of physicians and nurses to treat patients during a bioterrorism attack. This survey was conducted among 76 randomly selected nurses and physicians in the emergency rooms of three public hospitals in order to analyse the relationship between knowledge, profession and the willingness to treat anthrax. The study finds that the willingness of physicians and nurses to come to work is 50% greater among the group with the highest knowledge about anthrax (P < 0.0001). Within that group, the willingness to treat patients suspected of being infected with anthrax was 37% greater (P < 0.0001) and the willingness to treat patients diagnosed with anthrax was 28% greater (P = 0.004) than in the other groups. These results imply that enhancement of knowledge among health care workers may improve their willingness to come to work and treat patients infected with anthrax during a bioterrorism attack. [source] Amphetamine-induced movement disorderEMERGENCY MEDICINE AUSTRALASIA, Issue 3 2005Michael A Downes Abstract Recreational use of amphetamines is common in Australia and New Zealand when compared with other developed nations. The clinical effects are variable because of the potential of these drugs to increase the proportion of different biogenic amines in the central nervous system (CNS). The substances affected are adrenaline, noradrenaline, serotonin and dopamine. Movement disorders represent one of the less common presentations of amphetamine toxicity but one that health care workers should be aware of nonetheless. [source] Smallpox Vaccination for Emergency Physicians,ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 6 2003AAEM/SAEM Smallpox Vaccination Working Group Abstract On December 13, 2002, President Bush formally announced the national smallpox vaccination program. The plan involves vaccinating health care workers who would respond to possible smallpox cases, including emergency physicians. Although not all aspects of the program are clearly established, it appears that vaccination of health care workers will occur in the near future. This joint statement has been used by the American Academy of Emergency Medicine and the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine regarding smallpox vaccination for emergency physicians. [source] Chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting , past reflections, present practice and future managementEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER CARE, Issue 1 2004M. MILLER ba (hons), msc (cancer nursing), rgn research fellow Although much progress has occurred in the last decade regarding the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, these remain among the most intolerable side-effects of treatment and patients continue to report the negative impact such symptoms have on their ability to enjoy life. Inadequate control of nausea and vomiting reduces patients' quality of life and functional status and jeopardizes the delivery of optimal treatment, so making its management a priority for oncology health care workers. This article will reflect on past and present evidence regarding the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting while highlighting some of the most recent scientific advances before drawing conclusions about the future management of this troublesome symptom for patients receiving chemotherapy. [source] Acute cardiorespiratory collapse from heparin: a consequence of heparin-induced thrombocytopeniaEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2004Martha P. Mims Abstract: Background:, Heparin has rarely been reported to cause acute cardiorespiratory reactions or collapse. Some reports relate this to underlying heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Objective:, To confirm and increase awareness of acute life-threatening cardiopulmonary events when patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia are re-exposed to heparin. Design:, Retrospective observational case series. Patients/setting:, Four cardiovascular surgery patients were identified in two adjacent large urban hospitals over a 2-yr-period who experienced eight episodes of cardiorespiratory collapse immediately following heparin administration. All had underlying heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Results:, Intravenous boluses of unfractionated heparin were given to four patients with known or previously unrecognized heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Two patients experienced severe respiratory distress within 15 min for which they required endotracheal intubation. Two other patients experienced cardiac arrest or a lethal arrhythmia within minutes of receiving intravenous heparin. Serologic tests for heparin-induced antibodies were positive in all patients. In three cases, the platelet count was normal or near normal but fell dramatically (71%) immediately following the heparin bolus. Three cases had prior diagnoses of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, but health care workers administered heparin either unaware of the diagnosis or ignorant of its significance. No patients died, but all required some form of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and subsequent intensive care. Conclusions:, Heparin administration to patients with heparin-induced antibodies can result in life-threatening pulmonary or cardiac events. Appreciation of this phenomenon can unmask cases of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and strengthens the mandate to avoid any heparin exposure in affected patients. Recognition is crucial to avoiding disastrous outcomes. [source] The Business of Caring: Women's Self-Employment and the Marketization of CareGENDER, WORK & ORGANISATION, Issue 4 2010Nickela Anderson Our goal in this article is to contribute to a differentiated analysis of paid caring work by considering whether and how women's experiences of such work is shaped by their employment status (for example, self-employed versus employee) and the nature of care provided (direct or indirect). Self-employed care workers have not been widely studied compared with other types of care workers, such as employees providing domestic or childcare in private firms or private homes. Yet their experiences may be quite distinct. Existing research suggests that self-employed workers earn less than employees and are often excluded from employment protection. Nonetheless, they often report greater autonomy and job satisfaction in their day-to-day work. Understanding more about the experiences of self-employed caregivers is thus important for enriching existing theory, research and policy on the marketization of care. Addressing this gap, our article explores the working conditions, pay and levels of satisfaction of care workers who are self-employed. We draw on interviews from a small-scale study of Canadian women engaged in providing direct care (for example, childcare) and indirect care (for example, cleaning). [source] Between Endless Needs and Limited Resources: The Gendered Construction of a Greedy OrganizationGENDER, WORK & ORGANISATION, Issue 5 2004Bente Rasmussen One of the strategies of the modernization of public services is the decentralization of responsibilities and organizing work in autonomous co- operative teams with varied tasks. The empowerment of the public service workers in the front line is therefore a strategy in local government in Norway today. Under the assumption that women have ,natural' skills in caring, workers on the lowest levels are given responsibility for care and nursing. A study of the decentralization of public care for the elderly in their homes showed that being given interesting tasks and increased responsibility mobilized the efforts of the care workers. However, since the power of resources has been centralized, this has led to an intensification of work. In gendering the relevant discourses by explaining women's experiences of an over-heavy workload as a result of their ,mothering' and their inability to set limits, women care workers were constructed by their managers as unprofessional and not to be taken seriously. This has made the public care organization a greedy organization for the women care workers. [source] Oral hygiene of elderly people in long-term care institutions , a cross-sectional studyGERODONTOLOGY, Issue 4 2006Luc M. De Visschere Objective:, The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the level of oral hygiene in elderly people living in long-term care institutions and to investigate the relationship between institutional and individual characteristics, and the observed oral cleanliness. Materials and methods:, Clinical outcome variables, denture plaque and dental plaque were gathered from 359 older people (14%) living in 19 nursing homes. Additional data were collected by a questionnaire filled out by all health care workers employed in the nursing homes. Results:, Only 128 (36%) residents had teeth present in one or both dental arches. About half of the residents (47%) wore complete dentures. The mean dental plaque score was 2.17 (maximum possible score = 3) and the mean denture plaque score was 2.13 (maximum possible score = 4). Significantly more plaque was observed on the mucosal surface of the denture with a mean plaque score of 2.33 vs. 1.93 on the buccal surface (p < 0.001). In the multiple analyses only the degree of dependency on an individual level was found to be significantly correlated with the outcome dental plaque (odds ratio: 3.09) and only the management of the institution with denture plaque (odds ratio: 0.43). Conclusion:, Oral hygiene was poor, both for dentures and remaining teeth in residents in long-term care institutions and only the degree of dependency of the residents and the management of the institutions was associated with the presence of dental plaque and denture plaque respectively. [source] Co-morbidity in the ageing haemophilia patient: the down side of increased life expectancyHAEMOPHILIA, Issue 4 2009E. P. MAUSER-BUNSCHOTEN Summary., Because of an increased life expectancy, (age-related) co-morbidity is becoming a common occurrence in haemophilia patients. In this review, haemophilia-related and non-haemophilia-related medical problems, treatment recommendations and psychosocial consequences in ageing haemophilia patients are discussed. Haemophilic arthropathy is an important cause of pain and disability, and a frequent indication for surgery in haemophilia patients. In addition, many adult patients are infected with hepatitis C or HIV, the consequences and treatment of which can add to physical and mental discomfort. Moreover, inhibitors against factor VIII can also develop in adulthood, especially in patients with mild haemophilia. Hypertension is reported to occur more often in haemophilia patients than in the general population. Other internal problems, like renal abnormalities, overweight, diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia are discussed. Haemophilia seems to protect against cardiovascular disease, although the incidence is increasing. Recommendations are given on dealing with tooth extractions, surgical interventions and sexuality problems in patients with haemophilia. In addition to haemophilia in itself, co-morbidity has a major psychological impact, and an important effect on quality of life. It can also result in complex treatment regimens, in which coordination between health care workers is essential. [source] ,Part of the family': sources of job satisfaction amongst a group of community-based dementia care workersHEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, Issue 2 2004Tony Ryan MA BSc Abstract The development of community-based services for people with dementia brings new challenges for health and social care providers, not least that of sustaining an enthusiastic workforce who are motivated to provide care and support under potentially isolating and difficult conditions. The present paper, based on interview data gathered from a group of community-based dementia care workers, seeks to identify their sources of job satisfaction and reward. Interviews were conducted with seven workers at two points in time and the data were analysed using a case by theme matrix approach. The results indicate that there were high levels of job satisfaction amongst the group, which were enhanced by several factors, including: good organisational support; day-to-day autonomy; the ability to maintain relationships with people with dementia and their families; and staffs' feelings of contributing to and improving the status and quality of life of people with dementia. Implications for workforce development are briefly considered. [source] Working on the interface: identifying professional responses to families with mental health and child-care needsHEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, Issue 3 2003Nicky Stanley BA MA MSc CQSW Abstract The gaps between mental health and child-care services constitute a recognised barrier to providing effective services to families where parents have mental health problems. Recent guidance exhorts professionals to coordinate and collaborate more consistently in this area of work. The present study aimed to identify the barriers to inter-professional collaboration through a survey of 500 health and social care professionals. The views of 11 mothers with severe mental health problems whose children had been subject to a child protection case conference were also interrogated through two sets of interviews. The study found that communication problems were identified more frequently between child care workers and adult psychiatrists than between other groups. Communication between general practitioners and child-care workers was also more likely to be described as problematic. While there was some support amongst practitioners for child-care workers to assume a coordinating or lead role in such cases, this support was not overwhelming, and reflected professional interests and alliances. The mothers themselves valued support from professionals whom they felt were ,there for them' and whom they could trust. There was evidence from the responses of child-care social workers that they lacked the capacity to fill this role in relation to parents and their statutory child-care responsibilities may make it particularly difficult for them to do so. The authors recommend that a dyad of workers from the child-care and community mental health services should share the coordinating key worker role in such cases. [source] The European Early Promotion Project: A new primary health care service to promote children's mental healthINFANT MENTAL HEALTH JOURNAL, Issue 6 2002Kaija Puura The number of children in Europe with significant psychologic and social problems is large and increasing. This article describes an innovative crosscultural method of working with families to promote the psychosocial well being of children and prevent the development of psychologic and social problems. A study designed to evaluate the effects of the service is also presented. Primary health care workers in five European countries have been trained to conduct promotional interviews with all prospective mothers in their area one month before and one month after birth. They have also been taught to work with mothers identified as in need of support as a parent by using a specific counselling model to try to prevent the onset of child mental health difficulties. Effects of the intervention on children's psychologic development and family adaptation are being evaluated at two years in comparison with matched groups not receiving the intervention. ©2002 Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health. [source] Health care workers and tuberculosisINTERNAL MEDICINE JOURNAL, Issue 3 2000R. L. Stuart First page of article [source] The health status of family caregivers in Taiwan: an analysis of gender differencesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 9 2005Chii-Jun Chiou Abstract Background Many studies have assessed the impact of caregivers' work activities on the caregiver. There is growing concern about the ever-increasing problems, both physical and physiological, faced by health care workers who provide care for the ill and incapacitated. Aim The aim of the study was to examine what, if any, differences exist between male and female caregivers. This study primarily focused on caregivers who were taking care of a family member. Method Three hundred and eighty-eight caregivers (280 females and 108 males) were recruited from 16 randomly selected home-care agencies in Southern Taiwan. The participants completed the Chinese Health Questionnaire-12 and the Self-Rated Health Scale. They also completed questionnaires drawn up specifically for the purpose of this study. Results Compared to the male caregivers, the female caregivers more often reported they suffered from symptoms of lack of well being, a decrease in psychosocial health and overall self-rated health. Conclusion The results reiterate the importance of considering gender differentiation in the caregiving role. Major differences were found in the extent to which negative health consequences were experienced by the male and female caregivers. The results suggest that caregivers, especially female caregivers, urgently require adequate professional health care assistance in order to reduce the negative physical and physiological effects of caregiving on the health caregiver. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Therapeutic relationship: Developing a new understanding for nurses and care workers within an eating disorder unitINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 3 2010Karen M. Wright ABSTRACT The establishment of a positive therapeutic relationship has been widely acknowledged internationally as an intrinsic part of therapy and caring services, even healing and restorative in its own right. In this paper, current understandings of the therapeutic relationship are presented and reconsidered within the context of caring for patients with anorexia in hospital in the UK. The relevance of interpersonal processes and the expectations of care and recovery are re-evaluated and the question posed as to whether these principles can be wholly employed in this setting. The service in which the therapeutic relationship exists (eating disorder services), current understandings of ,therapeutic relationship', responsibility, and tensions that exist in attaining a relationship are examined. [source] Factorial validity, reliability of assessments and prevalence of ADHD behavioural symptoms in day and residential treatment centres for children with behavioural problemsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF METHODS IN PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH, Issue 1 2002E.M. Scholte Abstract This study uses the attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptom ratings of professional care workers to estimate the prevalence of ADHD symptoms among children in day treatment centres (N = 162) and residential treatment centres (N = 195) in Holland. Although further research is needed, the study supports the suggestion that such ratings can add to reliable diagnostic outcomes when assessing the behavioural symptoms of ADHD in children in the centres. It is estimated that nearly a fifth of the children in such centres exhibit the symptoms of ADHD in the judgement of professional care workers. Model testing using confirmatory factor analysis favours a dimensional behavioural model that comprises all the three constitutional symptom dimensions of ADHD (inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity) instead of the two-factor model as used in the DSM-IV (inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity). However, the differences of fit between both models were only small and the hyperactivity and impulsivity factors were highly correlated. This suggests that, in practice, a two-factor model can also be appropriate. The issue of whether a two-factor or a three-factor model is more appropriate thus remains unsolved in this study. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source] A systematic review on the effectiveness of alcohol-based solutions for hand hygieneINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING PRACTICE, Issue 1 2004Wilawan Picheansathian RN MS MPH The use of alcohol has been proposed as an option for hand hygiene. A systematic review was conducted to evaluate the clinical evidence supporting the use of alcohol-based solutions in hospitals as an option for hand hygiene. Studies published between January 1992 and April 2002 in English and Thai, related to the effectiveness of alcohol-based solutions, were reviewed. The databases searched included Medline, DARE, CINAHL and Dissertation Abstracts International. All studies were assessed as having adequate methodological quality. Results of this systematic review supported that alcohol-based hand rubbing removes microorganisms effectively, requires less time and irritates hands less often than does handwashing with soap or other antiseptic agents and water. Furthermore, the availability of bedside alcohol-based solutions increases compliance with hand hygiene among health care workers. [source] A 7-step consultation plan for health care workers and hairdressersJOURNAL DER DEUTSCHEN DERMATOLOGISCHEN GESELLSCHAFT, Issue 9 2007Stephanie Soost Summary Background: Skin diseases are among the most common occupational disor-ders in health care workers and hairdressers. Optimal prevention methods make it possible for more individuals to remain active in their profession. We devised a 7-step consultation plan which was employed in a standard fashion and then evaluated. Patients and Methods: 264 employes were evaluated in the Education and Support Center of the German Accident Prevention and Insurance Association in the Health and Welfare Services (BGW schu.ber.z Berlin) from 2003 to 2005 in a standardized manner. Included were detailed history, physical examination, skin physiology measurements (transepidermal water loss, corneometry, sebumetry) and then making a diagnosis and therapeutic recommendations. Results: Within the study group of 264 employes the most frequent diagnosis were toxic-irritant hand eczema (28.4%), allergic contact eczema (19.7%), atopic eczema (15.5%) and irritant contact eczema with atopic diathesis (13.6%). The frequency of contact sensitivity was high in the study group (80.7%). The skin physiological parameters were not remarkably altered and did not differ between individuals with an atopic diathesis versus without an atopic diathesis. Conclusion: This standardized protocol for a "7-step consultation plan"when applied in a standardized manner offers quality-controlled but also individually-adapted support considering dermatological, educational and occupational aspects. Skin physiology parameters did not provide any further information indicating the need of the development of novel techniques to measure skin barrier function. [source] Hospital discharge planning for frail older people and their family.JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 18 2009Are we delivering best practice? Aims and objectives., This paper examined the available evidence concerning hospital discharge practices for frail older people and their family caregivers and what practices were most beneficial for this group. Background., Hospital discharge practices are placing an increasing burden of care on the family caregiver. Discharge planning and execution is significant for older patients where inadequate practices can be linked to adverse outcomes and an increased risk of readmission. Design., Literature review. Methods., A review of English language literature published after 1995 on hospital discharge of frail older people and family carer's experiences. Results., Numerous factors impact on the hospital discharge planning of the frail older person and their family carer's that when categorised focus on the role that discharge planning plays in bridging the gap between the care provided in hospital and the care needed in the community, its potential to reduce the length of hospital stay, the impact of the discharge process on family carer's and the need for a coordinated health professional approach that includes dissemination of information, clear communication and active support. Conclusion., The current evidence indicates that hospital discharge planning for frail older people can be improved if interventions address family inclusion and education, communication between health care workers and family, interdisciplinary communication and ongoing support after discharge. Interventions should commence well before discharge. Relevance to clinical practice., An awareness of how the execution of the hospital discharge plan is perceived by the principal family carer of a frail older person, will allow nurses and others involved with the discharge process to better reconcile the family caregivers' needs and expectations with the discharge process offered by their facility. The research shows there is a direct correlation between the quality of discharge planning and readmission to hospital. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||