RESUMEN

OBJECTIVES: The present study explores the effect of visual art training on people with dementia, utilizing a randomized control trial design, in order to investigate the effects of an 8-week visual art training program on cognition. In particular, the study examines overall cognition, delayed recall, and working memory, which show deficits in people with dementia. METHOD: Fifty-three individuals with dementia were randomly assigned into either an art training (n = 27) or usual-activity waitlist control group (n = 26). Overall cognition and delayed recall were assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and working memory was assessed with the Backward Digit Span task. RESULTS: There were no group differences in overall cognition, or working memory, while a difference in delayed recall was undetermined, based on post-test-pre-test difference scores. Groups were comparable at baseline on all measures. CONCLUSION: The measures of cognition, delayed recall, and working memory used in this study were not affected by an 8-week visual art training program. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03175822.

RESUMEN

Hawaii's innovative statewide evidence-based practice program facilitates practice change across multiple health care systems. The innovation eliminated duplicative efforts and provided resources, was compatible with the values of health care organizations, and had experience with a pilot program. Interpersonal and mass media communication promoted and embedded the practice change. Users included nurse champions with multidisciplinary team members. The rate of adoption varied across projects and, although resources seemed to be a major determinant of successful institutionalization, there does not seem to be a predictable pattern of successful project implementation.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

A traumatic spinal cord injury is a catastrophic event associated with physiologic disruptions to the motor, sensory, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. Respiratory complications are a common cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with acute cervical spinal cord injury and treatments must be initiated immediately. The longer it takes for a patient to receive pulmonary treatments and mobility activities, the higher the morbidity and mortality and the longer the length of stay. Disrupted pulmonary mechanics and respiratory complications are frequent and are influenced by the level of injury.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Fever is a significant contributor to secondary brain insult and management is a challenge for the neurocritical care team. The absence of standardized guidelines likely contributes to poor surveillance and undertreatment of increased temperature. A need for practice change was identified and this evidence-based practice project was initiated to compile sufficient evidence to develop, implement, and evaluate a treatment guideline to manage fever and maintain normothermia in the neurocritical care population. Ongoing education, inclusion in staff annual competency, and staff update on compliance performance is essential to maintain and sustain the practice change achieved through this project.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Spinal epidural abscess is a rare bacterial infection located within the spinal canal. Early diagnosis and rapid treatment are important because of its potential to cause rapidly progressive spinal cord compression and irreversible paralysis. A staphylococcus bacterial infection is the cause in most cases. Treatment includes antibiotics and possible surgical drainage of the abscess. A favorable neurologic outcome correlates with the severity and duration of neurologic deficits before surgery and the timeliness of the chosen intervention. It is important for the critical care nurse to monitor the patient's neurologic status and provide appropriate interventions.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) disproportionately impacts minority racial groups. However, limited information exists on TBI outcomes among Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders (NHPI). All patients with severe TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) <9) who were hospitalized at the state-designated trauma center in Hawai'i from March 2006 to February 2011 were studied. The primary outcome measure was discharge Glasgow Outcome Scale ([GOS]: 1, death; 2, vegetative state; 3, severe disability; 4, moderate disability; 5, good recovery), which was dichotomized to unfavorable (GOS 1-2) and favorable (GOS 3-5). Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess factors predictive of discharge functional outcome. A total of 181 patients with severe TBI (NHPI 27%, Asians 25%, Whites 30%, and others 17%) were studied. NHPI had a higher prevalence of assault-related TBI (25% vs 6.5%, P = .046), higher prevalence of chronic drug abuse (20% vs 4%, P = .02) and chronic alcohol abuse (22% vs 2%, P = .003), and longer intensive care unit length of stay (15±10 days vs 11±9 days, P < .05) compared to Asians. NHPI had lower prevalence of unfavorable functional outcomes compared to Asians (33% vs 61%, P = .006) and Whites (33% vs 56%, P = .02). Logistic regression analyses showed that Asian race (OR, 6.41; 95% CI, 1.68-24.50) and White race (OR, 4.32; 95% CI, 1.27-14.62) are independently associated with unfavorable outcome compared to NHPI. Contrary to the hypothesis, NHPI with severe TBI have better discharge functional outcomes compared to other major racial groups.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

A nursing peer review (NPR) model in a shared governance environment enhances professional accountability, contributing to the delivery of quality patient care. The authors describe changes made to an NPR model, the outcomes achieved, the impact on nursing practice, lessons learned, and why they recommend the investment of time, money, and resources into incorporating an NPR model into a shared governance structure.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Stentless aortic bioprostheses have excellent hemodynamics and clinical outcomes. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether implant technique of the Freestyle aortic root bioprosthesis impacts clinical outcomes or hemodynamic performance. METHODS: The long-term multicenter study of the Freestyle stentless aortic bioprosthesis includes 500 consecutive patients implanted using the subcoronary and 162 using the full root technique. Clinical outcomes and echocardiographic hemodynamics were compared through 5 years. RESULTS: There were no differences between groups in time to death, valve-related death, or reoperation. The incidence of operative death was higher in the full root than in the subcoronary group (odds ratio 3.97, p = 0.001). Patients in the subcoronary group were more likely to have New York Heart Association functional class III or IV symptoms at 1 year (1.7% versus 0%, p = 0.04) and 5 years postoperatively (4.4% versus 0%, p = 0.02). Mean gradient was lower (p = 0.0004) and effective orifice area larger (p = 0.04) in the full root group. Left ventricular mass index decreased in both groups. The preponderance of patients in both groups had no or trivial aortic regurgitation through 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Full root implantation of the Freestyle stentless aortic bioprosthesis was associated with higher operative mortality, but somewhat better hemodynamics, functional class, and freedom from aortic regurgitation. Higher operative mortality argues against the empiric replacement of the ascending aorta in the absence of aortic root pathology. In appropriately selected patients, both implant techniques are viable alternatives for valve implantation.

Asunto(s)