This review demonstrates the significance of mammographic screening for early detection and treatment of breast cancer. Mammographic screening in women aged 40-49 detected smaller tumors with less nodal metastasis, resulting in improved survival, which supports annual mammographic screening in this age group.
Distress remains a pervasive experience of patients with cancer. As a result, a quality improvement project was conducted in the breast cancer clinic of a university cancer center in the midwestern United States. Nurses identified a need to increase identification of distress over a six-month period when they made only eight referrals for distress support during 1,291 patient encounters. The eight referrals were the result of patient exhibitions of severe distress in the clinic. To increase identification of distress, as well as referrals for support before patients exhibited severe distress, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network's Distress Thermometer screening tool was implemented in the clinic from June 1 through July 6, 2010. The instrument was completed by each participant during a patient encounter, followed by a review of the responses with a nurse. Referrals for support were offered by nurses when responses indicated a significant level of distress. Nurses increased identification of distress by using the instrument. In addition, referrals for support increased before patients exhibited severe distress. Nurses are positioned to improve care by identifying distress and making referrals for support.
Introduction: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are three world religions that occupy much of the world stage in health care, journalism, and media. Nurses frequently provide care for representatives of these groups. Culturally competent nurses recognize that there are differences and similarities within and between these religions. Methodology: This article incorporates findings from a scholarly review of the literature and transcultural nursing/health care principles and is guided by Leininger’s Culture Care Diversity and Universality Theory. It discusses the roots from which these religions emerged, and the similarities and differences in religious beliefs and practices as pertained to health care. Conclusion: Nurses and other health care professionals may use knowledge presented in this article to conduct individualized cultural assessments and provide culturally congruent health care to Jewish, Christian, and Muslim populations. Leininger’s three culture care modes of decisions and actions offer a creative approach to providing meaningful and helpful culturally sensitive care.
Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that between 28.5% and 44.1% of adults in the US sleep less than seven hours nightly. Aims: The aim of this quality improvement project was to improve sleep quality and duration among patients aged 40 and older with insomnia disorder in an outpatient mental health clinic. Methods: Patients diagnosed with insomnia disorder who were sleeping less than seven hours at least three nights weekly participated in the project (n = 20). Sleep hygiene education was provided and participants kept a sleep diary. The duration and quality of sleep was evaluated by comparing the information recorded in the diaries with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition description of insomnia disorder. Results: All participants achieved improvement to 6–8 hours of restful sleep nightly.
Nurses provide care for people of many cultures. Understanding the patient's culture and incorporating cultural beliefs and practices into care are important to the patient's holistic well-being. Cultural and professional awareness creates culturally congruent care. Biblical teachings remind us to love one another; laws require culturally appropriate care, and nursing theory lays the path for understanding. The purpose of this article is to present a Christian view of caring, the theoretical and ethical underpinnings of cultural care, and the organizational and legal aspects of doing what is right.
The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health was published by the of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academies in 2011. The Missouri Nurses Foundation and Missouri nurses modeled a sustainable project, the Early Career Nurse Innovator Project, exemplifying the intent of that report. The Missouri Nurses Foundation Executive Board comprises experienced nurses, nurse educators, nurses in other leadership roles, retired nurses, public members of the board, and administrative support staff. This article describes a project that was developed, implemented, and evaluated to recognize and encourage early-career nurses who have designed and led innovations to improve and promote the health of Missourians. Five of these early-career nurses were the recipients of monetary awards to encourage future innovations; the second recognition cycle is in the planning phase. Through the work of the Missouri Nurses Foundation, the scholarship of bedside nurses was recognized.
Sleep problems are prevalent among youth with mental health disorders. Consistent with national statistics, sleep problems were present in approximately 80% of the patients attending a children’s hospital psychiatric partial hospitalization program in the Midwestern United States. The aim of this quality improvement (QI) project was to decrease sleep problems in youth with mental health disorders. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was administered to patients ages 12–18 with mental health disorders to screen for sleep problems. Patients identified by the PSQI as having a sleep problem, and their parents, were given verbal and written education on sleep hygiene practices and stimulus control. Each patient participated in a cognitive behavioral therapy group that included relaxation therapy. Evidence-based interventions used to improve sleep were reinforced daily by providers. Self-reported sleep quality, as measured by the PSQI, was improved in 95% of the patients participating in this QI project. Adequately screening for and treating sleep problems in youth with mental health disorders can lead to improved outcomes.
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