News of The Academy of Neonatal Nursing

2008 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-114
Author(s):  
Shirley Brott

This year’s conference lineup is definitely one of our best yet! Just a sampling of evidence-based topics and discussions includes “Proteomics: The Future of Neonatal- Perinatal Medicine,” “Boggy Baby Syndrome,” “Mortality and Morbidity Related to Multiple Births,” and “Cytokines: What Are They and What Do They Do?” Earn an additional 2.5 continuing education credits by signing up for the lunch and breakfast symposiums. The Friday lunch symposium, “How to Interpret a Cochrane Review,” presented by Sharyn Gibbins, PhD, will address a systematic and meaningful approach to interpretation of evidence. Dr. Gibbins is the head of interdisciplinary research and evidence-based practice at the Sunnybrook Health Science Centre in Ontario, Canada. Saturday’s breakfast symposium, “Workforce Issues for Neonatal Nurse Practitioners,” presented by Margaret Steinbach, RN, MSN, ARNP, vice president of advanced practitioners of the Pediatrix Group in Sunrise, Florida, will tackle workforce issues including benefits, salary, and staffing requirements in the face of a nursing shortage. Purchasing tickets for both together saves you $5.

Author(s):  
Sonja Heinzelmann ◽  
Daniel Böhringer ◽  
Philip Christian Maier ◽  
Berthold Seitz ◽  
Claus Cursiefen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Penetrating keratoplasty (PK) gets more and more reserved to cases of increasing complexity. In such cases, ocular comorbidities may limit graft survival following PK. A major cause for graft failure is endothelial graft rejection. Suture removal is a known risk factor for graft rejection. Nevertheless, there is no evidence-based regimen for rejection prophylaxis following suture removal. Therefore, a survey of rejection prophylaxis was conducted at 7 German keratoplasty centres. Objective The aim of the study was documentation of the variability of medicinal aftercare following suture removal in Germany. Methods Seven German keratoplasty centres with the highest numbers for PK were selected. The centres were sent a survey consisting of half-open questions. The centres performed a mean of 140 PK in 2018. The return rate was 100%. The findings were tabulated. Results All centres perform a double-running cross-stitch suture for standard PK, as well as a treatment for rejection prophylaxis with topical steroids after suture removal. There are differences in intensity (1 – 5 times daily) and tapering (2 – 20 weeks) of the topical steroids following suture removal. Two centres additionally use systemic steroids for a few days. Discussion Rejection prophylaxis following PK is currently poorly standardised and not evidence-based. All included centres perform medical aftercare following suture removal. It is assumed that different treatment strategies show different cost-benefit ratios. In the face of the diversity, a systematic analysis is required to develop an optimised regimen for all patients.


2021 ◽  
pp. 174077452098486
Author(s):  
Charles Weijer ◽  
Karla Hemming ◽  
Spencer Phillips Hey ◽  
Holly Fernandez Lynch

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the challenges of evidence-based health policymaking, as critical precautionary decisions, such as school closures, had to be made urgently on the basis of little evidence. As primary and secondary schools once again close in the face of surging infections, there is an opportunity to rigorously study their reopening. School-aged children appear to be less affected by COVID-19 than adults, yet schools may drive community transmission of the virus. Given the impact of school closures on both education and the economy, schools cannot remain closed indefinitely. But when and how can they be reopened safely? We argue that a cluster randomized trial is a rigorous and ethical way to resolve these uncertainties. We discuss key scientific, ethical, and resource considerations both to inform trial design of school reopenings and to prompt discussion of the merits and feasibility of conducting such a trial.


2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 2247-2258
Author(s):  
Mobolaji Famuyide ◽  
Caroline Compretta ◽  
Melanie Ellis

Background: Neonatal nurse practitioners have become the frontline staff exposed to a myriad of ethical issues that arise in the day-to-day environment of the neonatal intensive care unit. However, ethics competency at the time of graduation and after years of practice has not been described. Research aim: To examine the ethics knowledge base of neonatal nurse practitioners as this knowledge relates to decision making in the neonatal intensive care unit and to determine whether this knowledge is reflected in attitudes toward ethical dilemmas in the neonatal intensive care unit. Research design: This was a prospective cohort study that examined decision making at the threshold of viability, life-sustaining therapies for sick neonates, and a ranking of the five most impactful ethical issues. Participants and research context: All 47 neonatal nurse practitioners who had an active license in the State of Mississippi were contacted via e-mail. Surveys were completed online using Survey Monkey software. Ethical considerations: The study was approved by the University of Mississippi Medical Center Institutional Review Board (IRB; #2015-0189). Findings: Of the neonatal nurse practitioners who completed the survey, 87.5% stated that their religious practices affected their ethical decision making and 76% felt that decisions regarding life-sustaining treatment for a neonate should not involve consultation with the hospital’s legal team or risk management. Only 11% indicated that the consent process involved patient understanding of possible procedures. Participating in the continuation or escalation of care for infants at the threshold of viability was the top ethical issue encountered by neonatal nurse practitioners. Discussion: Our findings reflect deficiencies in the neonatal nurse practitioner knowledge base concerning ethical decision making, informed consent/permission, and the continuation/escalation of care. Conclusion: In addition to continuing education highlighting ethics concepts, exploring the influence of religion in making decisions and knowing the most prominent dilemmas faced by neonatal nurse practitioners in the neonatal intensive care unit may lead to insights into potential solutions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna M. Williams ◽  
Kathryn Evans Kreider

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes in women of reproductive age ranges from 3% to 7%. Due to the common nature of this condition, it is imperative for nurse practitioners who care for women to understand evidence-based methods of diabetes management. The aim of this article is to describe current screening and diagnostic criteria for type 2 diabetes, discuss current evidence-based management and patient education necessary to prevent long-term complications, and provide the tools for a healthy reproductive plan in women with type 2 diabetes from puberty until menopause. Diabetes management extends well beyond glucose control, and nurse practitioners should be attuned to all factors that can impact cardiovascular risk and quality of life.


2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk ◽  
Ellen Fineout-Overholt ◽  
Nancy Fischbeck Feinstein ◽  
Lois S. Sadler ◽  
Carol Green-Hernandez

Author(s):  
Heather Thompson-Brenner ◽  
Melanie Smith ◽  
Gayle Brooks ◽  
Rebecca Berman ◽  
Angela Kaloudis ◽  
...  

The authors have designed this manual to be utilized in many settings and modalities, by therapists from various disciplines, and at any frequency of session scheduling to facilitate use by the broadest range of therapists and clients. Research on implementation suggests that evidence-based interventions need to be adapted to the particular needs of a clinical population and setting to be maximally effective. Clinicians may share the impact that a part of a session has had on them or otherwise disclose their experience in the here and now. In the face of troubled emotions and the impulse to avoid, clients may employ “strategies of disconnection,” which may involve withdrawal, anger, or displays of emotional dysregulation. This treatment focuses on emotions and experiences that are by definition difficult for clients to tolerate, and clinicians may also have strong reactions to this process.


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