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Vol. 18. No. 6 December 2005 |
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| TRAINING | Current questions related to CPR training
Mészáros, J. MD, Hornyák, I. |
| NURSING MANAGEMENT | What makes a good healthcare manager?
Szemlics, A. |
| QUALITY ASSURANCE | Nursing audit methodology at the Heim Pál Children's Hospital
Guti, T. |
| TRAINING | Opthalmic survey of participants in a children's camp for young type 1 diabetes patients
Bódi, M., Pető, T. MD., B. Tóth, B. MD |
| TRAINING | Psychosis Evaluation Tool for Common Use by Caregivers, and its implementation in the practise of psychiatric care
Varga, Zs. |
Current questions related to CPR training
CPR training is essential for all healthcare workers. The Hungarian system limits the opportunities for effective training in terms of class sizes rather than the number of teaching hours. Textbooks often confuse students by imparting contradictory information. The natural erosion of skills in workers that do not perform CPR on a regular basis can be prevented by periodic refresher courses at the intervals specified in international guidelines. In the course of CPR education and further training the most up-to-date adult training techniques should be applied, in order to improve effectiveness. The training should be provided by persons with both practical and theoretical skills.
The aims of the survey conducted by the author were twofold: to ascertain whether persons currently working in management (or management-type) positions have received or are receiving management training; and to determine what existing managers think goes into making a "good manager."
The empirical data was collected with a questionnaire and collated using a descriptive statistical methodology. The 212 questionnaires examined the various regions and sectors of Hungary. In conclusion, the survey established that the majority of healthcare manages have received, or are receiving, some form of management training. Incidentally, the study also revealed that managers tend to be more highly qualified in regions in which an institute of higher education operates.
The author gives a presentation of the nursing audit methodology used in 2003 at the Heim Pál Children's Hospital. The article also describes, through a case study, the practical application of the review procedure. In this essay, the author details the application and accuracy of nursing diagnoses, based on a retrospective review of nursing documentation. Measures are formulated to remedy the flaws revealed by the audit, notably a program of targeted further training. In 2005 the working group performed its follow-up audit, which established that the remedial measures had been successful, resulting in 100% application of nursing diagnoses, while the accuracy of the diagnoses also rose to 87%.
The nurse as health promoter
(Nurses' opportunities for health promotion in cardiological rehabilitation units)
Objective of the study: Testing and effectiveness-study of a programmed patient education program lasting three nursing days - with a proprietary patient education pamphlet and documentation guidelines - on patients recovering from myocardial infarction. The aim was to assess how, in comparison to the presented alternative, nurses' health promotion activities are performed in respect of the affected patient group.
Research methods and sample: The study was conducted in the cardiological rehab units of two county hospitals. Specialist and general nurses volunteered to test programmed patient education programs on 30 patients recovering from myocardial infarction.
The sample was drawn from a limited pool of staff, and is therefore not representative, but in our view is suitable for a study of tendencies.
Results: In the case of the studied sample, our working hypothesis was borne out. Health promotion activities are not planned either thematically or methodologically, are "ad-hoc" in nature, and inadequately documented.
After the three-day programmed patient education course, the patients' cognitive knowledge of myocardial infarction, its treatment and lifestyle-related indications had improved 20% compared to before the course. Thus we were able to measure the effectiveness of programmed patient education on the cognitive plane.
Conclusions, recommendations: Today, education-oriented, authoritative health promotion is increasingly being replaced with an interactive, dynamic work process, based on the active participation of the patient. In the case of patients and clients who are resistant to these changes, compliance is reduced. As nurses, we have an important role to play in health promotion, a fact that is clearly demonstrated by this study.
Key words: patient education, health, health education, health promotion
Objectives of the study: Based on a study performed at a children's camp organised for diabetics, the authors examine how ophthalmologists and ophthalmic technicians with a diabetic nursing qualification can contribute to the training of diabetics and recognise the eye complications of diabetes.
Research method and sample: In the course of two children's camps, a total of 60 young patients suffering from type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) answered the questions in the questionnaire, and underwent a detailed ophthalmic examination.
Results: Based on an evaluation of the questionnaires is transpired that not everybody was aware of the importance of regular ophthalmic examinations, and some of the young patients had problems assimilating the information provided to them by the ophthalmologists and nurses. In the course of the ophthalmic examinations conducted on-site, only two of the participants were referred to an ophthalmic clinic with cases of diabetic retinopathy.
Conclusions: Based on our findings we recommend that, in the course of the camps, the young patients also receive ophthalmic information that not only presents the eye complications of DM, but also draws attention to the importance of ophthalmic examinations for the purpose of prevention or early diagnosis of eye complications.
The Hungarian introduction of the PECC (Psychosis Evaluation Tool for Common Use by Caregivers), developed by an international working group, began in spring of 2000. Around 40 persons became familiar with the standardised program.
The author examines the general success of the introduction, using a questionnaire, taking as a starting point the fact that it is essential to diagnose the condition of schizophrenic patients, and monitoring of changes to their condition, and that this is also an important aim of applying PECC.
It is also vital for the staff applying the method to expand their professional skills, and the higher quality of work can also have a beneficial effect on their professional self-esteem. Questionnaires were also issued to staff who had not participated in the training, but who possessed information regarding the method. These workers constituted the control group.
In summary, it can be established that, in the opinion of the respondents, the introduction of PECC was a useful step, which led to an improvement in nurse-patient relations, and the higher quality of work boosted the professional self-esteem of the nurses and care-givers.