AJN’s October issue is now available on our Web site. Here’s a selection of what not to miss.
Calciphylaxis is most often seen in patients with end-stage renal disease. “Calciphylaxis: An Unusual Case with an Unusual Outcome” describes the rare case of a patient diagnosed with calciphylaxis with normal renal function, and how the nursing staff helped develop and implement an intensive treatment plan that led to the patient’s full recovery. This CE feature offers 2.5 CE credits to those who take the test that follows the article. To further explore the topic, listen to a podcast interview with the author (this and other podcasts are accessible via the Behind the Article page on our Web site or, if you’re in our iPad app, by tapping the icon on the first page of the article).
The adverse effects of bed rest. Prolonged periods of immobility can have adverse effects for patients, such as functional decline and increased risk of falls. “A Mobility Program for an Inpatient Acute Care Medical Unit” describes how an evidence-based quality improvement project devised for and put to use on a general medical unit helped mitigate the adverse effects of bed rest. This CE feature offers 2 CE credits to those who take the test that follows the article.
Cognitive deficits are seen in many hospitalized older adults and can affect quality of life and increase health care costs. The authors of “Studying Nursing Interventions in Acutely Ill, Cognitively Impaired Older Adults” conducted a two-phase, comparative-effectiveness trial of the effects of three nursing interventions on hospitalized older adults with cognitive deficits. One lesson learned was that research involving this population must actively engage clinicians, patients, and family caregivers and also address the complex process of managing postdischarge care. Don’t miss the podcast interview with the authors.
Patient-centered care. In “A Transformational Journey Through Birth and Death,” a nurse tells a heartbreaking story about how a patient, pregnant and with ovarian cancer, affected the nursing staff at a hospital. This patient’s philosophy on birth and death inspired a new outlook for the author and her colleagues and inspired a commitment to true patient-centered care. A podcast interview with the author is also available.
Revisiting Sandy. Hurricane Sandy was one of the most destructive storms ever to hit the New York City metropolitan area. “The Visiting Nurse Service of New York’s Response to Hurricane Sandy,” an article in our Disaster Care column, describes nurses’ efforts to provide immediate medical and practical aid to patients during the storm and throughout its continued impact in the months that followed.
To see the full table of contents and what else AJN has to offer this month, visit our Web site.
Comments are moderated before approval, but always welcome.