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The 10 current “most viewed” AJN articles are below. Sometimes we’re surprised by the ones that go to the top of this list. At other times, the high interest in the article makes perfect sense. Most of these articles are currently free, either because they are CE articles or because they are shorter opinion pieces or the like. We hope you’ll have a look.—Jacob Molyneux, senior editor
“The Care of Pregnant Women in the Criminal Justice System”
CE article. Overview: Current practices in the treatment and transfer of pregnant inmates in this country may negatively affect maternal and fetal health or well-being. Some violate federal or state laws; others conflict with standards of obstetric care and are widely considered unethical or inhumane. This article discusses these practices; their legal status; and implications for nursing practice, policy, and research.
“Developing a Vital Sign Alert System”
CE. Overview: This article describes the implementation of a nurse-designed, automated system for enhancing patient monitoring on medical–surgical and step-down nursing units. The system . . . was found to substantially reduce out-of-unit codes without increasing nurses’ workload.
“Mouth Care to Reduce Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia”
CE. Overview: Despite the well-established association between good oral hygiene and the prevention of VAP, the importance of mouth care in infection control is seldom recognized. The authors discuss the pathophysiology of VAP and why oral care is crucial to its prevention. They also provide an evidence-based, step-by-step guide to providing optimal oral care for intubated patients.
“Decreasing Patient Agitation Using Individualized Therapeutic Activities”
CE. Overview: Hospitalized patients who are suffering from cognitive impairment, delirium, suicidal ideation, traumatic brain injury, or another behavior-altering condition are often placed under continuous observation by designated “sitters.” These patients may become agitated, which can jeopardize their safety even when a sitter is present. This quality improvement project was based on the hypothesis that agitation can be decreased by engaging these patients in individualized therapeutic activities. . . .
“Loneliness and Quality of Life in Chronically Ill Rural Older Adults”
Original Research CE. Overview: Background: Loneliness is a contributing factor to various health problems in older adults, including complex chronic illness, functional decline, and increased risk of mortality. Objectives: A pilot study was conducted to learn more about the prevalence of loneliness in rural older adults with chronic illness and how it affects their quality of life. . . .
Free. Part of AJN‘s evidence-based practice (EBP) series. Excerpt: “A spirit of inquiry is the foundation of EBP, and once nurses possess it, it’s easier to take the next step—to ask the clinical question. Formulating a clinical question in a systematic way makes it possible to find an answer more quickly and efficiently, leading to improved processes and patient outcomes.”
“The AAWC Pressure Ulcer Guidelines”
Wound care teams have a new set of guidelines to improve outcomes.
“EBP: Step by Step: The Seven Steps of Evidence-Based Practice”
“EBP: Step by Step: Critical Appraisal of the Evidence”
The two above articles are also part of AJN‘s popular EBP series.
Editorial by AJN‘s editor-in-chief Maureen Shawn Kennedy, in which she considers nurse complaints about performance measures, acknowledging valid arguments about the limitations of HCAHPS scores to reflect quality of care, but also pointing out that “
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