Search

An increasing number of people are growing older and living longer in their homes. This study aims to describe key stakeholders' (politicians, managers, and professionals) perceptions of a good life for single-living oldest old persons living at home with extensive needs for support. Interviews with stakeholders were analysed with content analysis. The analysis resulted in the theme: An incongruence between intentions and actions in promoting a good life for the oldest old. Our findings show a gap between intentions and actions, which caused feelings of powerlessness in the key stakeholders. To promote a good life for the oldest old persons, a congruence is needed between individual awareness and the prerequisite of promoting a good life. Developing methods that identify and bridge gaps between intentions and actions could support the abilities of organisations to promote a good life for the oldest old persons with extensive needs for support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an effort to strengthen health care professionals' ability to anticipate and address multiple trauma patients' needs, this study aims to explore the experience of suffering from multiple trauma. This is a qualitative descriptive study. Nine interviews were analysed using content analysis. The study included patients who had been registered in the Swedish Intensive Care registry [SIR] due to suffering multiple trauma. The analysis revealed one theme, A detour in life, based on three sub-themes: (a) Feeling lost and not knowing what to expect, (b) Striving to get life back on track and (c) Dealing with 'dead ends' during rehabilitation. The theme showed that those who suffered multiple trauma did not know what to expect of their recovery and they expressed experiencing a lack of understanding and guidance from healthcare professionals. As it was important to focus on the present and find ways to move on in life, they sought for other ways to find direction in matters of rehabilitation and care. A shared understanding is essential in order to define a person's needs. By setting short-term goals and improving documentation, healthcare professionals across the trauma recovery continuum could more easily gain insight of their patients' needs and address them with supportive guidance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Births before arrival are rare, and stressful for the ambulance nurses. • BBA arouses mixed feelings of fright and exhilaration among ambulance nurses. • Ambulance nurses need more education and scenario training about BBA. • The prehospital care environment imposes challenges regarding safety and security. Abstract Background Working as an ambulance nurse means interacting with and caring for acutely ill and injured patients. It can even involve births before arrival to the hospital (BBA), which are rare but increasing due to the centralization of maternity wards. Aim This study describes the experiences of specialist ambulance nurses with BBA. Method A qualitative study was conducted, and nine specialist ambulance nurses who had assisted with one or more prehospital births were interviewed. Data were analysed with thematic content analysis. Findings The analysis revealed three categories that were compiled into a theme of feeling fright and exhilaration. The findings showed that BBA causes feelings of anxiety and stress. The experience is also associated with joy and relief when the baby is born. Childbirth is a situation for which specialist ambulance nurses feel less prepared, lack of knowledge, and wish for more education. Conclusion Specialist ambulance nurses face challenges in the pre-hospital care environment during BBA, with long distances, a lack of equipment aboard the ambulance, and no assistance from midwives. To feel secure in the complex role that is required when assisting with a BBA, specialist ambulance nurses should be given the opportunity to receive scenario training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction When emergency medical services (EMS) are needed, the choice of transport depends on several factors. These may include the patient’s medical condition, transport accessibility to the accident site and the receiving hospital’s resources. Emergency care research is advancing, but little is known about the patient’s perspective of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS). Aim The aim of this study was to describe trauma patients’ experiences of HEMS. Method Thirteen persons (ages 21–76) were interviewed using an interview guide. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Findings The analysis resulted in three themes: Being distraught and dazed by the event – patients experienced shock and tension, as well as feelings of curiosity and excitement. Being comforted by the caregivers – as the caregivers were present and attentive, they had no need for relatives in the helicopter. Being safe in a restricted environment – the participants’ injuries were taken seriously and the caregivers displayed effective teamwork. Conclusion For trauma patients to be taken seriously and treated as ‘worst cases’ enables them to trust their caregivers and ‘hand themselves over’ to their care. HEMS provide additional advantageous circumstances, such as being the sole patient and having proximity to a small, professional team. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Settings and objectives: A midsize hospital in the north of Sweden with a high-tech intensive care unit and space for up to 10 patients, with an attached postoperative ward for up to 15 patients. The wards are manned by critical care nurses who are also responsible for carrying a trauma pager. When the alarm goes off, the critical care nurse leaves her/his duties and joins a trauma team. The aim of the study was to describe critical care nurse's experiences of nursing patients suffering from trauma. Method: A qualitative descriptive design was used. Data were collected through four focus group discussions with 15 critical care nurses analysed using qualitative content analysis. Findings: One theme: Preparing for the unexpected with four subthemes: (1) Feeling competent, but sometimes inadequate; (2) Feeling unsatisfied with the care environment; (3) Feeling satisfied with well-functioning communication; and (4) Feeling a need to reflect when affected. Conclusions: Nursing trauma patients require critical care nurses to be prepared for the unexpected. Two aspects of trauma care must be improved in order to fully address the challenges it poses: First, formal preparation and adequate resources must be invested to ensure delivery of quality trauma care. Secondly, follow-ups are needed to evaluate care measures and to give members of the trauma team the opportunity to address feelings of distress or concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• On all occasions, 'pain/discomfort' was the most frequently reported problem. • Problems with 'pain/discomfort' decreased the least between 3 and 6 months. • Problems with 'mobility' increased between 6 and 12 months. • When hospitalized and after discharge, 'interaction with caregivers' needs to be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]