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Background: HIV-positive patients are at high risk of suicide behaviors. Because most previous studies have investigated suicide behaviors among HIV-positive patients during their first six months of diagnosis only, there is a current lack of understanding of suicide behaviors among this group., Purpose: This study aimed at HIV-positive patients who had been diagnosed between six months and one year ago and examined their suicide ideation and suicide attempt profiles and the associated factors of suicide., Methods: This study adopted a cross-sectional design. A total of 114 HIV-positive patients were interviewed in the HIV clinics of a medical center in Taipei City. Information collections included demographic and HIV-related data and measurements of suicide ideation, suicide attempt, depression, body image, meaning in life, and social support. Independent samples t tests, chi square tests, and logistic regressions were conducted to examine the associated factors and predictors of suicide ideation and suicide attempt., Results: Slightly over one-quarter (27.2 %) of the participants reported suicide ideation and 14.0% reported attempting suicide in recent one week prior the study interview. Duration since being diagnosed HIV-positive, level of education, and history of depression were each associated with suicide ideation, while only history of depression was associated with suicide attempt. Having a higher level of education and having a higher level of social (family) support were both predictors of lower risk of suicide ideation, while having a higher level of depression predicted a greater risk of suicide attempt., Conclusions / Implications for Practice: This study found high prevalences of suicide ideation and attempting suicide among HIV-positive patients during the six month to one year period after diagnosis. Moreover, the prevalence was similar to that among HIV-positive patients during the first six months of diagnosis. Suicide prevention should be a focus of care plans provided to HIV-positive patients during their first year after diagnosis. These results may be provided as a reference for developing suicide-prevention strategies for HIV-positive patients. Routine screening for depression, guiding families to increase their provision of social support, and giving assistance to individuals with higher levels of depression contribute to the effective prevention of suicide among HIV-positive patients.

Knowledge is power and knowledge and creativity are keys to creating wealth the era of the knowledge-based economy epoch. Through innovation, knowledge can add value that can enhance knowledge-based industries. This article discusses the meaning of nursing innovation and knowledge economy from the perspective of knowledge-based economy in order to illustrate the process of nursing innovation and actual experiences applying patents and technology licenses. The authors hope this article will be referenced by nurses to enhance their understanding of the knowledge economy and nursing innovation in order to stimulate creative thinking.

Suicide mortality rates have been steadily rising in Taiwan, and suicide has been among the top ten causes of death for the last consecutive eight years. In response to this situation, the Taiwan Department of Health assigned the Taiwan Association Against Depression the task of setting up the Taiwan Suicide Prevention Center. The mission of the Center, suicide prevention, is advanced by its establishment of efficient networks nationwide capable of delivering related care services. Suicide prevention strategies can be categorized, based on coverage, as universal, selective or indicated interventions. The Center also plans to standardize the national suicide report format and care delivery system, improve mental health service quality, and organize community support networks. It pursues an encompassing health care mechanism model, where clients are considered the first priority, the family a fundamental supporting unit, and the community a solid foundation. The Center will offer a helping hand for individuals who have attempted suicide by maintaining a spirit of positive values and achieving mutual benefits.

As the number of patients who are ventilator dependent increase, the tracheostomy has become an increasingly popular procedure. Inability to either communicate verbally or take food and liquids orally constitute the main distress symptom of patients, which can delay progress in treating the conditions of patients undergoing tracheostomies. Passy-Muir speaking valves (PMV) succeed in overcoming the abovementioned problems and clinical practice is gradually broadening. This article introduces the relevant underlying principles, indications, advantages, disadvantages and nursing principles of PMV. We hope this article can provide new information related to the PMV speaking valve and, as a result, help improve patient's security and medical quality.

Everything undergoes structural shifts from day to day. Any kind of change can become not only a distinguishing feature, but also a source of crisis. The only way to respond to this is to maintain crisis awareness, since crises can develop faster than we imagine. Sound preparation for any manager should therefore involve planning to deal with a crisis that might arise at any time. A crisis could be a turning point for a positive form of change; this will depend on maturity of attitude and sound familiarity with the four stages of crisis management. In each stage, we should consider whether urgent and rapid action might truly create a positive opportunity, or actually make the situation worse. This article discusses the cost of errors in crisis management and the benefits of prompt, positive action in relation to the different examples established by four well-known cases. It is hoped that these will benefit nursing managers by improving crisis management skills in clinical practice.

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare disease reported to affect adults between the ages of 20 and 50, in a male:female ratio of 2-3:1. Alveolar lavage is the most effective proven treatment. This article introduces PAP, alveolar lavage and nursing intervention in preparation, during, and after the procedure, and home care. We hope this article can provide new information on the nursing care necessary for patients with PAP.