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Background: Incontinent patients are at risk for incontinence-associated dermatitis. Prolonged exposures of the skin to urine and/or stool are causal factors but the exact aetiology and pathophysiology are not fully understood., Objectives: The aim of the current investigation was to identify person and health-related variables most strongly associated with incontinence-associated dermatitis development., Design: Secondary data analysis of a multicentre-prevalence study in 2012., Settings: Hospitals, nursing homes, home care in Austria and the Netherlands., Participants: Nursing home residents, hospital patients, home care clients who completed an incontinence assessment and who were incontinent (n = 3713). Mean age 81.2 (SD 11.2) years., Methods: Demographic, functional and physiological parameters were compared between subjects with incontinence-associated dermatitis and without. A logistic regression model predicting incontinence-associated dermatitis was build., Results: Subjects with incontinence-associated dermatitis were statistically significantly more often male, had more often diabetes mellitus, had a higher BMI, were less often affected by urinary but more often by faecal incontinence and showed higher degrees of functional and psychical impairments. Being faecal incontinent (OR 1.70; 95% CI 1.14-2.55), having diabetes mellitus (OR 1.46; 95% CI 1.03-2.06) and having "friction and shear" problems (OR 0.65; 95% CI 0.51-0.81) according to the Braden scale item were the strongest covariates for the presence of incontinence-associated dermatitis., Conclusions: It is recommended to target special preventive skin care interventions especially to persons who are faecal incontinent and who have moist perineal skin, who have higher BMIs, who are diabetics, and who need increased assistance in moving., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Nurses' clinical judgement plays a vital role in pressure ulcer risk assessment, but evidence is lacking which patient characteristics are important for nurses' perception of patients' risk exposure., Objectives: To explore which patient characteristics nurses employ when assessing pressure ulcer risk without use of a risk assessment scale., Design: Mixed methods design triangulating observational data from the control group of a quasi-experimental trial and data from semi-structured interviews with nurses., Setting: Two traumatological wards at a university hospital., Participants: Quantitative data: A consecutive sample of 106 patients matching the eligibility criteria (age ≥ 18 years, no pressure ulcers category ≥ 2 at admission and ≥ 5 days expected length of stay). Qualitative data: A purposive sample of 16 nurses., Methods: Quantitative data: Predictor variables for pressure ulcer risk were measured by study assistants at the bedside each second day. Concurrently, nurses documented their clinical judgement on patients' pressure ulcer risk by means of a 4-step global judgement scale. Bivariate correlations between predictor variables and nurses' risk estimates were established. Qualitative data: In interviews, nurses were asked to assess fictitious patients' pressure ulcer risk and to justify their risk estimates. Patient characteristics perceived as relevant for nurses' judements were thematically clustered. Triangulation: Firstly, predictors of nurses' risk estimates identified in bivariate analysis were cross-mapped with interview findings. Secondly, three models to predict nurses' risk estimates underwent multiple linear regression analysis., Results: Nurses consider multiple patient characteristics for pressure ulcer risk assessment, but regard some conditions more important than others. Triangulation showed that these are measures reflecting patients' exposure to pressure or overall care dependency. Qualitative data furthermore indicate that nurses are likely to trade off risk-enhancing conditions against conditions perceived to be protective. Here, patients' mental capabilities like willingness to engage in one owns care seem to be particularly important. Due to missing information on these variables in the quantitative data, they could not be incorporated into triangulation., Conclusions: Nurses' clinical judgement draws on well-known aetiological factors, and tends to expand conditions covered by risk assessment scales. Patients' care dependency and self-care abilities seem to be core concepts for nurses' risk assessment., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To identify risk factors independently predictive of pressure ulcer development in adult patient populations?, Design: A systematic review of primary research was undertaken, based upon methods recommended for effectiveness questions but adapted to identify observational risk factor studies., Data Sources: Fourteen electronic databases were searched, each from inception until March 2010, with hand searching of specialist journals and conference proceedings; contact with experts and a citation search. There was no language restriction., Review Methods: Abstracts were screened, reviewed against the eligibility criteria, data extracted and quality appraised by at least one reviewer and checked by a second. Where necessary, statistical review was undertaken. We developed an assessment framework and quality classification based upon guidelines for assessing quality and methodological considerations in the analysis, meta-analysis and publication of observational studies. Studies were classified as high, moderate, low and very low quality. Risk factors were categorised into risk factor domains and sub-domains. Evidence tables were generated and a summary narrative synthesis by sub-domain and domain was undertaken., Results: Of 5462 abstracts retrieved, 365 were identified as potentially eligible and 54 fulfilled the eligibility criteria. The 54 studies included 34,449 patients and acute and community patient populations. Seventeen studies were classified as high or moderate quality, whilst 37 studies (68.5%) had inadequate numbers of pressure ulcers and other methodological limitations. Risk factors emerging most frequently as independent predictors of pressure ulcer development included three primary domains of mobility/activity, perfusion (including diabetes) and skin/pressure ulcer status. Skin moisture, age, haematological measures, nutrition and general health status are also important, but did not emerge as frequently as the three main domains. Body temperature and immunity may be important but require further confirmatory research. There is limited evidence that either race or gender is important., Conclusions: Overall there is no single factor which can explain pressure ulcer risk, rather a complex interplay of factors which increase the probability of pressure ulcer development. The review highlights the limitations of over-interpretation of results from individual studies and the benefits of reviewing results from a number of studies to develop a more reliable overall assessment of factors which are important in affecting patient susceptibility., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Experts recommend staff training to prevent and manage aggressive situations involving patients or their relatives. However, in many countries this subject is not covered in pre-registration nursing education. In addition, the evidence regarding its impact on practical placements remains weak., Objective: This study examines the influence of an aggression management training programme for nursing students on their performance in de-escalating aggressive patients., Design: Pretest-posttest within-and-between-groups design., Setting: A School of Nursing in Germany., Participants: Convenience sample out of six classes of nursing students at differing educational levels (10th to 28th month of nursing education, n=78, mean age=22)., Methods: In a cross-sectional and longitudinal two groups before and after design nursing students encountered two scenarios (A or B) with simulation patients. After completing the training, each student was confronted with the unknown other scenario. De-escalation experts from three German-speaking countries evaluated 156 video scenes using the De-escalating Aggressive Behaviour Scale (DABS), not knowing whether the videos had been recorded before or after the training. Mean values and statistical significance tests were computed to compare the results., Results: The performance levels of students who had been trained rose significantly from 2.74 to 3.65 as measured by the DABS on a 5-point Likert scale (Wilcoxon test p<.001). The trained students managed scenario A significantly better than the untrained students (untrained 2.50, trained 3.70; Mann-Whitney-U-test p<.001,). Similar results were found for scenario B (untrained 3.01, trained 3.61; Mann-Whitney-U-test p<.001). No significant differences were found in the pretest results irrespective the students' age or duration of previous nursing education., Conclusions: Aggression management training is able to improve nursing students' performance in de-escalating aggressive behaviour. A maturation-effect on the de-escalating performance due to general nursing education or age is unlikely., ((c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Measurement error can seriously affect the validity of pressure ulcer risk assessment and of pressure ulcer classification., Objectives: Determination of interrater reliability and agreement of pressure ulcer risk and pressure ulcers using the Braden scale and the EPUAP system., Design and Setting: Duplicate assessments by trained nurses during two nationwide pressure ulcer prevalence surveys in the years 2007 and 2008 in The Netherlands in the home care setting., Participants: Home care clients which participated in 2007 (n=352) and 2008 (n=339) in the pressure ulcer prevalence surveys., Methods: The Braden scale was used to assess pressure ulcer risk. Skin examination was conducted to detect pressure related tissue damages and to classify them according to the EPUAP., Results: In 2007 and 2008, Intraclass Correlation Coefficients for Braden scale sum scores were 0.90 (95% CI: 0.88-0.92) and 0.88 (95% CI: 0.85-0.91) respectively, and corresponding Standard Errors of Measurement were 1.00 and 0.98. 95% limits of agreement were -2.8 to 2.8 and -2.7 to 2.7 respectively. The items "moisture", "sensory perception" and "nutrition" contained largest amounts of measurement error. Proportions of agreement for the classification of pressure ulcers were 96% and interrater reliability was 0.81 and 0.79. Most disagreements were observed for the classification of grade 1 pressure ulcers., Conclusions: The standardized study procedure applied in the annual nationwide pressure ulcer prevalence surveys leads to reliable and reproducible results regarding pressure ulcer risk and pressure ulcer prevalence in the home care setting. Researchers and practitioners should be careful when drawing inferences from single pressure ulcer risk factors included in the Braden scale. Descriptions of the items "moisture", "sensory perception" and "nutrition" should be made more clearly and unambiguous.

Background: Although guidelines advise against massage, it is one of the methods widely regarded and used by nurses to prevent pressure ulcers (PU)., Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of different variations of massage in preventing pressure ulcers., Methods: A randomized, double-blind cross-over design, in which patients of nursing homes who are prone to PU underwent two of the three possible interventions; 'position changes only', 'massaging with an indifferent cream' and 'massaging with a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) cream'., Results: The results of three interventions did not differ significantly. DMSO did not fulfil the expectations raised by literature and a previous pilot-study.

Nurses' attitudes towards patient aggression may influence their behaviour towards patients. Thus, their enhanced capacity to cope with aggressive patients may nurture more positive attitudes and alleviate adverse feelings emanating from patient aggression. This cluster randomised controlled trial conducted on six psychiatric wards tested the hypotheses that a 5 day training course in aggression management would positively influence the following outcome measures: Nurses' perception and tolerance towards patient aggression and resultant adverse feelings. A repeated measures design was employed to monitor change. No effect was found. The short time frame between the training course and the follow up measurement or non-responsiveness of the measurement instruments may explain this finding.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a condition that is associated with decreased quality of life. Apart from this impact on quality of life, UI is also a very costly problem. It is recognised that 'usual care' for patients suffering from UI is not optimal. Specialised nurses can play an important role in the care for community-dwelling incontinent patients, as they have the appropriate interpersonal and technical skills to provide patient-tailored care. This systematic review analyses the effect of treatment by nurses on clinical and economic outcomes. A total of 12 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were found, varying in terms of population, setting, outcome measurement and control/intervention. There is limited evidence that treatment by nurses results in a decrease in incontinence. No evidence was found for cost reduction. Recommendations are made for future studies.

Objectives: Because of a lack of epidemiological data of pressure ulcer (PU) among care dependent patients yearly prevalence measurements are held in the Netherlands and in Germany with identical methods. A comparison shows remarkable differences in the PU prevalence so that further analysis is needed to enlighten the reasons., Design: With a standardized questionnaire all patients were examined by trained nurses of the participating facilities., Setting: In-patients in 42 Dutch and 10 German acute care Hospitals., Participants: All patients who handed in their informed consent were included. In the Netherlands n = 8734, and in Germany n = 2832., Main Outcome Measures: For calculating the PU prevalence the sample was divided inpatients at risk and not at risk for PU in accordance to the Bradenscale. Comparisons between the Netherlands and Germany refer to population details, quota of patients at risk for PU and PU prevalence. Finally the impact of eight controlled variables on the PU occurrence was calculated in a logistic regression., Results: Both samples showed the same sex distribution, the same mean age and the same distribution among the medical specialties. The share of patients at risk for PU is higher in the Netherlands (55%) than in Germany (38%). The frequency of PU is higher in the Dutch population (22%) than in the German one (12%). Regarding only the risk-patients the differences reduce. The prevalence in the Netherlands was 33%, in Germany it was 28%. The highest impact on PU occurrence had the age and the length of stay in hospital. The Country ranges on third position., Conclusions: The Dutch sample had a higher share of risk-patients and a higher PU frequency. A standardization appropriate to a risk assessment reduce the differences. For enlightening the remaining differences further research is needed., (Copyright 2004 Elsevier Ltd.)

The Braden scale is one of the most intensively studied risk assessment scales used in identifying the risk of developing pressure sores. However, not all studies show that the sensitivity and specificity of this scale is sufficient. This study, therefore, investigated whether adding new risk factors can enhance the sensitivity and specificity of the Braden scale. The Braden scale was tested in a prospective multi-centre design. The nurses of 11 wards filled in the Braden scale every 5 days for each patient who was admitted without pressure sores and who had a probable stay of at least 10 days. Based on a literature study and in-depth interviews with experts, the Braden scale was extended by the risk factor blood circulation. In addition, other risk factors, which are more or less stable patient characteristics, were measured during the admission of the patient. Independent research assistants measured the presence of pressure sores twice a week. As the external criterion for the risk of developing pressure sores, the presence of pressure sores and/or the use of preventive activities was used. Results showed that the original Braden scale was a reliable instrument and that the sensitivity and specificity was sufficient. However, reformulating the factors moisture and nutrition, and adding the risk factor age could enhance the sensitivity and specificity. Furthermore, results showed that the factors sensory perception, and friction and shear were especially important risk factors for the Braden scale. In fact, using only the factors sensory perception, friction and shear, moisture (a reformulated factor) and age give the highest explained variance of the risk of developing pressure sores. The added risk factor blood circulation, did not enhance the sensitivity and specificity of the original Braden scale. Suggestions are given on how to use risk assessment scales in practice.

A growing interest in the health problem presented by fatigue, both in clinical practice and research, coupled with a decreasing number of reported studies on fatigue in the last decade, make an updated and systematic review of factors related to fatigue necessary. A search of the literature, comprising 53 studies, was therefore undertaken to explore the following research questions: Which significantly social-demographic, cure-related, and care-related factors are significantly correlated with fatigue? And which nursing interventions need priority in experimental research to reduce or eliminate fatigue? Reported factors related to fatigue in analysed studies show that the correlations between the specific cure- and care-related factors and fatigue are similar among the various investigated (patient) populations. This result supports the concept of the non-specific character of fatigue. The intervention of primary effectiveness most suggested in this study is 'energy management'. Interventions of secondary importance which emerge are those of 'emotional support', 'activity therapy' and 'coping enhancement'. This study makes clear that the exploration of a research model for fatigue, with social-demographic, cure- and care-related factors is useful and that care-related factors have their own effects on fatigue not necessarily dependent upon the presence of medical diseases or cure-related factors. In general, multi-related factors could be assessed. Implications and relevant questions for further research on fatigue are also given.

The purpose of this study among patients with chronic heart failure (n = 138) was to develop and test both the Dutch Fatigue Scale (DUFS) and the Dutch Exertion Fatigue Scale (DEFS). Psychometric testing of these scales included measurement of internal consistency, construct validity and criterion-related validity. Statistical analyses of both scales showed sufficient reliability and validity. The DUFS (scale coefficient H = 0.48; Rho = 0.80; KR-20 = 0.79) is suitable as a measurement instrument for the diagnosis of fatigue and makes it possible to compare results of fatigue on the level of groups of patients. The DEFS (scale coefficient H = 0.61; Rho = 0.91; Cronbach's alpha = 0.91) can be used in clinical practice for the measurement of patients' exertion fatigue.

This article describes a study examining the influence of expertise on nurses' pain assessments and decisions regarding pharmacological interventions in children. In an experimental design, novices (n = 271), intermediates (n = 222), and experts (n = 202) in pediatric nursing, various cases were presented. Each case consisted of a combination of a vignette and a video. Subjects were asked (1) to assess the child's pain intensity, (2) to specify their confidence in the assessment, and (3) to state whether or not they would administer a non-narcotic analgesic. The results indicated that expertise did not influence assessments of pain intensity. However, expertise did have a distinct impact on both the subjects' confidence in their decisions, and the decision to administer analgesics. Experienced nurses were most confident and were most inclined to administer analgesics. The findings of this study are placed in the context of a general theory on the development of expertise, which assumes that experts' decision-making is based on cognitive structures that describe features of prototypical or even actual patients, so called "illness scripts". From this theory it can be deduced that mainly practical experience is responsible for the (lack of) differences in decision-making between novices, intermediates and experts.

Nurses in different settings are involved in caring for patients with heart failure. In the clinic, hospital, nursing home or patients' home, the nurse has a role in detecting, identifying and treating heart failure. In order to provide optimal care, literature on possible and effective interventions should be available to nurses. This study gives an overview of nursing care for patients with heart failure as described in practice, literature and standard nursing care plans. Based on interviews of 45 nurses, a review of all pertinent literature published between 1983 and 1993 and a review of standard nursing care plans used in the Netherlands to care for patients with heart failure, four composite themes emerged; namely, basic nursing care, assessment and observation, symptom-relieving interventions, and patient education. Caring for patients with heart failure is very complex and is often aimed at keeping a very delicate balance between, e.g. rest and activity, fluid intake and elimination, and therapeutic cost and benefit. Treatment strategies for optimizing care for these patients are described.

The tasks of the psychiatric nurse, working in long-term psychiatric settings, are described and analysed in this study. A questionnaire was completed by 361 nurses in five different psychiatric hospitals in the Netherlands. Nurses appear to concentrate upon personal care tasks in and around their ward. This does not fit adequately the changes in psychiatric practice. By means of an externally oriented hospital policy, cooperation with other care agencies and a realization of a more patient-orientated and rehabilitation model of care, the nurse is better prepared for helping patients make their move to the community.

Different methods have been developed in the past to prevent patients from developing pressure sores. The consensus guidelines developed in the Netherlands make a distinction between preventive methods useful for all patients, methods useful only in individual cases, and methods which are not useful at all. This study explores the extent of use of the different methods within Dutch hospitals, and the knowledge and beliefs of nurses regarding the usefulness of these methods. A mail questionnaire was sent to a representative sample of nurses working within Dutch hospitals. A total of 373 questionnaires were returned and used for the analyses. The results showed that many methods judged by the consensus report as not useful, or only useful in individual cases, are still being used. Some methods which are judged as useful, like the use of a risk assessment scale, are used on only a few wards. The opinion of nurses regarding the usefulness of the methods differ from the guidelines of the consensus committee. Although there is agreement about most of the useful methods, there is less agreement about the methods which are useful in individual cases or methods which are not useful at all. In particular the use of massage and cream are, in the opinion of the nurses, useful in individual or in all cases.

In this replication study pain assessment and patient perception by nurses was studied in relation to patient characteristics and nurse characteristics. Nurses were randomly assigned to one of 24 descriptions of a hypothetical patient of constant age and unspecified sex. The 24 descriptions varied by duration of pain, presence of a physical pathology, diagnosis category, and depression symptoms. Results showed that third- and fourth-year student nurses of a hospital based program, and registered nurses attributed more pain when test results of physical pathology were positive. Third- and fourth-year student nurses also attributed more pain to depressive patients. No differences were found with respect to pain duration and diagnostic category. Nursing experience seems also to be important in pain assessment. First-year student nurses attributed less pain to the hypothetical patient than third- and fourth-year student nurses and registered nurses. In addition they perceived the patient as more positive when physical pathology was present or when no symptoms of depression were present.