Search

Background: Day care services support older people living with long-term conditions (LTC's). Aims: The aims of the study were to determine outcomes in terms of loneliness and health-related quality of life for older people with LTCs attending day care services in the United Kingdom. Methods: Newly referred older people with LTCs to day care services in North West of England and Wales were invited to participate. The EQ-5D-3L and De Jong Loneliness questionnaires were completed at recruitment, 6 and 12 weeks. Results: Ninty-four older people (64% female), age range 65–99 years; mean number of LTCs 4.3 (range: 2–9) were recruited. About 52% lived alone and 36% lived in one of the 20% most deprived local authorities in England and Wales. Outcomes over 12 weeks were comparable for paid, blended, and for volunteer-led services. Conclusion: Following the Covid-19 pandemic, it is increasingly urgent to support older people with LTCs who may have lost physical and cognitive function during lockdown and to support their recovery. Our study suggests that volunteers can provide services and complement the care provided by paid staff, freeing up resources and enabling increasing numbers of older people to be supported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This overview provides insight into changes in clinical practice and the implications for nursing staff and clinicians who are involved in the management of patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty. The review highlights commonly used surgical approaches, their advantages, their associated risks and how to manage complications if they occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This overview provides insight into changes in clinical practice and the implications for nursing staff and clinicians who are involved in the management of patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty. The review highlights commonly used surgical approaches, their advantages, their associated risks and how to manage complications if they occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

banner d., miers m., clarke b. & albarran j. (2011) Women's experiences of undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(4), 919-930. Abstract Aim. This paper is a report of a study of women's experiences of coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Background. Worldwide, coronary heart disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. It has traditionally been viewed as primarily affecting men. However, a growing body of literature exploring gender differences in this area is challenging accepted beliefs, particularly in relation to outcomes. Despite this, awareness of how women interpret and respond to the experiences of cardiac surgery remains limited. Methods. At regional cardiothoracic centres in England and Wales, during 2003 to 2006, data were collected from 30 women preoperatively and at 6 weeks and 6 months postoperatively using semi-structured interviews. A constructivist grounded theory approach was adopted and data were analysed using extensive coding and constant comparison techniques. Results. A substantive theory of the public-private dialogue of normality emerged demonstrating that participants faced lifestyle disruptions as they attempted to privately normalize and integrates limitations, while minimizing a public display of illness. During the preoperative period, participants experienced difficulties recognizing and acting on symptoms and endured physical and emotional distress while waiting for surgery. Following surgery, women experienced functional limitations which forced them to relinquish normal activities and roles. As recovery progressed, women came to accept their changed health status and renegotiated state of normality. Conclusion. The findings increase understanding about the adjustments which women undergoing cardiac surgery make as part of living with a long-term condition and support the need to develop innovative gender-sensitive health education and services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) recently published its guidance on the use of laparoscopic repair for inguinal hernias. This study aimed to assess the likely uptake of laparoscopic surgery for inguinal hernias in Wales. In addition the current practice with regards to day case surgery, use of local anaesthesia, antibiotic prophylaxis, thromboembolic prophylaxis and advice regarding convalescence was assessed.Methods: A postal questionnaire survey of all consultant surgeons (n = 91) in Wales was performed.Results: There was a 70% (n = 67) response to the questionnaire. Fifteen percent of surgeons (n = 9) perform laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in Wales; 10% of surgeons in Wales agreed with the NICE guidance. Lichtenstein hernia repair was the most commonly used the technique to repair primary inguinal hernias in Wales (82%). No surgeon currently is using a laparoscopic repair as the technique of choice for repair of primary inguinal hernias. Eighteen percent of surgeons perform all the procedures as day cases; 15% of surgeons perform more than 90% of the procedures under local anaesthesia; 44% of surgeons do not use any form of thromboprophylaxis for elective inguinal hernia repair, while 78% of the surgeons used routine antibiotic prophylaxis. Post-operative advice regarding return to sedentary work and driving was highly variable (1-4 weeks), as was advice regarding heavy work and sport (2-12 weeks).Conclusions: The uptake of laparoscopic surgery for inguinal hernia repair in Wales is low. Only a minority of surgeons agree with the NICE guidance. Similarly the uptake of day case repair and the use of local anaesthesia are minimal. The use of antibiotic and thromboembolic prophylaxis is empirical and inconsistent. There is a need for evidence-based guidelines to standardise the antibiotic prophylaxis, TE prophylaxis and advice regarding post-operative advice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]