Search

Skills competency in nurse education: nurse managers' perceptions of diploma level preparation This paper reports on part of a national study conducted between 1994 and 1996, the overall aim of which was to examine the `fitness for purpose' of the Project 2000 nursing education reforms. The study used multiple methods of data collection, including an individual and group interview study of nurse managers (n = 132) and a national survey of Project 2000 diplomates and traditionally prepared registered nurses (n = 5417). Findings in relation to the managers' expectations and experiences of diplomates are presented. This includes views on the level of skills achievement and skills acquisition of diploma level education. The qualities of the diplomates are discussed and this includes those areas where the skills of the diplomates are felt to achieve what is required of the role. Also included is an exploration of those skills which the managers felt fell short of expectations. Managers raised the long-standing concerns of clinical skills and competencies and discussed these in relation to the changing health care environment and the relative roles of other health care workers. The conclusions highlight the need to identify what could be seen as the `core skills' required of a registered nurse and the need to explore the environment in which the diplomate takes up first appointment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the impact of introducing near patient testing for standard investigations in general practice. Availability of equipment for carrying out diagnostic tests; Increase in the number of tests performed through the availability of surgery based testing; Cost-effectiveness for midstream urine analysis.

One hundred and sixty-two patients with a diagnosis of scapholunate instability underwent a modified Brunelli procedure over a 7-year period. One hundred and seventeen were assessed with the help of a questionnaire and, of these, 55 patients attended for clinical evaluation. The mean follow-up was 4 (1-8) years. There were 72 patients with dynamic scapholunate instability and 45 patients with static instability. The average age was 38 years. There were 50 males and 67 females. A total of 77 (62%) patients had no to mild pain with a mean visual analogue score of 3.67 (SD=2.5). The loss in the arc of flexion-extension was due to a reduced range of flexion (mean loss 31%), while 80% of extension was maintained, compared with the contralateral side. The grip strength on the operated side was reduced by 20% of the non-operated side. There was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) in the range of movement or the grip strength between the static and dynamic group and patients with or without legal claims. Ninety (79%) patients were satisfied with the result of the surgery (good to excellent) and 88% of the patients felt that they would have the same surgery again. We feel that these results compare favourably with the early results published from this unit and recommend this procedure for dynamic and static scapholunate instability.

Haemangiomas developing in the hand in relation to tendon and the tenosynovium (tendon sheath) are very rare. To our knowledge only three cases have been described arising in relation to the tenosynovium of the tendons of the hand, only one of which showed infiltration of the underlying tendon. We report the case of a 16-year-old right hand dominant student who presented to her family doctor with a swelling on her left little finger. An MRI scan was arranged which confirmed a soft tissue lesion between the flexor tendons and the proximal phalanx of the left little finger, with appearance similar to giant cell tumour of the tendon sheath. Surgical exploration demonstrated a dark red fleshy tumour that appeared to infiltrate the flexor digitorum sub-limis tendon, and extend around either side of the proximal phalanx. For complete excision of the lesion the infiltrated sublimis tendon and a part of the A2 pulley were sacrificed. There was no resultant bow-stringing of the profundus tendon. Histologically the tenosynovium was expanded by a vascular lesion consisting of dilated, thin-walled vascular channels within fibrous tissue; the appearances were consistent with those of a synovial haemangioma of the flexor tendons. Our case illustrates the pitfalls in diagnosis and the invasive potential of a synovial haemangioma. A complete surgical excision is critical to prevent recurrence.