ORCID Profile
0000-0002-4009-9792
Current Organisations
Curtin University
,
St John of God Subiaco Hospital
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Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-02-2021
DOI: 10.1111/JAN.14763
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-12-2018
DOI: 10.1111/JOCN.13961
Abstract: To determine the prevalence and pattern of use of peripheral intravenous cannulae in hospital wards. Peripheral intravenous cannulae are commonly used in acute health care to directly access the bloodstream for the administration of medications, intravenous fluids and blood products. Peripheral intravenous cannulae are associated with multiple adverse events including hospital-acquired bloodstream infection, thrombophlebitis and pain/discomfort. Administration of intravenous fluids is associated with impaired mobility and nocturia which may increase falls risk in the older people. Observational, point prevalence study. Three private hospitals comprising a total of 1,230 beds participated in the study. Nurses recorded the presence of a peripheral intravenous cannulae, duration of insertion, state of the dressing and whether the peripheral intravenous cannulae was accessed in the previous 24 hr and for what purpose. Nurses were also asked whether they would replace the peripheral intravenous cannulae should it fail. Approximately one-quarter of patients had a peripheral intravenous cannulae, the majority of which had been present for <24 hr. The major use of the peripheral intravenous cannulae was antibiotic administration. Administration of intravenous fluids occurred in the presence of normal oral fluid intake. Nurses would not replace one-third of peripheral intravenous cannulae in the event of failure. A majority of patients were at increased falls risk, and one-third of these were receiving intravenous fluids. There is room for improvement in the utilisation of peripheral intravenous cannulae, particularly in removal and associated use of intravenous fluids. Alternative strategies for medication administration and timely switch to the oral route may reduce the risks associated with intravenous fluids. Vigilance is required in the use of peripheral intravenous cannulae. Consider transition of medication administration to oral intake where possible to minimise risks associated with the use of invasive devices and increased fluid intake.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-03-2021
DOI: 10.1111/JOCN.15718
Abstract: To measure time spent on clinical documentation and nurses and midwives’ perceptions of this aspect of their role. Nurses and midwives rely on accurate documentation when planning care. However, documenting and communicating care can be onerous, time‐consuming and at times duplicated or redundant. While documentation provides a record and means of communicating care, it should not detract from the delivery of care. An observational time and motion study and survey design reported using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. The study was conducted with Western Australian nurses and midwives working in a private not‐for‐profit hospital from July–October 2019. An observational study was undertaken to measure the practice of documentation on each shift. Participants’ perceptions of clinical documentation were measured using a self‐report survey. A total of 120 hr of observation were undertaken. Total observed time spent on documentation was 28.1% on morning shifts, 22.7% on afternoon shifts and 20.9% on night duty. The mean self‐reported time for clinical documentation was 50.4% on morning shifts, 40.7% on afternoon shifts and 37.9% on night duty. Issues with duplication and unnecessary paperwork were identified. Although participants tended to overestimate time spent on documentation, it still consumed a significant proportion of time. Frustrations with paperwork may lify nurses' negative perceptions of documentation. Clinical documentation needs to be reviewed, revised and reduced to release time back to direct patient care and reduce clinician dissatisfaction. Clinical documentation is required in all areas of clinical practice and forms an important legal record. Understanding the demands of clinical documentation can assist in reviewing and improving documentation to release time back to direct patient care.
Publisher: Oncology Nursing Society (ONS)
Date: 05-2018
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 30-11-2022
DOI: 10.1111/JOCN.16148
Abstract: To gain an understanding of palliative care need and service utilisation in adult inpatients. The objectives were to 1) Determine the size and characteristics of the population of adult inpatients who were appropriate for palliative care referral, 2) Establish what percentage of patients, who were appropriate for a palliative care referral, had been referred to and/or were receiving palliative care. Internationally there is evidence of high levels of unmet palliative care need. Early access to palliative care is associated with improved outcomes including improved quality of life and reduced healthcare costs. An observational point prevalence study was reported using the STROBE guidelines. Data were collected directly from inpatient medical records at a 578‐bed tertiary private‐not‐for‐profit hospital by three Registered Nurses on 3 June 2021. Palliative care need was assessed using the prognostic criteria for the 12 conditions outlined in the Gold Standards Framework. A total of 270 inpatients met study inclusion criteria. At a hospital population level, 29% (n = 78) of adult inpatients could have benefitted from palliative care. Of the 78 patients assessed as meeting criteria for palliative care, 29% (n = 23) were currently receiving palliative care with a majority of patients 71% (n = 55) not receiving palliative care. This study prospectively collected data and included all 12 conditions outlined in the Gold Standards Framework and found a high level of palliative care need. There was evidence of a high level of unmet palliative care need across conditions and treating specialities. Estimates of palliative care need can be used to improve access to palliative care and assess operational requirements, including the staffing levels required to meet the level of palliative care need for adult inpatients.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2022
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 10-02-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.IDH.2019.06.005
Abstract: Despite a lack of consensus around which type of preoperative wash is most effect in preventing surgical site infection, their use in clinical practice remains common. Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) is widely used however a previous study indicated issues with patient understanding and use of CHG. In response an intervention was developed which aimed to improve patient understanding and compliance with CHG. A patient information sheet and a standardised script to guide preadmission phone calls were developed to improve the delivery of information to patients at the study hospital. These interventions were implemented for four months with adult surgical inpatients. A cross-sectional survey was then conducted to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. A 75% (n = 226) response rate was attained. The majority of participants (86%, n = 189) used CHG prior to their surgical procedure and of these 71% (n = 129) used CHG the recommended two times. The quality of information received from the preadmissions nurses was rated more highly than information delivered by other hospital staff. Openended questions revealed key issues including lack of information, time and access issues, and inconsistencies in CHG use. The value of standardised calls and information sheets was evident in participants who reported receiving these measures. A moderate increase was seen from the original study in the number of participants who used CHG washes the recommended two times. However, issues remained with inconsistent information across the hospital. Clinicians need to draw on high quality, contemporary research to inform clinical practice.
Publisher: SLACK, Inc.
Date: 12-2019
DOI: 10.3928/00220124-20191115-06
Abstract: Due to changes in funding, late pre-term neonates are no longer admitted to neonatal units unless diagnosed with a specific medical condition. Consequently, neonates born at a gestational age of 35 weeks and 0 days to 36 weeks and 6 days are cared for on postnatal wards. Compared with full-term infants, late preterm neonates are at increased risk of hypothermia, hypoglycemia, hyperbilirubinemia, feeding difficulties, respiratory complications, and mortality. An educational intervention focusing on the care of the late preterm neonate was developed, and quantitative data were collected pre- and post-intervention to assess the effect on knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Of the midwives and nurses who participated, 65% ( n = 13) strongly agreed and 35% ( n = 7) agreed their knowledge and confidence had increased. The mean score increased from a range of 20 to 25 pre-intervention to 22 to 25 post-intervention. The intervention increased the self-reported confidence and self-reported competence of participants, who also felt more supported caring for late preterm neonates. [ J Contin Educ Nurs . 2019 (12):551–556.]
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 28-02-2020
DOI: 10.1111/JAN.14320
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 25-08-2022
DOI: 10.1111/INM.13059
Abstract: In the context of pressures faced by the nursing profession including increasing patient acuity and global nursing shortages, the importance of nurse resilience has gained attention in research and practice. Resilience is viewed as a protective factor that enables in iduals to avoid psychological harm and continue in their work. There is limited evidence on the impact of external factors such as work conditions on nurse resilience. This study aimed to explore how external factors influence nurse resilience and to incorporate this knowledge into an updated definition of nurse resilience. As part of a two‐phase mixed methods study, focus groups were conducted to obtain qualitative data to explore nurse's perceptions of resilience and factors they felt affected their resilience. Data analysis identified three main themes derived from 10 subthemes: Perceptions of Resilience, Pressures and Challenges, and Support and Strategies contributed to understanding how external factors can affect nurse resilience. A range of factors emerged including the impact of workplace conditions, organizational philosophy, the performance of managers, and the teams nurses work within, which were not reflected in an earlier definition of nurse resilience derived through a concept analysis. These factors were incorporated in an updated definition of nurse resilience. Understanding resilience in the nursing profession and the external factors that affect it is critical to the development of effective research, policies, interventions, and work environments to protect nurse well‐being, promote nurse retention, and ensure the provision of quality patient care.
Publisher: RCN Publishing Ltd.
Date: 18-12-2017
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 28-04-2021
DOI: 10.1111/JONM.13338
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 29-03-2020
DOI: 10.1111/INM.12721
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.AUCC.2021.09.004
Abstract: The aim of this study was to develop an evidence-based paediatric early warning system for infants and children that takes into consideration a variety of paediatric healthcare contexts and addresses barriers to escalation of care. A three-stage intervention development framework consisted of Stage 1: evidence review, benchmarking, stakeholder (health professionals, decision-makers, and health consumers) engagement, and consultation Stage 2: planning and coproduction by the researchers and stakeholders using action research cycles and Stage 3: prototyping and testing. A prototype evidence-based system incorporated human factor principles, used a structured approach to patient assessment, promoted situational awareness, and included family as well as clinician concern. Family involvement in detecting changes in their child's condition was supported by posters and flyers codesigned with health consumers. Five age-specific observation and response charts included 10 weighted variables and one unweighted variable (temperature) to convey a composite early warning score. The escalation pathway was supported by a targeted communication framework (iSoBAR NOW). The development process resulted in an agreed uniform ESCALATION system incorporating a whole-system approach to promote critical thinking, situational awareness for the early recognition of paediatric clinical deterioration as well as timely and effective escalation of care. Incorporating family involvement was a novel component of the system.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 05-07-2023
DOI: 10.1177/15586898231188500
Abstract: Integration is a hallmark of mixed methods research and is constantly evolving. Joint displays have emerged as an effective method of integration at the analysis and interpretation level, facilitating visual comparison of quantitative and qualitative findings to present inferences greater than the quantitative and qualitative findings alone. Although literature reviews and concept analyses frequently precede mixed methods investigations, these are not commonly included in the integration process. To advance mixed methods research, we present a novel method of integrating data sources including rigorous literature reviews using joint display, that builds on the concept of creating a sum that is greater than quantitative and qualitative findings alone, with ex les from two research studies.
Publisher: SLACK, Inc.
Date: 03-2018
DOI: 10.3928/00220124-20180219-09
Abstract: It is essential that nurses and midwives can understand and critically evaluate research to ensure the delivery of high-quality evidence-based care. Journal clubs are an educational method that helps to develop research capacity and assist with bridging the gap between research and clinical practice. To maintain competence and remain current with the latest evidence, a commitment to continuing professional education is required. This article describes how a successful journal club led to clinical nurses identifying a gap in their own practice, which resulted in a research project being conducted by the members of the journal club. J Contin Educ Nurs. 2018 (3):141–144.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-09-2019
Abstract: To determine if an ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block (FNB) is superior to an ultrasound-guided fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) in providing pain relief to patients with a neck of femur or proximal femoral fracture. A double-blind randomised controlled trial was conducted. All participants received two blocks, one active and one placebo. An active FICB was administered to 52 participants and 48 participants received an active FNB. Analysis was completed on data collected from 100 participants. Most patients were elderly and the majority were female. Both FICB and FNB achieved clinically significant mean reductions in pain scores (2.62 for FICB and 2.3 for FNB). There was no significant difference in reduction in pain scores between the two cohorts, P = 0.408. Ultrasound-guided FNB is not superior to ultrasound-guided FICB, with both facilitating an equivalent analgesia effect in patients with a neck of femur or proximal femur fracture.
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
No related grants have been discovered for Alannah Cooper.