Ajn The American Journal Of Nursing - Behind The Article

This Month in AJN –  July 2018 monthly highlights July 2018Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and clinical editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the July issue of AJN. Our first CE, “Original Research: The Efficacy and Safety of an RN-Driven Ketamine Protocol for Adjunctive Analgesia During Burn Wound Care,” describes a study that evaluated the efficacy and safety of a practice protocol allowing critical care RNs to independently administer IV ketamine for burn wound care. Our second CE, “Breast Cancer Screening: A Review of Current Guidelines,” reviews the guidelines of the American Cancer Society, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and provides guidance to nurses as they support and educate patients. The authors of our next article, “Ethics Champion Programs,” discuss how these programs prepare nurses to function as unit-based ethics resources for colleagues as they face common ethical issues and challenges. “Cultivating Quality:

AJN editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy speaks with author Erika R. Vucko about her article, which reviews the epidemiology and pathophysiology of Gaucher disease—an inherited metabolic condition that can affect the spleen, liver, bone, bone marrow, and central nervous system—and discusses recent advances in screening, diagnosis, and management.

AJN editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy speaks with author Edie Brous about her article, which discusses legal considerations for providers regarding the dismissal of vaccine-refusing families.

This Month in AJN –  June 2018 monthly highlights June 2018Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and clinical editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the June issue of AJN. The authors of our first CE, "Original Research: Understanding the Hospital Experience of Older Adults with Hearing Impairment," describe a qualitative study they conducted to assess the hospital experience of hearing-impaired patients in order to formulate suggestions for improving nursing care. Our second CE, "Understanding the Nurse’s Role in Managing Gaucher Disease," discusses the epidemiology and pathophysiology of Gaucher disease as well as recent advances in screening, diagnosis, and management. Our next article, "Cultivating Quality: The Benefits of Implementing an Early Mobility Protocol in Postoperative Neurosurgical Spine Patients," presents a quality improvement initiative to establish an NP-led early mobility protocol aimed at reducing uncomplicated postsurgical spine patients’ length of hospital stay and eliminatin

AJN editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy speaks with author Ann B. Hamric about her article, which presents the panel discussion that occurred during a policy dialogue on aid in dying (AID) at the American Academy of Nursing’s annual conference in 2016. The discussion explored the arguments for and against the growing state expansion of AID legislation, and the role of nurses in assisting patients who request AID.

AJN editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy speaks with author Margaret Carman about her article, which reviews the blood products that are commonly transfused, discusses the potential complications of transfusion—including TACO, TRALI, and TRIM—and outlines current recommendations for transfusion

This Month in AJN –  May 2018 monthly highlights May 2018 Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and clinical editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the May issue of AJN. The authors of our first CE, “Original Research: Exploring Clinicians’ Perceptions About Sustaining an Evidence-Based Fall Prevention Program,” describe a qualitative study they conducted to address the knowledge gap between implementing and sustaining evidence-based fall prevention practices for hospitalized patients. Our second CE, “A Review of Current Practice in Transfusion Therapy,” covers the blood products that are commonly transfused, discusses the potential complications of transfusion—including TACO, TRALI, and TRIM—and outlines current recommendations for transfusion therapy. Our next article, “Special Feature: Assisted Suicide/Aid in Dying: What Is the Nurse’s Role?” presents the panel discussion that occurred during a policy dialogue on aid in dying at the American Academy of Nursing’s annual conference in

AJN editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy speaks with Barbara J. Polivka about her article, which discusses the impact of the Great London Smog of 1952 on human health and subsequent pollution legislation—including the U.S. Clean Air Act—and its implications for nurses today, as dangerous air quality events continue and environmental regulations are increasingly under threat.

AJN editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy speaks with author Cheryl Holly about the findings of her study, in which she and her colleagues examined the evidence regarding the risk factors for and characteristics of acute pediatric delirium in hospitalized children.

This Month in AJN –  April 2018 monthly highlights April 2018Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and clinical editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the April issue of AJN. Among the key findings of our first CE, “Original Research: Recognizing Delirium in Hospitalized Children: A Systematic Review of the Evidence on Risk Factors and Characteristics,” was that delirium is multifactorial and related to treatment and to a hospital environment that deprives patients of normal sleep–wake cycles and familiar routines. Our second CE, “Lyme Disease: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention,” describes the clinical features of Lyme disease, the appropriate use of diagnostic tests, the recommended treatment, and evidence-based strategies for preventing tick-borne diseases. Our next article, “Environments and Health: The Great London Smog of 1952,” discusses the disaster’s impact on human health and subsequent pollution legislation—including the U.S. Clean Air Act—and its implications for nurses toda

This Month in AJN – March 2018 monthly highlightsMarch 2018Editor-in-Chief Shawn Kennedy presents the highlights of the March issue of AJN. The authors of our first CE, “Original Research: An Investigation into the Safety of Oral Intake During Labor,” compared the maternal and neonatal outcomes among laboring women permitted ad lib oral intake with those permitted nothing by mouth except for ice chips. Our second CE, “Malnutrition in Older Adults,” reviews the many cognitive, psychological, social, and economic factors that can affect the nutritional status of older adults, and how nurses can intervene to prevent and address malnutrition in these patients. Our next article, “Cultivating Quality: Expanding RN Scope of Practice to Include Lumbar Puncture,” discusses a QI initiative that enhanced access to neurology services in an ambulatory clinic by teaching nurses to perform lumbar puncture. “Supporting Family Caregivers: No Longer Home Alone: Teaching Wound Care to Family Caregivers” reviews methods to prom

AJN editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy speaks with author Anne Shea-Lewis about her study, in which she and her colleagues compared the maternal and neonatal outcomes among laboring women permitted ad lib oral intake with those permitted nothing by mouth except for ice chips. The findings support relaxing the restrictions on oral intake in cases of uncomplicated labor.

AJN clinical editor Betsy Todd speaks with Ann Reed Mangels about her article, which reviews the many cognitive, psychological, social, and economic factors that can affect the nutritional status of older adults, and discusses how nurses can intervene to prevent and address malnutrition in these patients.

AJN editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy speaks with author Mary Beth Flynn Makic about her article, which discusses recent updates to the Surviving Sepsis Campaign’s sepsis treatment guidelines, changes in the sepsis bundle interventions, and the new definitions and predictive tools introduced in the Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock.

AJN editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy speaks with author Tina Gerardi about her article, which reports findings from the four-year Academic Progression in Nursing initiative to identify and develop the most promising strategies for creating a more highly educated nursing workforce.

This Month in AJN – February 2018 monthly highlightsFebruary 2018Editor-in-Chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the February issue of AJN. The authors of our first CE, “Original Research: Physical Activity Among Chinese American Immigrants with Prediabetes or Type 2 Diabetes,” describe a mixed-methods study that analyzed this population’s levels of exercise intensity and examined the types of activity performed, as well as the barriers to such activity. Our second CE, “Managing Sepsis and Septic Shock: Current Guidelines and Definitions,” discusses recent updates to the Surviving Sepsis Campaign’s sepsis treatment guidelines, changes in the sepsis bundle interventions, and the new definitions and predictive tools introduced in the Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock. Our next article, “Moving Closer to the 2020 BSN-Prepared Workforce Goal,” report findings from the four-year Academic Progression in Nursing initiative to identify and d

This Month in AJN – January 2018 monthly highlights January 2018 Editor-in-Chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the January issue of AJN. The authors of our first CE, “Oral Care for Head and Neck Cancer Symptom Management,” describe an evidence-based practice change at a radiation oncology center designed to reduce the severity of oral mucositis in adults receiving radiation treatment for head and neck cancer. Our second CE, “Managing Postoperative Pain,” reviews the recommendations of the American Pain Society’s postoperative pain management guideline, and discusses its historical context and the current events that may affect its implementation in clinical practice. Our next article, “Original Research: Increasing the Connectivity and Autonomy of RNs with Low-Risk Obstetric Patients,” describes a study that explored the perspectives of patients, RNs, certified nurse midwives, and other providers regarding a new prenatal connected care model aimed at reducing in-office

This Month in AJN –  December 2017 monthly highlightsDecember 2017Editor-in-Chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the December issue of AJN. Our first CE, “Original Research: Does Certification in Vascular Access Matter? An Analysis of the PICC1 Survey,” explores whether and how certified and noncertified PICC inserters differ regarding their practices and views about PICC use. Our second CE, “Pressure Injuries Caused by Medical Devices and Other Objects: A Clinical Update,” provides a review of the etiology, identification, and prevention of pressure injuries caused by medical and other devices, plus highlights from the current National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel clinical guidelines. The authors of our next article, “Supporting Family Caregivers: No Longer Home Alone: Teaching Family Caregivers to Assist Safely with Mobility,” provide information nurses can use to educate family caregivers on mobility issues, including a tear sheet of key point

This Month in AJN –  November 2017 monthly highlights November 2017 Editor-in-Chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the November issue of AJN. Our first CE, “Original Research: Primary Care Providers and Screening for Military Service and PTSD,” explores whether primary care providers in the private sector are screening patients for military service and subsequent posttraumatic stress disorder. Our second CE, “Preeclampsia: Current Approaches to Nursing Management,” provides a clinical update on current practice related to preeclampsia risk assessment, prediction, and management, plus pathophysiology. The author of our next article, “Creating a Fair and Just Culture in Schools of Nursing,” discusses strategies nursing schools can use to create a fair and just culture. “Perspectives in Palliative Nursing: Liberty and Justice for All” explores how circumstances faced by unauthorized immigrants can raise ethical quandaries regarding the principles o

AJN editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy speaks with author Cydnee Sankey-Deemer about her study, which explored whether rural Pennsylvania providers offered military service screening to their patients.