/library/oar/handle/123456789/41907 2026-06-15T14:05:34Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/111670 Title: Patient satisfaction with inpatient clinical nutrition services Abstract: Patients who are unable to swallow or eat adequately for prolonged periods of time, and those who are unable to digest or absorb sufficient nutrients to meet requirements, become malnourished or growth retarded, suffer from a variety of physical and psychosocial problems, and ultimately die. With recent developments in nutritional support it is possible to improve survival and the quality of life of such patients by feeding them either enterally (using nasogastric, gastrostomy or jejunostomy tubes) or parenterally (using intravenous catheters). The increasing sophistication of enteral and total parenteral nutritional support techniques within the Clinical Nutrition Service has resulted in improvements in the clinical practice of such support in recent years. A study of patient's satisfaction with inpatient clinical nutrition service was undertaken. This survey was designed to explore patient satisfaction with current clinical practice in the management of nutritionally-compromised hospital patients in St. Luke's and Karen Grech Hospitals as the two main acute hospitals. To achieve this, the researcher used a self-designed questionnaire for the purpose of data collection regarding patient satisfaction with inpatients clinical nutrition service. A cross sectional study was carried out over a period of eight weeks where a sample of 75 patients was drawn from a total of 152 patients according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Primarily this study was intended to be carried out at Mater Dei Hospital but due to the fact that the migration date was postponed, and time constrictions to start the study were present, the study had to be initiated according to the targeted date. The collected data was analysed by means of SPSS Version 12.0. Overall findings from the questionnaire indicated that the clients were satisfied with the service. This was indicated by mean scores of> 2.0. Dimensions of patient satisfaction with clinical nutrition service also included staff interpersonal skills, nutrition supplements, perceived health benefits of nutrition care and staff personal skills. However there were patients who indicated dissatisfaction with accessibility and availability of certain equipment and nutritional feeds respectively. This was indicated by mean scores of < 2.0. Health services managers require good planning for better utilization of resources, monitoring and possible further studies in specific areas to enhance the quality of the Clinical Nutrition Service and to better meet the needs and expectations of the patients. Description: P.Q.DIP.HEALTH SERVICES MANGT. 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/111386 Title: Introduction of nurse practitioners in A&E : knowledge and attitudes of doctors and nurses Abstract: This research study explored the knowledge and attitudes of A&E doctors and nurses on the Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP) in Mater Dei Hospital. An explorative cross-sectional survey design utilizing triangulation (questionnaires and semi-structured interviews), was adopted. The questionnaire sample included 15 doctors (SHOs and Registrars) and 39 practicing nurses, all working at A&E. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 6 purposeful selected participants: 3 'senior' nurses and 3 'senior' doctors. Questionnaires consisted of professional and demographic questions, a slightly modified version of the Northern Emergency Nurse Practitioner Staff Survey (Considine and Martin, 2005) and a section on attitudes, benefits and difficulties towards the introduction of the ENP role. Semi-structured interviews consisted of professional and demographic questions, questions on knowledge and attitudes on the ENP role, and a section on attitudes, benefits and difficulties towards the introduction of the role. Analysis of the data was done for each section of the questionnaire and interview, mainly by calculating median values for the Likert Scale items, and using content analysis for the open-ended questions and qualitative data. Overall, nurses reported further knowledge than doctors regarding the ENP role, however such difference was not noted amongst the interviewees. Most doctors and nurses expressed positive attitudes towards the ENP role (nurses having more positive attitudes, especially on extended roles). In fact, doctors perceived that the ENP would require feedback from doctors in certain aspects. Nevertheless, almost all participants agreed to the introduction of the ENP role, in order to improve services for the benefit of patients. Most doctors and nurses agreed that this role will 'decrease waiting times', 'reduce doctors' workload' resulting in 'a more efficient A&E service', yet most nurses (unlike doctors) identified 'resistance from doctors' in introducing the ENP role. Other most perceived difficulties were: 'managerial difficulties', 'clients' traditional view', and 'difficulties regarding recruitment and training'. The main recommendations are to: educate A&E staff on the ENP role; raise awareness amongst the public on advanced nursing practices; establish ENP's clear role boundaries; identify any resistant forces prior to the implementation process; carefully plan the change process, so as not to result in bottlenecks and failure in implementation of the ENP role. Description: P.Q.DIP.HEALTH SERVICES MANGT. 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/111321 Title: The carers' perception of nursing patients suffering from dementia : a qualitative study Abstract: This qualitative study investigates the perception of relatives of persons with dementia while caring for them. An evaluation of the level of responsibility and emotional impact on these carers is also performed. The stress involved in caring for the person with dementia is identified and their reaction to this stress is explored. Semi-structured interviews were used for this research, with the participants being asked to participate by the researcher as they fulfilled the required criteria. The data collected was then analysed using a thematic analysis. Findings revealed that caring for a person with dementia is stressful and this stress was expressed from different outlooks and situations. Coping strategies were also individually adopted. It was concluded that overall, the person suffering from dementia is treated with dignity and respect by their relatives. Although they complained that there were difficult times, they knew that they had to be patient. As the participants of this study pointed out, more knowledge, awareness and in particular support, will be invaluable if offered to those directly involved and also to the general public. This is also valuable to the fact that as people are living longer the prevalence of dementia is increasing. Description: B.SC.(HONS)MENTAL HEALTH NURSING 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/111276 Title: Scattered radiation and dose to staff during a dynamic hip screw procedure Abstract: Introduction: Scattered or secondary radiation is the radiation given off by the patients when they are being irradiated. This secondary radiation usually consists of low energy photons; these are more harmful than high energy photons since they are absorbed by the body. Once absorbed by the body irreparable damage to the cells is done. One of the most common procedures in the Orthopaedic Operating Theatre is the Dynamic Hip Screw (DHS) procedure for fixation of hip fractures. Aim: This study attempted to check which are the safest zones in the operating theatre during a DHS procedure. Method: It used a descriptive correlational design to check if the dose received by the staff standing in close proximity to the patient differs significantly from that received by staff standing further away from the patient. A DHS study was simulated using an anthropological phantom and the scattered radiation was measured, using a Bicron dose rate meter, at different distances from the patient. Results: As expected the study showed that the dose decreases significantly as the distance from the source of radiation increases thus showing that the surgeon, assistant surgeon and scrub nurse receive the highest doses during a DHS procedure. Conclusion: This study concluded that the safest areas in an operating theatre when use of fluoroscopy is made, are those furthest away from the source of radiation and that there is a significant difference between the dose at 1m and 2m away from this source. This study also concluded that even taking one step backwards decreases the dose considerably. Description: B.SC.(HONS)RADIOGRAPHY 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z