Alyce S. Ashcraft

Simulation evaluation using a modified Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric.

Aim. The purpose of this study was to describe the process of evaluating senior nursing students in the simulation laboratory using a modified Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric (LCJR). Background. The LCJR is a clinical evaluation tool used to measure outcomes in simulated learning settings. The LCJR was revised to provide numeric grading and clarity regarding expectations of clinical competency. Method. The study was conducted over two years with students enrolled in their final bachelor of science in nursing semester (Phase 1, n = 86; Phase 2, n = 102) using high‐fidelity simulation. Results. The modified rubric measured student performance more holistically than a procedural checklist and provided objective criteria for evaluation. Conclusion. A well‐constructed rubric provides a mechanism to evaluate student performance in simulation by focusing on clinical reasoning essential for patient safety and allowing numeric evaluation of performance.

From nursing home to acute care: Signs, symptoms, and strategies used to prevent transfer

Older adults are vulnerable to experiencing physiologic changes that may permanently decrease functional abilities when transferring from the nursing home (NH) to the acute care setting. Making the right decision about who and when to transfer from the nursing home (NH) to acute care is critical for optimizing quality care. The specific aims of this study were to identify the common signs and symptoms exhibited by NH residents at the time of transfer to acute care and to identify strategies used to prevent transfer of NH residents. Using survey methodology, this descriptive study found change in level of consciousness, chest pressure/tightness, shortness of breath, decreased oxygenation, and muscle or bone pain were the highest ranked signs/symptoms requiring action. Actions to prevent transfer focused on stabilizing resident conditions and included hydration, oxygen, antibiotics, medications, symptom management, and providing additional physical assistance. When transfer was warranted, actions concentrated on the practical tasks of getting the residents transferred.

Nursing home resident symptomatology triggering transfer: avoiding unnecessary hospitalizations.

The purpose of this study was to describe nursing home resident symptomatology and medical diagnoses associated with nursing home to hospital transfers. A retrospective chart review of documented transfers was conducted at a 120-bed, nonprofit urban Continuing Care Retirement Center nursing home facility located in the southwestern United States. The transferred residents (n = 101) had seventy different medical diagnoses prior to hospital transfer with hypertension, coronary artery disease, and congestive heart failure most frequently reported. Most frequently reported symptomatology included fatigue, lethargy or weakness, shortness of breath, and change in level of consciousness. Multiple symptomatology was indicative of a wide variety of medical diagnoses. The diagnoses and symptomatology recorded in this paper identify the importance of strategic planning concerning assessment and communication of common nursing home resident symptomatology and the importance of basic nursing and diagnostic procedures for prevention of potentially avoidable hospitalizations.

The Dark Side of Dissemination: Traditional and Open Access Versus Predatory Journals.

AIM The purpose of the article is to alert faculty about predatory online journals, review characteristics of three broad categories of journals, and provide suggestions for faculty evaluation of journals before submission of scholarship for publication. BACKGROUND The availability of online journals in recent years has rapidly increased the number of journals available for publication of faculty scholarship. However, not all online journals meet the same standards as traditional journals. METHOD The article is not a report for a research study. RESULTS Currently, there are three broad categories of journals for faculty scholarship publication: traditional, open access scholarly, and predatory open access journals. CONCLUSION Faculty authors need to carefully evaluate the journal characteristics and publisher business practices before submitting a manuscript for publication to prevent inadvertent submission to a predatory open access journal.

Type 2 Diabetes Risk among Asian Indians in the US: A Pilot Study.

The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate type 2 diabetes risk among Asian Indians of Kerala ethnicity living in a West Texas County of the USA. The study used a descriptive correlational design with thirty-seven adult nondiabetic Asian Indian subjects between 20 and 70 years of age. The measurement included nonbiochemical indices of obesity, family history of type 2 diabetes, length of immigration in the US, history of hypertension, physical activity pattern, and fruit and vegetable intake. The majority of the subjects showed an increased nonbiochemical indices corresponding with overweight and obesity, placing them at risk for type 2 diabetes and associated cardiovascular complications. The physical activity pattern indicated a sedentary lifestyle. The decreased physical activity was associated with a higher Body Mass Index (BMI) and body fat percentage; length of residence in the US greater than 10 years was associated with increased body fat percentage and BMI; family history of type 2 diabetes was associated with an increase in body fat percentage. Fruit and vegetable intake pattern was not associated with a risk for type 2 diabetes. Further studies are recommended for risk surveillance among Asian Indian population living in the US.

Making It All Work

The greater prevalence of type 2 diabetes is a critical issue among the U.S. Hispanic population. This study examined the struggles of Hispanic adults managing type 2 diabetes with limited resources. Ten Hispanic adults (enrolled in a larger study to determine the effects of diabetes self-management intervention), 25 to 80 years of age and living in a rural West Texas county in the United States, were selected. Three categories of challenges emerged: (a) diabetes self-care behaviors and challenges, (b) challenges with limited resources, and (c) challenges with support mechanisms. “Making it all work” was the overarching theme that tied all the categories together. This study offers lessons for health care providers and policymakers on how to maximize the availability of resources for Hispanic individuals with type 2 diabetes living within the constraints of limited resources.

Due diligence in the open-access explosion era: choosing a reputable journal for publication

Abstract Faculty are required to publish. Naïve and “in-a-hurry-to-publish” authors seek to publish in journals where manuscripts are rapidly accepted. Others may innocently submit to one of an increasing number of questionable/predatory journals, where predatory is defined as practices of publishing journals for exploitation of author-pays, open-access publication model by charging authors publication fees for publisher profit without provision of expected services (expert peer review, editing, archiving, and indexing published manuscripts) and promising almost instant publication. Authors may intentionally submit manuscripts to predatory journals for rapid publication without concern for journal quality. A brief summary of the open access “movement,” suggestions for selecting reputable open access journals, and suggestion for avoiding predatory publishers/journals are described. The purpose is to alert junior and seasoned faculty about predatory publishers included among available open access journal listings. Brief review of open access publication, predatory/questionable journal characteristics, suggestions for selecting reputable open access journals and avoiding predatory publishers/journals are described. Time is required for intentionally performing due diligence in open access journal selection, based on publisher/journal quality, prior to manuscript submission or authors must be able to successfully withdraw manuscripts when submission to a questionable or predatory journal is discovered.

End-of-life planning in a rural elderly cohort

Relationships between end-of-life (EOL) planning and demographic and health related variables for individuals living in three rural West Texas counties were examined using a prospective cohort study design. Project FRONTIER, a longitudinal community-based participatory research project, served as the database for this study. Abstracted data from 692 older adults focused on demographic variables, medical conditions, and EOL planning. EOL planning activities included completing a will (39%), a durable power of attorney (32%), advanced directives (14%), talking with family about EOL wishes (31%), and designating a decision maker (55%). The mean EOL Planning Index was 1.6 (SD = 2.58) with higher numbers indicating greater level of planning. Regression findings supported significantly higher levels of EOL planning influenced by age, education, non-Hispanic ethnicity, chronic disease, depression, and communication with family about nursing home placement. Aging rural adults and their healthcare providers would benefit from learning more about EOL planning.