Irena Wrońska

Moral Obligations of Nurses Based on the ICN, UK, Irish and Polish Codes of Ethics for Nurses

A code of professional conduct is a collection of norms appropriate for the nursing profession and should be the point of reference for all decisions made during the care process. Codes of ethics for nurses are formulated by members of national nurses’ organizations. These codes can be considered to specify general norms that function in the relevant society, adjusting them to the character of the profession and enriching them with rules signifying the essence of nursing professionalism. The aim of this article is to present a comparative analysis of codes of ethics for nurses: the ICN’s Code of ethics for nurses, the UK’s Code of professional conduct, the Irish Code of professional conduct for each nurse and midwife, and the Polish Code of professional ethics for nurses and midwives. This analysis allows the identification of common elements in the professional ethics of nurses in these countries.

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice in Poland

This authors of this column explore the use of nursing theory in Poland. A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest study was conducted to explore what, if any nursing theories were used by nurses in Poland, and if an education program on nursing theory increased the use of nursing theory. The study found that while there were discrepancies between the nurses’ theoretical knowledge base and their use of these theories in practice, there is evidence of the use of the ideas and theory of Nightingale, Orem, and Henderson in nursing practice in Poland.

Assessment of differences in psychosocial resources and state of health of rural and urban residents – based on studies carried out on students during examination stress

INTRODUCTION Civilization changes of the environment shaping the psychosocial resources from rural to urban influence human health. AIM The study aimed to identify the differences due to the place of residence (rural, urban) as far as health resources are concerned (social support, sense of coherence, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentration in plasma) and health in examination stress situations. The study also determined the concentration of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (health resource) and cortisol (stress indicator). MATERIAL AND METHODS The psychosocial variables were assessed using the scales: ISEL-48v. Coll., SOC-29, SF-36v.2™ o and analogue scale (perception of examination stress). The study included, based on a stratified sampling (year of study) and purposive sampling (written examination, major), 731 students representing the six universities in Lublin, south-east Poland. Among the respondents, 130 students were rural residents. RESULTS Health resources of students living in rural and urban areas generally differ statistically significantly in social support and the subscales of availability of tangible support, availability of appreciative support, the availability of cognitive-evaluative support and a sense of resourcefulness. The study recorded a sstatistically significantly larger network of family ties among students living in rural areas. The demonstrated diversity of resources did not substantially affect the perceived health, with the exception of pain sensation. Examination stress assessed by subjective opinion of the respondents and plasma cortisol levels vary relative to the place of residence. Students residing in rural areas showed significantly lower cortisol levels values, but subjectively perceived the situation of examation as more stressful. CONCLUSIONS Differences in health resources and their mechanism of impact on health, to a limited extent, were conditioned by the place of residence, but they are so important in the light of human choices that they require further analysis.

Functional Efficiency of Elderly Patients Hospitalized in Neurological Departments

Introduction. Functional efficiency of the elderly can be defined as the ability to perform ordinary daily life tasks safely and independently. Aim. The research aims at determining the functional efficiency of elderly patients hospitalized in neurological departments. Material and Methods. The study was performed in 113 elderly patients hospitalized in neurological departments of hospitals in the city of Lublin. The research material was collected using two standardized tools: the Barthel index and the Katz index (ADL). Results. When evaluating patients with the Barthel index, 38.00% of patients were assigned to category I; 52.20% to category II and 9.80% to category III. In the ADL scale, 68.10% of the respondents were fully functioning, 12.40% were moderately functioning, and 19.50% were disabled. Conclusions. The study group of elderly patients in neurological departments exhibited moderate functional impairment. Age significantly differentiated the functional abilities of the research group. Education influenced the degree of independence in neurological patients. (JNNN 2017;6(3):102–106)

Ocena pacjentów neurogeriatrycznych za pomocą skali NOSGER

Introduction . One of the fundamental objectives of care of elderly patients is the detection of risk factors that impair their abilities to continue their independent lives. Thus, preventive and therapeutic measures are of considerable significance as they could prevent an increase in disabilities and seniors’ dependence on others. Aim . The aim of the study was to assess patients in neurological wards by means of the Nurses’ Observation Scale for Geriatric Patients (NOSGER). Material and Methods . The study sample comprised 113 elderly patients treated in neurological wards in hospitals in Lublin. The research material was collected applying the NOSGER. Results . Having assessed the patients with the NOSGER, the results for the entire group averaged out at 54.43±18.96 points. The surveyed patients functioned best in the domain of disturbing behaviour (8.12±2.92 points). They were assessed slightly worse in terms of memory (8.38±4.39 points), activities of daily living (ADL) (8.55±3.56 points) and mood (8.80±3.21 points). The greatest deficits were reported in social behaviour (10.17±4.54 points) as well as instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) (10.42±4.61 points). Conclusions . The researched group of elderly inpatients treated at neurology wards was characterised by a relatively good level of performance. The elderly presented the greatest deficits in the domain of instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) as well as social behaviour. Their age and marital status significantly affected biopsychosocial activity of the surveyed group of patients. (JNNN 2017;6(1):20–25)

Wybrane aspekty jakości życia pielęgniarek pracujących w oddziałach neurologicznych

Introduction . The term “quality of life” (QL) initially defined “good life” determined by the resource of owned material goods. Later, it was extended to the term “to be” instead of just “to have”. Nurses perform a responsible job, often requiring sacrifices. They work with seriously ill patients at the neurology ward. Working with an ill patient is very difficult. A nurse carrying out her professional tasks is subject to numerous challenges, both mental and physical, which may affect the quality of life of this professional group. Aim . The aim of the study was to assess the quality of life of nurses working at neurological departments. Material and Methods . The study was conducted in a group of 109 nurses working at the neurological departments of hospitals in Lublin and Chelm. The study used a standardized research tool: WHOQOL-Bref scale. Results . The surveyed nurses evaluated the overall quality of life and health status on the same level, respectively: 3.70±0.70 and 3.60±0.80. The field of social relations was the highest rated (71.70±16.10), while the lowest assessed field of psychological (61.00±13.30). Conclusions . The quality of life of nurses working at neurological wards was at the average level. The surveyed nurses assessed highest the quality of life as the highest in terms of social relations. The level of professional education significantly differentiated the quality of life of the surveyed nurses. The higher the education, the better the quality of life. (JNNN 2016;5(4):151–155)

Ocena ryzyka występowania depresji u pacjentów neurogeriatrycznych

Introduction . Specific factors predisposing to depression in the elderly are: widowhood, loss of employment, deterioration of the financial situation, loss of physical fitness, dependence on others, the use of institutional care. Early detection and treatment of depressive disorders is a determinant of modern geriatric care. Aim . The aim of the study was to evaluate the risk of depression among elderly patients hospitalized in the neurological departments. Material and Methods . The study was conducted in a group of 113 patients aged over 65 years of age, residing in neurological departments of hospitals in Lublin. Assessing patients was made using the Geriatric Depression Scale in the abbreviated version (Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form — GDS-SF). Results . Assessing the patients with the Geriatric Depression Scale no risk of depression in 75.22% of patients, and 24.88% showed depressive symptoms. In assessing the patients with the scale of depression, it was stated that the mean for the entire group was at the level of 4.15±3.57 points. Conclusions . In the group of elderly patients hospitalized in the neurological departments we found a fairly low risk of depression. More than 3/4 of respondents did not show symptoms of depression. The age of respondents had a significant effect on their risk of depression. (JNNN 2016;5(3):104–108)

Wiedza pracowników personelu medycznego na temat segregacji medycznej poszkodowanych w wypadkach masowych i katastrofach

Introduction . Ever growing pace of life in developing societies results in a considerable increase in abrupt threats to life and health. Both Accidents and Emergency Unit workers to whom a patient is referred having been ascribed a provisional category as well as members of Medical Rescue Teams who are the first medical staff to have contact with a patient ought to apply a correct procedural variant in their interactions with patients. Aim . The aim of the research was an attempt to evaluate medical personnel’s knowledge levels within the scope of segregating patients having suffered in mass accidents and disasters. Material and Methods . The diagnostic poll method was used in this work and a survey form was the research tool. The research involved 50 persons employed in Accident and Emergency Units and Medical Rescue Teams. Results . A general proportion of correct responses averaged out at 63% for both groups. No statistic correlation was found between the two groups. Conclusions . Knowledge level referring to medical segregation that medical staff presented proved unsatisfactory. The study shows there is a need for training within the scope of medical segregation in mass accidents and disasters. (JNNN 2016;5(1):16–20)

Próba oceny ryzyka demencji wśród osób starszych objętych opieką długoterminową

Introduction. An increase in the number of elderly people and hence in dementia is the consequence of extended lifespans worldwide. Difficulties in organising and financing care for elderly patients as well as considerable treatment costs have become major issues for contemporary healthcare systems because of a large number of people affected by dementia. Aim. This research aimed at attempting to specify the risk of dementia in elderly people under institutional longterm care. Material and Methods. The research cohort was comprised of 300 elderly patients who were staying in long-term care institutions all over Poland. The investigation employed the NOSGER scale (Nurses’ Observation Scale for Geriatric Patients), which allows both professional and non-professional carers of the elderly to evaluate physical, mental, and social state of their patients quickly and easily. Results. An overall evaluation of the elderly averaged out at 74.76±20.80. Investigated patients functioned best in the domain of distracting activities (7.83±2.58) and memory (10.38±3.81). Mood (12.18±4.39) and activities of daily living (13.19±5.31) averaged out at slightly lower levels. Finally, greatest deficits were discovered in the domain of social behaviour (14.42±5.16) and instrumental activities of daily living (16.74±4.82). Conclusions. Research findings show that the group of geriatric patients staying in long-term care institutions faces low risk of dementia changes. Within the domains that are significant for changes of this type (memory, mood, disruptive behaviour) patients functioned at a relatively good level. Greatest deficits were only found in the domain of physical functioning, which was related to restricting their functional ability caused by already existing ailments and age-related constraints. (JNNN 2014;3(3):116–120)

Demand for Nursing Care from Elderly People Hospitalised at an Intensive Care Unit

Background: The work aimed at assessing the demand for nursing care from elderly patients at ICUs, based on the TISS-28 scale. Objective: The research was based on the patients’ classification method employing the TISS-28 scale. Methods: The investigation involved 100 assessment sheets of elderly patients staying at a randomly selected ICU in Lublin from February to April 2010. Results: Data analysis proved elderly patients’ TISS-28 scores were highest for basic activities- 9.31 (SD-2.14), however, lower scores were reported for respiratory therapy 3.45 (SD-1.89). A general TISS-28 assessment for the whole research cohort was 23.64. This means that patients should be provided with nursing care level of one nurse per two patients per shift. Conclusions: The more advanced the patients’ age the lower the assessment of therapeutic interventions within the scope of basic activities and circulation therapy, but at the same time, the higher the assessment of respiratory therapy and other interventions.