Mariusz Wysokiński

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.

Health behaviour of miners

BACKGROUND What significantly affects the health of an individual health behaviour. It is of particular importance in the case of people working in very harsh environmental conditions. The aim of this study is to examine health behaviour among miners. MATERIAL AND METHODS The research data was collected with the use of the diagnostic survey method based on the Health Behaviour Inventory questionnaire developed by Juczyński. Two hundred coal miners were surveyed. The results obtained were subjected to a statistical analysis. A significance level of p < 0.05 was assumed, which indicates the occurrence of statistically significant differences or relations. RESULTS The level of health behaviour among miners may be determined as medium and low. The research group obtained the best results with regard to their mental attitude, while their preventive behaviour received the worst evaluation. CONCLUSIONS The research confirms the necessity of implementing health promotion programmes among miners, which would be focusing particularly on health behaviour.

Legal Determination of Brain Death — Polish Perspective

The beginning of 2017 brought major changes in the legal norms concerning the declaration of permanent irreversible cessation of brain activity (brain death) and irreversible cardiac arrest before organ donation. The article presents changes that have occurred in this area and compares them with the previous regulations. As part of this study, a legal interpretation was also presented along with instructions on how to correctly apply the new regulations. (JNNN 2018;7(1):46–49)

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)

Ocena stanu umysłowego — wybrane narzędzia pomiarowe w neurogeriatrii

Complete Cerebral Assessment (CGA) involves the assessment of a neurological patient in four basic areas where performance capacity, physical health, mental health, as well social and environmental factors are taken into account. Specially prepared research tools (scales, questionnaires) can be used to assess individual CGA components, which significantly facilitate it and influence its credibility. In addition, they allow to verify changes in patient’s condition over time, in the category of improvement or deterioration, and also help in the exchange of quantitative (clinical) information between health care providers. Based on the literature, there have been discussed the most frequently applied scales used to assess the mental state of neurogeriatric patients. There have been presented data of metrics such as Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS), Clock Drawing Test (CDT), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). ( JNNN 2017;6(3):130–133 )

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)

Evaluation of Patients with Dysfunction of the Extra-Pyramidal System — Selection of Measuring Tools in Neurogeriatria

Summary The group of diseases with extra-pyramidal disorders includes inter alia Parkinson’s disease. It is one of the most common progressive, degenerative diseases of the central nervous system occurring in mature and older people. First symptoms of the disease occur in most cases after fifty years of age. The disease is generated by the loss of dopaminergic cells in the substantia nigra manifested clinically in the mobility slowdown, muscle rigidity and tremor at rest. The clinical use of various measuring tools (scales, indexes, indicators, tests, etc.) for the diagnosis of patients with dysfunction of the extra-pyramidal system has been increasingly applied. Based on the literature there were discussed scales most commonly used in the assessment of patients with dysfunction of the extra-pyramidal system including mainly those with Parkinson’s disease. There were presented data regarding such measuring scales as: Hoehn and Yahra’s (HY Scale), Webster’s (Webster Rating Scale — WRS), Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Northwestern University scale (Northwestern University Disability Scale — NUDS), Columbia University scale (Columbia University Rating Scale — CURS), Schwab and England’s independence scale (Schwab and England ADL Scale — S-E ADL), the short scale of Parkinson’s disease evaluation (Short Parkinson’s Evaluation Scale — SPES), the scale of daily activities in Parkinson’s disease (Parkinson’s Disease Activities of Daily Living Scale — PDADL) as well as life quality scales, including the PDQL (Parkinson’s Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire) and PDQ-39 (Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire). (JNNN 2014;3(2):88–92)

Ocena stanu chorego z dysfunkcją układu pozapiramidowego — wybrane narzędzia pomiarowe w neurogeriatrii

The group of diseases with extra-pyramidal disorders includes inter alia Parkinson’s disease. It is one of the most common progressive, degenerative diseases of the central nervous system occurring in mature and older people. First symptoms of the disease occur in most cases after fifty years of age. The disease is generated by the loss of dopaminergic cells in the substantia nigra manifested clinically in the mobility slowdown, muscle rigidity and tremor at rest. The clinical use of various measuring tools (scales, indexes, indicators, tests, etc.) for the diagnosis of patients with dysfunction of the extra-pyramidal system has been increasingly applied. Based on the literature there were discussed scales most commonly used in the assessment of patients with dysfunction of the extra-pyramidal system including mainly those with Parkinson’s disease. There were presented data regarding such measuring scales as: Hoehn and Yahra’s (HY Scale), Webster’s (Webster Rating Scale — WRS), Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Northwestern University scale (Northwestern University Disability Scale — NUDS), Columbia University scale (Columbia University Rating Scale — CURS), Schwab and England’s independence scale (Schwab and England ADL Scale — S-E ADL), the short scale of Parkinson’s disease evaluation (Short Parkinson’s Evaluation Scale — SPES), the scale of daily activities in Parkinson’s disease (Parkinson’s Disease Activities of Daily Living Scale — PDADL) as well as life quality scales, including the PDQL (Parkinson’s Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire) and PDQ-39 (Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire). (JNNN 2014;3(2):88–92)