Patricia A. Higgins

Activity in the chronically critically ill.

Although therapeutic activity prevents functional decline and reduces mortality, little is known about typical levels of activity among intensive care unit (ICU) patients. This report of a preliminary study describes typical therapeutic activity and compares the use of two measures of activity in a small sample of chronically critically ill adults. Type, frequency, and duration of therapeutic activity were measured simultaneously with direct observation and actigraphy. The only consistent activity documented was turning (frequency: 3 turns/8 hours; duration: mean average of 11 minutes). Analysis demonstrated acceptable agreement between the two measures of activity for both frequency and duration of therapeutic but not for type of activity. Congruence between measures for duration of activity was also supported. This study provides information for investigators and practitioners who are interested in measuring or implementing therapeutic activity in selected critically ill adults.

Facilitated sensemaking: a feasibility study for the provision of a family support program in the intensive care unit.

Family members of intensive care unit patients may develop anxiety, depression, and/or posttraumatic stress syndrome. Approaches to prevention are not well defined. Before testing preventive measures, it is important to evaluate which interventions the family will accept, use, and value. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of an intervention for support for families of mechanically ventilated adults, grounded in a new midrange nursing theory titled “Facilitated Sensemaking.” Families were provided a kit of supplies and the primary investigator coached families on how to obtain information, interpret surroundings, and participate in care. Participants were asked to complete an adapted Critical Care Family Needs Inventory and Family Support Program evaluation. Family members of 30 patients consented to participate; 22 participants completed the surveys. Internal consistency reliability of the adapted Critical Care Family Needs Inventory was high (α = .96). Results validated the importance of informational needs and provided a score indicating the family members perception of how well each need was met, weighted by importance, which identified performance improvement opportunities for use by clinical managers. The program evaluation confirmed that families will use this format of support and find it helpful. Personal care supplies (eg, lotion, lip balm) were universally well received. Forty-two referrals to ancillary service were made. Operational issues to improve services were identified. As proposed in the Facilitated Sensemaking model, family members welcomed interventions targeted to help make sense of the new situation and make sense of their new role as caregiver. Planned supportive interventions were perceived as helpful.

Tailored lighting intervention improves measures of sleep, depression, and agitation in persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia living in long-term care facilities

Background Light therapy has shown great promise as a nonpharmacological method to improve symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD), with preliminary studies demonstrating that appropriately timed light exposure can improve nighttime sleep efficiency, reduce nocturnal wandering, and alleviate evening agitation. Since the human circadian system is maximally sensitive to short-wavelength (blue) light, lower, more targeted lighting interventions for therapeutic purposes, can be used. Methods The present study investigated the effectiveness of a tailored lighting intervention for individuals with ADRD living in nursing homes. Low-level “bluish-white” lighting designed to deliver high circadian stimulation during the daytime was installed in 14 nursing home resident rooms for a period of 4 weeks. Light–dark and rest–activity patterns were collected using a Daysimeter. Sleep time and sleep efficiency measures were obtained using the rest–activity data. Measures of sleep quality, depression, and agitation were collected using standardized questionnaires, at baseline, at the end of the 4-week lighting intervention, and 4 weeks after the lighting intervention was removed. Results The lighting intervention significantly (P<0.05) decreased global sleep scores from the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and increased total sleep time and sleep efficiency. The lighting intervention also increased phasor magnitude, a measure of the 24-hour resonance between light–dark and rest–activity patterns, suggesting an increase in circadian entrainment. The lighting intervention significantly (P<0.05) reduced depression scores from the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia and agitation scores from the Cohen–Mansfield Agitation Inventory. Conclusion A lighting intervention, tailored to increase daytime circadian stimulation, can be used to increase sleep quality and improve behavior in patients with ADRD. The present field study, while promising for application, should be replicated using a larger sample size and perhaps using longer treatment duration.

Dance and Peer Support to Improve Diabetes Outcomes in African American Women

Purpose The purpose of this pilot study was to test a dance intervention and explore the role of peer support to improve the diabetes outcomes of A1C, weight, body fat, and blood pressure in African American women with type 2 diabetes. Methods This study was conducted in a community-based outpatient clinic. A mixed methods design was used. A total of 46 women, 26 to 83 years of age, were randomized to either the 12-week dance group or usual care group. Both between group and intraindividual group differences were analyzed from baseline to 12 weeks. Focus group interviews explored the role of peer support through semistructured discussions for the women enrolled in the dance group. Results Results showed significant group mean differences in systolic blood pressure (BP) and body fat. Paired t tests showed significant reductions in all the diabetes outcomes for the dance group and significant increases in glycolated hemoglobin (A1C) and systolic BP for the usual care group. The emergent themes of the focus groups were that a diabetes diagnosis was devastating, and changing eating habits and taking medications was often difficult. Peer support in the dance group was expressed as camaraderie, enjoyment, and laughter, which fostered attendance. Conclusions Dancing 2 times per week for 12 weeks produced significant group differences in systolic BP and body fat and significant intraindividual changes. The implications are that dancing in a supportive environment with peers may be an effective strategy for diabetes educators to help those with diabetes to become more physically active and improve diabetes outcomes and overall health.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Predictors of Advance Directive Discussions of Registered Nurses

The purpose of this study was to describe nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and experiences regarding advance directives. A secondary purpose was to examine predictors of advance directive discussions between nurses and patients. Seven-hundred and nineteen respondents, randomly selected from a list of registered nurses in the state of Ohio, completed mailed questionnaires. Descriptive t test, chi-square, and logistic regression statistics were used in the data analyses. The respondents were knowledgeable and possessed positive attitudes about advance directives. Higher self-perceived confidence in advance directive discussion skills and the experience of caring for at least one patient with a current advance directive were found to be significant predictors of advance directive discussions. These findings suggest that experience with advance directives documents is critical for nurses’ comfort and that developing interventions to further nurses’ confidence in their discussion skills may increase advance directive discussions.

The Relationship Between Social Roles and Self-Management Behavior in Women Living with HIV/AIDS

BACKGROUND The social roles that women perform can be complicated and may affect their health. While there is some evidence describing traditional social roles of women, there is little evidence exploring the impact of those roles on how a woman manages a chronic condition. The purpose of this paper is to identify and examine the main social roles of 48 HIV infected women, and to explore how these roles relate to their self-management of HIV/AIDS. METHODS Forty-eight HIV infected, adult women were recruited from HIV clinics and AIDS service organizations in Northeast Ohio. All participants participated in one of 12 digitially recorded focus groups. All data were analyzed using qualitative description methodology. RESULTS The participants were predominantly middle-aged (mean = 42 years), African American (69%), and single (58%). Analysis revealed six social roles that these women experience and which affect their self-management. These social roles are: Mother/Grandmother, Believer, Advocate, Stigmatized Patient, Pet Owner, and Employee. These roles had both a positive and negative effect on a womans self-management of her HIV disease and varied by age and time living with HIV. CONCLUSION Women living with HIV/AIDS struggle to manage the many daily tasks required to live well with this disease. The social context in which this self-management happens is important, and the various social roles that women perform can facilitate or hinder them from completing these tasks. Healthcare and social service providers should learn about these roles in their individual patients, particularly how these roles can be developed to increase HIV/AIDS self-management.

Field measurements of light exposures and circadian disruption in two populations of older adults.

The absence of daily robust light-dark exposure patterns may contribute to sleep disturbances in persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Personal light-dark and activity-rest patterns were measured for healthy older adults and for persons with ADRD. Persons with ADRD experienced lower light levels, exhibited lower activity levels, and had greater levels of circadian disruption than healthy older adults during winter. Seasonal differences were observed for persons with ADRD; lower levels of light exposure and greater levels of circadian disruption were seen during the winter than during the summer, although activity levels did not differ for the two seasons.

Research methodology issues related to interviewing the mechanically ventilated patient

Difficulties conducting research in vulnerable or frail patient populations limit the data-based information on which to base practice in these populations. Although there are many challenges in this type of research, they are not insurmountable, and, in an effort to encourage others interested in studying vulnerable patient populations, we discuss the methodological process used to prospectively study one vulnerable group. Interviews about perceptions of weaning, fatigue, mood, and sleep/rest states were conducted with 20 patients who were chronically critically ill and required long-term mechanical ventilation. Illness severity and communication difficulties were primary considerations in the design, development, and implementation of the study. Ethical considerations, informed consent, sample representation, and data collection issues are discussed.

Knowledge, beliefs, and confidence regarding infections and antimicrobial stewardship: A survey of Veterans Affairs providers who care for older adults

We conducted an anonymous survey of providers who care for older adults from 10 Veterans Affairs long-term-care facilities to assess their knowledge, beliefs, and confidence toward treating infections and antimicrobial stewardship. The average score on 5 questions assessing knowledge was 3.6 out of 5.0 (95% confidence interval, 3.3-3.9), which supports a need for education regarding the care of older adults with infections.

Perspective: medical education research and the institutional review board: reexamining the process.

Medical school and residency training curricula across the country have undergone extensive revisions and, much like clinical quality improvement (QI) initiatives, require assessments of new programs. Because sharing knowledge is a hallmark of academic medicine, program evaluation may come under the purview of the institutional review board (IRB); however, the distinction between QI and research is often unclear. And yet a medical education (ME) inquiry can be designed according to either paradigm. The purpose of this article is to bring IRBs and ME researchers closer to a shared understanding of key concepts underlying human participation in research and QI activities, and to consensus on the application of these concepts. The current QI discourse provides a useful framework for making this distinction; the authors identify key theoretical principles and practical considerations derived from this work that are relevant to ME and training, such as the application of the regulatory definition of human subject research to ME inquiries. For ME inquiries defined as human subject research, and therefore subject to IRB review, this article explores the application of the human research regulations to ME research. It concludes with practical suggestions for institutions, IRBs, and ME researchers, which range from formal procedures for making the QI versus research distinction, to instruction in study design and development and the human subject regulatory implications. The intent is to promote a discussion that will result in greater consensus and a more consistent application of the regulatory framework.