Mapping ward managers' core competencies using the Balanced Scorecard model.

BACKGROUND: Nurse ward managers have a crucial role in the effective functioning of hospital wards and in organising the work of the nursing team. The Balanced Scorecard model is a management framework that enables strategy to be translated into action by setting goals that lead to measurable outcomes. Few studies have used the Balanced Scorecard model to map the competencies of healthcare professionals. AIM: To use the Balanced Scorecard model to map the core competencies of nurse ward managers and determine relevant key performance areas (KPAs) and key performance indicators (KPIs). METHOD: This mixed-methods study was conducted in the surgical department of an Italian hospital using a qualitative and quantitative exploratory sequential approach. For the quantitative part, the authors asked a convenience sample of various clinical staff to rate a list of nine competencies in terms of their importance for the work of nurse ward managers. For the qualitative part, two focus group discussions were held with nurse ward managers. FINDINGS: Responses to the questionnaires showed that all nine competencies were important to respondents, with no statistically significant differences between roles. Findings from the focus group discussions broadly confirmed the relevance and importance of the nine competencies. Based on these findings, the authors formulated a strategic map of the nurse ward manager role, with core competencies and associated objectives mapped against the four dimensions of the Balanced Scorecard model. CONCLUSION: A strategic map of the nurse ward manager role informed by the Balanced Scorecard model can help measure nurse ward managers' performance and provide a benchmark for them to improve their competencies.

The use of adhesive elastic tape for hand oedema control in patients with a wrist fracture treated in a cast: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The adhesive elastic tape use is indicated for controlling oedema, although currently there is not the definitive evidence regarding its effectiveness. Wrist fractures are a frequent occurrence, often leading to oedema development in patients treated with forearm casts. This pilot study aims to investigate the effects of elastic tape in controlling hand oedema among patients with forearm casts for wrist fractures and the feasibility of a future randomized controlled trial. METHODS: The study was conducted on adult patients with unilateral conservatively treated wrist fracture. The tape was applied to the intervention group after cast application, while the control group received the standard treatment. The circumference difference between baseline and the 7-day follow-up of both the 1st finger and the remaining 4 fingers merged together was evaluated. Ethical approval for the study has been obtained. RESULTS: 23 participants were enrolled. The intervention group showed a higher reduction in finger circumferences compared to the control group (median difference T1-T0 No tape vs Tape: 0 cm vs -0.2 cm for the 1st finger and 0.5 cm vs -0.5 cm for the remaining 4 fingers), although the changes were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Although the number of enrolled patients was limited due to Covid-19 pandemic, the study results suggest a potential reduction in oedema after the use of adhesive elastic tape, justifying the needed of a future full-scale study. Given its low cost and ease of use, we believe that tape can be considered in clinical practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04683887.

Measuring the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 by means of the "international student well-being study questionnaire": Evidence on Italian university students.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic appeared as an unpredictable disruption of daily activities. This situation produced a unique mental health impact for the general population, youth, and vulnerable groups. A documented consequence has been alcohol abuse and impaired mental health. To our knowledge, no published study has yet evaluated the rates of depressive symptoms, academic frustration, and substance abuse in the Italian student population in the COVID era linking them to sociodemographic variables. Aims: To investigate the incidence of depressive symptoms, academic frustration, and substance abuse students developed in one university in Northern Italy during the first COVID-19 outbreak, using a student wellbeing framework borrowed from Allardt's and Bronfenbrenner's theories. Methods: Descriptive statistics, correlations, Wilcoxon test and factorial ANOVA were performed on data gathered through an online questionnaire sent to a convenience sample of university students. Data collection occurred between 18 May and June 21, 2020. Results: According to the framework used, Being was the dimension of sociodemographic variables, Having was economic support and Loving was social support. Students experienced academic frustration and related depressive symptoms. Male gender seemed to be less affected by the depressive syndrome. With regard to economic support and related repercussions on depressive symptoms, students who reported that they could not obtain a loan showed significantly higher depressive symptoms. Students benefiting from greater financial support showed less academic frustration. Age appeared to be a predictor of academic frustration since young students proved to be the most frustrated. The examined students' population showed a significant decrease in alcohol and cigarettes consumption. Conclusions: Having and Being dimensions influenced depression and academic frustration. Having and Loving dimensions were related with use of substances. The study findings support the implementation of interventions to help students, at a psychological, social, financial level aiming at fostering the quality of students' educational life.

Randomised controlled prospective study of the use of adhesive elastic tape for the control of hand oedema in patients with a wrist fracture treated in a cast: a study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Wrist fractures are a common occurrence, affecting patients of all ages. Wrist fracture patients often develop oedema and the presence of a cast increases the risk. The use of adhesive elastic tape is indicated for oedema control, but there is no definitive evidence of its effectiveness. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the tape in control of hand oedema in wrist fracture patients with a forearm cast. METHODS: We present a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial with blinded data processing. We will apply the tape to the intervention group after cast application, while the control group will receive the standard treatment. We will evaluate the circumference difference between baseline (T0) and the 7-day follow-up (T1) of both the thumb and of the other 4 fingers merged together. We will collect data regarding re-attendance to the Orthopedic Emergency Room due to "intolerance to the plaster cast". Sample size calculations resulted in a required total of 220 participants (110 per group). Ethical approval for the study has been obtained. DISCUSSION: We aim to demonstrate that the use of tape improves the tolerability of the cast by reducing the oedema formation, the feeling of constriction and pain. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrial.gov Identifier: NCT04683887.