Developing clinical leaders in Australian aged care homes.

The role of clinical leadership in implementing evidence based practice is increasingly recognised in the health and social care fields. This paper briefly reviews the literature on clinical leadership and evidence-based practice in aged care and describes the established of an aged care clinical fellowship program in Australia. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the reports of four aged care clinical fellows reported elsewhere in this issue of the International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare.

Effectiveness of nurse-led cardiac clinics in adult patients with a diagnosis of coronary heart disease.

BACKGROUND: Coronary heart disease is the major cause of illness and death in Western countries and this is likely to increase as the average age of the population rises. Consumers with established coronary heart disease are at the highest risk of experiencing further coronary events. Lifestyle measures can contribute significantly to a reduction in cardiovascular mortality in established coronary heart disease. Improved management of cardiac risk factors by providing education and referrals as required has been suggested as one way of maintaining quality care in patients with established coronary heart disease. There is a need to ascertain whether or not nurse-led clinics would be an effective adjunct for patients with coronary heart disease to supplement general practitioner advice and care. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to present the best available evidence related to nurse-led cardiac clinics. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This review considered any randomised controlled trials that evaluated cardiac nurse-led clinics. In the absence of randomised controlled trials, other research designs such as non-randomised controlled trials and before and after studies were considered for inclusion. Participants were adults (18 years and older) with new or existing coronary heart disease. The interventions of interest to the review included education, assessment, consultation, referral and administrative structures. Outcomes measured included adverse event rates, readmissions, admissions, clinical and cost effectiveness, consumer satisfaction and compliance with therapy. RESULTS: Based on the search terms used, 80 papers were initially identified and reviewed for inclusion; full reports of 24 of these papers were retrieved. There were no papers included that addressed cost effectiveness or adverse events; and none addressed the outcome of referrals. A critical appraisal of the 24 remaining papers identified a total of six randomised controlled trials that met the inclusion criteria. Two studies addressed nurse-led clinics for patients diagnosed with angina, one looked at medication administration and the other looked at educational plans. A further four studies compared secondary preventative care with a nurse-led clinic and general practitioner clinic. One specifically compared usual care versus shared care introduced by nurses for patients awaiting coronary artery bypass grafting. Of the remaining three studies, two have been combined in the results section, as they are an interim report and a final report of the same study. Because of inconsistencies in reporting styles and outcome measurements, meta-analysis could not be performed on all outcomes. However, a narrative summary of each study and comparisons of specific outcomes assessed from within each study has been developed. Although not all outcomes obtained statistical significance, nurse-led clinics were at least as effective as general practitioner clinics for most outcomes.Recommendations The following recommendations are made.

Effectiveness of nurse-led cardiac clinics in adult patients with a diagnosis of coronary heart disease.

Background Coronary heart disease is the major cause of illness and death in Western countries and this is likely to increase as the average age of the population rises. Consumers with established coronary heart disease are at the highest risk of experiencing further coronary events. Lifestyle measures can contribute significantly to a reduction in cardiovascular mortality in established coronary heart disease. Improved management of cardiac risk factors by providing education and referrals as required has been suggested as one way of maintaining quality care in patients with established coronary heart disease. There is a need to ascertain whether or not nurse-led clinics would be an effective adjunct for patients with coronary heart disease to supplement general practitioner advice and care. Objectives The objective of this review was to present the best available evidence related to nurse-led cardiac clinics. Inclusion criteria This review considered any randomised controlled trials that evaluated cardiac nurse-led clinics. In the absence of randomised controlled trials, other research designs such as non-randomised controlled trials and before and after studies were considered for inclusion. Participants were adults (18 years and older) with new or existing coronary heart disease. The interventions of interest to the review included education, assessment, consultation, referral and administrative structures. Outcomes measured included adverse event rates, readmissions, admissions, clinical and cost effectiveness, consumer satisfaction and compliance with therapy. Results Based on the search terms used, 80 papers were initially identified and reviewed for inclusion; full reports of 24 of these papers were retrieved. There were no papers included that addressed cost effectiveness or adverse events; and none addressed the outcome of referrals. A critical appraisal of the 24 remaining papers identified a total of six randomised controlled trials that met the inclusion criteria. Two studies addressed nurse-led clinics for patients diagnosed with angina, one looked at medication administration and the other looked at educational plans. A further four studies compared secondary preventative care with a nurse-led clinic and general practitioner clinic. One specifically compared usual care versus shared care introduced by nurses for patients awaiting coronary artery bypass grafting. Of the remaining three studies, two have been combined in the results section, as they are an interim report and a final report of the same study. Because of inconsistencies in reporting styles and outcome measurements, meta-analysis could not be performed on all outcomes. However, a narrative summary of each study and comparisons of specific outcomes assessed from within each study has been developed. Although not all outcomes obtained statistical significance, nurse-led clinics were at least as effective as general practitioner clinics for most outcomes. Recommendations The following recommendations are made: • The use of nurse-led clinics is recommended for patients with coronary heart disease (Level II). • Utilise nurse-led clinics to increase clinic attendance and follow-up rates (Level II). • Nurse-led clinics are recommended for patients who require lifestyle changes to decrease their risk of adverse outcomes associated with coronary heart disease (Level II).

Vital signs.

BACKGROUND: Vital signs traditionally consist of blood pressure, temperature, pulse rate and respiratory rate, and are an important component of monitoring the patient's progress during hospitalisation. An initial search of the literature indicated that there was a vast volume of published information relating to this topic; however, there had been no previous attempt to systematically review this literature. This review was therefore initiated to identify, appraise and summarise the best available evidence relating to the measurement of vital signs in hospital patients. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this review were to present the best available information related to the monitoring of patient vital signs with regard to their purpose, limitations, optimal frequency of measurements, and what measures should constitute vital signs. The review also sought to identify additional issues of importance related to the individual parameters of temperature measurement, blood pressure assessment, pulse rate measurement and respiratory rate measurement. REVIEW METHODS: This review considered all studies that related to the objectives and included neonatal, paediatric and/or adult hospital patients. The outcome measures of interest were those related to the accuracy of, required frequency of or the need for vital signs. The review also considered any study addressing some aspect of vital signs measurement to ensure all issues of importance were identified. The search sought to find both published and unpublished studies. Databases searched included CINAHL, Medline, Current Contents, Cochrane Library, Embase and Dissertation Abstracts. The references of all identified studies were examined for additional references. All studies were checked for methodological quality, and data was extracted using a data extraction tool. RESULTS: Although a variety of measures may be useful additions to the traditional four vital sign parameters, only pulse oximetry and smoking status have been shown to change patient care and outcomes. There are suggestions that vital sign monitoring has become a routine procedure, but little useful information was identified in regard to the optimal frequency of vital sign measurement. It was noted that many of the important issues related to vital sign measurement have not been investigated through research.There is currently only limited research related to respiratory rate as a vital sign; however, its value as an indicator of serious illness has not been reliably established. There is only limited research relating to pulse rate measurements. Although routinely used for all hospital patients, the ability to detect serious physiological changes by assessment of pulse rate has not been rigorously evaluated. Many factors were identified that could potentially influence the accuracy of blood pressure measurement. Auscultation is accurate for the measurement of systolic blood pressure using phase I Korotkoff sound as the reference point, and for diastolic pressure if phase V Korotkoff sounds are used. Cuff size can influence accuracy, in that using a cuff that is too narrow will likely overestimate blood pressure and a cuff that is too wide will underestimate the pressure. Research suggests that blood pressure should be measured on the upper arm, while the arm is resting at approximate heart level. Studies have shown that healthcare workers often measure blood pressure in an incorrect and inaccurate way, and this is of some concern. However, a small number of studies suggest that education programs can be effective in improving blood pressure measurement techniques. The largest volume of research identified during this review related to the measurement of temperature. For accurate measurement of oral temperatures the thermometer should be positioned in either the left or right posterior sublingual pocket and remain in the mouth for 6-7 min. Although oxygen therapy and different types of breathing patterns will not influence accuracy of oral temperature measurements, hot or cold liquids will. For the measurement of tympanic temperatures, an ear tug should be used to help straighten the external auditory canal and so ensure measurement accuracy. The presence of impacted cerumen will likely result in inaccurate measurements. The only potential harm as a result of measuring vital signs was associated with glass mercury thermometers, in terms of rectal perforation, the risk of mercury poisoning was not clearly established. CONCLUSIONS: Although there has been considerable research undertaken on many specific aspects of vital sign measurement, there is an urgent need for further primary research into the more general issues such as what parameters should be measured, the optimal frequency of measurements and the role of new technology in patient monitoring.

Effectiveness of individual therapy and group therapy in the treatment of schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: There is no simple, single treatment for schizophrenia and present approaches are based on clinical research and experience. Pharmacotherapy is the most common treatment for schizophrenia; however, unwanted side-effects are often problematic, and medications do not provide important coping skills. These skills are provided through forms of psychotherapy. Psychotherapy has been examined from a range of perspectives, including the effectiveness of group and individual treatments on behaviours and symptoms of schizophrenia. This review reports on the effectiveness of forms of group and individual therapy. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to present the best available information on the use of group therapy and individual therapy in the treatment of schizophrenia. This review summarises the findings of all relevant studies relating to these interventions. This review attempted to answer the question: which is more effective in improving symptoms in patients with schizophrenia, group or individual therapy? INCLUSION CRITERIA: The review included adult patients with schizophrenia. Interventions of interest were forms of group and individual therapy aimed at lessening the symptoms of schizophrenia. For the purposes of this review, individual therapy was regarded as a one-to-one interaction between a patient and a therapist, and group therapy excluded family therapy. Studies that examined symptom reduction, including measures of mental state, quality of life and social function, were included in this review. This review attempted to determine the efficacy of group and individual therapy in the treatment of schizophrenia. Therefore, randomised or pseudo-randomised controlled trials that address the use or comparison of these treatment modalities were included. High-quality systematic reviews of evidence of effectiveness were also included. RESULTS: Based on the search terms used, 28 references relating to the use of some form of group or individual therapy, in the treatment of chronic schizophrenia, were identified. Of these, nine were excluded for not meeting the stated inclusion criteria and 19 were included in the analysis (17 trials and two systematic reviews). From these studies numerous treatment types were compared for the management of chronic schizophrenia. Meta-analysis was not possible given the level of heterogeneity in trial methods and measurement scales. RECOMMENDATIONS: The following recommendations are made.

Comparing the effectiveness of cognitive behaviour therapy using individual or group therapy in the treatment of depression.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to present the best available information on the use of cognitive behaviour therapy using either group cognitive therapy (GCT) or individual cognitive therapy (ICT) in the treatment of depression. The primary question to be addressed in this review was: For the treatment of long-term depression, using a cognitive behavioural approach, is group therapy or individual therapy the most effective? INCLUSION CRITERIA: Studies that included adolescents or adults with long-term depression and a measured Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) value of ≥12 or Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) of ≥14 were included. Interventions of interest were forms of cognitive behaviour therapy utilising either an individual or group approach. For the purpose of this review individual therapy was regarded as a one-to-one interaction between the patient and the therapist. Group therapy excluded family therapy. This review excluded studies that involved pharmacotherapy alone as the only intervention and studies that involved combined group and individual treatment. Outcome measures of interest were reduction in depression inventory scores, specifically the BDI and/or the HRSD. This study considered any randomised or pseudo-randomised controlled trials that addressed the use or comparison of GCT or ICT. RESULTS: Individual and group cognitive behavioural therapies for moderately or severely depressed adults (BDI ≥ 14) were comparable with each other in effectiveness and both were superior to providing no treatment at all. Individual cognitive therapy was equal to or better than tricyclic antidepressant drugs given at recommended therapeutic dosages for depressed people with a mean BDI of 30. This information was based on level II evidence. RECOMMENDATIONS: The following recommendations were made for adults:1 Either GCT or ICT can be used to treat moderate to severe depression. The choice of therapy should be dependent upon the clinician's perceived receptiveness of the particular patient to group or individual treatment.2 The use of computer-assisted therapy is a useful adjunct to GCT in moderate to severely depressed patients.3 ICT can effectively replace pharmacotherapy in moderate to severely depressed patients if the patient is opposed to being treated with drug therapy.4 GCT has not been compared to pharmacotherapy so no direct recommendation can be given as to its effectiveness as a replacement therapy.The following recommendations were made for adolescents:1 Either GCT or ICT can be used to treat moderately depressed adolescents (BDI ≥ 14).2 More research is needed to determine the effectiveness of GCT or ICT in severely depressed adolescents (BDI ≥ 20).

Management of short-term indwelling urethral catheters to prevent urinary tract infections.

BACKGROUND: This systematic review updates a previous review published in 2000. The objective of this review was to present the best available evidence relating to the prevention of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (UTI). SELECTION CRITERIA: This review considered randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of adult patients with short-term urethral catheters. In the absence of RCTs, other research designs such as non-randomised controlled trials and before and after studies were considered for inclusion. Interventions of interest were those related to the prevention of catheter-related UTI and included: sterile versus non-sterile insertion technique, special coatings to catheters versus standard non-coated catheters, the use of flush solutions, the use of solutions added to urinary drainage bag, maintenance of a closed urinary drainage circuit, the use of antireflux valves, antibiotic creams applied to the external meatus-catheter interface, meatal care regimens, education programs, and changed care delivery practices. This review was limited to short-term urethral catheters, and so studies evaluating long-term or suprapubic catheters were excluded. The primary outcome of interest was the difference in the rates of UTI between experimental intervention and the control. SEARCH STRATEGY: The search included both published and unpublished studies with an initial limited search of MEDLINE and CINAHL databases undertaken to identify key words contained in the title or abstract, and index terms used to describe relevant interventions. A second extensive search used all identified key words and index terms. The third step included a search of the reference lists and bibliographies of relevant articles. The databases searched included: CINAHL, MEDLINE, Current Contents, Cochrane Library, Expanded Academic Index, and Embase. The Dissertation Abstracts International database was searched for unpublished studies. ASSESSMENT OF METHODOLOGICAL QUALITY: Methodological quality was assessed using a standardised checklist. Critical appraisal and data extraction were conducted by two independent reviewers; discrepancies were addressed through discussion with a third reviewer as required. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in infection rate using either sterile surgical or non-sterile insertion technique. The use of water for cleansing prior to catheter insertion was recommended. There was no additional benefit from specific meatal care other than standard daily personal hygiene and removal of debris. Infection rates were similar for both latex and silicone catheters. Comparisons between silver and Teflon coating clearly favoured the silver alloy coating. The use of a complex closed drainage system in the intensive care environment did not confer any additional benefit. Studies comparing types of junction seals and use of junction seals either prior to or following catheterisation found no clear benefit from using either preconnected sealed systems or sealed systems with the addition of silver releasing devices. Neither the addition of chlorhexidine nor hydrogen peroxide to the drainage bag was found to be effective at reducing UTI rates. The findings indicated there was a higher incidence of bacteriuria associated with Foley catheters compared with intermittent catheterisation (P < 0.025). A single RCT examined the effect on UTI rates of routine bag changes against no routine bag change. Routine bag changes were not advantageous in reducing the risk of infection. CONCLUSIONS: Current RCT evidence suggests the use of a surgical sterile catheterisation technique is not required, and that tap water is sufficient for cleaning genitalia. Following insertion, daily hygiene around the meatal area is as effective as catheter toilets; and catheters impregnated with silver may reduce the incidence of catheter associated bacteriuria. Sealed (e.g. taped, presealed) drainage systems should not be relied upon as the sole mechanism for prevention of bacteriuria. The addition of antibacterial solutions to drainage bags and the routine change of drainage bags had no effect on catheter associated infection. However, most of the recommendations arising from this review were based on single studies, often with limited numbers of participants. There is an urgent need to replicate these studies in other clinical settings.

Descriptive study of nurses' compliance with postprocedural vital sign measurement in a gastrointestinal investigation unit.

There has been a tremendous growth in day surgery units to meet the demand for cost-effective healthcare. As a result of increased outpatient use of these units, procedures for administrative and clinical management have been developed. The effectiveness of the use of these protocols, however, has not been tested. This article reports on a study that examined nurses' compliance with a protocol for postprocedural vital signs measurement in a gastrointestinal day unit. The protocol's effectiveness in detecting postprocedure complications and the resource implications of the protocol were examined. The rate and type of postprocedure complications detected are also reported. Analysis of the observation data suggests staff are undertaking observations according to the protocol for most patients. Some patients appear, however, to be having their observations done outside the time frame recommended by the protocol. It is possible that staff are exercising their clinical judgement and continuing observations on some patients, though this is speculation and requires further research. Findings from the study raise questions regarding whether postprocedure monitoring is resource efficient.