Characteristics of and outcome for patients with chest pain in relation to transport by the emergency medical services in a 20-year perspective.

AIM: The aims of this study were to describe the characteristics of and outcome of patients with chest pain in relation to transport by the emergency medical services (EMS) and to describe possible changes in this relationship in a 20-year perspective. METHODS: In the 2 periods, 1986 to 1987 and 2008, all patients with chest pain admitted to hospitals in Gothenburg, Sweden, were retrospectively evaluated in terms of previous history, final diagnosis, and mortality. P values were age adjusted. RESULTS: In 1986 to 1987 and 2008, 34% of 4270 patients with chest pain and 39% of 2286 patients, respectively, were transported to the hospital by the EMS (P = .0001). In both periods, patients who used EMS were older and had a higher prevalence of previous cardiovascular diseases and more often had a final diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) than those who did not use EMS. The EMS users were more frequently hospitalized in 1986 to 1987 than in 2008 (P < .0001). Emergency medical service use was related to a significantly higher age-adjusted 1-year mortality in both periods for all patients with chest pain as well as for those hospitalized. Among hospitalized patients with myocardial ischemia and among patients with a final diagnosis of AMI, EMS use was associated with a higher 30-day mortality in 1986 to 1987. Regardless of the use of EMS, there was a decrease in the proportion of patients developing AMI as well as the rate of death at 30 days and 1 year in 2008 as compared with 1986 to 1987. CONCLUSIONS: For 20 years, the proportion of patients with chest pain using the EMS increased. EMS users were more frequently hospitalized in 1986 to 1987 than in 2008. In overall terms, mortality was higher among EMS users than among nonusers in both periods. Among hospitalized patients with myocardial ischemia and among patients with a final diagnosis of AMI, EMS use was associated with a higher 30-day mortality only in 1986 to 1987.

Consultation training of nurses for cardiovascular prevention - a randomized study of 2 years duration.

The aim of this study was to increase patients' adherence to the treatment of hypertension through the consultation training of nurses. Thirty-three nurses were included in the study. In the intervention group (IG), 19 nurses took part in a 3-day residential training course on the Stages of Change model, Motivational Interviewing and guidelines for cardiovascular prevention, and recruited 153 patients. Sixteen nurses in the control group (CG) recruited 59 patients. A decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and total cholesterol was noticed in both groups over the 2 years. Heart rate (p = 0.027), body mass index (p = 0.019), weight (p = 0.0001), waist (p = 0.041), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (p = 0.0001), the waist-hip ratio (p = 0.024), and perceived stress (p = 0.001) decreased to any great extent only in the IG. After 2 years, 52.6% of the patients in the IG (p = 0.13) reached the target of ≤ 140/90 mmHg in blood pressure compared with 39.2% in the CG. For self-reported physical activity, there was a significant (p = 0.021) difference between the groups. The beneficial effects of the consultation training on patients' weight parameters, physical activity, perceived stress and the proportion of patients who achieved blood pressure control emphasize consultation training and the use of behavioural models in motivating patients to adhere to treatment.

Validity and reliability of a new, short symptom rating scale in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Symptoms related to atrial fibrillation and their impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are often evaluated in clinical trials. However, there remains a need for a properly validated instrument. We aimed to develop and validate a short symptoms scale for patients with AF. METHODS: One hundred and eleven patients with a variety of symptoms related to AF were scheduled for DC cardioversion. The mean age was 67.1 +/- 12.1 years, and 80% were men. The patients completed the new symptoms scale, the Toronto Symptoms Check List (SCL) and the generic Short Form 36 (SF-36) the day before the planned DC cardioversion. Compliance was excellent, with only 1 of 666 answers missing. RESULTS: One item, 'limitations in working capability', was deleted because of a low numerical response rate, as many of the patients were retired. The internal consistency reliability of the remaining six items was 0.81 (Cronbach's alpha). Patients scored highest in the items of 'dyspnoea on exertion', 'limitations in daily life due to AF' and 'fatigue due to AF', with scores of 4.5, 3.3 and 4.5, respectively. There was a good correlation to all relevant SF-36 domains and to the relevant questions of the SCL. The Rasch analyses showed that the items are unidimensional and that they are clearly separated and cover an adequate range. Test-retest reliability was performed in patients who failed DC and was adequate for three of six items, > 0.70. CONCLUSION: The psychometric characteristics of the new short symptoms scale were found to have satisfactory reliability and validity.

Hours during and after coronary intervention and angiography.

The purpose of this study was to describe patients' experience during and after coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention. Data were collected by interviews with 14 patients. A qualitative content analysis approach was used. Four main categories were identified that describe patients' experience of the hours during and following intervention: emotional thoughts, bodily sensations, nursing intervention of importance, and personal strategies. All patients made a comment on staff conduct and pointed out that even minor nursing actions may be of great importance. Patients were most positive toward the transradial approach. Even though the approach via arteria radialis will increase, many patients will still have their procedure done via arteria femoralis. In spite of all research and technical developments, the patients' experience from intervention via arteria femoralis is pretty much the same as it was 1997.

Assessment of hypertensive patients' self-care agency after counseling training of nurses.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to assess hypertensive patients' self-care agency and any correlation with the patient's lifestyle changes and the nurse's degree of patient centeredness after counseling training. DATA SOURCES: Nurses in the intervention group (IG; n = 19) working at nurse-led clinics at health centers were trained in patient centeredness (motivational interviewing) and the stages of change model and included 137 patients. Nurses in the control group (CG; n = 14) included 51 patients. The Exercise of Self-Care Agency (ESCA) instrument was used. There was a significant difference from baseline to the 2-year follow-up in the ESCA score (IG, p = .0001). An increase in ESCA score was correlated with an increased level of physical activity after 2 years (IG, p = .0001; CG, p = .040). CONCLUSIONS: The counseling training gave an increase in the patients' self-care agency scores, which was significantly correlated with increased physical activity. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: In clinical practice it is important for nurses to be patient centered in their counseling to affect patients' self-care agency in a positive direction.

The nurse's role and skills in hypertension care: a review.

The aim of this review was to examine studies on nursing in hypertension care to find out the nurse's role and skills. Articles were searched during the period 1966-1997. About 650 abstracts were read, and 148 were selected for examination. Forty-two articles were judged to be relevant for the study. The role of the nurse in programs was described as that of a team member, an educator in nonpharmacological treatment, and a translator for the physician with a holistic and psychosocial approach. A nurse participating in hypertension care promoted blood pressure reductions as the patients decreased their weight and sodium intake, stopped smoking, increased their physical activity, took their medication more correctly, and returned for follow-up visits more frequently, and the cost of drugs and visits to the physician decreased. Local programs for hypertension care should be developed with nurses' holistic and psychosocial approach and skills taken into account. More well-designed studies are needed to develop nursing care for hypertensive patients.

Effects on hypertensive patients' satisfaction with information about their medication after nurses' consultation training.

BACKGROUND: There is a well-known problem in hypertension care with patients' adherence to treatment. Patients who score high in answering the instrument Satisfaction with Information about Medicine Scale are reported to have greater adherence to their medication. AIM: To explore how hypertensive patients' satisfaction with information about their medicines was affected by nurses' education in Motivational Interviewing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Stages of Change model and Motivational Interviewing was the theoretical base for consultation training for nurses. Nineteen nurses attended 3 days of video-recorded consultation training with simulated patients. They were updated in hypertensive medication and were trained in motivating patients to improve their self-management as well as adherence to lifestyle changes and medication. The satisfaction with information instrument identifies patients' satisfaction with information about the action and usage of medication as well as potential problems with it. The instrument was used to assess how well the needs of individual patients for medicine information were met at baseline and 2 years after the training. The 19 trained nurses in the intervention group worked with 137 patients, and a control group of 16 nurses, who gave normal care, worked with 51 patients. RESULTS: There was a difference between the intervention and control group in total score (P=0.028) 2 years after the intervention. Patients in the intervention group perceived higher satisfaction with the action and usage of their medication (P=0.001) and a lower degree of potential problems with their medication (P=0.001). Patients in the control group also perceived a lower degree of potential problems with their medication (P=0.028). CONCLUSION: We suggest that consultation training for nurses with the aim of motivating patients to be more self-directed in their self-care improves satisfaction with information about medication.

Patients admitted to hospital with chest pain--changes in a 20-year perspective.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the differences in characteristics and outcome between two consecutive series of patients admitted to hospital with chest pain in a 20-year perspective. Particular emphasis is placed on changes in outcome in relation to the initial electrocardiogram (ECG). SUBJECTS: In the two periods, 1986-1987 and 2008, all patients with chest pain admitted to the study hospitals in Gothenburg, Sweden, were included. RESULTS: Five thousand and sixteen patients were registered in a period of 21 months in 1986-1987 and 2287 patients were registered during 3 months in 2008. In a comparison of the two time periods, the age of chest pain patients was not significantly different (mean age 60.1 ± 17.8 years in 1986-1987 and 59.8 ± 19.1 years in 2008, p=0.50). There was a lower prevalence of previous angina pectoris, congestive heart failure and current smoking in the second period, whereas a history of acute myocardial infarction, hypertension and diabetes mellitus had become more prevalent. The use of cardio-protective drugs increased and ECG changes indicating acute myocardial ischemia on admission to hospital decreased. Length of hospitalisation was reduced from a median of 5 days to 3 days (p<0.0001). A significant decrease in 30-day and 1-year mortality was found (3.8% in 1986-1987 vs 2.0% in 2008 and 9.9% vs 6.3% respectively, p<0.0001 for both comparisons). CONCLUSIONS: During a period of 20 years, the characteristics and outcome of patients admitted to hospital with chest pain changed. The most important changes were a lower prevalence of ECG signs indicating acute myocardial ischemia on admission, shorter hospitalisation time and a lower 30-day and 1-year mortality.

Responsiveness of AF6, a new, short, validated, atrial fibrillation-specific questionnaire--symptomatic benefit of direct current cardioversion.

OBJECTIVES: To measure the effects on symptoms of electrical cardioversion (DC) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) by means of a new, short, validated, AF-specific questionnaire, the AF6. METHODS: One hundred eleven patients (67 ± 12 years, 89 men) were screened before and 12 ± 3 days after DC using AF6, covering 'breathing difficulties at rest', 'breathing difficulties on exertion', 'limitations in day-to-day life due to atrial fibrillation', 'feeling of discomfort due to atrial fibrillation', 'tiredness due to atrial fibrillation', and 'worry/anxiety due to atrial fibrillation'. A single global score was calculated. The Toronto AF Symptoms and Severity Check List (AFSS) and the generic SF-36 were also administered. Patients in sinus rhythm at 12 ± 3 days (n = 56) were defined as responders and patients in AF (n = 55) as non-responders. RESULTS: The mean single global score decreased in all patients (18 ± 12.4 to 13 ± 11.6, p < 0.0001) and in responders (22 ± 14 vs. 12 ± 12, p < 0.01) but not in non-responders (14 ± 9 vs. 14 ± 11, N.S). The AFSS frequency scores decreased from 14.5 ± 7.7 to 9.5 ± 7.8 in responders, p = 0.001, but not in non-responders. There was a strong correlation between changes in the AF6 and the SF-36 regarding four of the six items. Effect sizes of AF6 ranged from 0 to 0.52 in all patients, in responders from 0.10 to 0.85 and in non-responders from -0.23 to 0.34, the highest figures consistently referring to 'tiredness due to atrial fibrillation'. CONCLUSIONS: The symptom scores measured by AF6 decreased significantly, especially in responders. AF6 demonstrated adequate responsiveness to change, and effect sizes were mostly moderate, in responders moderate to high.

Music therapy to reduce pain and anxiety in children with cancer undergoing lumbar puncture: a randomized clinical trial.

A nonpharmacological method can be an alternative or complement to analgesics.The aim of this study was to evaluate if music medicine influences pain and anxiety in children undergoing lumbar punctures. A randomized clinical trial was used in 40 children (aged 7-12 years) with leukemia, followed by interviews in 20 of these participants. The participants were randomly assigned to a music group (n = 20) or control group (n = 20). The primary outcome was pain scores and the secondary was heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation measured before, during, and after the procedure. Anxiety scores were measured before and after the procedure. Interviews with open-ended questions were conducted in conjunction with the completed procedures. The results showed lower pain scores and heart and respiratory rates in the music group during and after the lumbar puncture. The anxiety scores were lower in the music group both before and after the procedure. The findings from the interviews confirmed the quantity results through descriptions of a positive experience by the children, including less pain and fear.

Evaluation of consultation training in hypertension care.

BACKGROUND: Nurses in hypertension care play an important role in minimising the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, but this care can be improved. AIM: To evaluate the content of nurses' consultations with hypertensive patients before and after consultation training. METHODS: Nineteen nurses from a randomised study of nurse-led hypertension clinics at health centres received three days of residential training in patient-centred counselling and cardiovascular prevention. To assess the result, two consultations with hypertensive patients in clinical practice before and after the training were audio-recorded. Content analysis was used for the analysis. RESULTS: Diet and exercise were the most frequent topics in the consultations both before and after the training. Discussions about alcohol and the patient's responsibility for treatment increased after the training. The time spent talking about various issues, other health problems, history and appointment scheduling decreased in the consultations after the training. CONCLUSION: After the consultation training, the nurses succeeded in emphasising important issues for risk factor control to a greater extent.

On the waiting list for possible coronary revascularisation. Symptoms relief during the first year and association between quality of life and the very long-term mortality risk.

AIM: To describe: a/ the improvement in quality of life (QoL) among patients on the waiting list for coronary revascularisation and b/ the association between QoL and very long-term mortality. PATIENTS: All patients on the waiting list for possible coronary revascularisation in western Sweden during one week in September 1990. METHODS: QoL was assessed at the start of the survey and one year later among patients who both were and were not revascularised. Survival data were gathered for the subsequent 14 years. RESULTS: From the start, 883 patients were evaluated in the survey. Among patients who were revascularised, an improvement was seen in all the aspects of QoL that were studied during the first year as compared with patients who were not revascularised, in whom only minor changes in QoL were seen during the first year. After one year, there were seven aspects of QoL which were significantly associated with the risk of death during the subsequent 14 years, when adjusting for age, sex, previous history and extent of coronary artery disease. They were: tiredness (OR=1.4), weakness (OR=1.5), lack of energy (OR=1.5), inability to react (OR=1.7), use of sedatives (OR=3.2), dyspnea when dressing (OR=2.1) and chest pain when dressing (OR=1.9). CONCLUSION: Among patients on the waiting list for possible coronary revascularisation, there was a marked improvement in QoL among those who were revascularised. In a variety of aspects of QoL, an association with the very long-term risk of death was observed.

Outcomes following a programme for lifestyle changes with people with hypertension.

AIM: The purpose of the study was to explore the effects of using a structured nursing intervention programme in hypertension care. BACKGROUND: Counselling on lifestyle changes to address hypertension helps patients reduce risk factors such as smoking, high alcohol consumption, overweight, dyslipidemia, negative stress and physical inactivity. DESIGN: The study was performed as a pre-test-post-test study. METHODS: All 177 patients diagnosed with hypertension visiting a health centre in Southern Sweden were invited to be counselled by a public health nurse about hypertension, cardiovascular risk factors and non-pharmacological treatment with 15 months follow up. RESULTS: One hundred patients participated in the study. Systolic blood pressure decreased overall (p < 0.01), three patients with high alcohol consumption were identified, two smokers stopped smoking, two new diabetics were discovered, physical activity increased (p = 0.035) and one-third of the patients changed their medication. CONCLUSION: The level of exercise increased and a reduction in systolic blood pressure and in women's weight were the most obvious results of this intervention study. The study elucidates the challenge of executing health behaviour changes. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Counselling following a hypertension programme gives hypertensive patients a chance to execute lifestyle changes and have their medication adjusted to achieve goals for blood pressure control. Further prospective studies in this area, with well-defined intervention approaches and several years of follow up, are necessary.

Counselling on lifestyle factors in hypertension care after training on the stages of change model.

BACKGROUND: In assisting the nurse's counselling on lifestyle changes in hypertension care a behaviour model can be used. AIM: To analyse the effects of nurses' training on the use of the stages of change model when counselling hypertensive patients to perform lifestyle changes. METHODS: As part of a randomised, controlled trial, 19 nurses belonging to the intervention group took part in video-recorded consultation training with simulated patients. To evaluate the training, the nurses audio-recorded their consultations with two patients before and after the intervention. Analysis focused on the areas of non-pharmacological treatment and the nurses' attention to the patients' readiness for change. RESULTS: Patient participation in the consultations increased after the training. The importance of non-pharmacological treatment was mentioned more frequently for all areas of lifestyle behaviour, exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption, food and stress, and the nurses acquired a more distinct structure for their consultations. The mean length of the recorded consultations increased from 18 min to 20.5 min. All the criteria for fulfillment of attention to patient's readiness to change were met in nine consultations before the training and in seven after it. After the training, attention was paid to support more frequently than before in the action and maintenance stages and a great deal of information was provided.