Implementation of Acceptance Commitment Therapy on a Mood Disorder Unit: A Quality Improvement Project.

The current quality improvement project was conducted on an adult, short-term inpatient psychiatric unit to improve the consistency and structure of group sessions. The aim of the current project was the implementation of groups that were consistent with an acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) framework. Following staff education and discussion, ACT focused groups were systematically introduced into patient schedules. Patient responses to groups were monitored by the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II (AAQII) and patients' perception of the group experience. Data gathered indicated patients' positive perception of new group programming. Patients' AAQII scores showed a slight improvement, particularly psychological flexibility. Findings indicate ACT is an appropriate and useful framework for individuals hospitalized on inpatient psychiatric units. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 57(11), 22-27.].

Casualties from terrorist bombings

The physical factors responsible for injury following an explosion in a room or building are: direct exposure to overpressure; blast-induced whole body displacement; impact od blast energized debris; burns from flash and hot gases. The patterns of injury seen in the casualties from four terrorist bombings are described to illustrate the types and severity of particular wounds. The most common fatal injury is brain damage; blast lung is uncommon in civilian terrorist bombings; flash burns, fractures, serious soft-tissue damage, and eardrum injuries are seen in people close to the bomb, who usually require hospital admission; many others taken to hospital can be treated for injury by debris and released. The environment and its internal structure and the position of the occupants of the space can influence the type and severity of injuries (AU)