Home-based nursing care competencies: A scoping review.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To identify and consolidate the available evidence about nursing-related competencies for home-based care. BACKGROUND: Over recent years, the demand for home-based nursing care has increased because of the need to meet the increasing need for chronic disease care to be delivered in patients' homes. However, knowledge is lacking about the expected competencies for home-based care nurses. DESIGN: A scoping review was conducted in accordance with Arksey and O'Malley's six-step scoping review framework and the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The review identified literature using five electronic databases (CINAHL, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane and Scopus) and a hand search for grey literature in relevant home-based care journals and online searches. Key search terms and inclusion and exclusion criteria were used as strategies to identify relevant articles. RESULTS: Sixty-four articles were eligible for inclusion. Mapping and narrative synthesis of 116 elements related to home-based nursing care competencies identified the following 10 competencies: (1) care assessments; (2) performance of nursing procedures; (3) management of health conditions; (4) critical thinking and problem-solving skills; (5) interpersonal relationships and communication; (6) interdisciplinary collaboration; (7) leadership and resource management; (8) professional development; (9) technological literacy; (10) quality and safety. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This review provides insight into current knowledge about home-based nursing care competencies. These competencies could be used to evaluate nurses' competence level for home-based care or for development of appropriate professional education. The review also outlines the scope of nursing practice in home-based care, which provides support for some form of standardisation of home-based nursing care expectations across various stakeholders.

Home-based care nurses' lived experiences and perceived competency needs: A phenomenological study.

AIM: The aim of this work is to explore home-based care nurses' practice experiences in order to understand their competency and needs. BACKGROUND: The demand for home-based care is increasing in many countries. Nurses perform a broader range of competencies with a significant degree of independence in home-based care. However, little is known about nurses' day-to-day experiences and their perceived competency and needs. METHODS: The study adopted a descriptive phenomenological design. Individual interviews with 17 nurses from four service providers were performed. Colaizzi's analysis method was used for data analysis. Reflective diary approaches were adopted to guide the bracketing process. RESULTS: Following data analysis, four themes emerged: (1) Full spectrum of patient care, (2) autonomy in nursing practice, (3) beliefs in person-centred care and (4) enhancing supportive systems. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest a need for better understanding of the broader scope of nursing practice in home-based care to improve nurses' transition experience. This includes performing autonomous assessments, making decisions and managing social related matters. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: It should be a priority to identify a clear scope of practices in home-based nursing care in order for organizations to improve nurses' readiness for and experiences in home-based care. Nursing leaders should also expand practical experience opportunities in home-based care to transitioning nurses with supportive workplace systems.

Quaternary ammonium silane (k21) based intracanal medicament triggers biofilm destruction.

BACKGROUND: Compare antimicrobial efficacy of a quarternary ammonium silane (QAS)/k21 as an intracanal medicament against E. faecalis and C. albicans biofilms formed on root dentin. METHODOLOGY: Dentin blocks were sterilized and E. faecalis and C. albicans microbial colonies were counted for colony-forming-units against 2%k21, 2%CHX and Ca(OH)2 medicaments. Biofilm colonies after 7 days on dentin were analysed using confocal laser scanning microscopy with live/dead bacterial viability staining. TEM was done to study dentin collagen matrix. Dentin discs from 3rd day and 7th day well plate was used for Raman spectra and observed under fluorescent-microscope. Docking studies were carried out on MMP-2 S1 binding-domain with k21. RESULTS: There was reduction of E. faecalis/C. albicans when k21, chlorhexidine and calcium hydroxide were used with highest percentage in 2%k21 treated specimens. 2%k21 showed dense and regular collagen network with intact cross-banding and decreased Raman intensity for 2%k21 on 3rd day. NaOCl + k21 showed least adherence, whereas saline groups showed highest adherence of E. faecalis and C. albicans to root-canal dentin. Alizarin red staining of hDPSCs revealed calcium deposition in all groups with significant difference seen amongst 2%k21 groups. MMP-2 ligand binding was seen accurately indicating possible target sites for k21 intervention. CONCLUSION: 2%k21 can be considered as alternative intracanal medicament.

Complexities and Challenges of Singapore Nurses Providing Postacute Home Care in Multicultural Communities: A Grounded Theory Study.

INTRODUCTION: Studies are needed to inform the preparation of community nurses to address patient behavioral and social factors contributing to unnecessary readmissions to hospital. This study uses nurses' input to understand challenges faced during home care, to derive a framework to address the challenges. METHODS: Semistructured interviews were conducted to saturation with 16 community nurses in Singapore. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and transcripts independently coded for emergent themes. Themes were interpreted using grounded theory. RESULTS: Seven major themes emerged from 16 interviews: Strained social relationships, complex care decision-making processes within families, communication barriers, patient's or caregiver neglect of health issues, building and maintaining trust, trial-and-error nature of work, and dealing with uncertainty. DISCUSSION: Community nurses identified uncertainty arising from complexities in social-relational, personal, and organizational factors as a central challenge. Nursing education should focus on navigating and managing uncertainty at the personal, patient, and family levels.

Learning Needs of Hospitalized Patients With Heart Failure in Singapore: A Descriptive Correlational Study.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the learning needs of patients with heart failure (HF) is important in reducing the incidence of HF-related hospital readmissions. Sociocultural differences are known to influence patient learning needs. However, most HF learning needs studies have been conducted on Western populations. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the learning needs of hospitalized patients with HF in Singapore. METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive correlational design was adopted using a questionnaire survey that included the Heart Failure Learning Needs Inventory and sociodemographic and clinical datasheets. A convenience sample of 97 patients with HF was recruited from an acute hospital in Singapore. RESULTS: Findings revealed that education topics relating to signs and symptoms, risk factors, general HF information, and medications were perceived by participants as the most important. Contrastingly, education topics relating to diet, activity, and psychological factors were poorly valued. The only significant demographic factor that was correlated to the patients' learning needs was monthly household income, which correlated to education on HF risk factors and general HF information. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the necessity of carefully prioritizing patient education topics in line with patient learning needs. Furthermore, education should be culturally sensitive and take into account the unique values, needs, and situations of patients.

Postnatal experiences and support needs of first-time mothers in Singapore: a descriptive qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES: to explore first-time mothers' postnatal experiences and support needs after hospital discharge in Singapore. DESIGN AND SETTING: a descriptive qualitative study was adopted in this study. Participants were recruited from a public tertiary hospital in Singapore. Semi-structured interviews were used for data collection and the interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. PARTICIPANTS: a purposive sample of 13 English-speaking first-time mothers of age 21 years and above were interviewed within 7-11 days after their hospital discharge. FINDINGS: five themes emerged from the thematic analysis: (1) mixed emotions: participants experienced anxiety, labile emotions and stress over infant care; (2) breast feeding concerns: low breast milk supply and physical discomfort; (3) social support: many participants had sufficient social support from family members except their husbands; (4) cultural postnatal practice: majority of participants followed traditional postnatal practices of their culture; and (5) professional support needs: participants needed more information, access to health care services and continuity of care. CONCLUSIONS: this study highlighted the importance of providing professional postnatal care to first-time mothers after their discharge from the hospital. Future studies are needed to explore new practices that will enhance the quality of maternity health care and promote positive maternal experiences and well-being in Singapore. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: there is a need for more innovative advertisement to promote antenatal classes and improve attendance rate. Health care providers should assist women in establishing proper breast feeding techniques. Alternative models of care in the postnatal period, such as midwifery-led care, could facilitate a more woman-centred approach. Postnatal home visits may be considered within the first week of the mothers' hospital discharge, which may be legislated by public health care policies.