Marcinkowski, K., & McDonald, B. (2006). Changing blood transfusion practice in elective joint arthroplasty: A nursing initiative. Nursing Praxis in New Zealand, 22(3), 15–21.
Abstract: This study analysed the use of re-infusion drains on 99 consecutive patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty surgery at a large hospital. The primary aim was to ascertain the cost effectiveness of the drains. Secondary aims were to assess safety of the drains, whether or not they reduced the need for allogeneic blood transfusion and whether they decreased the length of stay in hospital. As a control group the records of 99 patients treated without re-infusion were analysed retrospectively. The direct cost of consumables increased for the evaluation period. There was a smaller proportion of allogeneic blood transfusion (27% vs 38%) and a smaller mean number of units transfused (0.92 vs 0.54) in the re-infusion group compared to the control group. Patients benefited directly in that the mean length of stay was also significantly shorter in the re-infusion group. The researchers anticipate more direct cost saving with experience and best practice and conclude that the use of re-infusion drains is a cost effective blood saving method in total knee joint arthroplasty.
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Prebble, K., & McDonald, B. (1997). Adaptation to the mental health setting: the lived experience of comprehensive nurse graduates. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 6(1), 30–36.
Abstract: The aim of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore the experience of new comprehensive nursing graduates as they adapted to working in the acute psychiatric setting. Interviews were conducted with four participants, focussing on their current work experiences and how the philosophical beliefs and values derived from their educational preparation fit with those they encountered within the practice setting. The data were analysed by noting common experiences, values and meanings and identifying the themes as they emerged. The themes were: transition to practice, conflict, contradiction, structural constraints, and the reality of the psychiatric setting. The results of the study confirm the concern that has been voiced by new graduates about the quality and quantity of current orientation programmes. Conflicting values and beliefs concerning the nature of mental health/psychiatric nursing has also become evident. It appears that the graduates' Comprehensive nursing preparation may have contributed to their feelings of unease as they attempted to fit their own values and beliefs about nursing with those of the acute psychiatric setting
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