Exploring the role of organizational policies and procedures in promoting research utilization in registered nurses

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Policies and procedures (P&Ps) have been suggested as one possible strategy for moving research evidence into practice among nursing staff in hospitals. Research in the area of P&Ps is limited, however. This paper explores: 1) nurses' use of eight specific research-based practices (RBPs) and RBP overall, 2) nurses' use and understanding of P&Ps, and 3) the role of P&Ps in promoting research utilization.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Staff nurses from the eight health regions governing acute care services across the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador completed an anonymous questionnaire regarding their use of eight RBPs and associated P&Ps. Data were also obtained from authorities in six of the eight regions about existing relevant P&Ps. We used descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analysis to assess the relationship between key independent variables and self-reported use of RBP.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Use of the eight RBPs ranged from 7.8% to 88.6%, depending on the practice. Nurses ranked P&P manuals as their number one source of practice knowledge. Most respondents (84.8%) reported that the main reason they consult the P&P manual is to confirm they are practicing according to agency rules. Multivariate regression analysis identified three significant predictors of being a user versus non-user of RBP overall: awareness, awareness by regular use, and persuasion. Six significant predictors of being a consistent versus less consistent user of RBP overall were also identified: perception of P&P existence, unit, nursing experience, personal experience as a source of practice knowledge, number of existing research-based P&Ps, and lack of time as a barrier to consulting P&P manuals.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Findings suggest that nurses use P&Ps to guide their practice. However, the mere existence of P&Ps is not sufficient to translate research into nursing practice. Individual and organizational factors related to nurses' understanding and use of P&Ps also play key roles. Thus, moving research evidence into practice will require careful interplay between the organization and the individual. P&Ps may be the interface through which this occurs.</p

NK cells and cancer: you can teach innate cells new tricks

Natural killer (NK) cells are the prototype innate lymphoid cells endowed with potent cytolytic function that provide host defence against microbial infection and tumours. Here, we review evidence for the role of NK cells in immune surveillance against cancer and highlight new therapeutic approaches for targeting NK cells in the treatment of cancer

Divergent dynamics and the Kauzmann temperature in glass forming systems

In the last decade the challenging analysis of previtreous behavior of relaxation time (Ï.,(T)) in ultraviscous low molecular weight liquids led to the conceptual shift of the glass transition physics toward theories not predicting a finite-temperature divergence. This "breakthrough" experimental finding was strengthened by the discovery that "dynamic "(i.e. from τ(T) fitting) and thermodynamic estimations of the ideal glass (Kauzmann) temperature do not match, what in fact questioned its existence. In this report, due to the novel way of analysis based on the transformation of τ(T) experimental data to the activation energy temperature index form, the clear prevalence of the finite-temperature divergence is proved. The obtained dynamic singular temperatures clearly coincide with thermodynamic estimations of the Kauzmann temperature, thus solving also the second mystery. The comprehensive picture was obtained due to the analysis of 55 experimental data-sets, ranging from low molecular weight liquids and polymers to liquid crystal and plastic crystals

Surgical management of anterior vaginal wall prolapse: an evidencebased literature review

The aim of this review is to summarize the available literature on surgical management of anterior vaginal wall prolapse. A Medline search from 1966 to 2004 and a hand-search of conference proceedings of the International Continence Society and International Urogynecological Association from 2001 to 2004 were performed. The success rates for the anterior colporrhaphy vary widely between 37 and 100%. Augmentation with absorbable mesh (polyglactin) significantly increases the success rate for anterior vaginal wall prolapse. Abdominal sacrocolpopexy combined with paravaginal repair significantly reduced the risk for further cystocele surgery compared to anterior colporrhaphy and sacrospinous colpopexy. The abdominal and vaginal paravaginal repair have success rates between 76 and 100%, however, no randomized trials have been performed. There is currently no evidence to recommend the routine use of any graft in primary repairs, and possible improved anatomical out-comes have to be tempered againstcomplications including mesh erosions, infections and dyspareunia