Medication calculation skills of graduating nursing students within European context.

To access publisher's full text version of this article, please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links field or click on the hyperlink at the top of the page marked DownloadAim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the medication calculation skills of graduating nursing students in six European countries and analyse the associated factors. Background: Medication calculation skills are fundamental to medication safety, which is a substantial part of patient safety. Previous studies have raised concerns about the medication calculation skills of nurses and nursing students. Design: As part of a broader research project, this study applies a multinational cross-sectional survey design with three populations: graduating nursing students, nurse managers and patients. Methods: The students performed two calculations (tablet and fluid) testing medication calculation skills requiring different levels of conceptual understanding and arithmetic. The managers and patients answered one question about the students' medication kills. In total, 1,796 students, 538 managers and 1,327 patients participated the study. The data were analysed statistically. The STROBE guideline for cross-sectional studies was applied. Results: Almost all (99%) of the students performed the tablet calculation correctly, and the majority (71%) answered the fluid calculation correctly. Older age, a previous degree in health care and satisfaction with their current degree programme was positively associated with correct fluid calculations. The patients evaluated the students' medication skills higher than the nurse managers did and the evaluations were not systematically aligned with the calculation skills tested. Conclusions: Nursing students have the skills to perform simple medication calculations, but a significant number of students have difficulties with calculations involving multiple operations and a higher level of conceptual understanding. Due to the variation in students' medication calculation skills and the unalignment between the managers' and patients' evaluations and the calculation tests, further research is needed. Relevance to clinical practice: Graduating nursing students enter clinical field as qualified professionals, but there is still room for improvement in their medication calculation skills. This calls for attention in the fields of clinical nursing, education and research. Keywords: drug dosage calculations; graduating nursing students; medication calculation skills; nurse managers; patients.Academy of Finland European Commissio

Computer-aided evaluation of polarization properties of optical elements

W artykule przedstawiono metodologię i wyniki pomiarów macierzy Muellera wybranych włókien światłowodowych zrealizowanych z wykorzystaniem autorskiego, specjalistycznego oprogramowania sterującego. Oprogramowanie to umożliwia zdalny i szybki pomiar oraz automatyczne wyznaczenie interesujących wielkości fizycznych opisujących badane włókna. Pomiar macierzy Muellera przeprowadzano w konfiguracji układowej: źródło światła, specjalizowany światłowodowy generator stanu polaryzacji, badane włókno oraz polarymetr z wejściem światłowodowym.The rapid development of telecommunication and sensor technology requires more comprehensive evaluation of the optical properties of optical components used. At present it seems that in both groups of applications, obtaining information about the polarization properties of fiber-optic components used in an optical path plays an increasing role. This leads to the need for ever more sophisticated measurement techniques in which the key issue is to use a computer performing functions of control, reading and processing data. In this paper a methodology and experimental results of Mueller matrices measurements of optical fibres based on specially designed software are presented. The successive sections present: the theoretical basis of the measurement method, the measurement system, description of the library I/O - VISA and the measurement results. The developed software allows for remote and fast measurements as well as control of all devices in the measurement system. A Mueller matrix was measured based on the following configuration: a laser light source, an optical fibre polarization generator, a tested optical fibre and a polarimeter with an optical fibre adapter (Fig. 1). The presented preliminary results are satisfactory and give a very good perspective for building a measurement system that will allow for automatic characterization of not only the polarization properties of optical fibers, but also passive components made based on them. The described measurement system will be used as a base for developing the system enabling full characterization of fiber optic components with special reference to their polarizing properties

Mixtures of selected n-alkanes and Au nanoparticels for optical fiber threshold temperature transducers

Thermo-optic properties enhancement of the bi-stable temperature threshold sensors based on a partially filled photonic crystal fiber was reported. Previously tested transducers filled with a selected group of pure n-alkanes had in most cases differences between switching ON and OFF states. Therefore, the modification of filling material by using additional crystallization centers in the form of gold nanoparticles was applied to minimize this undesirable effect. The evaluation of the thermodynamic properties of pentadecane and its mixtures with 14 nm spherical Au nanoparticles based on the differential scanning calorimetry measurements was presented. Optical properties analysis of sensors prepared with these mixtures has shown that they are bounded with refractive index changes of the filling material. Particular sensor switches ON before melting process begins and switches OFF before crystallization starts. Admixing next group of n-alkanes with these nanoparticles allows to design six sensors transducers which change ON and OFF states at the same temperature. Thus, the transducers with a wider temperature range for fiber-optic multi-threshold temperature sensor tests will be used

Preliminary studies on the reaction of growing geese (Anser anser f. domestica) to the proximity of wind turbines

Abstract Wind farms produce electricity without causing air pollution and environmental degradation. Unfortunately, wind turbines are a source of infrasound, which may cause a number of physiological effects, such as an increase in cortisol and catecholamine secretion. The impact of infrasound noise, emitted by wind turbines, on the health of geese and other farm animals has not previously been evaluated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of noise, generated by wind turbines, on the stress parameters (cortisol) and the weight gain of geese kept in surrounding areas. The study consisted of 40 individuals of 5-week-old domestic geese Anser anser f domestica, divided into 2 equal groups. The first experimental gaggle (I) remained within 50 m from turbine and the second one (II) within 500 m. During the 12 weeks of the study, noise measurements were also taken. Weight gain and the concentration of cortisol in blood were assessed and significant differences in both cases were found. Geese from gaggle I gained less weight and had a higher concentration of cortisol in blood, compared to individuals from gaggle II. Lower activity and some disturbing changes in behavior of animals from group I were noted. Results of the study suggest a negative effect of the immediate vicinity of a wind turbine on the stress parameters of geese and their productivity