Pediatric Nurses\u27 Perception of Workload in a Large System Infusion Center

Abstract In this large system infusion center, there is not a current acuity-based scheduling system. The nurses’ workload is directly impacted by the way patients are scheduled. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to gain an understanding of nurses’ perception of their workload throughout the day. The goal is to understand perceptions to drive improvements in the way patients are scheduled. A descriptive cross-sectional design was conducted using survey methodology, demographics and five open- ended questions. The Individual Workload Perception Scale-Revised tool was used to measure manager support, peer support, unit support, workload, intent to stay, and overall nurse satisfaction. Cronbach’s Alpha for each of these domains ranged from 0.64 to 0.93. The five open- ended questions were directly inquiring about what makes the best workday, the worse workday, what affects their workload, and what takes the most time during their workday. A convenience sample size of 44 nurses completed the survey which was an 88% response rate. Regression analysis found a statistical significance between peer support, unit support, workload, and the intent to stay. Pearson correlation showed a moderate positive correlation with nurse satisfaction and intent to stay (p =.000). The survey results were overall positive. The open-ended questions revealed overarching themes. The scheduling of patients and teamwork affects their workday. If the schedule is level loaded and there is good teamwork that day the nurses are satisfied. If the schedule is not level loaded and there is not good teamwork the nurses are dissatisfied. These results can be used to support the continued improvement of how patients are scheduled. Phase two of this project is to build and implement an acuity-based scheduling system to improve level loading of patients throughout the day. Key words: acuity-based scheduling, pediatric nurse perception, workload, DNP Projec

Student Activism Now Documented

Paper given as part of the session STANDING Together: Collaborating to Document Student Activism of Historically Marginalized Communities at Together We Can: New England Archivists Spring 2019 Meeting on April 6, 2019 in Burlington, VT. Paper provides an overview of Project STAND (Student Activism Now Documented), its goals and methodology. It also discusses the IMLS National Leadership Grant for Libraries-funded STAND Symposia with takeaways from the February 2019 Atlanta, GA symposium (including quotes from participants) and plans for the June 2019 Rhode Island symposium. More information about Project STAND (Student Activism Now Documented) is available at https://standarchives.com

Records Disposition without Retention Schedules or, Records Management Inaction: A Legacy

An archivist’s take on dealing with records management issues in the absence of adequate schedules and without a records manager. Its primary focus is on university records that are also (state) government records. Paper given at the National Association of Government Archivists and Records Administrators (NAGARA) Spring Online Forum on May 4, 2018 as part of the session Records Management in Action: Two Case Studies moderated by J. Hadlock

Centering the Marginal: Toward Inclusivity in the Documentation of Student Struggle Opening Remarks

Opening remarks for the Centering the Marginal: Toward Inclusivity in the Documentation of Student Struggle, a Project STAND symposium, which took place at URI\u27s Carothers Library on June 3, 2019. Remarks include land acknowledgement and a brief discussion of URI\u27s library as the seat of and inspiration for student protest. The symposium was sponsored by the Institute for Museum and Library Services, the University of Illinois, and the University of Rhode Island Libraries. More information about Project STAND (Student Activism Now Documented) is available at https://standarchives.com

Toward Inclusivity in the Documentation of Student Struggle: Continuing the Discussion

This article situates STANDing Together: Collaborating to Document Student Activism of Historically Marginalized Communities (an April 2019 presentation by archivists from Connecticut College, University of Connecticut, and the University of Rhode Island) within a larger context. It (re)introduces readers to the work of Project STAND (Student Activism Now Documented) and invites them to continue the discussion started at STANDING Together by attending one of the IMLS National Leadership Grant for Libraries-funded STAND Symposia

Plate waste in hospitals and strategies for change

Plate waste in hospitals refers to the served food that remains uneaten by patients. High levels of plate waste contribute to malnutrition-related complications in hospital, and there are also financial and environmental costs. Plate waste is typically measured by weighing food or by visual estimation of the amount of food remaining on the plate, with results presented as the percentage by weight of the served food, or by calculating the protein, energy or monetary value of the waste. Results from 32 studies in hospitals show a median plate waste of 30% by weight (range: 6-65%), much higher than in other foodservice settings. Levels are lower in hospitals using a bulk food delivery system compared to plated meal delivery. Reasons for these high levels can relate to the clinical condition of patients, food and menu issues (such as poor food quality, inappropriate portion sizes, and limited menu choice), service issues (including difficulty accessing food and complex ordering systems), and environmental factors (such as inappropriate meal times, interruptions, and unpleasant ward surroundings). Strategies to minimize waste include reduced portion sizes with food fortification, bulk meal delivery system, feeding assistance, provision of dining rooms, and protected meal times

Warning! : packaging can damage your health

Previous work by the authors has shown that access to packaging in hospitals can influence the nutritional status of patients. This work indicated that five particular pack forms performed badly and that the issue surrounding poor access was both linked to strength and dexterity. The study presented here looks at initial work undertaken to examine the dexterity needed to access these problematic packaging and examine methods for measuring users dexterity. To that end a Purdue Pegboard, questionnaires, HSV and task analysis were used. This work showed that there was a direct link between the reduction in dexterity and the time taken to open a pack. Further, packs that required multiple stages and complex actions were more likely to be ranked as problematic and cause problems for patients and staff. Significantly, even users with poor dexterity were however, able to open the packs. This is consistent with work undertaken by Sangar (2011) that showed users who had very poor dexterity and who had their medication decanted could with some effort open their medication. This leads to the conclusion that inability to open the packs is a function of the dexterity, time taken and motivation. In a hospital setting the 'wellness' and posture of the patient may affect dexterity and hence increase time. The degree of 'wellness' is also likely to contribute to reduced motivation

\u27While we can, we will\u27: exploring food choice and dietary behaviour amongst independent older Australians

Aim Burgeoning proportions of populations aged over 65 years impose an increased financial burden upon governments for the provision of associated health and aged-care services. Strategies are therefore required to mitigate service demand through the preservation of good health and independence into old age. Nutrition has been acknowledged as a key factor for realisation of this goal. The objective of the present study was to investigate factors responsible for shaping food shopping, cooking and eating behaviours amongst healthy, independently living Australians aged 60 years and over. Methods Eighteen (5 male, 13 female) independently living residents sourced from three low-care Illawarra Retirement Trust (IRT) lifestyle residential facilities volunteered to take part in the present study. All participants were aged 60 years or more and in relatively good health. Semi-structured focus groups were implemented to explore factors influencing the selection, acquisition and preparation of food. Each session was digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and subsequently examined using content and thematic analysis. Results Ten sub-themes were identified and grouped into three broader themes: adaptation, psychosocial parameters and food landscape. Findings reflect an active self-determination to retain independence, with a focus on the maintenance of favourable nutritional status. A sense of resourcefulness was evident through the development of strategies to overcome potential barriers to healthy eating. Conclusions Factors that influence the food choices of community-living older Australians are complex and multifactorial, and underpinned by a strong desire for independence and control over personal health outcomes. Studies involving larger, more demographically diverse participant groups are required to elicit socially acceptable strategies that will empower older Australians to sustain their health and independence for the longer term

Usability of Food and Beverage Packs in Hospital - Experiences from the Renal Ward

Abstract presented at The 21st IAPRI World Conference on Packaging, 19-22 June 2018, Zhuhai, Chin

Educators’ experiences of their relationships with adolescents involved in drug use

Substance use amongst learners in South Africa has become a significant problem, with relationships between educators and learners being seriously challenged. Educators are often in a position to notice changes in the behaviour of learners and are able to provide support and assistance. A phenomenological, explorative study was undertaken and in-depth interviews were conducted with 16 educators from a secondary school in a high-risk community in the Western Cape. In addition, a World Café group discussion was used in order to tap the participants’ collective wisdom. The data was analysed thematically – using positive psychology as a conceptual framework. This focuses not only on what is wrong or pathological, but rather on what is positive, attempting to nurture resilience and strengths in individuals and communities. Two main themes emerged: challenges to the educator-learner relationships, and the educators’ skills and strengths in nurturing positive relationships. It was found that educators’ personal well-being is important in order for them to deal with these challenging interactions. Educators used a number of skills and strengths in order to overcome challenges and to foster positive educator-learner relationships. A recommendation for future research is to explore the experiences of learners who have used drugs, and sought support from educators, focusing in particular on what aspects hindered and/or facilitated the relationship between them.Keywords: adolescents; drug use; educator-learner relationships; positive psychology; relational well-bein