Patients with disturbances in consciousness as observed by clinical nurses: Analysis of nursing records

The objective of the present study was to discuss patients with disturbances in consciousness by analyzing nursing records. Observations from clinical nurses as well as patients’ responses about their care were selected from nursing records. Nursing records from one week of patient care were examined for patients who were unable to speak during hospitalization within a neuro-surgery ward of the hospital. Selected records were classified into the following eight categories: results from monitoring;results from observation;opening and moving the eyes to stimulus;movement of the limbs to stimulus;vocalization to stimulus;facial expression to stimulus;patient’s response to care;and miscellaneous. Patients comprised two groups. One group encompassed eight patients with Japan Coma Scale (JCS) II and the other was a group of eight patients with JCS III. When nurses use the JCS to assess patients with disturbances in consciousness, patients who awaken to stimulus are classified as JCS II, while those who do not are JCS III. The total nursing records selected for JCS II were 1551 and 1160 for JCS III. The category of “results from monitoring” was the most selected category within nursing records and accounted for 42.8% of the JCS III group, while “results from observation” accounted for 38.4% of the JCS II group. Furthermore, results indicated that the categories of “results from monitoring”, “results from observation”, and “movement of the limbs for stimulus” had peaked after two to three days, and then abruptly decreased. There were only a few records for the categories of “vocalization to stimulus” and “facial expression to stimulus”, both for the JCS II and the JCS III groups. Even though patients could not verbally indicate their intentions due to problems with consciousness, it is essential for nurses to pay careful attention to the details of patients’ reactions.

The Characteristic of Nurses’ Eye Movements during Observation of Patients with Disturbed Consciousness

Objective: The objective of this study was to clarify the characteristics of nurses’ eye movements during observation of patients with disturbed consciousness by comparing intuition ability, critical thinking, and clinical experience years. Methods: Participants were 19 nurses working on a neurosurgery ward in Japan and caring for patients with consciousness disturbance who were unable to speak. Ten novice nurses (24.8 ± 3.36 years old) and nine expert nurses (38.3 ± 5.77 years old) were compared. The observation scene, displayed on a computer screen, was a static image of a simulated patient in a resting state who had developed right putaminal hemorrhage. We showed the participants an information sheet about the simulated patient then used an eye tracking camera to analyze gaze points, gaze time, and gaze count during observation. The Kuroda Intrinsic Intuitive Ability Scale (KIIS) created by Kawahara and the Critical Thinking Disposition Scale created by Hirayama were used for measuring intrinsic intuition ability and critical thinking disposition. Results: There were no significant differences between observation time of novices (5.0 ± 2.01 minutes) and experts (5.4 ± 1.78 minutes), nor between their total gaze time and total count. The proportion of gazing at the monitor by novice nurses and gazing at the face and bed fences by expert nurses tended to be high. The KIIS general education score influenced the gaze time and gaze count during simulated patient observation. The KIIS logical thinking score affected the gaze count to the simulated patient’s face. Conclusion: There was no significant difference between the total gaze time and the total count of novices and experts. The KIIS score affected the gaze during observation of the simulated patient.

Neuronal activation by acupuncture at Yongquan(KI1) and sham acupoints in patients with disorder of consciousness: a positron emission tomography study

Disorder of consciousness （DOC） is one of the most serious sequelae of brain injury, and is challenging for neurologists and rehabilitation special- ists to manage because of its refractory nature （Whyte et al., 2013）. Acu- puncture is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that is often used to help improve the level of consciousness in patients with DOC. However, the responses to stimulation of acupoints in patients with DOC are not fully understood.

The Impact of Nursing Staff’s Work Attitude on the Fear of Patients Recovering from Benign Tumors:Family Support as a Mediating Variable

The perception of nursing staff’s attitude influences patient fear.Understanding this dynamic is crucial for fostering a supportive environment conducive to patient well-being and effective healthcare practices.The purpose of this research is to investigate how the attitudes and behaviours of nursing staff influence the fear and anxiety levels of patients recovering from benign tumors,aiming to improve patient care and recovery outcomes.Data was collected from a sample of 100 participants,comprising 20 nursing staff and 80 patients recovering from benign tumors.Surveys were administered to gather quantitative data on attitudes and fear levels.Participants were selected randomly from hospital records and outpatient clinics.Our analysis encompassed nursing staff attitude,patient fear levels,the influence of family support,progression of tumor recovery,patient-reported satisfaction,and the quality of healthcare services provided.The quantitative aspect utilized PLS-SEM software to perform regression analysis,evaluating both direct and indirect effects.Statistical analysis assessed the relationships between nursing staff attitudes,patient fear during benign tumor recovery,and the mediating role of family support.The findings of the study demonstrate that better nurse attitudes(Hypothesis 1,β=0.45,p<0.001)and stronger family support(Hypothesis 2,β=0.32;p<0.001) are linked to lower levels of patient fear.Partially mediating the relationship between nurse attitudes and patient fear,according to Hypothesis 3(β=0.28,p<0.002),is family support.Patients’perceptions of family support are highly influenced by nursing behaviour,as demonstrated by Hypothesis 4(β=0.38;p<0.001).Our research showed a strong relationship between the attitudes of nursing personnel and patient fear levels.Family support demonstrated a strong mediating effect on patient fear.Patient-reported satisfaction is positively correlated with family support.However,no significant relationship was found between healthcare service quality and patient fear.

The Alzheimer’s Dementia Patients’ Observed Illness Course and Experience in Ghana and Care Lessons to Be Learnt: A Mental Health Professional’s Perspective

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and associated dementia patient numbers continue to increase globally with associated economic costs to healthcare systems. Of note is the increase in numbers in lower and middle-income countries (LMICs) including Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries, which already face challenges with their health budgets from communicable and non-communicable diseases. Ghana, an SSA country, faces the problem of healthcare budgetary difficulties and the additional impact of AD as a consequence of increasing population strata of old aged persons (OAPs) due to the demographic transition effect. This article uses examples of known patients’ illness courses to give a perspective on the lived experience of patients with dementia (PWD) in Ghana, living amongst a populace with a culture of stigmatization of PWD, and a relatively fragile public mental health system (PMHS) for those with mental illness, including AD. The lived experience of AD patients is characterised by stigmatisation, discrimination, non-inclusiveness, diminished dignity and human rights abuses in the face of their mental disability, and eventually death. This article is an advocacy article giving voice to the voiceless and all persons suffering from AD and other dementias in Ghana, whilst pleading for a call to action from healthcare professionals and responsible state agencies.

Expectations and Level of Satisfaction of the Patient with Parkinson’s Disease Undergoing Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery at the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an established treatment for patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD). Reports show continued patient satisfaction after surgery despite not maintaining clinical improvement as measured by evolution scales. Objectives: The present study sought to explore expectations and level of satisfaction in patients after DBS surgery with a semi-structured questionnaire and subsequent correlation with functional scales, Quality of Life (QoL), and motor and non-motor symptoms. Methods: We performed descriptive statistics to represent demographic data, Wilcoxon rank tests to determine significant differences, and Spearman correlation between the applied scales. Results: We evaluated 20 patients with a history of DBS surgery. 45% were female, with a mean age of 55.7 ± 14.15 years, a mean disease duration of 13.42 ± 8.3 years, and a mean time after surgery of 3.18 ± 1.86 years. Patients reported surgery meeting expectations in 85.5% and continued satisfaction in 92%. These two variables showed a significant correlation. Conclusions: This sample of patients remained satisfied after DBS surgery, although we found no differences in motor and non-motor clinimetric scales. Further studies are needed to confirm the importance of assessing quality of life in patients with DBS.

Research of Social Problems under Global Vision, Local Consciousness and People＇s Standard --Take analysis of the design intention of individual account as example

In the study of social problems, it is important to realize the organic combination of global view, local people standard,, which plays an important role in handing and understanding specific social problems undoubtedly. This article takes our country＇s public pension personal account as example ,analyzing how to realize the combination of all three in the whole research process of the individual account.

CHINA'S SELF-CONFIDENCE AND CONSCIOUSNESS IN GLOBAL GOVERNANCE

'China should make greater contributions to mankind.'Such contributions are now to be found more and more on the level of global governance.As General Secretary Xi Jinping observed in his New Year Address of 2016,'the world is too big,and challenges are too many,to go without the voice from China being heard,without solution ideas from China being shared,without the involvement of China being needed'.

Kezia's Consciousness and Unconsciousness in The Doll's House

The Doll's House is one of the most famous representatives of Katherine Mansfield. She makes use of simple words to tell the story, but she vividly depicts the reality that the discrimination to the poor still exists. This phenomenon influences not only the world of adult but also the world of children. Kezia is the protagonist in The Doll's House. She is different from other members in her family. Although she is influenced by the canons in the adult world, she is not totally assimilated by these invisible principles. Kezia's consciousness and unconsciousness play important roles in indicating Katherine Mansfield's attitude towards the discrimination which she doesn't express directly. By analyzing Kezia's these two aspects in her mind, people's attention to the poor can be called and people's kindness and sympathy to them can be aroused.

Intraoperative Care of the Conscious Patient from the Perspective of the Operating Theatre Nurse:A Grounded Theory

Introduction: Intraoperative care includes a unique knowledge of how to perform a safe and effective surgery procedure. Surgery performed under regional or local anaesthesia allows the patient to remain conscious during the procedure and is rather common in Swedish healthcare today. Aim: The aim was to obtain a deeper understanding of the main concerns of operating theatre nurses (OTN) when caring for conscious patients during the intraoperative phase. Methods: Interviews were conducted with 23 OTNs from five different hospitals in Sweden and analysed according to grounded theory. Findings: The main concern among the OTNs was to take the patient in consideration. The core category “achieve and maintain ethical treatment of patients” in the operating theatre (OT) was a strategy used throughout the intraoperative process. Ethical treatment was described as moral behaviour at different levels and included the team’s behaviour, respectful and individualised patientcare, and the working-morale of the professionals. Being vigilant and being flexible were the categories related to the core category. The OTNs constantly assessed where to pay most attention as they balanced between the needs of the patient, the team, and the surgery procedure. Conclusion: It is important that every patient is taken into consideration and that ethical principles are held to the highest standards in the OT. A familiar team can facilitate that. The complex skills that operating theatre nurses develop can be added to explain important competencies within the profession.

Space and Human Consciousness: The Great Whisper

Human Consciousness is one of most elusive issues in the scientific history. Its nature created major historical debate started thousands of years ago and still ongoing. Despite the explosive developments in the last century to explore its nature, the knowledge about it is still deficient. The important advances in the twentieth and 21st centuries in understanding cerebral cortex dynamics fortified by the dominant materialistic approach of the era dictated its impact on consciousness science, which is perceived as sole human brain function. This original review is a call for holistic perception of human consciousness incorporating the ancient wisdom of the human civilizations with the massive current era advances in different disciplines of applied sciences. The description of René Descartes in the 17th century of the Cartesian dualism is timely to revisit with new holistic perspective, in view of the major advances of our understanding of heart brain communications, astrophysical resonances with human heart ascending afferents to central nervous system, and signaling between humans and the space. Universal vibrations, frequencies and resonances as perceived by Nikola Tesla constitute the core of our new conceptual and experimental perspective on human consciousness. Neural and psychological correlates of human consciousness which dominate the consciousness research nowadays should undergo revolutionary conceptual understanding to perceive consciousness as a massive universal event expanding from human genes to galaxies. In the next discussion, we are going to navigate in the nature and fate of human consciousness with new innovative universal perspective based on heart rate variability of human heart and its cosmic resonances as represented by Schumann Resonances, Solar Wind Indices and Galactic Cosmic Rays. The interpretation of our existential secrets and biology without the space around us is a major gap in our scientific perception of life. The delicate orchestration between human heart and the space frequencies create the great whisper which in our perspective, encodes the secrets of human consciousness.

How to improve patient satisfaction during midazolam sedation for gastrointestinal endoscopy?

To determine the procedure-related factors that affect sedation satisfaction and to make a suggestion to improve it.METHODSWe prospectively enrolled a total of 456 patients who underwent outpatient endoscopy procedures with midazolam sedation between March 2014 and August 2014. All patients completed both pre- and post-endoscopy questionnaires about sedation expectations and satisfaction.RESULTSThe study cohort included 167 (36.6%) patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), 167 (36.6%) who underwent colonoscopy, and 122 (26.8%) who underwent a combined procedure (EGD and colonoscopy). Over 80% of all patients were satisfied with sedation using midazolam. In univariate and multivariate analyses, total procedure time in the EGD group, younger age (≤ 50 years), and longer colonoscopy withdrawal time in the colonoscopy group were related to decreased satisfaction with sedation. However, in active monitoring and intervention group, there was no decrease in grade of satisfaction despite longer procedure time due to more procedures during colonoscopy. Younger age (≤ 50 years), longer inter-procedure time gap, and colonoscopy withdrawal time were related to decreased satisfaction in the combined EGD and colonoscopy group.CONCLUSIONMidazolam is still a safe and effective sedative for gastrointestinal endoscopy. Satisfaction with sedation depends on several factors including age (≤ 50 years) and procedure time duration. To improve patient satisfaction with sedation, active monitoring of sedation status by the endoscopist should be considered for patients who require long procedure time.

Post-Anaesthetic Discharge Scoring System to assess patient recovery and discharge after colonoscopy

AIM: To investigate whether discharge scoring criteria are as safe as clinical criteria for discharge decision and allow for earlier discharge.METHODS: About 220 consecutive outpatients undergoing colonoscopy under sedation with Meperidine plus Midazolam were enrolled and assigned to 2 groups: in Control-group(110 subjects) discharge decision was based on the clinical assessment; in PADSS-group(110subjects) discharge decision was based on the modified Post-Anaesthetic Discharge Scoring System(PADSS).Measurements of the PADDS score were taken every20 min after colonoscopy, and patients were discharged after two consecutive PADSS scores ≥ 9. The investigator called each patient 24-48 h after discharge to administer a standardized questionnaire, to detect any delayed complications. Patients in which cecal intubation was not performed and those who were not found at follow-up phone call were excluded from the study.RESULTS: Thirteen patients(7 in Control-group and6 in PADSS-group) were excluded from the study. Recovery from sedation was faster in PADSS-group than in Control-group(58.75 ± 18.67 min vs 95.14 ± 10.85min, respectively; P < 0.001). Recovery time resulted shorter than 60 min in 39 patients of PADSS-group(37.5%), and in no patient of Control-group(P < 0.001).At follow-up phone call, no patient declared any hospital re-admission because of problems related to colonoscopy and/or sedation. Mild delayed post-discharge symptoms occurred in 57 patients in Control-group(55.3%)and in 32 in PADSS-group(30.7%). The most common symptoms were drowsiness, weakness, abdominal distension, and headache. Only 3 subjects needed to take some drugs because of post-discharge symptoms.CONCLUSION: The Post-Anaesthetic Discharge Scoring System is as safe as the clinical assessment and allows for an earlier patient discharge after colonoscopy performed under sedation.

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy:Are preparatory interventions or conscious sedation effective? A randomized trial

AIM: The fears and concerns are associated with gastroscopy (EGD) decrease patient compliance. Conscious sedation (CS) and non-pharmacological interventions have been proposed to reduce anxiety and allow better execution of EGD. The aim of this study was to assess whether CS, supplementary information with a videotape, or presence of a relative during the examination could improve the tolerance to EGD. METHODS: Two hundred and twenty-six outpatients (pts), scheduled for a first-time non-emergency EGD were randomly assigned to 4 groups: Co-group (62 pts): throat anaesthesia only; Mi-group (52 pts): CS with i.v. midazolam; Re-group (58 pts): presence of a relative throughout the procedure; Vi-group (54 pts): additional information with a videotape. Anxiety was measured using the “Spielberger State and Trait Anxiety Scales” The patients assessed the overall discomfort during the procedure on an 100-mm visual analogue scale, and their tolerance to EGD answering a questionnaire. The endoscopist evaluated the technical difficulty of the examination and the tolerance of the patients on an 100-mm visual analogue scale and answering a questionnaire. RESULTS: Pre-endoscopy anxiety levels were higher in the Mi-group than in the other groups (P<0.001). On the basis of the patients' evaluation, EGD was well tolerated by 80.7% of patients in Mi-group, 43.5% in Co-group, 58.6% in Regroup, and 50% in Vi-group (P<0.01). The discomfort caused by EGD, evaluated by either the endoscopist or the patients, was lower in Mi-group than in the other groups. The discomfort was correlated with “age” (P<0.001) and “groups of patients” (P<0.05) in the patients' evaluation, and with “gender” (females tolerated better than males, P<0.001) and “groups of patients” (P<0.05) in the endoscopist's evaluation. CONCLUSION: Conscious sedation can improve the tolerance to EGD. Male gender and young age are predictive factors of bad tolerance to the procedure.

Role of perioperative parenteral nutrition in severely malnourished patients with Crohn's disease

AIM： To evaluate the effect of perioperative parenteral nutrition on serum immunoglobulin, weight change, and post-operative outcome in severely malnourished patients with Crohn＇s disease. METHODS： Thirty-two severely malnourished patients with Crohn＇s disease who had undergone surgery in our hospital were reviewed. Sixteen patients who received perioperative parenteral nutrition were enrolled in the study group, and the other 16 patients who did not receive parenteral nutrition were enrolled in the control group. Serum immunoglobulin, body mass index （BMI）, liver function, weight change, and postoperative complications were evaluated. RESULTS： Serum IgM levels elevated 1 wk before surgery in both groups, and decreased to normal value （from 139±41 to 105±29 mg/dL, P = 0.04） 4 wk after operation in the study group, while no significant changes was noted in the control group （from 133±16 to 129±13 mg/dL, P = 0.34）. There were no significant changes in concentrations of IgG and IgA. The BMI of the study group increased from 13.9±0.6 to 15.3±0.7 kg/m^2 （P = 0.02） with no significant change in the control group （14.1±0.7 and 14.5±0.5, respectively, P = 0.81）. The percentage of resuming work was higher in the study group than in the control group. CONCLUSION： Perioperative parenteral nutrition possibly ameliorates the humoral immunity, reverses malnutrition, and facilitates rehabilitation. 2005 The WJG Press and Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Pregnancy and inflammatory bowel disease: Do we provide enough patient education? A British study of 1324 women

AIM To examine patient knowledge and factors influencing knowledge about pregnancy in British women with inflammatory bowel disease(IBD).METHODS This is a post hoc analysis of a study of female members of Crohn's and Colitis United Kingdom, aged 18-45 years who were sent an online questionnaire recording patient demographics, education, employment, marital status, and disease characteristics. Disease related pregnancy knowledge was recorded using Crohn's and colitis pregnancy knowledge score(CCPKnow).RESULTS Of 1324 responders, 776(59%) suffered from Crohn's disease, 496(38%) from ulcerative colitis and 52(4%) from IBD-uncategorised. CCPKnow scores were poor(0-7) in 50.8%, adequate(8-10) in 23.6%, good(11-13) in 17.7% and very good(≥ 14) in 7.8%. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that higher CCPKnow scores were independently associated with higher educational achievement(P < 0.001), younger age at diagnosis(P = 0.003) and having consulted a health care professional about pregnancy and IBD(P = 0.001). CONCLUSION Knowledge was poor in 50%. Speaking with healthcare professionals was a modifiable factor associated with better knowledge. This illustrates the importance of disease related pregnancy

Induced pluripotent stem cells from Huntington's disease patients:a promising approach to define and correct disease-related alterations

Adult somatic cells such as skin or blood cells from either health donors or patients can be reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells(iPSCs).Given their unlimited self-renewal and differentiation capacities,iPSCs are an invaluable resource to generate terminally differentiated cells.Thus,iPSCs can facilitate the study of human diseases and drug screening,holding great promise for regenerative medicine.Another significant advantage of iPSC disease-modeling is that normal and mutant proteins are expressed at endogenous levels.In addition,subtle phenotypes and the effects of genetic background variations can be assessed by comparison between iPSC lines obtained from different patients and healthy donors as well as isogenic lines,in which disease-related mutations are corrected.

Outcomes and patients' perspectives of transition from paediatric to adult care in inflammatory bowel disease

AIM: To describe the disease and psychosocial outcomes of an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) transition cohort and their perspectives.METHODS: Patients with IBD, aged &#x0003e; 18 years, who had moved from paediatric to adult care within 10 years were identified through IBD databases at three tertiary hospitals. Participants were surveyed regarding demographic and disease specific data and their perspectives on the transition process. Survey response data were compared to contemporaneously recorded information in paediatric service case notes. Data were compared to a similar age cohort who had never received paediatric IBD care and therefore who had not undergone a transition process.RESULTS: There were 81 returned surveys from 46 transition and 35 non-transition patients. No statistically significant differences were found in disease burden, disease outcomes or adult roles and responsibilities between cohorts. Despite a high prevalence of mood disturbance (35%), there was a very low usage (5%) of psychological services in both cohorts. In the transition cohort, knowledge of their transition plan was reported by only 25/46 patients and the majority (54%) felt they were not strongly prepared. A high rate (78%) of discussion about work/study plans was recorded prior to transition, but a near complete absence of discussion regarding sex (8%), and other adult issues was recorded. Both cohorts agreed that their preferred method of future transition practices (of the options offered) was a shared clinic appointment with all key stakeholders.CONCLUSION: Transition did not appear to adversely affect disease or psychosocial outcomes. Current transition care processes could be optimised, with better psychosocial preparation and agreed transition plans.

Encephalitis with convulsive status in an immunocompetent pediatric patient caused by Bartonella henselae

Cat scratch's disease caused by Bartonella henselae, is known to be a self-limited benign process in immunocompetent children. The association with neurologic manifestations is very uncommon especially in patient with no immunologic defects and in cases without specific treatment. A 7 years old male patient, without any immunocromised defect, presented an atypic presentation of the cat scratch disease. The patient came to the hospital in two opportunities in a status epilepticus, in both cases the diagnosis was encephalitis by Bartonella henselae and the evolution with treatment was monitored with PCR(polymerase chain reaction) in cerebrospinal fluid and blood, as well as IFI(IgM, IgG) serology(indirect immunofluorescence). The patient had a favorable clinical and laboratory evolution for 6 months showing no recurrence of the disease.

Exploring the use of transcranial photobiomodulation in Parkinson's disease patients

Parkinson＇s disease is a neurological disorder with distinct motor signs of resting tremor,akinesia and/or lead-pipe rigidity,together with non-motor symptoms of impaired smell,cognition and autonomic function.These manifest after a major degeneration of neurones mainly within the brainstem,particularly among the dopaminergic neurones.