http://hdl.handle.net/10147/231542 Sun, 26 May 2013 01:17:48 GMT 2013-05-26T01:17:48Z http://www.lenus.ie:80/hse/retrieve/426054/milfordLogo.gif http://hdl.handle.net/10147/231542 http://hdl.handle.net/10147/271664 Title: Attitudes and experiences towards setting up a bibliotherapy service for the bereavement support service Authors: Callinan, J; McLoughlin, K; Rhatigan, J; Richardson, M Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10147/271664 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10147/271703 Title: The use of corticosteroids in a specialised palliative care unit Authors: Kilonzo, I; Twomey, F; Muhammad, A Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10147/271703 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10147/271663 Title: Exploring the challenges of implementing the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale in a specialist palliative care unit Authors: Lucey, M; Conroy, M; Ryan, K Description: Abstract Background: Many symptom assessment tools have been developed to aid evaluation of patient’s symptoms. The Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale is one such tool. The ESAS was introduced on the inpatient unit in Milford Hospice (a 30 bedded tertiary palliative care unit) in December 2007. However, a 3-month chart review revealed a low completion rate (20%) of the ESAS. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the reasons for the low completion rate of the ESAS in the unit. Methods: A mixed methods approach using both questionnaire and focus group was undertaken. The population sampled was the nursing staff who were responsible for ensuring the completion of the ESAS in the unit on a daily basis. Results: The main reason for the low completion rate of the ESAS was that nursing staff perceived that it was too burdensome for sick patients to complete (76%). Also, nursing staff felt that the tool was not clinically helpful and that it was too time consuming for patients to regularly complete. Other important issues relating to the introduction process for symptom assessment tools are also identified. Conclusions: The results of this study are consistent with findings in the literature relating to other symptom assessment tools. Implementing such tools may be burdensome for patients with a poor functional status in an advanced cancer setting. Areas of focus for further research include shorter symptom assessment tools which are more reflective of a patients twenty four hour symptom profile, and also proxy rated assessment tools. Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10147/271663 2013-03-11T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10147/271662 Title: Phenomenological and neuropsychological profile across motor variants of delirium in a palliative care unit Authors: Leonard, Maeve; Donnelly, Sinead; Conroy, Marion; Trzepacz, Paula; Meagher, David J Abstract: Studies using composite measurement of cognition suggest that cognitive performance is similar across motor variants of delirium. The authors assessed neuropsychological and symptom profiles in 100 consecutive cases of DSM-IV delirium allocated to motor subtypes in a palliative-care unit: Hypoactive (N=33), Hyperactive (N=18), Mixed (N=26), and No-Alteration motor groups (N=23). The Mixed group had more severe delirium, with highest scores for DRS-R-98 sleep-wake cycle disturbance, hallucinations, delusions, and language abnormalities. Neither the total Cognitive Test for Delirium nor its five neuropsychological domains differed across Hyperactive, Mixed, and Hypoactive motor groups. Most patients (70%) with no motor alteration had DRS-R-98 scores in the mild or subsyndromal range even though they met DSM-IV criteria. Motor variants in delirium have similar cognitive profiles, but mixed cases differ in expression of several noncognitive features. Description: Studies using composite measurement of cognition suggest that cognitive performance is similar across motor variants of delirium. The authors assessed neuropsychological and symptom profiles in 100 consecutive cases of DSM-IV delirium allocated to motor subtypes in a palliative-care unit: Hypoactive (N=33), Hyperactive (N=18), Mixed (N=26), and No-Alteration motor groups (N=23). The Mixed group had more severe delirium, with highest scores for DRS-R-98 sleep-wake cycle disturbance, hallucinations, delusions, and language abnormalities. Neither the total Cognitive Test for Delirium nor its five neuropsychological domains differed across Hyperactive, Mixed, and Hypoactive motor groups. Most patients (70%) with no motor alteration had DRS-R-98 scores in the mild or subsyndromal range even though they met DSM-IV criteria. Motor variants in delirium have similar cognitive profiles, but mixed cases differ in expression of several noncognitive features. Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10147/271662 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z