A guideline for the nursing assessment and management of urinary retention in elderly hospitalised patients

The objective of this project was to develop a guideline for the nursing assessment and management of urinary retention in hospitalised older adults. The guideline was developed from a review of the literature and from consultation with a multidisciplinary expert panel. These experts provided feedback through a structured process known as the Delphi technique. Based on findings from both sources, a final guideline was developed which provides a framework for the nursing assessment and management of urinary retention in hospitalised older adults. This foundational work provides the basis for further research and evaluation of the management of urinary retention.

An exploration of the staffing choices, recruitment, skills shortages and retention issues of Australian based multinational corporations in China

The purpose of this paper is to explore the staffing choices, recruitment, skills shortages and retention issues that Australian based multinational corporations (MNCs) in China face. A qualitative research methodology was utilised, where 20 case study organisations were investigated. The firms investigated were all Australian owned and headquartered, and utilised Foreign Direct Investment and Joint Venture modes. It was found that Australian MNCs used an ethnocentric staffing model; they had issues with recruiting willing expatriate staff, and difficulties in finding skilled, qualified local nationals. They experienced significant skills shortages problems, and also reported retention issues. A number of strategies to improve these issues were articulated throughout the paper.

Polyethyleneterephthalate provides superior retention of endothelial cells during shear stress compared to polytetrafluoroethylene and pericardium

Background

Polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) are polymers successfully used as large diameter arterial grafts for peripheral vascular surgery. However, these prosthetic grafts are rarely used for coronary bypass surgery because of their low patency rates. Endothelialisation of the lumenal surface of these materials may improve their patency. This study aimed to compare the endothelialisation of PET, PTFE and pericardium by examining their seeding efficiency over time and the effect of various shear stresses on retention of endothelial cells.

Methods


Ovine endothelial cells at 4 × 105 cells/cm2 were seeded onto PET, PTFE and pericardium, and cultured for 1–168 hours. Cell coverage was determined via en face immunocytochemistry and cell retention was quantified after being subjected to shear stresses ranging from 0.018 to 0.037 N/m2 for 15, 30 and 60 minutes.

Results

Endothelial cells adhered to all of the materials one hour post-seeding. PET exhibited better cell retention rate, ranging from 66.9 ± 5.6% at 0.018 N/m2 for 15 min to 44.7 ± 1.9% at 0.037 N/m2 for 60 minutes, when compared to PTFE and pericardium (p < 0.0001, three-way ANOVA).

Conclusion

PET shows superior retention of endothelial cells during shear stress compare to PTFE and pericardium.

Creating communities that lead to retention : the social worlds and communities of umpires

Umpires (referees) are essential for sport competition, yet many sports report difficulty in recruiting and retaining umpires. Therefore, this research sought to better understand what experiences will ensure continued participation in umpiring. Previous literature suggests that the communities created are vital to umpire retention. Thus, the aim of this research was to identify the factors that lead to, or detract from sense of community for umpires. Twenty-two Australian Rules football umpires were interviewed using a semi-structured approach. This study revealed that Lack of Administration Consideration, Inequity (specifically related to remuneration and resources), Competition, Common Interest (specifically in the sport, interactions within football community, and/or within social spaces) impacted the development of sense of community for umpires. This study demonstrates that as umpires move through their careers, the outcome of the noted factors to enhance or detract from sense of community change. Implications for umpire education, accreditation, and management aimed at retaining umpires are discussed.

Examination of the effect of mental reinstatement of context acress developmental level, retention interval and type of mnemonic instruction

The effect of mental reinstatement of context was examined using a 4*5*2 factorial design incorporating four age groups (6-year-olds, 8-year-olds, 11-year-olds and adults), two retention intervals (1 day and 2 weeks after the stimulus event) and five interview conditions. The interview conditions included; free recall, mental reinstatement-environment (where the setting was reinstated but no event-related detail was provided in the mnemonic instruction), mental reinstatement-event (where specific event-related content was provided), mental reinstatement-combined (a combination of the two above-mentioned methods) and specific questions. Overall, mental reinstatement (irrespective of the type) was found to enhance correct recall performance compared to free recall and (unlike specific questions) it did not lead to greater number of commission errors. Contrary to our initial predictions, however, there was no evidence of any special benefit of mental reinstatement for children and the effect of the technique did not vary consistently as a function of retention interval.

Spaced repetition tool for improving long-term memory retention and recall of collected personal experiences

A variety of electronic displays available for home use creates opportunities for intelligent applications. This paper presents a semi-passive photo reviewing tool for consolidating memories of experiences utilizing personal picture libraries. A form of spaced repetition algorithm is used to create visual journeys which link photos together around a user-chosen central theme. Systematically reviewing images from positive personal experiences can be useful to remember significant events, as well as to balance out stressful events in our lives. The design exploits existing digital home displays and aims to improve usage of media collections

The effect of transition to specialty practice programs on Australian emergency nurses' professional development, recruitment and retention

BACKGROUND: To date, emergency nursing Transition to Specialty Practice Program (TSPP) evaluations have been single-site observational studies. The aim of this paper was to examine the professional development, recruitment and retention outcomes of Australian emergency nursing TSPPs. METHODS: An explanatory sequential design was used. Data were collected via online surveys and interviews of emergency Nurse Unit Managers and Nurse Educators. Survey data from EDs with TSPPs and EDs without TSPPs were compared. Qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. RESULTS: Data were collected from 118 EDs, and 13 interviews. TSPPs were offered in 72.1% of EDs. EDs with TSPPs had higher proportions of nurses with postgraduate qualifications (Mdn 28.3% vs. 22.1%, p=0.45) and Clinical Specialists (Mdn 16.4% vs. 6.3%, p=0.04). The median proportion of currently rostered nurses with TSPP completion was 34.2% in EDs with TSPPs introduced in 2000-2005 indicating ED high levels of retention. CONCLUSION: Emergency nursing TSPPs have had a positive effect on nursing professional development, recruitment and retention. To ensure consistency in outcomes and optimise reliability of emergency nursing skills and knowledge, a national emergency nursing TSPP framework is needed.

Co-feeding of live feed and inert diet from first-feeding affects Artemia lipid digestibility and retention in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) larvae

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)