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Cost-Effective Nursing Practice: Guidelines for Nurse Managers
AORN JOURNAL
improving cost-effectiveness, quality of health services, and support activities through the use of informatics and telematics. It is targeted to health care workers in an effort to review existing and anticipated use, development, and future evolution of informatics. The first four chapters address computer applications, trends, policies, strategies, and support in health programs. Computer use is viewed as affordable and beneficial even in developing countries. The book covers financial analysis and project support and how they affect the health care system. It also cites examples of informatics in pharmacies, administration, personnel, community, self-care, and offces. Chapter five emphasizes the need for appropriately trained personnel and technology selection. It stresses that there must be an investment in training of personnel. Chapter six introduces features of technology available to make educated decisions in choosing systems appropriate for the goals of health care. It defines the issues to be considered when selecting a system, including reliability, compatibility, capability, expandability, ease of training, vendor support, and rate of obsolescence. The book also addresses accessibility, privacy, and accountability as informatics becomes part of the organization. It notes that employees may exhibit resistance and subversion to the new technology and explains that advance planning will help employees accept the system and prevent problems and complications. This study contains much information on issues associated with the use of informatics in health care. It is a well-written, thorough, and easy-toread reference for computer application and management in health care. It also is a guide for the hospital employee who would like to increase his or her knowledge of informatics and telematics. It is especially suited for someone who is planning a new system. The diagrams, pictures, and summaries add interest to the well-organized reading material. Some familiarity with computers would facilitate understanding, but the glossary can supplement a lack of familiarity with concepts and terminology. The book is available from the 1682
JUNE 1989, VOL. 49, NO 6
World Health Organization, W H O Publications Center USA, 49 Sheridan Ave, Albany, NY 12210. SOPHIA M. SCHILD,RN, MA, CNOR NURSEIII/OUTPATIENT SURGERY ST MARYHOSPITAL TUCSON
MANAGEMENT Cost-Effective Nursing Practice: Guidelines for Nurse Managers By Doris R. Blaney, Charles J. Hobson 1988, 349pp $32.50 clothbound The authors have designed this book to provide nurses with the skills necessary to improve the cost-effectiveness and quality of patient care. They describe these skills in terms of understanding the significant motivation and attitude factors along with specific management strategies designed to control costs and improve productivity. Although the title of the book includes “nurse managers,” the book should be useful to nurses who plan to become managers, staff nurses interested in costcontrol, graduate and undergraduate nursing students, and nursing faculty members. The book examines the current situation in health care and a conceptual model of nursing’s pivotal position and role in improving costeffectiveness. Section one presents some important factors such as improving nursing attitudes toward cost-effectiveness and motivating desired new behaviors among nurses. Section two includes discussions on how to improve the costeffectiveness and quality of patient care. Practical, research-proven management techniques are presented in a clear and concise manner. The last chapter of the book is concerned with future trends in nursing. It describes the professional nurse, professional practice, the consumer, and the environment for health care delivery during the transition of the health care system into the twenty-first century. Major strengths of the book include a clear presentation of research-tested and business techniques used to reduce costs and improve
AORN JOURNAL
quality care; convenient chapter summaries of major points; and the use of actual nursing examples to illustrate the key concepts. The book should be a worthwhile and welcome addition to the nursing management literature. For those readers who seek more in-depth content, the extensive reference lists at the end of each chapter provide additional sources of information. The book is available from J B Lippincott Co, E Washington Sq, Philadelphia, PA 19105. MARCUSL. WALKER,RN, ScD ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR/ MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE
NURSING PRACTICE Respiratory Care Handbook Compiled by the Springhouse Corp 1989,416~~ $21.95 paperback This text is designed as a quick reference and provides theoretical, technical, and practical knowledge needed to render safe and effective nursing care to patients with respiratory dysfunctions. It is divided into 15 chapters that address respiratory anatomy and physiology, assessment, diagnostic procedures, monitoring devices, pathophysiology and treatment modalities, adult respiratory distress syndrome, respiratory therapy, and pharmacology. The chapter on thoracic surgery addresses indications, preoperative care, patient teaching, surgical procedures, postoperative care, and actuaVpotentia1complications. It does not address perioperative nursing care of the thoracic surgery patient. The information in each chapter is enhanced by charts and illustrations. Special considerations for pediatric and geriatric patients are offered. The appendixes include basic life support measures, respiratory equations, rehabilitation, abbreviations and symbols, and drug-related pulmonary toxicities. The index is complete, and each chapter contains selected references for further reading. 1684
JUNE 1989, VOL. 49, NO 6
The advisory board, contributors, and consultants for this text are from various backgrounds, each offering his or her own perspective and expertise related to respiratory care. They include professional nurses, physicians, a respiratory therapist, a physical therapist, and a lawyer. I would recommend this text for nurses caring for respiratory patients on medical/surgical or critical care units. The perioperative nurse can use this book to gain a holistic view of the respiratory patient, but probably cannot use it for practical application. The book is available from the Springhouse Corp, 1111 Bethlehem Pike, Springhouse, PA 19477 STEPHEN R. MARRONE, RN, MS, CCRN CLINICAL RESOURCE NURSE/ CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY MT SINAI MEDICAL CENTER NEWYORK CITY
Surgery on File: General Surgery By the Diagram Group 1988, 128 pp $75 loose-leaf This loose-leaf notebook, addressed to the patient, is very well suited for use in perioperativeteaching. It also could be a helpful tool for a general surgery unit. It contains simple anatomical diagrams of diagnostic procedures and general surgical procedures. Each file page explains a procedure, reasons for the procedure, preparation, risks and benefits, postoperative care, possible complications, and discharge. The publisher gives permission for the pages to be copied for teaching purposes, and the book is written in simple, uncomplicated language that should be easily understood by the patient. The timetable of events, which is a separate diagram that details the surgical events from admission to discharge, also should help with the patient’s understanding. There is an error on one of the file pagesin an anatomical drawing, the liver and stomach are mislabeled. I look forward to using this tool in my
improving cost-effectiveness, quality of health services, and support activities through the use of informatics and telematics. It is targeted to health care workers in an effort to review existing and anticipated use, development, and future evolution of informatics. The first four chapters address computer applications, trends, policies, strategies, and support in health programs. Computer use is viewed as affordable and beneficial even in developing countries. The book covers financial analysis and project support and how they affect the health care system. It also cites examples of informatics in pharmacies, administration, personnel, community, self-care, and offces. Chapter five emphasizes the need for appropriately trained personnel and technology selection. It stresses that there must be an investment in training of personnel. Chapter six introduces features of technology available to make educated decisions in choosing systems appropriate for the goals of health care. It defines the issues to be considered when selecting a system, including reliability, compatibility, capability, expandability, ease of training, vendor support, and rate of obsolescence. The book also addresses accessibility, privacy, and accountability as informatics becomes part of the organization. It notes that employees may exhibit resistance and subversion to the new technology and explains that advance planning will help employees accept the system and prevent problems and complications. This study contains much information on issues associated with the use of informatics in health care. It is a well-written, thorough, and easy-toread reference for computer application and management in health care. It also is a guide for the hospital employee who would like to increase his or her knowledge of informatics and telematics. It is especially suited for someone who is planning a new system. The diagrams, pictures, and summaries add interest to the well-organized reading material. Some familiarity with computers would facilitate understanding, but the glossary can supplement a lack of familiarity with concepts and terminology. The book is available from the 1682
JUNE 1989, VOL. 49, NO 6
World Health Organization, W H O Publications Center USA, 49 Sheridan Ave, Albany, NY 12210. SOPHIA M. SCHILD,RN, MA, CNOR NURSEIII/OUTPATIENT SURGERY ST MARYHOSPITAL TUCSON
MANAGEMENT Cost-Effective Nursing Practice: Guidelines for Nurse Managers By Doris R. Blaney, Charles J. Hobson 1988, 349pp $32.50 clothbound The authors have designed this book to provide nurses with the skills necessary to improve the cost-effectiveness and quality of patient care. They describe these skills in terms of understanding the significant motivation and attitude factors along with specific management strategies designed to control costs and improve productivity. Although the title of the book includes “nurse managers,” the book should be useful to nurses who plan to become managers, staff nurses interested in costcontrol, graduate and undergraduate nursing students, and nursing faculty members. The book examines the current situation in health care and a conceptual model of nursing’s pivotal position and role in improving costeffectiveness. Section one presents some important factors such as improving nursing attitudes toward cost-effectiveness and motivating desired new behaviors among nurses. Section two includes discussions on how to improve the costeffectiveness and quality of patient care. Practical, research-proven management techniques are presented in a clear and concise manner. The last chapter of the book is concerned with future trends in nursing. It describes the professional nurse, professional practice, the consumer, and the environment for health care delivery during the transition of the health care system into the twenty-first century. Major strengths of the book include a clear presentation of research-tested and business techniques used to reduce costs and improve
AORN JOURNAL
quality care; convenient chapter summaries of major points; and the use of actual nursing examples to illustrate the key concepts. The book should be a worthwhile and welcome addition to the nursing management literature. For those readers who seek more in-depth content, the extensive reference lists at the end of each chapter provide additional sources of information. The book is available from J B Lippincott Co, E Washington Sq, Philadelphia, PA 19105. MARCUSL. WALKER,RN, ScD ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR/ MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE
NURSING PRACTICE Respiratory Care Handbook Compiled by the Springhouse Corp 1989,416~~ $21.95 paperback This text is designed as a quick reference and provides theoretical, technical, and practical knowledge needed to render safe and effective nursing care to patients with respiratory dysfunctions. It is divided into 15 chapters that address respiratory anatomy and physiology, assessment, diagnostic procedures, monitoring devices, pathophysiology and treatment modalities, adult respiratory distress syndrome, respiratory therapy, and pharmacology. The chapter on thoracic surgery addresses indications, preoperative care, patient teaching, surgical procedures, postoperative care, and actuaVpotentia1complications. It does not address perioperative nursing care of the thoracic surgery patient. The information in each chapter is enhanced by charts and illustrations. Special considerations for pediatric and geriatric patients are offered. The appendixes include basic life support measures, respiratory equations, rehabilitation, abbreviations and symbols, and drug-related pulmonary toxicities. The index is complete, and each chapter contains selected references for further reading. 1684
JUNE 1989, VOL. 49, NO 6
The advisory board, contributors, and consultants for this text are from various backgrounds, each offering his or her own perspective and expertise related to respiratory care. They include professional nurses, physicians, a respiratory therapist, a physical therapist, and a lawyer. I would recommend this text for nurses caring for respiratory patients on medical/surgical or critical care units. The perioperative nurse can use this book to gain a holistic view of the respiratory patient, but probably cannot use it for practical application. The book is available from the Springhouse Corp, 1111 Bethlehem Pike, Springhouse, PA 19477 STEPHEN R. MARRONE, RN, MS, CCRN CLINICAL RESOURCE NURSE/ CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY MT SINAI MEDICAL CENTER NEWYORK CITY
Surgery on File: General Surgery By the Diagram Group 1988, 128 pp $75 loose-leaf This loose-leaf notebook, addressed to the patient, is very well suited for use in perioperativeteaching. It also could be a helpful tool for a general surgery unit. It contains simple anatomical diagrams of diagnostic procedures and general surgical procedures. Each file page explains a procedure, reasons for the procedure, preparation, risks and benefits, postoperative care, possible complications, and discharge. The publisher gives permission for the pages to be copied for teaching purposes, and the book is written in simple, uncomplicated language that should be easily understood by the patient. The timetable of events, which is a separate diagram that details the surgical events from admission to discharge, also should help with the patient’s understanding. There is an error on one of the file pagesin an anatomical drawing, the liver and stomach are mislabeled. I look forward to using this tool in my