https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/57142 2026-04-11T14:20:19Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/133498 Title: Emptying catheter bags - a review of practice Abstract: The rationale for carrying out this study was to investigate nurses' practice in emptying catheter bags in order to determine whether the appropriate procedure was being adhered to. Literature reviewed suggested that there is an association between "catheter care" and urinary tract infections, particularly so in elderly patients. A semi-structured interview and an observation checklist were devised as research tools for use in a pilot study which was carried out in the research setting, a long-stay residence for elderly people in Malta. The research subjects being five registered nurses, six enrolled nurses, and five health assistants. The pilot study suggested that the observation checklist was a valid and reliable tool; whereas, the semi-structured interview proved inadequate in terms of reliability and validity, especially content validity due to misinterpretation of the questions asked with health assistants. In view of this, in the main study only qualified nurses, that is registered nurses and enrolled nurses will be used. The main study will utilise a population of 70 qualified nurses, with the observation checklist and a structured interview in order to narrow the focus of how the procedure is carried out. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING 1993-04-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/67309 Title: The child as visitor on adult wards Abstract: While the international trend is towards extended visiting for children on adult wards, at the main acute hospital in Malta, children are allowed to visit their close relatives on adult wards on Sundays and Public Holidays only for just 1 hour. This research proposal, which is of a descriptive, non-experimental design, has been carried out to identify the attitudes of nurses and patients towards the visiting of children on general adult wards. The literature review highlights that the visiting of children on adult wards is beneficial and that severe restricted visiting may be detrimental to both the parent and the child. A sample of 30 patients would be interviewed while a questionnaire would be distributed to 36 nurses. A pilot study was carried out to test the tools and some modifications were needed. It is planned to analyse the data collected by means of qualitative and quantitative analysis. Although one can identify several limitations in this proposed research study, the data collected would throw light on the research problem. The anticipated value and implications of the study are discussed. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING 1993-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/65727 Title: Do registered nurses read the literature related to nursing? Abstract: The aims of this study are to investigate whether registered nurses view reading as order to keep current in knowledge, nurses read the literature related being important in whether registered to nursing and the frequency with which they read, what registered nurses read most and which are the main sources of literature for registered nurses. The study proposed is a survey of a simple random sample of 50 qualified, registered nurses, providing nursing care to clients in acute areas in St. Luke's Hospital and Karin Grech Hospital (Malta). The data collection tool to be used is a personal interview schedule which has been translated into and would be conducted in Maltese. A pilot study, using a convenient sample of 5 registered nurses who were eligible for inclusion according to the criteria established for the full-scale study, was carried out to test the instrument. This showed that only small changes were needed and so the interview schedule could be used without further testing. The study should provide an indication of the present situation with regards to reading amongst registered nurses and serve as a useful basis for further studies on continuing education. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING 1993-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/65726 Title: Triage in the Emergency and Admitting Department Abstract: Malta's Emergency and Admitting Department provides a unique blend of casualty, orthopaedic out patients facilities and disaster management for road, air and sea incidents, making it an extremely busy department. Investigating the Department for feasibility of implementing a nurse triage system appears to be a priority. A questionnaire was devised to elicit the views of nursing and medical personnel working within the Emergency and Admitting Department, on how the decision is currently made to provide a patient with immediate care, and who is responsible for that decision. A pilot study was carried out using a sample of 6 nurses and doctors, and yielding an 83% response rate. The questionnaire scored highly on face validity and inter-rater reliability, requiring only minor amendments before it may be used in the main study. One of the shortcomings acknowledged within the study is that a single method of data collection may not be sufficient and that the questionnaire may need to be augmented with interview or observation within the Department. The author concludes that to introduce triage into the Emergency and Admitting Department, it may be necessary for in-service training, and a review of documentation, but by taking note of the views of staff currently working within the Department, any changes made may be welcomed and sustained, leading to improved quality of care for patients. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING 1993-01-01T00:00:00Z