Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services
Vol. 48 No. 5 May 2010
Responding to Command Hallucinations to Harm: The Unpleasant Voices Scale and Harm Command Safety Protocol
April A. Gerlock, PhD, ARNP, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC; Robin Buccheri, DNSc, RN, PMHNP; Martha D. Buffum, DNSc, RN, PMHCNS-BC; Louise Trygstad, DNSc, RN, CNS; and Glenna A. Dowling, PhD, RN, FAAN
ABSTRACT
Command hallucinations are relatively common in voice hearers and are taken seriously because of the potential threat to self and others. Many variables mediate the relationship between hearing commands and acting on them. This article describes the implementation of the Harm Command Safety Protocol and the Unpleasant Voices Scale to respond to command hallucinations to harm in the context of the dissemination of a multisite, evidence-based behavioral management course for patients with auditory hallucinations.
AUTHORS
Dr. Gerlock is Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, and Clinical Associate Professor, University of Washington, School of Nursing, Seattle, Washington; Dr. Buccheri is Professor, Dr. Buffum is Associate Clinical Professor, and Dr. Trygstad is Professor Emerita, University of San Francisco, School of Nursing, and Dr. Dowling is Professor and Chair, Department of Physiological Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California. Dr. Buffum is also Associate Chief Nurse for Research, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco.
The authors disclose that they have no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity. This material is the result of work supported with resources and the use of facilities at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, San Francisco, California; VA Puget Sound, Seattle, Washington; and VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California. This project was funded by a grant from University of San Francisco Faculty Development Funds.
This article is dedicated to the nurses who work to decrease the suffering of their patients with auditory hallucinations.
Address correspondence to April A. Gerlock, PhD, ARNP, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, American Lake Division, 5000 Veterans Drive, Tacoma, WA 98493; e-mail: April.Gerlock@va.gov.
Received: April 8, 2009
Accepted: October 29, 2009
Posted: March 22, 2010
doi:10.3928/02793695-20100304-03
Preventing Adolescent Suicide: A Community Takes Action
Linda M. Pirruccello, MSN, RN
ABSTRACT
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for adolescents and young people in the United States. The etiology of suicide in this population has eluded policy makers, researchers, and communities. Although many suicide prevention programs have been developed and implemented, few are evidence-based in their effectiveness in decreasing suicide rates. In one northern California community, adolescent suicide has risen above the state’s average. Two nurses led an effort to develop and implement an innovative grassroots community suicide prevention project targeted at eliminating any further teen suicide. The project consisted of a Teen Resource Card, a community resource brochure targeted at teens, and education for the public and school officials to raise awareness about this issue. This article describes this project for other communities to use as a model. Risk and protective factors are described, and a comprehensive background of adolescent suicide is provided.
AUTHOR
Ms. Pirruccello is Assistant Professor of Nursing, California State University, Chico, Chico, California.
The author discloses that she has no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity, including research support.
Address correspondence to Linda M. Pirruccello, MSN, RN, Assistant Professor, California State University, Chico, 400 West First Street, Chico, CA 95929-0200; e-mail: lincelo04@yahoo.com.
Submitted: July 17, 2009
Accepted: January 26, 2010
Posted: March 22, 2010
doi:10.3928/02793695-20100303-01
Interventions to Reduce Cognitive Decline in Aging
Kristine N. Williams, RN, PhD; and Susan Kemper, PhD
ABSTRACT
As the population ages, risks for cognitive decline threaten independence and quality of life for older adults and present challenges to the health care system. Nurses are in a unique position to advise older adults about cognitive health promotion and to develop interventions that optimize cognition in older adults. A literature review was conducted to provide nurses in mental health and geriatric care with an overview of research related to the promotion of successful cognitive aging for older adults. Research evaluating cognitively stimulating lifestyles and the effects on cognitive function in older adults of interventions targeting cognitive training, physical activity, social engagement, and nutrition were reviewed. Overall research findings support positive effects of cognitive and physical activity, social engagement, and therapeutic nutrition in optimizing cognitive aging. However, the strength of the evidence is limited by research designs. Applications for health promotion to optimize cognitive aging and future directions for research are discussed.
AUTHORS
Dr. Williams is Associate Professor, Kansas University Medical Center School of Nursing, Kansas City, and Dr. Kemper is Roberts Distinguished Professor, Gerontology Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas.
The authors disclose that they have no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity. The authors are supported by the Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH) K-12 Program (K12 HD052027, P. Thomas, PI) at the Kansas University Medical Center School of Medicine.
Address correspondence to Kristine N. Williams, RN, PhD, Associate Professor, Kansas University Medical Center School of Nursing, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, MS 4043, Kansas City, KS 66160-7502; e-mail: kwilliams1@kumc.edu.
Submitted: March 31, 2009
Accepted: January 26, 2010
Posted: April 22, 2010
doi:10.3928/02793695-20100331-03
