NOVEMBER 1995, VOL 62, NO 5

spans more than 10 years. Each chapter is well written

and informative and provides the reader with quick and accurate information regarding a particular subject and, as stated in the pref- ace, builds on the previous chap- ter. Together, the chapters provide a complete and powerful represen- tation of Sioux Valley Hospital’s implementation process.

As so often is discovered when implementing a new concept, theo- retical information providcs back- ground. and practical information provides substance. The authors provide the reader with both theo- retical and practical information, as well as practice exercises at the end of each chapter.

For organizations already in the throes of redesign and organiza- tional change. this book allows the reader a glimpse at one successful program. The reader may find helpful ideas to avoid the pitfalls of such an immense project. For orga- nizations discussing the possibility of organizational redesign, the authors and the contributing asso- ciates clearly identify creative, proactive responses to issues that arise during implementation.

I would recommend this book to any manager or administrator who desires a reference book about a successful redesign because it offers information that may be helpful. For nonmanageri- al associates, however, the book contains financial statistics and organizational information that may not be understood easily.

This book is available from Aspen Publishers. Inc, 7201 Mc- Kinney Cir, Frederick, MD 2 1701-9782; (800) 234- 1660.

KELLY M. TAYLOR RN, BSN, CNOR

UNIT MANAGEVSURGICAL SERVICES

SHAWNEE MISSION (KAN) MEDICAL CENTER

STROKE SURVIVORS By William H. Bergyuist, Rod McLean, Barbara A. Kobylinski 1994,261 p p $24 hardcover

troke Survivors delivers a mixed message to health care s professionals. Coauthored by

a psychologist, a social worker, and a stroke survivor, the book announces its primary target audi- ence as stroke survivors and care- givers and its secondary audience as the health care community.

The book is divided into four major parts. The first three sec- tions focus on the physical aspects of strokes, the immediate after- math and early rehabilitation process, and the return to real-life situations by stroke survivors. The final section offers advice from personal and professional caregivers.

Many chapters offer a detailed expos6 of one author’s “massive life intrusion,” surgery, rehabilita- tion and recovery, and return to the “real world.” The remainder of the chapters are based on a compi- lation of the research project results from the Professional School of Psychology between 1990 and 1992. The researchers interviewed a representative cross- section of 70 stroke survivors in the Northern California area.

One author’s poignant narra- tive provides the reader with keen insight into the emotions, needs, and feelings of a stroke survivor. The author delivers a ringing indictment of health care profes- sionals, particularly physicians and nurses, and details examples of being treated with indifference and insensitivity, not being given personal attention, and being over- medicated for three years. The reader can sense great anger and

bitterness toward health care pro- fessionals in the narrative. The author attributes his recovery to his inner strength and self-empow- erment. In contrast, the other stroke survivors presented in the book had positive outcomes from good professional health care.

This book is a solid manual for stroke survivors and their care- givers, who can learn from the experiences related in the survey results. For health care profession- als, however, the authors’ message may be simplified in this way: be positive and care!

This book is available from Jossey-Bass, Inc, Publishers, 350 Sansome St, San Francisco, CA 94104; (415) 433-1740.

MELODIE DRAG0 RN, CNOR, CRNFA

SURGICAL NURSE CLINlClAN/NEUROSURGERY,

ENT, HEAD AND NECK

CLEVELAND CLINIC HOSPITAL Fr LAUDERDALE, FLA

GRANT APPLICATION WRITERS HANDBOOK By Lime Reif-Lehrer 1994,432 p p $34.95 puperback

he author of this book encourages readers to “think T of tenacity as a prerequisite

for doing research.” This state- ment could serve as the subtitle for this handbook, which demon- strates why obtaining a research grant is a rigorous process that entails much more than just hav- ing a good research idea. Tight budgets and fiscal restraint have made research funding by the National lnstitutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF)-the primary examples for discussion in this book-a formidable challenge. It is the author’s purpose to assist the

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NOVEMBER 1995, VOL 62, NO 5

applicant in completing the grant- ing agency’s instructions and to enhance the applicant’s chances for receiving funding.

ence with grant applications and her many workshops and seminars make this a valuable resource. The book reflects not only published government guidelines, but also personal knowledge of the process. An NIH investigator-ini- tiated research grant application forms the basis for much of the content in the discussion section of the book and the appendixes.

Similarities and differences between some granting agencies and private foundations are included to help the reader investi- gate the complex components of the process. Although specific guidelines vary among agencies, the information sought by review- ers of various funding agencies often is essentially the same. The reader can extrapolate the infor- mation in this book to many other institutions.

Reviews at the end of each chapter in the first section summa- rize information about the review process and the grant application and how to plan and write the research plan and submit and track the application. Suggestions for getting started and revising reject- ed applications are given their own chapter. The appendixes pro- vide helpful information about budget considerations, excerpts from specific NIH and NSF docu- ments, strategies for good written and oral presentations, and a list- ing of available resources. An extensive glossary completes the handbook. New leadership at the NIH and the NSF in the past two years resulted in policy changes that were made after the book’s publication deadline, and grant

The author’s extensive experi-

applicants are encouraged to obtain and follow the specific agency’s current guidelines.

Although the focus of this book is directed to the researcher applying for NIH or NSF grants, much of the content is useful for perioperative nurses who wish to refine their own research studies and apply for external funding. For perioperative nurses who wish to improve their writing style or the quality of their Ordl presenta- tions, the related sections are espe- cially valuable.

This book is available from Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Inc, One Exeter Plaza, Boston, MA 02 116; (800) 832-0034.

PATRICIA C. SEIWRT RN, MSN, CNOR, CRNFA

COORDINATOR/OR, CARDIAC SURQERY THE ARLINQTON (VA) HOSPITAL

MOSBY’S DIAGNOSTIC AND LABORATORY TEST REFERENCE, second ed By Kathleen Deska Pagana, Timothy James Pagana 1994,960 p p $25.95 paperback

his book gives short, pertinent explanations of 635 clinically T relevant diagnostic and labo-

ratory tests. It provides health care providers with necessary informa- tion about patient care before, dur- ing, and after testing; normal and abnormal findings; contraindica- tions; and possible complications.

Diagnostic and laboratory tests are arranged alphabetically according to their proper names. In addition, there are referencing indexes for tests according to body system and by type of test. The book is well organized and con- tains descriptions of new tests being performed.

When comparing this book to

other diagnostic/laboratory test reference books, I noticed this book did not contain as many quick reference tables. This requires the reader to pore through the book to find value ranges for each item in a group testing, such as a complete blood count or chemistry profile. Also, there are only a few illustrations for the diagnostic tests. The book is infor- mative, but I have read other diag- nosticllaboratory reference books that are easier to use.

This book is available from Mosby-Year Book, Inc, 1 1830 Westline Industrial Dr, St Louis, MO 63146; (800) 826-1877.

JULIE HRUSCHAK RN, CNOR

STAFF NURSE SOUTHWEST GENERAL HOSPITAL

MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, OHIO

SUBACUTE CARE: THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO HOSPITAL-BASED NURSING FAClLlTlES By Mary T. Knapp 1994,240 pp $1 45 ring binder

he advent of diagnosis related groups to contain rising med- T ical costs has created the need

for interim care for ill and injured patients who meet discharge crite- ria but who still need skilled nurs- ing care. Skilled nursing units have been developed to meet this need. In skilled nursing units, patients who are not ready to return home or who will not be accepted into a nursing home because of complex care needs (eg, IV therapy, ventila- tor dependency) can receive skilled professional care until they are well enough to be discharged to a less acute care facility or to their homes.

Hospitals are seeking ways to enhance revenue through the

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