Psychiatric consultation-liaison nursing interventions with nurses of hospitalized AIDS patients

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a devastating medical illness of epidemic proportions with cases continuing to increase at an alarming rate. Hospital nurses at all levels and in all specialized areas of practice are affected by the challenge of caring for AIDS patients, who have overwhelming physical and psychosocial needs. Psychiatric consultation-liaison nurses (PCLNs) in general hospital settings have had to adapt to the needs of the rising AIDS population in their practice. Yet little information exists in the literature about the nature of consultations received from nurses concerning AIDS patients or the subsequent PCLN interventions. A report of the consultative activities related to AIDS patients of a PCLN in a tertiary care center, specifically interventions with managerial and staff nurses, is discussed. The report is derived from a retrospective review and analysis of the author's consultation records of clinical experiences with nurses and AIDS patients over a 6-year period.