[Stroke is a common problem, being the third most frequent cause of death in the United Kingdom and Hungary, accounting for about 20% of bed occupancy. It is also an important cause of morbidity and disability mainly for those aged over 65. As a result, stroke care constitutes as an important part of health services use. Home care services working in the field of stroke rehabilitation have not used a unified evidence-based approach and well-described professional principles and protocols. There was little cooperation between the teams working in the institutional rehabilitation and home care rehabilitation services. No agreed rehabilitation processes, and standardised scales and documentation, showing the change of quality of life, were in use. There were no quality indicators and efficiency measures of nursing and no provision of services either. The Hungarian Nursing Association played a pioneering role in the introduction and dissemination of Evidence Based Nursing in Hungary and in adopting it into routine clinical practice. The successful implementation of the Association's project could be a good example for another field of care and nursing in Hungary and other countries in Europe. Our projects are supported by the Department For International Development (UK) in the framework of the TUDOR project. The Hungarian Nursing Association (HNA) developed a postgraduate training programme entitled "Evidence based nursing in practice". The participants were required to be members of the HNA, have a degree in the field of nursing (nurse teacher, degree nurse, nurse director). Members of the target group were all working in the field of stroke rehabilitation at hospitals or out-patient clinics and home nursing. The Hungarian Nursing Association's professional group developed an evidence based practice guideline for rehabilitation of stroke patients, which was published in the Bulletin of the Ministry of Health (11/2002, 23rd May, 2002). These evidence-based stroke rehabilitation guidelines focused on bladder management, position therapy and patient information.]

[Aim of the study: To assess how age and BMI affect the result of the OGTT, and to study the data on blood sugar levels. Methodology and sample: Retrospective, quantitative, cross sectional, with non-random sampling. GDM patients aged 16- 50 years were surveyed (n=123 persons), with analysis of the data relating to multiparas (n=51) and primiparas (n=72). The research took the form of an analysis of medical and nursing documents. Results: In a study of the BMI and the 2-hour OGTT results, and in a study of age and BMI, signifi cance was observed in the case of the multiparas. Comparing the 0’ OGTT values with the empty-stomach blood sugar results from the 1st control test following the diagnosis of GDM, signifi cance was observed in both groups. Conclusions: Based on the fi ndings of the research it can be concluded that a higher BMI is generally associated with more advanced age, and that it has an unfavourable impact on the results of the OGTT. It is necessary to repeat the reclassifi cation in the later stage of the pregnancy, in the 6th week following birth, and upon cessation of breastfeeding.]

[Aim of the research: Functional independence determines the elderly’s health and quality of life. In them cross-sectional study the authors analysed the associations between functional abilities (balance, gait, functional mobility, cognitive abilities), age, BMI and comorbidities and independency in older adults with cognitive impairment. Research and sampling methods: 110 elderly people were measured. Self-sufficiency was measured by the Katz-index, balance, and gait by the Tinetti Test and functional mobility by the Timed Up and Go Test. Correlations between variables were analysed with the Spearman’s rank-order correlation. Results: There was strong association between balance (r=0,557), gait (r=0,515), functional mobility (r=-0,647), and independency. It means the better the balance, gait, and functional mobility is, the higher the independency is. There was weak association between age, BMI, cognitive abilities, comorbidities and independency. Conclusion: Results show that preserving of the functional independence in older adults with cognitive impairment is a multidisciplinary task: physiotherapists and nurses should work together to complete doctors’ curative work of chronic diseases.]

[OBJECTIVES - The aim of our study is to analyse the institutional long term social care of elderly in Hungary. DATA AND METHODS - Data were derived from the following sources: Social Sector Information System, Regional Development and Planning Information System, and the Hungarian Central Statistical Office. The analysis covered the period 2001-2012. We analysed the number of operating beds in residential social institutions (pieces) and number of residents (clients) in residential social institutions. RESULTS - Between 2001-2012 the number of available operating beds in residential social institutions increased by 28.56%, from 42658 to 54840. The number of residents (clients) in residential social institutions increased between 2001-2005 by 3% annually, while since 2007 the rate of growth decreased due to the capacity regulation. The bed occupancy rate was 97.51% in 2001, and then between 2002 and 2007 it stabilized between 96.26%-96.87%. In 2008 it decreased to 93.44%, then after a continuous increase it exceeded the 95%. CONCLUSIONS - During the survey period, the bed capacities and the number of clients in residential social institutions showed an increasing tendency under high occupancy rate.]

[The author reviews, interprets and illustrates the main concepts with practical examples that appear in the area of transcultural health care and nursing. ]