Effect of scientific principles of gavage feeding in oral medicine administration on knowledge and function of nurses in intensive care unit (ICU)

Medication through an enteral feeding tube is one of the main cares in patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit continuously being a challenge. Correct delivery of medication through an enteral feeding tube requires specific knowledge and skills in this field. The nurse as the main responsible for administering a drug, has a very important role in this regard. This study was carried out as a quasi-experimental study on 90 cases of ICU nurses. First, using a questionnaire (pretest), the level of knowledge and practice in intensive care unit was measured. The training course for speech, along with a pamphlet and face to face, was held and again after a month their awareness and performance was measured by questionnaire (post-test).For analysis of data, SPSS software (version 21) and paired tests and chi-square was used. Results showed the mean score of nurses' knowledge prior to applying scientific principles (12/9889 ±2/04167) and their knowledge after that (19/3333±0/71893); mean performance score prior to applying scientific principles was significantly difference with the average score of their next performance (P=0/0001). Also results indicated that the average of all subscales of knowledge and practice (preparation, dosage forms, thumbs up and tubal obstruction, drug interactions and side effects) significantly increased after the application of scientific principles (P=0/0001). This study showed that the application of scientific principles in accordance with the instructions provided, significantly increases knowledge and practice of nurses

Effect of a family-centered clinical intervention on the anxiety of family members of the patients hospitalized in critical care units

Background and Objective: Hospitalization of patients in the intensive care units frequently results in anxiety of the family members. This study was performed to investigate the effect of a family-centered clinical intervention on the anxiety of family members of the patients hospitalized in intensive care units. Methods: In this clinical trail study, eighty family members of the patients hospitalized in the intensive care units were randomly divided into interventional and control groups, respectively. In the interventional group, the family members were allowed to be present at the bedside from the second till the sixth day.The participant's level of anxiety was assessed in the second and the sixth day of patient's hospitalization using hospital anxiety and depression scale. Oral information about the equipment and the regulations and, a daily information card consisting of treatment and care activities, vital signs and patient's level of consciousness was delivered to the participants and their questions were answered. Results: In the the sixth day, there was a significant difference between the mean anxiety scores in the intervention (11±3.22) and control group (7.05±3.44) (P<0.05). Also, the frequncey of anxiety in the interventional group (56%) was significantly higher than the control group with 15% (P<0.05). The odds ratio for anxiety in sons/daughters was lower than other family members in the sixth day (P<0.05). Conclusion: Providing information, presence at the bedside and participation in the care of their patient increase the anxiety of family members in the first week of patient hospitalization in the intensive care unit

The effect of patient care education on burden of care and quality of life of caregivers of stroke patients

D Hekmatpou,1 E Mohammad Baghban,1 L Mardanian Dehkordi2 1Nursing Department, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran; 2Nursing Department, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran Background: Care for stroke patients at home is a very complicated and tough activity. Objective: The study was conducted to examine the effect of patient care education on burden of care and quality of life of caregivers of stroke patients. Materials and methods: The study was an educational trial conducted on 100 caregivers of the stroke patients in Al-Zahra educational hospital, Isfahan, Iran. The intervention group received some training to empower caregivers in family-oriented care in form of an educational counseling program. Data were collected and analyzed using the questionnaires, including demographic, quality of life Short Form-36, and Zarit burden of care questionnaires. Results: The mean ages of caregivers were 48.52 years in the intervention and 45.14 years in the control groups. The results indicated significant differences in mean of quality of life and burden of care in the caregivers of the intervention group after intervention (P&lt;0.01), which was insignificant in the control group. The average burden on the caregivers of both groups was significantly associated with health status, economic status, marital status, the number of children, care hours, care days, and familial relationship of the caregivers with the patients (P&lt;0.01) before intervention. In addition, quality of life of both groups was significantly related to their health status (P&lt;0.01) before intervention. Conclusion: Patient care education reduced the burden of care and improved quality of life of the caregivers of stroke patients. Thus, to reduce the complications of caring for stroke patients, family education should be the priority of nursing and discharging procedures. Keywords: burden of care, family, stroke, quality of lif

Investigating the Effective Factors of Using Personal Protective Equipment from the Perspective of Nurses Caring for COVID-19 Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Considering the importance of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for preventing COVID-19 transmission, the aim of this study was to investigate the factors affecting the use of PPE from the perspective of the nurses caring for COVID-19 patients. This descriptive cross-sectional study surveyed 240 nurses working in the central COVID-19 hospitals of Arak, Iran. Nurses were enrolled in the study by a convenience sampling method. The data collection tool was a validated questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16 software using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and independent sample t-test. Environmental (4.24 +/- 0.45), personal (4.16 +/- 0.42), and organizational (4.04 +/- 0.50) factors all contribute significantly to nursing attitudes about PPE use (p < 0.05). The average score, combining all identified factors, was 4.15 +/- 0.31. The most influential factor contributing to appropriate use of PPE was environmental, while the least impactful parameters were related to rules and regulations. Environmental factors have the greatest impact on the use of PPE from the perspective of the nurses caring for patients with COVID-19. Managers and healthcare organizations should provide appropriate and adequate PPE to nurses, educate them on proper use, and monitor the process to resolve barriers