The comparison of the effects of chlorhexidine mouthwash alone and Chlorhexidine mouthwash followed by oral suctioning on oral hygiene of critically Ill patients Kritik hastalari{dotless}n aǧi{dotless}z hijyeninde tek başi{dotless}na Klorheksidin gargara ve Klorheksidin gargarayi{dotless} takiben aǧi{dotless}z sekresyonlari{dotless}ni{dotless}n vakumla çekilmesinin etkilerinin karşi{dotless}laşti{dotless}rmasi{dotless}

Aim: Oral hygiene is one of the main issues in nursing care, being especially important among patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU). The aim of the study was to assess the effect of Chlorhexidine mouthwash alone and 0.2 Chlorhexidine mouthwash followed by oral suctioning on oral hygiene in ICU patients. Material and Methods: In a semi-experimental research design, 90 patients who were admitted to the ICUs were selected. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. In group I, 0.2 chlorhexidine mouthwash alone was applied and in group 2, 0.2 chlorhexidine mouthwash was followed by oral suctioning. These procedures were repeated for 7 consecutive days. The oral hygiene status of patients was assessed by using a Beck checklist on the 1 st and 7 th days of ICU admission. Results: Oral hygiene scores of group I on the 1 st and 7 th days were 12.4 and 14.3 respectively. In group II, the scores of the 1 st and 7 th days were 11.8 and 10.5 respectively. Oral hygiene status of group I was poorer on the 7 th day, but in group II oral hygiene had improved on the 7 th day of application. Conclusion: We found that using a 0.2 chlorhexidine solution alone is not enough for oral care of patients in the ICU and suctioning of the oral secretions after 0.2 chlorhexidine mouthwash will improve oral hygiene in critically ill patients

Damage Detection and Performance Evaluation of Photovoltaic Panels Used in Rural Area through Thermography Analysis

In recent years, due to environmental issues, the installation of distributed production sources such as solar sources in electrical energy production systems has been expanding. It is very important to know the state of health of installed photovoltaic panels and their depreciation rate to maximize the amount of output energy of these panels.  In this research, some common types of panel defects were investigated experimentally by thermal imager. The parameters affecting the thermal images were investigated by taking images of two similar panels, one a sound panel and a damaged panel and the performance parameters of the panels were measured by a solar analyzer. Based on the results obtained by using thermal images and image processing in MATLAB software, it was identified the defect location of the panel in a short time. According to the investigations, the histogram diagram of the healthy panel corresponds to the normal distribution, while the histogram diagram of the defective panel does not correspond to the normal distribution diagram and has an elongation to the left. Checking the voltage and power parameters of the panels shows that in the defective panels, the voltage has dropped by 1.2 V and the power has dropped by 26.8 W

Comparison of Bam and Kerman nursing students’ attitude about death and dying

Finally the event of death of every human face is. But the nurses every day who witnessed the death of patients spend their final days of their lives. Nursing students also involved in the care of patients end their lives are the days spend will be involved. Attitude toward death is one of the most important factors on behavior related to health care professionals affects. Objectives: To compare the attitude towards Kerman and Bam to death and care of dying patients In this cross - sectional study of Kerman and Bam attitude toward death and care of dying patients، using two questionnaires DAP-R (revised attitude towards death) and FATCOD (fromelot attitudes toward care dying patients) were studied. All questionnaires were collected. 98% of questions were answered. Data analysis was performed with SPSS software. Data analysis using descriptive analysis techniques (frequency، mean and standard deviation) and inferential (Pearson) were performed. Nursing students Bam death in January 2003 had the experience to nursing students near Kerman view that the death had not the fear of death were lower. In both groups of students about death and dying were trained compared to untrained students had more positive attitudes towards death were. Results showed that Bam and Kerman attitude towards care of dying patients is different. Although they live in a province and have similar cultures، this study suggests that palliative care education curriculum in nursing students be put to work quality of nurses even in the final days of life of patients will improve. Keywords: Nursing Students, Attitude, Death, Palliative Care, Educatio

Developing and Testing a Spiritual Care Questionnaire in the Iranian Context

Abstract As most research exploring nurses’ perceptions on the topic of spiritual care was conducted in Western countries, these findings may not be applicable in Iran because of cultural and health system differences. Therefore, a new survey instrument was developed for the Iranian context. The study was conducted in two steps: (1) development and validation of items for perception scale and (2) distribution of the questionnaire among nursing students to determine scale reliability and construct validity. The preliminary scale consisted of 50 items designed to measure the participants’ perception of spiritual care. Construct validity of the scale was examined on the remaining 33 items. On interpretation of the items, the following four components were identified: (1) meeting patient as a being in meaning and hope, (2) meeting patient as a being in relationship, (3) meeting patient as a religious being, and (4) meeting patients as a being with autonomy. The results in this paper showed that preserving dignity in the nurses’ practice meant getting involved in interpersonal caring relationships, with respect for the involved peoples’ religious beliefs and their autonomy. Proper education and professionally led supervision with reflection on past and recent experiences may develop student nurses’ and nurses’ perceptions as well as their attitudes toward spiritual care and to achieve a realistic view of the profession

Burst Out of the Dead Land by the Help of Spirituality: A Case Study of Living with Blindness and Cancer

Blindness is one of the most complex problems related to health throughout the world. The condition is worse when such stress is accompanied with cancer. The aim of this case study was to introduce a patient with both these conditions who could come over her problems well. A phenomenological hermeneutic approach influenced by Ricoeur was used to explore the experience of the patient. Data were collected through unstructured and deep interview and by checking patient medical records. The patient is an Iranian 58-year-old teacher residing in Kerman who became blind at age 32 due to bloodshed inside the eye and was affected by breast cancer at age 52. The patient could come over these divine tests through the help of spirituality so that she believed blindness and cancer was the best events in her life. Spirituality is one of the human aspects that give meaning and purposes to life. Health care providers are suggested to implement spiritual strategies such as instructional workshops for increasing spirituality in settings, such as oncologic wards for patients to pass stages of adaptation to such great stresses easily and rapidly

Nurses’ knowledge about palliative care in Southeast Iran

Objective: Palliative care requires nurses to be knowledgeable about different aspects of the care that they provide for dying patients. This study, therefore, was conducted to examine oncology and intensive care nurses’ knowledge about palliative care in Southeast Iran. Method: Using the Palliative Care Quiz for Nursing (PCQN), 140 oncology and intensive care unit (ICU) nurses’ knowledge about palliative care in three hospitals supervised by Kerman University of Medical Sciences was assessed. Results: In PCQN, the mean score was 7.59 (SD: 2.28). The most correct answers were in the category of management of pain and other symptoms (46.07%). The lowest correct answers were in the category of psychosocial and spiritual care (19.3%). Significance of results: These findings suggest that nurses’ knowledge about palliative care can be improved by establishing specific palliative care units to focus on end-of-life care. This establishment requires incorporation of an end-of-life nursing education curriculum into undergraduate nursing studies

Meaning of Spiritual Care

Spiritual care is an essential component in nursing practice and strongly influenced by the sociocultural context. This article aimed to elucidate the meaning of nurses’ experiences of giving spiritual care in southeast of Iran. A phenomenological hermeneutic approach influenced by Ricoeur was used. Eleven staff nurses who were currently working in the 3 major hospitals under the umbrella of the Kerman University of Medical Sciences were interviewed. The meaning of spiritual care was comprehensively understood as meeting patient as a unique being. This can be divided into 3 themes: meeting patient as a being in relationship, meeting patient as a cultural being, and meeting patient as a religious being. The results in this study suggest that education about spirituality and spiritual care should be included in the continuous and in-service education of registered nurses. Spiritual and cultural assessment criteria should be included in this education to improve the provision of holistic care. KEY WORDS: Iran, nurse, phenomenology, spiritual care Holist Nurs Pract 2013;27(4):199–20

Caring for dying and meeting death : the views of Iranian and Swedish nurses and student nurses

Nurses play a principal role in the caring for dying persons and their families. Increasing diversity and globalisation demand culturally sensitive and competent health personnel who have scientifically based knowledge about the universal phenomenon of death and dying. A mixed method of research was conducted to describe student nurses' and nurses' views of caring for dying people in the cultural contexts of Iran and Sweden. In the first part, a quantitative method with two questionnaires (FATCOD and DAP-R) was used to examine the student nurses' and registered nurses' attitudes towards death and caring for dying persons in Iran. In the second part, a phenomenological hermeneutic approach was used to illuminate the meaning of nurses' experiences with the caring for dying persons in the cultural contexts of Iran and Sweden. According to the results (I, II), student nurses' and nurses' attitudes towards caring for dying people were influenced by their attitudes towards death, education, previous experience with death, and previous experience of caring for a dying relative. Iranian nurses were unlikely to talk about death with dying persons and their families. The findings of the qualitative part indicate that professional care for dying people is a lifelong learning process that takes place in a sociocultural context (III, IV). The Iranian and Swedish registered nurses' experiences showed similarities that crossed cultures. The existential context for their care was almost identical. The nurses met people and their families at the end of their lives. Being invited to share the understanding of this unique experience raised an ethical demand to care within close relationships. It called for a personal and professional response in all aspects. Swedish nurses preserved patients' dignity by meeting personal caring needs according to each person's preferences as well as providing each person with appropriate information. Iranian nurses were also concerned about each person's dignity, although they were not allowed to inform persons and family members about a person's real condition. They believed that such information could hasten the patient's death. Swedish nurses regularly used teamwork. Team reflective practices were important in the support of their professional development. The study revealed that Iranian nurses lacked collaboration between nurses and other professionals, including social workers. The results suggest that student nurses and nurses should be offered the opportunity to reflect on their experiences, feelings, actions, and reactions to death, as well as caring for dying people and their families. This could be accomplished at work or in professionally guided individual or group sessions. Such supervision could transform their personal experiences into positive and constructive learning. Recognition of the common foundation behind different cultures, religions, and nurses' own caring behaviours could support the universal phenomenon of care as a human mode of being, in order to be able to provide culturally sensitive and competent and supportive care to patients with various cultural backgrounds. General educational programmes and programmes dealing with end of life care must focus on to the fact that patients' and family members are unique beings with unique backgrounds and preferences. Specific training programmes should aim at increasing an understanding among professional carers about what shape patients' world views in order to support their dignity and well-being at the end of life.Godkänd; 2009; 20090115 (ysko)Caring for dying and meeting death. The views of Iranian and Swedish nurses and nurse student

Nurses' attitudes toward palliative care in south-east Iran

Background: Nurses are the element of the palliative care team who spend the most time with patients. Nurses' attitudes toward palliative care affect their behaviour toward their patients. Aim: This study sought to examine oncology and intensive care unit (ICU) nurses' attitudes toward palliative care in south-east Iran. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the palliative care attitudes of 140 oncology and ICU nurses from three hospitals supervised by Kerman University of Medical Science. Results: Participants had moderately negative to neutral attitudes toward palliative care (2.99±0.29 out of 5). Among all categories, the highest mean score came from the category of 'patient's preferences' (mean=3.66) and the lowest from the category of 'withholding and withdrawing treatment' (mean=2.42). A signifcant correlation was found between nurses' attitudes toward palliative care and some demographic characteristics, including marital status, type of ward, palliative care education, personal study about palliative care, level of education, and experience of caring for a dying family member. Conclusions: This study suggests that educational designers should include specific courses about death and palliative care in undergraduate and postgraduate nursing curricula. Educational programmes need to build on the specifc experiences of death and dying among nurses and auxiliary nurses