The influence of role overload, role conflict and role ambiguity on occupational stress among nurses in selected Iranian hospitals

The aim of this study was to investigate the level of occupational stress and the influence of role overload, role conflict, and role ambiguity on occupational stress among Iranian nurses. This study adopts a quantitative correlational study methodology. The study sample comprised of 135 nurses selected randomly from the emergency and surgery departments at Yasuj hospitals in south west of Iran. The data was collected through self-administrated questionnaire using drop and collect method. The result showed that the level of occupational stress was relatively high. The result also showed that there was a significant, linear and positive relationship between role overload, role conflict, role ambiguity and occupational stress. Finally, multiple regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of occupational stress. About 37% variance in occupational stress was explained by role overload, role conflict, role ambiguity. The result also indicated that role conflict was the strongest predictor to predict occupational stress. The findings of this study provide support to the Job-Demand Control Model and provide practical contribution to alleviate the level of stress among nurses

Causes of ventilator associated pneumonia in pediatrics ICU

Background: Hospital acquired infections are associated with prolonged hospitalization and visibly increased mortality & cost. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is one of the most common hospital-acquired infections VAP complicates the course of 9-70% % of mechanically ventilated patients and mortality varies greatly from 20-25% depending on the defining criteria and specific population being studied. As little is known about the epidemiology, risk factors, and microbiology of VAP in pediatrics we conducted this study to find most common micro-organisms and related risk factors. Materials and methods: We select 1-15 months intubated pediatric patients in Ali- Asghar children hospital in Tehran from 1388 up to end of 1389. 63 cases (36 male & 27 female) were included in this study with mean age 22.32±37.84 months. We identified 26 cases with VAP by positive protected bronchial brush. There was no differences between two groups of patients with & without VAP by considering variables such as nasogastric tube, head position, antacid administration, immunosuppressant drugs & chest physiotherapy. Results: The most common organisms, were Pseudomonas aeuroginosa, Staphylococcus aureus & Enterobacter. However, there was no differences between two groups related to the etiologic agents. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that most of the complications defined as VAP are patient-related, not modifiable risk factors and it seems that the new prevention strategies are needed to decrease the mortality in intensive care unit patient