The skill of nursing students trained in the evaluation of electrocardiographic trace: a comparison with emergency nurses

Background and aim of the work: Cardiovascular diseases represent the main cause of death in Italy. Early recognition of pathological electrocardiographic (ECG) trace is an important skill for nurses. The theo- retical knowledge and the practical skills on the recognition of pathological ECG trace of trained nursing students were compared with those of emergency nurses. Methods: The study involved 35 nursing students and 41 nurses from the emergency room, emergency medicine and ambulance service. Students were previously trained through a theoretical and practical ECG course. The data were collected using two questionnaires aimed at evaluating in the two groups the ability to recognize electrocardiographic signs. The tools were up- loaded to an online platform and remotely administered. Results: Both the students and the nurses showed a satisfactory theoretical knowledge of the ECG trace, with a statistically significant difference in favor of the nurses. Regarding practical skills, both groups showed difficulty in recognizing pathological electrocardio- graphic signs, particularly blockages and acute coronary syndromes. Conclusions: Nursing students’ knowledge of ECG did not differ much from that of nurses. Training through simulation probably played a key role in improving the skill of ECG evaluation among students. More theoretical and practical courses on ECG should be recommended in Nursing Programme

The use of electronical devices and relative levels of Nomophobia within a group of Italian nurses: an Observational Study

Background: In healthcare, the use of smartphones and other electronical devices are becoming important tools among health professionals. Thanks to these devices, there are new methods of assistance. However, if used incorrectly, they may cause distraction during clinical practice. The excessive use of such devices has generated a new form of addiction in the workplace named nomophobia, a phobia still little explored in literature. We reported an analysis of the frequency and method of use of these electronical devices. The primary aim of the research was to investigate the level of dependence on electronic devices (nomophobia) and the digital habits of nurses. Secondary aim of the study was to evaluate the possible association between nomophobia and distraction in the workplace. Methods: A transversal multicenter study was conducted on a sample of Italian nurses, using the Nurses’ Use of Personal Communication Devices Questionnaire and the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q). Results: 34.1% of the sample (n=184) declared that they used smartphones and other electronical devices a moderately during working hours. 20.2 % (n=109) used them frequently and 8.9% (n=48) uses devices during working hours constantly. However, 44.0% (n=222) never uses health apps for patient medical assistance, the 32.9% (n=166) never uses learning apps or apps for professional development. 16.6% (n=87) admit that the use of these devices negatively affected their working performance (mean 80.5; SD 40.1). Study participants showed moderated levels of nomophobia (media=50.34; SD=29.0). Conclusion: The results of the study demonstrate the scares use of such electronical tools to implement adequate care among Italian nurses. Nomophobia can have significant impact on the risk of making mistakes. Future studies should examine not only nurses but also other help professionals and support staff, to bring out an underestimated dimension

Peer-support: a coping strategy for nurses working at the Emergency Ambulance Service

Background and aim of the study: Working in the emergency medical service often exposes nurses to highly stressful situations and can impact their quality of life. Among the strategies aimed at mitigating the effects of this phenomenon, peer-supporting represents an emerging model used in the emergency medical service setting. The aim of the study is to explore the experiences, the opinions and feelings of emergency medical service nursing staff in relation to the use of the peer supporting model. Methods: A semi-structured interview was carried out. Participants were recruited on a voluntary basis from an emergency medical service in the north of Italy. Interviews were audio-recorded and the data extracted were anonymised. Results: 14 nurses participated in the study. The totality of the participants recognized that their daily clinical practice, especially when involving paediatric patients, can have a profound emotional impact on their life in general. Furthermore, interviewees admitted that their personal copying mechanisms did not seem to be entirely effective when processing their painful experiences. The majority of the participants were in favour of introducing a peer-supporter in the ambulance service. Conclusions: This study emphasises the need to implement emotional support tools for non-hospital emergency nurses in daily clinical practice, in order to facilitate emotional decompression secondary to particularly stressful interventions as soon as possible. The peer-supporting strategy could represent, in this direction, a valid and shared model

Mind the Gap Between Theory and Practice: Nursing Students and Tutors in Comparison

Background: Internship represents the context for nursing students to acquire professional skills. The mutual relationship between the intern and the tutor, where both parties have the opportunity to grow and develop, contributes to transforming theoretical knowledge into intellectual, psychomotor, and social skills. However, the gap between education and clinical practice has always challenged education experts. This study assesses the gap between the theory learned during lectures and the applied care practice during the internship, highlighting factors opposing knowledge translation. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in June and July 2022, involving clinical tutors (48 tutors) and third-year nursing students (107 students) recruited by convenience sampling. Both groups were administered a designed questionnaire built by the researchers, using semi-structured interviews in the related literature and adapted to the Italian context. Two Italian universities participated in the study (University of Bari and Polytechnic University of the Marche, located in Ancona, Italy). Descriptive and Inferential statistics were employed. All P<0.05 were considered statistically significant. The data were analyzed using Jamovi software, version 2.3.18 and Microsoft Office Excel software.  Results: A significant disparity was found between the learned theory and practical care in a hospital setting, with 86.9% of students compared to 60.4% of tutors acknowledging this gap (P<0.0001). In contrast to 60.4% of tutors, 87.9% of students (P<0.0001) declared that theoretical elements were sometimes incomprehensible when applied to practice. Consequently, 78.5% of learners, as opposed to 25.0% of tutors, had to adapt their care behaviors to the methods used in the wards where they were on services (P<0.0001). Conclusions: The study explored some possible reasons underlying the dichotomy between theory and practice, both from the perspective of students and tutors. Both groups perceived the presence of a theory-practice gap but with different implications. While tutors are willing to explain, students express difficulties in expressing doubts regarding the gap. Addressing the theory-practice gap, particularly during the mentoring period, could be a possible solution to bridge the gap. Discussions during the mentoring period would be helpful. These discussion moments are pedagogical, as they could stimulate reflection in students and develop critical thinking

Attitudes, knowledge and Practices of Nurses towards HIV/AIDS Patients. An Observational, Cross Sectional, Multicenter study

Background. Attitudes, knowledge and practices of nurses towards HIV/AIDS patients are of continuous interest, especially in developing countries. However, in Italy, this topic is still scarcely debated. Materials and methods. An observational, cross sectional, multicentre study was conducted on a sample of 144 nurses in two Italian Hospitals of the Puglia Region ("Vito Fazzi" Hospital in Lecce and "San Giuseppe da Copertino" Hospital in Copertino (Le)). Results. A large part of the sample (97.2%, n=140) stated that they never refused to take care of a patient with AIDS. Only 22.9%, (n=33), of the sample had attended a training course and almost half (63.2%, n=91) used the gloves regularly when performing blood samples or when administering therapy to patients. With regard to the assessment of HIV knowledge, the percentage of nurses who know the meaning of the terms " seropositive" (83.3%, n=120), "HIV-positive person" (91.7%, n=132) and "window period" (47.9%, n=69) decreased. Conclusions. The results of the study show that a non-negligible percentage of nurses could be considered at risk of infection due to non-routine use of gloves, incorrect handling of the patient's biological samples and not knowing how to decontaminate a surface with potentially infected blood

Attitudes, perceptions, and knowledge of the population on End-of-Life and Advance Treatment Declaration: an observational study in Southern Italy

In an advanced scientific and technological context, where it is now tangible the possibility of interfering indefinitely in the process of dying, it becomes necessary to disseminate knowledge about end of life that, for the great variety of areas that it invests, presents many controversial aspects. With the Law no. 219/2017, the right of self-determination and freedom of treatment of the patient is enshrined, aspects that to date still remain too little discussed. An online survey was conducted from December 2019 to February 2020, among the population residing in the provinces of Lecce and Brindisi, spread thanks to the collaboration of local authorities. A large part of the sample (82.4%, N=333) claims the right to self-determination, stating that therapeutic decisions are up to the patient who has signed his advance treatment dispositions, declared absolutely binding for 50% (N=205) of the sample. However, there is still a lack of information about how to draw up advance treatment agreements (AADs). 12.6% (N=51) of those interviewed stated that they knew nothing about it and only 32.9% (N=133) felt ready and adequately informed to make their own declarations. Another peculiar aspect is that topics such as euthanasia and assisted suicide seem to be considered at the margins of acceptability among End-of-Life instances. The results of the study show that knowledge on the subject has definitely improved over the years and that in most of the issues addressed, the population has an adequate degree of preparedness even though there is still some skepticism in dealing with issues such as assisted suicide and euthanasia. Future research could explore the possibility of identifying effective training tools and communication strategies that can be used by the widest possible segment of the population

The Eye-tracking technology in the healthcare settings: an observational, cross sectional, multicenter study

Successful communication is considered an essential component of the quality of care and safety of the patient with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Recent technology has provided alternative communication systems, including the Eye-tracking technology, which enables interaction with others in the more advanced stages of the disease. The aim of the study is to investigate patients' difficulties in using the eye tracker, their problem in obtaining the device and the clinical complications resulting from it. A "snowball sampling" method study was conducted from April to September 2020 until sample saturation. The results of the study demonstrate the countless difficulties in obtaining the eye- tracker, with long waiting times, which are not followed by adequate training in its correct use. Among the consequences linked to the use of this device, the most frequent were nystagmus (8.8%), onset of eyelid ptosis (16.2%) and the appearance of increased fatigue. 56.1% of the sample used the eye tracker to surf the Internet whereas 9.1% used it to write e-mails. Overall, the use of the eye tracker led to an improvement in overall quality of life (24%). In Conclusions, the Eye-tracking technology is a valuable device for Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC) in ALS patients and can be used with good performance, therefore the need for information, training and improvement on this topic is essentia

Exploring Internet Addiction in Italian Nurses during the COVID-19 Outbreak

(1) Background: Nomophobia is considered a digital and virtual contemporary society disorder and refers to discomfort, anxiety, nervousness, or distress caused by being out of contact with a cell phone or computer. The present study had a twofold objective: to evaluate the expert use of the Internet among Italian nurses by correlating it with socio-demographic characteristics, such as: sex, years of work experience, professional role, and level of nursing education; and to assess a possible increase in the levels of nomophobia among Italian nurses during COVID-19 compared to the pre-pandemic period. (2) Methods: An observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study was conducted from April to September 2020, such as during the First Wave of the COVID-19 outbreak. (3) Results: A total of 502 nurses were enrolled in the present study. Significantly differences were reported in the IAT (Internet Addiction Test) levels according to socio-demographic characteristics since males reported significantly higher IAT levels than females (p p = 0.031) than their younger colleagues. More nursing managers and coordinators reported significantly higher IAT levels than registered nurses (p p = 0.003). Additionally, significant differences were reported according to all the socio-demographic characteristics considered and IAT subdimensions, namely: Salience, Excessive Use, Neglect Work, Anticipation, and Lack of Control. (4) Conclusions: The study revealed higher levels of Internet addiction in men than in women during the COVID-19 pandemic period, as well as a significant correlation between nomophobia, years of work experience, and the role of nursing coordinator/manager

Exploring Internet Addiction in Italian Nurses during the COVID-19 Outbreak

(1) Background: Nomophobia is considered a digital and virtual contemporary society disorder and refers to discomfort, anxiety, nervousness, or distress caused by being out of contact with a cell phone or computer. The present study had a twofold objective: to evaluate the expert use of the Internet among Italian nurses by correlating it with socio-demographic characteristics, such as: sex, years of work experience, professional role, and level of nursing education; and to assess a possible increase in the levels of nomophobia among Italian nurses during COVID-19 compared to the pre-pandemic period. (2) Methods: An observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study was conducted from April to September 2020, such as during the First Wave of the COVID-19 outbreak. (3) Results: A total of 502 nurses were enrolled in the present study. Significantly differences were reported in the IAT (Internet Addiction Test) levels according to socio-demographic characteristics since males reported significantly higher IAT levels than females (p &lt; 0.001). Nurses who worked more than 6 years reported significantly higher IAT levels (p = 0.031) than their younger colleagues. More nursing managers and coordinators reported significantly higher IAT levels than registered nurses (p &lt; 0.001). This trend was repeated by considering the nursing educational level, as nurses who recorded more years of nursing educational level reported significantly higher IAT levels than the others (p = 0.003). Additionally, significant differences were reported according to all the socio-demographic characteristics considered and IAT subdimensions, namely: Salience, Excessive Use, Neglect Work, Anticipation, and Lack of Control. (4) Conclusions: The study revealed higher levels of Internet addiction in men than in women during the COVID-19 pandemic period, as well as a significant correlation between nomophobia, years of work experience, and the role of nursing coordinator/manager

Can Music Reduce Stress and Anxiety in the Operating Room Team? Insights from a Cross-Sectional Study in Northern Italy Healthcare Services

Background. Music evokes positive emotions and reduces stress and anxiety. Operating room (OR) staff face various challenges which can lead to high levels of stress. The aim of the study is to assess whether listening to music during intraoperative phases improves the work environment by reducing anxiety and stress in the entire surgical team. Methods. A prospective observational study was conducted from February to September 2023, involving medical personnel, nursing staff, and nursing students. They were divided into two groups: Group 1 with music during surgical procedures, and Group 2 without music. Participants were administered two validated instruments: the Zung Anxiety Self-Assessment Scale (SAS) to measure anxiety, and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule to assess emotions generating stress. Additional items were included for demographics, job satisfaction, and the organization method. Results. Music did not impact anxiety, but increased positive emotions while reducing negative ones. Music had an ancillary effect, highlighting the need for significant organizational interventions aimed at increasing operator satisfaction, including offering voluntary instead of mandatory assignments to nursing staff. Conclusions. Music appears to reduce stress in the intraoperative team when supported by a positive work environment in which assigned operators have chosen to work in the OR