ABSTRACT
Pulse oximetry is a frequently used and standard non-invasive method for monitoring oxygen [O[2]]-saturation in blood. Many factors including dark skin and pigmentation may effect on rate of saturation of the blood oxygen absorbed by pulse oximetry. The effect of nail polish and/or henna color on blood oxygen has not been yet identified and the present study has been carried out by aiming at the review on impact of henna and nail polish on results of pulse oximetry. In the current investigation, clinical trial was studied on 60 resident young women at ages 20-40 by means of purposeful sampling method. Initially, 20 g of Iranian original henna was solved in 30 ml water and put on forefinger of non-dominant hand of the subjects. The other fingers of the same hand were stained by red, black, and white nail polish, respectively. The middle finger of the same hand was considered as the control variable. Then, blood O[2]-saturation was measured by two calibrated pulse oximetry devices simultaneously. The results indicated that henna [P = 0.020], red nail polish [P
ABSTRACT
Ventilator associated pneumonia [VAP] is the most common infections in critical care units, which leads to more length of hospital stay, costs, and high mortality. Therefore, prevention is a priority according to clinical guidelines. The aim of this study is determine the effects of passive versus active implementation of VAP guidelines on nurses' performance in critical care units. In this controlled clinical trial, 110 nurses who working in critical care units in selected hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences were enrolled to study by convenience sampling at three groups, including active intervention group [n = 40], passive intervention [n = 36], and control [n = 34]. First, nurses' performance in prevention of VAP was evaluated by an observational checklist. In passive intervention group, posters containing recommendations of prevention of VAP was installed over the wall for each bed. In active intervention group, in addition to poster installation, there were training sessions with feedback on nurses' performance. In control group without any intervention, just nurses' preventative performance was evaluated before and 1 month later. A month later the nurses' performance were observed. Data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential tests [Fisher's exact test, chi-square, ANOVA, and paired t-test] in SPSS version 16. Results showed that the nurses' mean percentage score in three groups was 46.80 +/- 5.79 and after intervention it changed from 47.76 +/- 4.61 to 63.32 +/- 6.97 [P < 0.001] in active group, from 45.24 +/- 5.72 to 55.03 +/- 10.20 [P < 0.001] in passive group and 47.33 +/- 6.86 to 47.90 +/- 6.06 in control group [P = 0.263]. Nurses' performance in active group improved significantly in comparison to passive group and in passive group, it improved significantly in comparison to control group [P < 0.001]. The results of this study showed that both active and passive methods are effective on nurses' performance in prevention of VAP. Therefore, considering the existing situation in the country and the high workload of nurses, we can offer VAP guideline as a protocol in critical care units
ABSTRACT
The ventilator associated pneumonia is a common problem in critical care units. It is associated with increased mortality, cost and length of stay. Nurses have great role in preventing the ventilator associated pneumonia. The aim of this study was to assess nurses' performance in prevention of ventilator associated pneumonia. In this descriptive study, 110 nurses working in selected hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences were selected using convenience sampling method. A 32-item observational checklist was provided based on the ventilator associated pneumonia prevention guideline. The nurses' performance was observed three times. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in the SPSS-16. This study showed that the mean score of the nurses' prevention was 46.8 +/- 5.79. Most of the nurses [66.4%] had poor performance; and 36.6% had relatively good performance. There were no nurses with favorable performance in the prevention of ventilator associated pneumonia. The highest score was in contact precaution [72 +/- 9.67] and the lowest score was in mouth hygiene [18.78 +/- 17.4]. The majority of nurses had poor performance in prevention of ventilator associated pneumonia. More attention should be paid for planning appropriate training programs for nurses and giving adequate facilities to improve health care quality