Informational needs and concerns among women with breast cancer after surgery

Informational need assessment has become an important part of health care in order to provide information effectively in clinical settings. Literature on information needs suggests that breast cancer [BC] patients needed more information than doctors had provided. The aim of this research was to identify the informational needs and concerns among women with breast cancer after surgery. This descriptive exploratory study used a sample of convenience of 200 women who had undergone modified radical mastectomy or breast conserving surgery in surgical departments of Benha University Hospital, Benha Teaching Hospital and National Cancer Institute [NCI] of Cairo University over a period of 6 months. Tools for data were collected on demographic characteristics and illness-related data, level of informational needs regarding diagnosis, investigative tests, treatment, physical and psychological functioning as measured by the Toronto Informational Needs Questionnaire of Breast Cancer, [Galloway et al., 1997], and their concerns as measured by Concerns Checklist, [Broomfield and Humphris, 1999]. Indicated that informational needs were greatest in the treatment, physical and psychosocial subscales. Besides, the major concerns were about their inability to complete their social role. Marital status, level of education, and level of income were highly related to level of informational needs and concerns. There was also a good positive correlation between their informational needs and concerns after surgery [r=0.733, p=<0.001]. The results had shown many areas of knowledge deficit and concerns which reflect a need for education relevant to self care, treatment and psychological support services after surgery and in return it will provide nurses with some directions as what information to give to women with breast cancer receiving early treatment, which will help them manage their illness. The study recommended replication of this study on larger nonprobability representative sample to achieve more generalizable results. As well, Future research should examine cancer patients' information needs and concerns throughout their cancer journey

Infection control measures in caring for patients on mechanical ventilation

Respiratory tract infections represent significant proportion of hospital acquired infections, About 15-20% of all hospital acquired infections are of the lower respiratory tracts which are the leading causes of mortality. Pulmonary ventilation or instrumentation may lead to nosocomial pneumonia. The primary risk factor for the development of hospital associated bacterial pneumonia is mechanical ventilation, which is often associated with a dramatic increase in length of hospital slay and total hospital costs. This study aims to assess infection control measures for patient caring on mechanical ventilation. The study was conducted in the respiratory intensive care unit at benha university hospitals on convenient Sample of 60 nurses and physicians caring for patient on mechanical ventilation were recruited for the purpose of the study. Three tools were used, nursing assessment sheet, pretest to assess infection control practice and rating scale, questionnaire to assess attitude of the nurses and physicians included in the study. The highest percent of correct nurse's knowledge was for hand washing between patients

Impact of implementation health educational program among mastectomy patients

Mastectomy is an operation in which the entire breast, usually including the nipple and the areola, is removed. It is usually performed as a treatment of breast cancer. The study aimed to assess the impact of health educational program among mastectomy patients through; Assess the patient physical, and psychosocial needs; Design and implement a health educational program according to patients needs and evaluate the outcome of health educational program according to their needs. The study was conducted in the patient surgical unit at Benha University Hospitals and Teaching Hospitals in Bertha City. Sample of 60 mastectomy female patients were divided into two equal groups [30 patients for each], Data was collected through questionnaire sheet: socio-demographic data, life style, patient's knowledge and information, Malad justment assessment sheet to assess the level of Malad justment expressed by the patients. The results imply that there were significant differences between pre and post program implementation regarding patient's knowledge and information. There were a significant difference pre and post program implementation in relation to patient's needs. In conclusion, the study revealed that the program had a positive effect on the patient's knowledge and needs. Replication of the in-service educational program for patients with mastectomy to upgrade their knowledge and improve their life style is highly recommended