effect of nurses knowledge and beliefs on their practices while haning cytotoxix drugs

The handling of cytotoxic drugs [CDs] is currently considered to be an occupationally hazardous. Therefore, safety measures must be followed to protect health care personnel, especially nurses, who are always exposed to these drugs in the hospital setting. Of this study was to evaluate the effect of nurses' knowledge and beliefs concerning occupational exposure about their practice while handling CDs. The study was carried out at the Oncology Care Unit at the Main University Hospital of Alexandria University. The sample of this study consisted of all nurses [No=40] who are responsible for preparation and administration of CDs in Oncology Care Unit. Two tools were used to collect the necessary data. Tool I: A questionnaire to assess nurses' knowledge and beliefs was developed, in addition to a list of symptoms and reasons for not following preventive measures guidelines. Tool II: Consists of an observation checklist to assess nurses' practice of safety measure during preparation and administration of CDs. A gap was found between the nurses' knowledge and beliefs on one hand and their practice of safety measures during handling CDs on other. The study findings support the need to promote primary prevention by providing a safe environment for nurses by means of education, training with regards to safety measures, unit policy, written rules, and guidelines

Effect of nutritional regimen for moderate burn patients on graft take

Early and individually estimated nutritional care plan is considered to be an important component of therapy for burn healing and graft take. This study aimed to determine the effect of nutritional regimen for moderate burn patients on graft take. It was carried out at the Burns Units of the Main University Hospital in Alexandria. Fifty recent moderate burned patients within 12 hours post burn were included. Included patients were divided sequentially into a control [n=30] and an experimental [n=20] groups and they were uncomplicated with any condition or disease that recommends special dietary regimen. Four tools were developed and used for data collection. A nutritional assessment sheet, food intake record, graft checklist, and dietary plans were done individually for the experimental group. Weekly modifications were done as required. Calculations of caloric requirements were based on Curreri formula [25 Kcal x weight [Kg]] + [40 Kcal x% TBSA]. Adequate level of caloric intake was attained by all patients of the experimental group versus only 20% of patients of the control group. Half of the control group reached the satisfactory level, however the intake of the rest percentage [30%] was unsatisfactory. The majority of both control and experimental groups [90% and 100%] respectively reached the adequate level of fat intake. Unsatisfactory level of fat intake was recorded by only 10% of the patients of control group. Adequate level of food intake-especially calories and proteins, showed significant relationship with graft take among burned patients despite the deterioration which was noticed in the nutritional indicators as anthropometric measurements and laboratory investigations

use of continuous quality improvement methodology to improve nurses' infection control practices at a general hospital in Alexandria

The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of continuous quality improvement [CQI] methodology in improving selected nurses' infection control practices at a general hospital in Alexandria. The study population consisted of important infection control practices performed by nurses. Important practices were defined as high-volume, high-risk, high-cost, and problem-prone activities. Based on these criteria, three practices were selected: [1] handwashing, [2] surgical site dressing, and [3] peripheral intravenous catheterization. The present study used pre-test post-test design to examine nurses' practices before and after implementation of CQI project. It consisted of the following three distinct phases: [1] observation of nurses' practices before intervention, [2] implementation of a quality improvement project, and [3] observation of nurses' practices following implementation of the project. After implementation of CQI interventions, the percentage of times in which indicated handwashing/alcohol hand rubbing was performed increased from 1.7% to 2.8%, and the percentage of times nurses complied with recommended handwashing practices increased for 5 of actual 7 steps. Nurses' practices of surgical site dressing technique showed statistically significant improvement in all 12 steps after implementation of CQI interventions. The proportion of occasions in which nurses complied with recommended procedure for peripheral intravenous catheterization significantly improved after implementation of CQI intervention in 9 of 12 steps