Effect of oral drop gastrolit [zataria multiflora] on gastric residual volume in mechanically ventilated patients hospitalized in the intensive care units

Background: Proper nutritional support is one of the important caring aspects in patients who were hospitalized in ICU

Objective: This study was done to investigate Oral Drop Gastrolit effect on the gastric residual volume [GRV] in mechanically ventilated patients hospitalized in ICU

Methods: In this clinical trial, 50 mechanically ventilated patients were recruited using convenience sampling method; and were randomly divided into two control [Placebo = water] and experimental groups [Gastrolit]. Intervention group patients were given Gastrolit [20 drops] three times a day for 4 days. GRV was measured before the gavages. The mean GRV of patients were compared in the two groups for 4 days. Data were analyzed using the independent t-test, Chi squared test, and Mann Whitney u test and Friedman test in the SPSS-16

Results: The results showed that most patients were male [60%], and their mean age +/- SD were 63.06+/-19.6. GRV decreased in the intervention group but increased in the control group. The mean GRV in the intervention group on the second, third, and fourth day significantly lower than the control group [P<0.0001]

Conclusion: It seems Gastrolit can decrease GRV in mechanically ventilated patients, so it can be used to improve gastric emptying and prevent delayed gastric emptying complications

effect of ginger on the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized clinical trial

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome is one of the most common functional disorders of the digestive tract which causes a lot of problems for patients. Medicinal plants may decrease symptoms and improve patients` life

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of ginger on the symptoms of IBS

Methods: In this triple blind clinical trial, 64 patients with irritable bowel syndrome referring to Kowsar clinic of Arak city were selected purposively and randomly divided into two groups of intervention and control. First, Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale [GSRS] was completed by all patients. Then the intervention group, received one gram of ginger daily and the control group placebo for 4 weeks. At the end of this period, the GSRS was completed again by the patients and the obtained data were compared

Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference between the total score of gastrointestinal symptoms before intervention in the two groups [P=0.026]. Therefore, to compare the mean score of the questionnaire after intervention in the two groups, the analysis of covariance was used with controlling the effect of confounding mean score of the pre-treatment questionnaire, which showed that the mean score of the post-treatment questionnaire was significantly different in the two groups [P=0.0001]

Conclusion: Given the effect of ginger on improving symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, using ginger in these patients is recommended to reduce symptoms

[Determining novice nurses' experiences in professional preparation: a content analysis]

Studies showed that the newly graduate nurses did not develop necessary competencies, and there is a distance between their experiences and the skills needed to work as a novice nurse. This study is done to determine novice nurses' experiences regarding their professional preparation after graduation. This is a conventional qualitative content analysis. Study population was nurses working at hospitals of Arak University of Medical Sciences. Participants were selected using purposive sampling. Data was gathered through individualized semi-structured interviews. 16 novice and 4 experienced nurses participated in the study. Data was analyzed through latent content analysis. 3 themes and 8 subthemes emerged through data analysis including; educational challenges [theoratical education challenges, clinical education challenges and education-clinic gap], educators' characteristics [educators' knowledge and skill, challenges in educators' communication skills], students' conditions [students' motivation and interest, students' clinical experience during education, students' economical situation]. Professional preparation is a challenging subject. In this study participants believed that the challenges in theory and clinical education, educators' characteristics and nursing students' conditions can affect nursing students` preparation as novice nurses. Regarding the results it seems proper planning is needed to solve the mentioned problems in order to develop proper competencies and skills needed for nursing students to act as a reliable novice nurse

[Determination the sedative effect of intravenous Dexamethasone with and without superficial scalp arteries compression in acute migraine attack]

Background and aims: The migraine headache is usually one sided, vary in intensity and duration, lasting from several hours to three days. It is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Its diagnosis is based on IHS criteria and there is several methods for the treatment: drugs such as triptans and sedatives, relaxation method and compression on superficial scalp arteries. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of intravenous Dexamethasone with and without superficial scalp arteries compression in acute migraine attack

Method: In this clinical-trial study, 200 ambulatory volunteer patients affected with migraine were randomly divided into two groups. Control group were injected Dexamethasone [8 mg, i.v.] only and case group received Dexamethasone [8 mg, i.v.] as well as superficial scalp arteries compression. Pain scores were measured in both groups before and after intervention according to HIS criteria. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney, Chi-square, Wilcoxon and one way ANOVA tests

Results: The average age of patients was 31.4+/-11 years and 74% of patients were female. The ratio of migraine without aura to migraine with aura was 10 to 1. Pain score was decreased in both groups after the intervention [P<0.01] and pain relieve in case group was significantly more than control group [P<0.05]

Conclusion: A brief superficial scalp arteries compression along with Dexamethasone injection can relieve migraine pain better than Dexamethasine alone

[Focus group, a data gathering method]

Using focus group to collect data is a valuable method for qualitative researchers. This method is being used increasingly in nursing research. It can provide rich information about a special topic through group dynamics. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review on characteristics of and implementing focus group as a data collection method. A focus group is a semi-structured group session which is moderated by a group leader and held in an informal setting to collect information about a designated topic. The main characteristic of a focus group is the presentation of information and knowledge through interaction between the moderator and the group, as well as group members. Open-ended questions result in extended, in-depth and rich information. Also, participants' non-verbal responses can complete their verbal responses. Focus groups are used to study several qualitative subjects in the fields of politics, consumers' satisfaction, health subjects, quality of care evaluation, designing instruments and so on. Main components of a focus group include skilled moderator, proper participants, appropriate place and time, and correct implementation of the process. The moderator is responsible not only for guiding the participants through the discussion, but also for looking after the group dynamics to ensure that all participants dominate the discussion. Ideally, two people will be needed to conduct each focus group, one as the moderator and the other as note-taker. Using a discussion guide can help in effective data collection and the researcher can also use probing questions to reach in-depth information. Selecting proper participants is necessary, and sampling is usually purposive in which individuals with common experience about the phenomena under investigation, are selected. Time and the place of performing a group discussion must be proportionate to the subject and participants' condition. Tape recording and verbatim transcription along with field notes are usual methods of documenting data in focus groups. Focus group is a carefully planned series of discussions, designed to obtain perceptions on a defined area of interest in a permissive, non-threatening environment. A well-organized and guided group discussion results in rich and in-depth information about the phenomena at interest. However, this method has its own strengths and weaknesses which must be considered

[ effects of improvement plan on the emergency services in Kashani and Hajar Hospitals of Shahrekord]

Due to importance of the emergency wards the ministry of health and medial education introduced a plan for the improvement of emergency wards. This plan has been executed since 2002 in Kashani and Hajar hospitals of Shahrekord. The aim of this study was to find the effects, pros and cons of the plan. This descriptive and analytical study was performed on 264 patients before and after the execution of the plan. According to the ward of service donor 35-60 cases were selected for evaluation of the services. Data was collected by observation and three types of questionnaires during the first six months of the years 2002 and 2003. Execution of the plan caused a structural advancement of 13.98% and 16.67% in Kashani and Hajar hospitals respectively. Likewise, the educational condition for the emergency wards have a good improvement towards average condition of 14.29% in Kashani and 10.72% in Hajar hospital. The mean interval between the time of entrance and the first visit of the patients suffering from cerebral ischemia and stroke was 9 minutes. The mean interval between the time of entrance for the patients suffering from stroke to CT scan was 56 minutes. The mean interval between the time of entrance for the patients with neurosurgery and first visit was 9 minutes that decreased significantly [P<0.01]. The results showed that the mean interval between the time of entrance for the patients with acute myocardial infarction and first visit to the patients was 6 minutes and 48 seconds that decreased significantly [P<0.01]. The results showed that the performance of improvement plan on the emergency services has improved these services but still is far from the ideal

[ effect of maternal position in active phase on duration of labor and newborn's Apgar score]

It seems that mother's position and activity during labor can affect labor process and it's outcomes. This investigation aimed to investigate maternal position's effect in active phase on labor duration and newbom's Apgar. This is a quasi experimental study which is done on 256 mothers referring to Taleghani hospital in Arak city. Sampling was convenience and sample size was determined based on alpha =5% and beta =20%. Mothers were divided into two primi and multipara groups and each mother chose one of the lying on left side, semi ambulatory and ambulatory positions based on her own intent. The duration of first, second and third stages of labor and also the newborn's Apgar score in first and fifth minutes after birth was determined in each group. Data was analyzed using Shefe test. Results showed that more than half of mothers [55.5%] preferred semi ambulatory position. 98.8% of deliveries were normal vaginal delivery and most of newborn's Apgar score in first and fifth minutes after birth was 9 and 10 respectively. There was no significant difference between labor complications and maternal position and also between Apgar score and maternal position. It was found that the duration of first, second and third stages of labor in primiparas of ambulatory group were shorter than the other two primipara groups. But the difference was only significant in first stage[p<0.001]. In multiparas of the ambulatory group the duration of first and second stages were significantly shorter than the other two multipara groups [p<0.001].Overall findings showed that the duration of first stage of labor in ambulatory primiparas and first and second stages of multiparas were significantly reduced so it seems that ambulation of mother during labor can improve labor process