[Self esteem and its associated factors in patients with multiple sclerosis]

Multiple sclerosis [MS] as a progressive disorder can deteriorate body image and the feeling of attractiveness and influence patients' self-esteem through changing their cognitive experiences and attitude towards their body. Accordingly this study was conducted with aim of assessing self esteem and its related factors in patients with MS. It was a descriptive, cross-sectional study. The subjects [n=395] were recruited by convenience sampling from Multiple Sclerosis Society in Tehran. Rosenberg Self-Esteem Inventory was used as data collection tool. Data was analyzed by independent t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, spearman correlation coefficient, chi-square test and post hoc Scheffe test using SPSS-PC [version 16]. The mean score of self-esteem was 17/5 +/- 53/20. Most patients had moderate self-esteem, and only a small percentage of them [16.2%] had high self esteem. There were significant relationship between the patients' self-esteem and their age, educational level, marital status, employment status and the duration of disease [P<0.05]. Nurses are able to consider the patients' esteem needs by recognition of high risk groups and provide appropriate interventions to improve the quality of life of these patients and their families

[Comparing the effect of two methods of distraction and touch on intensity of pain related to venipuncture in 5-10 years old children]

The pain related to invasive procedures such as venipuncture, causes physical and psychological stress in children and therefore should be given relief. Methods that reduce the pain related to invasive procedures in children are among the major priorities in nursing profession. This study compared the effect of two methods of distraction and touch on pain in 5-10 years old children. It was a randomized clinical trial. One hundred and twenty children, hospitalized in educational hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences were randomly assigned to three groups of bubble blowing, touch and control. The first group was encouraged to play with bubbles before and during venipuncture, the second group received touch peripheral to injection area before and during venipuncture and the third group received routine care. Immediately after injection, pain intensity was assessed by Wong-Baker faces scale. The data were analyzed by Chi-square, ANOVA, and Shefeh tests using SPSS-PC [v.11]. The findings showed that the mean score of pain intensity in bubble making group, touch group, and control group was 5.77, 5.95 and 8.12 respectively. ANOVA test results showed that there is a significant difference between the mean score of pain intensity in control group and touch and bubble making groups [P=0.00]. No significant differences was found between the pain intensity of bubble making and touch groups [p=0.89]. Distraction and touch are effective methods for reducing injection pain in children. These procedures are among easy to use and practical nursing interventions that help children to cope with this common painful experience

[Health-related quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]

Complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] frequently lead to impaired social life, physical Function and daily activities in these patients and finaly the health-related quality of life [HRQL] of these patients will decrease. The aim of this study was to determine HRQL and its relationship with some demographic variables. Using a cross-sectional descriptive design, 331 COPD patients admitted to hospitals affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences were recruited by constant sampling. Data collection tools included demographic information form and HRQL questionnaire [SF-36]. Data was analyzed using SPSS [v.16], descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation coefficient, ANOVA and Independent t- test. The findings showed a reduction in HRQL especially in physical health dimension. Significant relationships were found between HRQL and some demographic characteristics such as gender, education level, duration of disease, type of medication and hospitalizations frequency during the past year [P <0.05]. Regarding the relationship between HRQL and some demographic variables, using appropriate caring approaches such as executing educational programs about adequate activity, breathing exercices, techniques promoting breathing pattern and right ways of using medications in COPD patients is recommended

[ relationship between health care providers' perceptions of patient safety culture and patients' perceptions of medical errors in teaching hospitals in Tehran: 2011]

This study was conducted to examine the relationship between care providers' perception of patient safety culture and patients' perception of medical errors in teaching hospitals in Tehran. It was a descriptive analytical and Cross- Sectional study. The population consisted of 216 health care providers and 216 patients selected using stratified random sampling in 13 general teaching hospitals in Tehran. Hospital Survey of Patient Safety Culture was used to assess health care providers' perceptions of patient safety culture and a researcher-made questionnaire was developed to assess patients' perceptions of medical errors. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation test. The results showed an expected direction [negative] among the relationships and coefficients correlation between patient perception of medical errors and hospital management supported the patient safety [r=-0.586, p= 0.035], frequency of event reporting [r=-0.625, p= 0.022], hospital handoffs and transition [r= -0.637, p= 0.019] and HSOPS dimension average [r= -0.602, p=0.03] were statistically significant. The findings supported the idea that there are fewer medical errors in hospitals with more positive patient safety culture. Further research is needed to determine the generalizability of these results to other hospitals and to assess the relationship between patient safety culture and other patient outcomes

[Nursing minimum data set: an essential need for Iranian health care system]

Nurses are the largest groups in health care delivery system. Nursing Information systems [NIS] are important for improving nursing performance, increasing nursing knowledge and providing data and information needed for nursing. Identifying Nursing Minimum Data Set [NMDS] is the first step for development of NIS. Considering the absence of NMDS in Iran, this study was conducted with the aim of assessing NMDS needs and giving recommendations for Iran health care system. It was a descriptive developmental study. NMDS was searched in several countries; nursing data elements gathered into a questionnaire and then, were prioritized by experts. Using SPSS-PC [v.16.5], mean scores of priorities were calculated and those with more than 80% of mean score [m=2.9] were selected. Findings showed that most data elements had high priority from within nurses, perspective except "residential status [m=2.34 of 3]", "nurses, employment startup date [m=2.36 of 3]", "number of patients [m=2.32 of 3]", "employment end date [m=2.29 of 3]", "Reimbursement type [m=2.23 of 3]", Nurse Gender [m=2.05 of 3] and Nursing budget [m=1.97 of 3]. Elements for Iranian Nursing Minimum Data Set [IrNMDS] were offered as nursing care data elements [5 Items], Patient data element [14 Items] and service data element [14 Items]. Validity and reliability assessment of data set content, in-service education for nurses and more comprehensive studies regarding the clinical use of this data set is recommended

Survey of Usability of Hospital Information Systems from the perspective of Nurses, Department Secretaries, and par aclinic Users in Selected hospitals: 2009

User satisfaction is a key factor for the success of any information system. Evaluation of hospital information systems HIS is valueless without analyzing users' satisfaction. The purpose of this study was to survey the view point s of nurses, secretaries and paraclinic users about the usability of HIS in selected hospitals. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2009. A questionnaire, based on the international standard ISO 9241/10, was used to evaluate the usability of HIS. Initially, all hospitals in Tehran with HIS and companies providing the systems were identified. Then, a hospital from among the hospitals, supported by each company, was randomly selected. Finally, the usability of HIS was assessed from the perspective of nurses, department secretaries and paraclinic users through the standard questionnaire of IsoMetric. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS using descriptive statistics and one sample t-test. The findings show that HIS usability was favorable from the perspective of nurses. However, it was perceived less desirable by paraclinic users. The difference in viewpoints suggests that users'job affect the rate of their satisfaction. It is recommended that system providers pay special attention to the needs of paraclinic users, when designing HIS