[Telenursing benefits in patients with diabetes: a review article]

Telenursing is an affordable' easy and available nursing intervention and nurses can use this method to overcome the obstacles related to time and place. The purpose of this review was to provide evidence for the impact of telenursing on diabetic patients outcomes. An electronic search was performed for articles which were published in English and Persian languages on Pub Med, BMJ, Conult Nursing, Magiran, SID, and Iran Doc databases. The search was conducted using the following keywords: telephone-telephone follow up - telenursing - diabetic patients and quality of life of diabetics. These databases were searched in a time period of 2000 to 2012. 30 articles were included for review. Evidence indicated the positive effects of telenursing on some patient outcomes as control of blood glucose' adherence to diet and physical activity and improved quality of life in patient with diabetes. With regard to benefits of telenursing, it is recommended to include this affordable technology in health care programs

[Ostomy patient's quality of life: a qualitative study]

Therapeutic procedures cure diseases and also affect quality of life. Therefore, we can measure quality of life in order to assess impacts of disease and therapeutic procedures. To identifying client problems, it is necessary to assess quality of life dimensions such as physical, spiritual, economic and social aspects. In this regard, researchers conducted a qualitative research to explore quality of life and its dimensions in ostomy patients referred to Iranian ostomy association. In this qualitative study, 14 patients were interviewed about their quality of life dimensions. Interviews were analyzed using content analysis method. The main themes emerging from this study included physical problems related to colostomy, colostomy and psychological conditions, colostomy and sociofamilial relationships, colostomy and economic difficulties, colostomy and nutrition, colostomy and physical activity, colostomy and travel, colostomy and religious issues and colostomy, and sexual problems. The findings of the study showed challenges in quality of life of patients with ostomy. The results can be used by health care providers to create a supporting environment leading to promoting quality of life of patients

[Effect of therapeutic play on postoperative pain of hospitalized school age children in pediatric surgical ward]

A majority of children experience moderate to severe postoperative pain. To ensure adequate pain relief in pediatric patients, non pharmacological techniques are needed for use in conjunction with pain medication. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of therapeutic play on postoperative pain of hospitalized school age children in surgical ward of Sheikh's Pediatric Hospital affiliated to Mashhad Medical University in 2009-2010. In this randomized clinical trial, 40 hospitalized children in surgical ward between the age of 8 and 12 years old were selected and randomly assigned to the experimental group who participated in a session of therapeutic play that lasted between 30 and 45 minutes whereas those in the control group received routine care. Data collection tools included demographic questionnaire and Objective Numeric Pain Scales. The intensity of pain was assessed before [Phase1], immediately after [Phase2], and 15 minutes after [Phase3] intervention or routine care. The validity of 'Objective Pain Scales' and 'Numeric Pain Scales' were determined by concurrent validity [0/89] and between 'Objective Pain Scales' and 'Face pain Scale' [0/95]. Reliability of 'Objective Pain Scales' was measured by inter -rater reliability [0/95]. Data were analyzed by SPSS v16. The results showed that children in the experimental group reported having significantly less pain [p. The finding of this study have shown the positive effect of therapeutic play on postoperative pain of hospitalized school age children

Determining the effect of touch on arterial blood oxygen saturation in neonates with respiratory distress syndrome

The use of complementary and alternative therapy is increasing and touch is one of them but several studies have indicated that premature neonates hospitalized in neonatal intensive care unit receive very little touch. The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of touch on arterial blood oxygen saturation in neonates with respiratory distress syndrome. This is a clinical trial with repeated measures that was performed on 37 neonates with respiratory distress syndrome. An information record form was used for data collection. The information record form was consisted of two parts: demographic information and a table for recording oxygen saturations. Oxygen saturation was measured by Nelkor pulse oxy meter. Information was collected in 3 sequential days. Arterial blood oxygen saturation was controlled 5 minutes before touch, then samples undergone 5 minutes touch and then in 5 and 15 minute intervals arterial blood oxygen saturation was controlled again. Data was analyzed using repeated measure ANOVA. Findings showed that in the first day, arterial blood oxygen saturation in 5 minutes before, and 5 and 15 minutes after touch were 95/67, 95/91, 96 respectively. In second day, arterial blood and oxygen saturation in 5 minutes before, and 5 and 15 minutes after touch were 95/72, 96/05, 96/08 respectively. In third day, arterial blood oxygen saturation in 5 minutes before, and 5 and 15 minutes after touch were 95/75, 96/16, 96/13 respectively. Arterial blood oxygen saturation in 5 and 15 minutes after touch were more than 5 minutes before touch in each 3 day [p<0.01]. But there was no significant difference between 5 and 15 minutes after touch. Data analysis also showed no significant difference comparing arterial blood oxygen saturation in the 3 days. Findings suggested that premature neonates physiologically responded to touch. Nurses working in NICUs must be educated about the importance of touch in providing care for these neonates. Findings showed that touch is useful for premature neonates and this fact can be a start point for other investigations

Comparing between the healing effects of chamomile solution and topical steroid on peristomal skin wound

Peristomal skin breakdown is one of the most common complications of ostomy. This problem results in physical, psychosocial and economical complications for patients with negative impact on adaptative behaviors and, to some extent, reduce their ability in stoma care and other duties. Since steroids have different side effects in healing process, methods with less adverse reactions are sought by researchers. This clinical trial was conducted to compare between the healing effects of chamomile solution and topical steroids on peristomal skin wounds of colostomy patients. 72 patients in two groups with some degree of peristomal skin breakdown reffering to Tehran Ostomy Association participated in the study. Data were collected by a 2-part form regarding demographic and disease characteristics and an observational checklist to measure the healing process. In 36 patients, chamomile compress was used twice a day and in other patients hydrocortisone 1% ointment was used once a day. Healing process was evaluated 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 days after the interventions. Findings indicated a significant difference between the two groups, i.e., healing took place more quickly in chamomile group than hydrocortisone group. It seems that chamomile solution is more effective than hydrocortisone in healing of peristomal wounds. Therefore, it is recommended for these wounds

Effects of touch on O[2] saturation in newborns with respiratory distress syndrome

Approximately, 7% of all newborns weigh less than 1500 gr. 10% - 15% of newborns less than 2500 gr. may develop respiratory distress syndrome. Because of their anatomic, chemical and physiologic immaturity and instability, premature infants are unable to fully modulate extrauterine stressors, a critical challenge for care providers. A wide variety of sensory stimulations has been found to be beneficial for premature infants. This quasi-experimental research was conducted to determine the effects of touch on oxygen saturation of arterial blood in newborns with respiratory distress syndrome. Subjects in this clinical trial included 37 affected infants in neonatal intensive care unit of Mofid Pediatric Hospital. An information form and a pulse oxymeter were used for data collection. Validity of the form was measured by content validity. The pulse oxymeter was selected from famous brands to ensure its validity. It was then calibrated for reliability. Data was collected in 3 consecutive days. At first, oxygen saturation was checked and, after 5 minute, the subjects were touched for 5 minutes. O[2] saturation was then checked after 5 and 15 minutes again. Findings showed that oxygen saturations 5 and 15 minutes after touch were more than those of before touch [p<0.01]. However, there was no significant difference between saturations 5 and 15 minutes after touch. There was also no significant difference between saturations over 3 days. Findings suggest that touch can increase O[2] saturation. For nurses working at NICUs, the importance of touch should be emphasized in the care of premature infants. Further research in this regard is warranted