Translation, Cultural Adaptation, Validation and Internal Consistency of the Factors of Nurses Caring Behavior.

INTRODUCTION: The international literature presents a significant gap in the study of the factors affecting caring behaviors as perceived by nurses. This gap requires the study of the factors of nurses' caring behavior. AIM: The translation and the cultural adaptation of the Factors of Nurses Caring Behaviors (FNCB) scale in the Greek language, the validity, and internal consistency of the scale. METHODS: Between November- December 2019, 329 Greek nurses from six public general hospitals completed the FNCB scale consisting of 32 items rating on a 5-point Likert scale. The scale was firstly translated in the Greek language, then back-translated in the English language and culturally adapted. To investigate the construct validity of the scale, exploratory factor analysis was carried out with principal component analysis. The test-retest reliability was performed while the internal consistency was checked through Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Statistical analysis was performed via the Statistical Program SPSS version 21.0. The statistical significance level was set up at 0.05. RESULTS: The final Greek version of the FNCB Scale includes six factors which were revealed from the exploratory factor analysis: Workplace Circumstances, Workload/Management, Interest/Perceptions on Nursing Job,Nurse's Educational Background, Patient's Demographic Characteristics, and Patient's Clinical Characteristics. The internal consistency of the scale was excellent (Cronbach's alpha 0.95). CONCLUSIONS: The Greek version of the FNCB Scale is a valid and reliable questionnaire which can be used for the measure of factors affecting nurses' caring behavior.

The Efficacy of Normal Saline (N/S 0.9%) Versus Heparin Solution in Maintaining Patency of Peripheral Venous Catheter and Avoiding Complications: a Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: Heparin is a sulfated polysaccharide belonging to the glycosaminoglycan family with strong anticoagulant activity. It has been widely used to maintain intravascular catheters in patients requiring intravenous medication. It is believed that heparin prevents thrombus formation in the intravascular catheter, but since the 1980s, the necessity of the heparin solution for peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) flushing has been questioned in several clinical trials. According to the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), there are four special categories of High Alert Medications (HAMs), including heparin. AIM: The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the efficacy of normal saline versus heparin solution in maintaining the patency and functionality of the PIVC and avoiding complications. METHODOLOGY: A systematic review using PubMed and Cochrane Library databases was conducted. Original research studies of hospitalized patients with PIVC, regardless of age, published in English, over the last decade (2009-2019) were eligible for inclusion. RESULTS: The review concluded in 10 studies that met the inclusion criteria. From these studies, it appears that it is not fully documented whether the normal saline (N/S 0,9%) is superior to heparin solution (H/S) in the flushing of the PIVC for maintaining its patency and prevent complications. Researchers tend to support the use of N/S 0,9% due to safety, error avoidance, efficiency, ease of use and cost-effectiveness. Concern about the possible complications of the heparin solution was the cause of guidelines development for N/S 0,9% in countries such as Australia. CONCLUSIONS: The use of normal saline seems to outweigh the heparin solution in maintaining the patency of PIVC.