Evaluation of the Knowledge of Operating Room Nurses of Preventive Practices for Protection Against COVID-19.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of operating room nurses (ORNs) of preventive practices in terms of protection against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). DESIGN: This research was a descriptive study. METHODS: About 279 ORNs from 17 provinces of Turkey were included. Data were collected online using Google Form. ORNs were communicated via WhatsApp or other social media platforms and were asked to answer the questionnaire. In the questionnaire, there were 12 questions on descriptive characteristics and 20 statements regarding the knowledge of ORNs on preventive practices for protection against COVID-19. FINDINGS: The rate of yes responses provided by ORNs to statements on preventive practices for protection against COVID-19 was found to be between 10% and 98.6%, whereas the rate of no responses was found to be between 0% and 25.8%. The rate of those stating that they did not have an opinion on statements was found to be between 1.8% and 48.4%. CONCLUSIONS: The level of knowledge of ORNs on protective measures against COVID-19 was quite high. However, there are important issues to consider such as the fact that most ORs do not use an algorithm or guideline for protective practices and that almost half of ORNs had not received training on protection against COVID-19.

The Effect of Preoperative Oral Intake of Liquid Carbohydrate on Postoperative Stress Parameters in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: An Experimental Study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of preoperative oral intake of liquid carbohydrate on postoperative stress parameters (blood glucose, insulin resistance, cortisol, noradrenaline, and adrenaline levels) in patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. DESIGN: This is an experimental study with intervention and control groups. METHODS: The sample consisted of 68 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (control group = 33; intervention group = 35). Twelve-hour preoperative fasting was applied to the patients in the control group in accordance with the clinical routine. Clear oral liquid carbohydrate (400 mL; 12.5 g/100 mL maltodextrin, 50 kcal/100 mL, pH 5.0) was administered to the patients in the intervention group at the preoperative second hour. Blood samples were taken from the patients at the preoperative 2nd and postoperative 2nd and 24th hours, and their blood glucose, insulin resistance, cortisol, noradrenaline, and adrenaline levels were measured. RESULTS: Preoperative oral intake of carbohydrate had no effect on blood glucose (P > .05) but decreased insulin resistance at the postoperative 24th hour (P = .044; intervention and control group: 3.62 ± 3.44 to 8.16 ± 12.57 respectively) and cortisol level at the postoperative 2nd hour (P = .005; intervention and control group: 15.16 ± 6.53 mg/dl to 20.14 ± 7.49 mg/dl, respectively). In all of the three measurements, we found that the noradrenaline level of the patients in the intervention group was higher than the value of those in the control group (319.80 ± 301.49 pg/mL to 211.65 ± 141.11 pg/mL [P = .450]; 361.40 ± 213.50 pg/mL to 216.13 ± 114.53 [P = .001]; 268.40 ± 164.04 pg/mL to 196.00 ± 83.33 pg/mL [P = .026], respectively). Preoperative oral intake of liquid carbohydrate had no effect on postoperative adrenaline level (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Oral intake of liquid carbohydrate given at the preoperative 2nd hour decreased postoperative stress response through insulin resistance and cortisol.

The Effects of Preoperative and Postoperative Anxiety on the Quality of Recovery in Patients Undergoing Abdominal Surgery.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of preoperative and postoperative anxiety on the state of recovery in patients undergoing abdominal surgery. DESIGN: This research is a descriptive and cross-sectional study. METHODS: The study included a total of 82 patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery. Demographic data were collected. State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was the measure for anxiety. The quality of recovery (QoR) was assessed using Quality of Recovery Scale (QoR-40). Both have known validity and reliability and valid translations into Turkish. After obtaining consent from patients, 82 patients completed their demographic profile and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory before surgery, and after 24 hours of surgery completed the state anxiety and QoR. FINDINGS: Patients who received general anesthesia had higher anxiety before and after surgery (P = .004 and P = .022). Patients who were not informed about the surgery had higher preoperative trait anxiety (P = .01). The QoR scores of the patients were negatively related to preoperative and postoperative state anxiety (P = .01 and P = .000). Preoperative state anxiety was positively related to preoperative trait and postoperative state anxiety (P = .000 and P = .000). CONCLUSIONS: The results provided more evidence that patients need education before surgery as to what to expect both in the surgical suite and immediately after surgery to alleviate anxiety. This should also improve QoR.

The Effect of Preoperative Nutrition on Postoperative CRP and Albumin Levels in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Surgery: A Surgical Nursing Perspective.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of preoperative oral carbohydrate on postoperative serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and albumin levels in patients laparoscopic surgery. DESIGN: This is an experimental study with intervention and control groups. METHODS: Sixty-six patients who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included (intervention, n = 33; control, n = 33). The patients in the intervention group were given 400 mL of oral liquid carbohydrate 2 hours before surgery. Blood samples were collected from the two groups with serum CRP and albumin levels measured 2 hours before surgery and 24 hours postoperatively. FINDINGS: CRP levels in the intervention group 2 hours before surgery and 24 hours postoperatively were higher than the control group (P = .028; P = .014, respectively). CRP levels of the patients in the intervention group 24 hours postoperatively (26.98 ± 18.60 mg/L) were higher than the preoperative level (9.37 ± 15.68 mg/L) (P < .001). The CRP level of the patients in the control group 24 hours postoperatively (16.24 ± 16.01 mg/L) was higher than the preoperative level (3.11 ± 3.12 mg/L) (P < .001). There was no difference between the serum albumin levels of the patients in the intervention and control groups measured 24 hours postoperatively (P = .103). CONCLUSIONS: We determined that 400 mL oral liquid carbohydrate given preoperatively had no anabolic effect on serum CRP and albumin levels.

Determining the Use of Nonpharmacologic Methods by Surgical Nurses for Postoperative Pain Management and the Influencing Professional Factors: A Multicenter Study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the use of nonpharmacologic methods by surgical nurses for postoperative pain management and to identify the influencing professional factors. DESIGN: A regional survey model. METHODS: The sample of the study consisted of 443 surgical nurses working in regions of Turkey. The data were collected using a personal information form and questionnaire. FINDINGS: Hot-cold application (53.3%), exercise (50.8%), positioning (68.8%), movement restriction (35.7%), resting (55.5%), and distraction (42.2%) were among the methods usually used by nurses. The nurses who were working in the Black Sea region chose the nursing profession willingly, received the training on pain management, and used nonpharmacologic methods at higher rates (P < .030, P < .004, P < .033, and P < .000, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Gender, geographic region of work, choosing the profession willingly, and receiving training on pain management affected the nurses' rate of using nonpharmacologic methods.

Evaluation of individuals' health beliefs and their association with testicular self-examination: adult sample from Amasya.

BACKGROUND: Testicular self-examination is important for the early diagnosis and treatment of testicular cancer; the nature of the examination itself influences individuals' health beliefs about testicular self-examination. METHODS: This descriptive research study was carried out using 152 individuals working at Amasya University between August and November 2016. A personal information form and Champion's Health Belief Model Scale were used for the data collection stage of this research. Descriptive statistical tests, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis variance analysis and Cronbach's alpha were used in the data analysis stage. RESULTS: Analysis of respondents' sociodemographic data revealed that the study participants' mean age was 38.88 ± 9.36, and that 112 participants (73.7%) were married and 76 participants (50.0%) had a graduate degree at the time the study was conducted. Of the research participants, 134 (88.2%) had no training on testicular self-examination; a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was found between participants' consciousness of their capability to perform testicular self-examination on their own and the mean factor scores of the Champion's Health Belief Model Scale's 'barriers of testicular self-examination' and 'self-effectiveness' items. CONCLUSION: The study found that health beliefs play a part in individuals' positive health behaviours regarding testicular self-examination.

The effect of a beeswax, olive oil and Alkanna tinctoria (L.) Tausch mixture on burn injuries: An experimental study with a control group.

OBJECTIVES: This study was planned to investigate the effect of a mixture of beeswax, olive oil and A. Tinctoria (L.) Tausch on burn wounds to determine the impact on burn healing, pain during dressing changes and duration of hospital stay. METHODS: The study was conducted between May 2014 and August 2015 in the Burn Unit of Ataturk University Research Hospital. The sample of this experimental study consisted of 64 patients (31 experimental group and 33 control group) who met its inclusion criteria. While the specially prepared dressing material was applied to the experimental group, the control group was administered the clinic's routine dressing. The injuries were photographed before each dressing. Each picture was uploaded to a computer for measurement with ImageJ software. Numbers, percentages, chi square, Independent samples t-test and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to assess the data. RESULTS: The patients in the experimental and control groups had similar descriptive characteristics and burn injury features (p>0.05). The average age of the patients in the control group was 5.52±0.64years, and 6.68±1.09years in the experimental group. The majority of the patients were male (control: 54.5%, experimental: 58.1%). Boiling liquids were the most common cause of both groups' burns (control: 93.9%, experiment: 83.9%). The most common first aid practice used was the application of cold water (control: 75.0%, experimental: 43.6%). The epithelization initiation time average of the experimental group patients (3.00±0.85days) was found to be earlier than that of the control group patients (6.90±1.77days), and this difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). The mean pain scores experienced by the patients in the experimental group during dressing (8.12±1.38) were determined to be lower than those of the control group (9.39±1.05), and this difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). It was also found that mean hospitalization durations of the patients in the experimental group (8.22±3.05) were shorter than those of the control group (14.42±7.79), and this difference was also found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: When a beeswax, olive oil and A. tinctoria (L.) Tausch mixture was applied to second degree burns, this accelerated epithelization, reduced the pain experienced during dressing changes and shortened the hospital stay durations of the patients.

Comparison of Nurses in Two Different Cultures: Who Experiences More Burnout.

PURPOSE: Although burnout occurs in almost all occupational groups, it is mostly observed in professions requiring face-to-face relationships with people, especially among health care workers who deal constantly with problems and expectations of people. DESIGN: The objective of this study was to determine the burnout levels of nurses working in surgical clinics in two countries. METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted between June and September 2013. The study's population consisted of 179 nurses working in the surgical clinics of Ataturk University Research Hospital and Iran Urmiyili Shahidmotahari University Hospital. A questionnaire involving descriptive characteristics of nurses and the Maslach Burnout Inventory were used to collect the data. FINDINGS: Nurses working in Turkey had higher mean scores of "emotional exhaustion" and "depersonalization," and a higher mean composite score. Nurses working in Iran had higher mean scores of the subscale "personal accomplishment." Although there was a statistically significant difference between both countries in terms of emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment (P < .05), there was no statistically significant difference between them in terms of mean score of depersonalization and total mean composite score of the inventory (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Nurses working in Turkey experienced more emotional exhaustion and less personal accomplishment compared with nurses working in Iran. In line with this result, improvements in their work environment and conditions are recommended to provide organizational support by fostering job satisfaction, preventing exhaustion by arranging shifts based on workload, and offering psychological counseling services to employees.

Pressure ulcers and their associated factors in nursing home inmates.

OBJECTIVE: To assess pressure ulcers and the associated risk factors, among the individuals who stayed at Yozgat Rehabilitation Care Center in Turkey. STUDY DESIGN: A descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Yozgat Rehabilitation Care Center, Turkey, from August to September 2011. METHODOLOGY: One hundred and seventy five individuals participated in the study who received care at the above nursing home and agreed to participate in the study. The data were collected with an information form of descriptive characteristics (the form included a total of 15 questions asked to get information about socio-demographic characteristics) and Braden risk assessment scale. For the data evaluation, Mann-Whitney U-test, Krushall-Wallis Variance analysis, Logistic Regression analysis were used. Statistical significance was defined by a probability level of p < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean score of Braden risk assessment scale of the individuals was 15.0 ± 3.3 and 16.0% were under very high risk. Nine (5.1%) had pressure ulcers. The average duration of stay was 2.17 ± 0.80 years. Participants who were underweight, had lived at the rehabilitation center for a longer time, and were fed on regime 1, had a higher risk of developing pressure ulcers (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Individuals who stayed in nursing home were under very high risk of pressure ulcer. Pressure ulcers are preventable by the elimination of some risk factors and good nursing care. Such individuals should be periodically assessed in terms of risk.