Optimizing Postoperative Clinical Outcomes in Spinal Surgery Through Preoperative Oral Carbohydrate Loading: A Case-control Study.

PURPOSE: Preoperative oral carbohydrate loading is a component of enhanced recovery after surgery protocols. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of preoperative oral carbohydrate loading on postoperative clinical outcomes in spinal surgery patients. DESIGN: This is a prospective case-control study. METHODS: This study was conducted with patients who underwent spinal surgery from October 1, 2020 to October 1, 2021 in a neurosurgery clinic of an education and research hospital. The intervention group (n = 46) ingested 800 mL oral carbohydrate drinks at least 8 hours before surgery. The postoperative clinical outcomes were nausea, vomiting, antiemetic and analgesic drug medication, inflammation, and bleeding. The first flatus and defecation time, oral intake time, mobilization time, and length of stay in hospital were assessed postoperatively. Adverse events were monitored up to 24 hours postoperatively. The control group (n = 46) underwent routine fasting protocols. FINDINGS: Lower rates of vomiting and bleeding during and after surgery and earlier defecation time and first mobilization time were determined in the intervention group, and the difference compared with the control group was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative oral carbohydrate loading is a nonpharmacological intervention that has a positive effect on postoperative clinical outcomes in patients who underwent spinal surgery and should be included in the enhanced recovery after surgery protocol.

Quality of care perceived by patients during cystoscopy and affecting factors.

It is necessary and important for quality of care to ensure the comfort of patients during the procedure, as well as before and after surgery. According to literature, it is necessary to know what patients experience and how they perceive the care they receive. This study aimed to investigate the quality of care perceived by patients during cystoscopy and the factors affecting it. This descriptive study was conducted in the surgical clinic of a teaching and research hospital, with 105 patients who underwent cystoscopy in 2022. Data collection forms consisting of a Sociodemographic and Disease Characteristics Questionnaire and the Good Perioperative Nursing Care Scale (for Patients) (GPNCS) were used for data collection, with face-to-face interviews on the first day after the procedure. This study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The study included patients with urinary tract stones, transurethral prostatectomy, and transurethral bladder resection. Of the participants, 72.4% were male, and 81.9% were married. The mean age of the patients was 50.09 ± 16.79 years. The mean total score was 143.56 ± 16.62. It was higher in single patients and those who had not previously undergone surgery. It was found that the mean of the environment sub-dimension was the highest at 18.57 ± 2.51 and the mean of the support sub-dimension was the lowest at 16.01 ± 3.44. The results of this study showed that patients undergoing cystoscopy have a good perception of the quality of their peri-operative nursing care.

Inadvertent Perioperative Hypothermia in Ambulatory Surgery Patients: Incidence, Risk Factors, and Prevention Initiatives.

PURPOSE: Although the number and complexity of ambulatory surgical interventions has grown considerably over the years, it has not been fully established whether hypothermia still poses a risk for these interventions. In this study, we aimed to determine the incidence, risk factors, and methods applied to prevent perioperative hypothermia in ambulatory surgery patients. DESIGN: A descriptive research design was used. METHODS: The study was conducted with 175 patients between May 2021 and March 2022 in the outpatient units of a training and research hospital in Mersin, Turkey. Data were collected using the Patient Information and Follow-up Form. FINDINGS: The incidence of perioperative hypothermia was 20% in ambulatory surgery patients. Hypothermia developed in 13.7% of the patients at the 0th minute at the PACU, and 96.6% of the patients were not warmed intraoperatively. We noted a statistically significant relationship between perioperative hypothermia and advanced age (≥60 years), high American Society of Anesthesiologists' (ASA) class, and low hematocrit values. In addition, we determined that the female gender, presence of chronic diseases, general anesthesia, and a long operation time were other risk factors for hypothermia in the perioperative period. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of hypothermia during ambulatory surgeries is lower than that in inpatient surgeries. The warming rate of ambulatory surgery patients, which is quite low, can be improved by increasing the awareness of the perioperative team and following the guidelines.

The Relationship Between Perioperative Care Quality and Postoperative Comfort Level in Patients With Hip Replacement Surgery.

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between perioperative care quality and postoperative comfort level of patients undergoing hip replacement surgery. DESIGN: This is a descriptive study. METHODS: This study was conducted with 90 patients between February and September 2021 in a training and research hospital in Turkey. Data were collected from Information Form, the Good Perioperative Nursing Care Scale (for Patients) (GPNCS), and the Post Hip Replacement Comfort Scale (PHRCS). FINDINGS: The mean age of the patients was 65.58 ± 15.10 years. The mean total scores of the patients in GPNCS and PHRCS were 134.61 ± 16.29 and 3.58 ± 0.40, respectively. In the correlation analysis, a statistically significant and positive weak relationship was determined between GPNCS and PHRCS, and as the quality of care during the surgery increases, the postoperative comfort levels increase (r = 0.253, P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Ensuring the comfort of patients during the surgery as well as in the pre-, intra- and postoperative period is necessary and important for the quality of care. In addition, since the quality of the care during surgery is effective on the postoperative comfort levels of the patients, quality nursing care is required pre-, intra-, and postoperative periods.

Self-disclosure, empathy and anxiety in nurses.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the relationship between self-disclosure, empathy, and anxiety in nurses. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study was conducted with 255 nurses working in hospitals in Turkey. Data were collected using a Sociodemographic Form, the Self-Disclosure Scale (SDS), the Basic Empathy Scale (BES), and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). FINDINGS: A statistically significant positive relationship was found among the SDS, BES, and Spielberger STAI. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Psychiatric nurses should ensure the reduction of nurses' anxiety levels by planning different interventions such as psychotherapy, counseling, and training. They may determine nurses' self-disclosure and empathy skills as well as their needs.

The Turkish adaptation of the compassionate communication scale: A validity and reliability study.

PURPOSE: To determine the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the compassionate communication scale (CCS). DESIGN AND METHODS: The methodological and cross-sectional study design was used. The study was conducted with 319 nursing students in Turkey. Data were collected using an information form, the CCS, and the compassionate love scale. FINDINGS: The explanatory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis results confirmed the three-factor structure of the scale. Cronbach's α, item-total correlation, test-retest analysis, and equivalent form analysis showed high reliability. The Turkish version of CCS is a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating sensitive communication. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: CCS is a valid and reliable instrument to evaluate the communication skills of nursing students.

The Experiences of Patients with Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease: Challenges, Expectations, and Accomplishments.

OBJECTIVES: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a safe and effective alternative treatment of some movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease. Although DBS is an effective treatment for Parkinson's disease, because of the necessity of surgical intervention, follow-up and the effects on symptoms, this study was carried out to determine the challenges, expectations and accomplishments of patients with DBS in Parkinson's disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This qualitative study was carried out at the Neurosurgery Department of a research hospital in Turkey with seven patients who underwent DBS between 2008 and 2018. In the study, the challenges, expectations, and accomplishments of patients were investigated by using three focus group interviews in October 2018. RESULTS: Among the participants, six patients were male, and one patient was female. The mean age of the patients was 56.85±16.48. Three main themes were revealed in the study. These were (1) Reborn; decrease in dependence, sense of accomplishment, enjoyment of life, (2) Prejudice; perceived as severely ill by others and (3) Fear; not being accustomed to the device, loss of device function. CONCLUSION: The results obtained from this study can be used in the process of adaptation to this process by discussing and evaluating the challenges, expectations and accomplishments of the Parkinson's patient in DBS with healthcare professionals and other patients.

Learning Needs of Patients and Their Caregivers After Ambulatory Surgery.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the learning needs of ambulatory surgery patients and their caregivers. DESIGN: The study was a cross-sectional and descriptive survey. METHODS: The study was conducted between July 2017 and March 2018 in the outpatient units of a training and research hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. The sample consisted of 117 patients and caregivers dyads. The instruments included a Patient Information Form and the Patient Learning Needs Scale (PLNS). FINDINGS: The mean total PLNS scores of ambulatory surgery patients were 193.54 ± 35.46 and that of the patient's caregivers was 199.88 ± 31.84. The highest mean PLNS subscale for patients and caregivers was treatment and complications. As the PLNS scores of the patients increase, the scores of the caregivers also increase. CONCLUSIONS: The learning needs of ambulatory surgery patients and their caregivers are high. Patients and caregivers must be well informed and well prepared to cope with possible problems at home.

Compassionate love, burnout and professional commitment in nurses.

AIMS: To determine the effects of compassionate love on burnout and professional commitment in nurses. BACKGROUND: Compassionate love as 'other-centred' love is referred to as altruistic love, unconditional love and unreciprocated love. Compassionate love has an important role among nurses in moderating burnout and increasing professional commitment. METHODS: One-hundred ninety-four nurses working at two public hospitals in Turkey completed four self-report instruments: socio-demographics, the Compassionate Love Scale, the Burnout Measure-Short Version and the Nursing Professional Commitment Scale. RESULTS: A statistically significant inverse relationship was found between Compassionate Love Scale and Burnout Measure-Short Version scores, while Compassionate Love Scale scores were significantly and positively associated with Nursing Professional Commitment Scale scores. Participants with children had higher Compassionate Love Scale scores while those participating in the arts had lower Burnout Measure-Short Version scores. Nurses with intensive care experience had higher Nursing Professional Commitment Scale scores. CONCLUSION: There is a positive relationship between compassionate love and professional commitment, a negative relationship between compassionate love and burnout. Further research is needed to test compassionate love interventions. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Nurse managers may use the results of this study in encouraging and rewarding acts of compassionate love towards colleagues and patients.

Social media usage and alexithymia in nursing students.

PURPOSE: To determine the relationship between social media usage characteristics and alexithymia in nursing students. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study was conducted with 272 nursing students between November and December 2018 in Turkey. Data were collected using an information form to determine the sociodemographic and social media usage characteristics of the students, and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale. FINDINGS: According to the results of this study, nursing students use Instagram the most. As time spent on social media increases, the alexithymia score increases and students have difficulty recognizing their feelings. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: As the use of social media by nursing students affects their mental process and behavior patterns, the results of social media applications, which witness a wide range of feelings, thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors, should be included in the nursing curriculum.