ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Describe the indications for surgical interventions in asymptomatic patients with SARS-CoV-2. We are unaware of previous reports of an association between SARS-CoV-2 and acute appendicitis. METHODS: We performed a single institution retrospective review of SARS-CoV-2 pre-procedure testing and indications for surgical intervention. Statistical comparisons were performed using Chi Square analysis or two-tailed Student T test. RESULTS: We report a high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in both all testing and pre-procedure testing during the enrollment period. We observe a high prevalence of acute appendicitis among patients identified to be SARS-CoV-2 positive during pre-procedure testing and without recognized symptoms of COVID19. CONCLUSION: We report a previously unrecognized association between SARS-CoV-2 and acute appendicitis.
Subject(s)
Appendicitis/complications , COVID-19/complications , Acute Disease , Adult , COVID-19/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Retrospective Studies , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to describe the beliefs and behaviors of nurse leaders regarding electronic connectedness with their workplace and workplace support. BACKGROUND: Electronic communication enables leaders' continuous availability to the workplace. This may blur home-work boundaries and contribute to burnout. METHODS: This mixed-methods study surveyed nurses in 6 acute care hospitals in north Texas. A qualitative phase employed focus groups composed of nurses from participating hospitals to validate and enrich data collected in the quantitative phase. RESULTS: Data showed that leader support directly influenced work-related electronic communication by influencing expectations regarding connectedness. Furthermore, leaders who frequently thought of leaving employment reported significantly lower levels of supervisor support and stronger beliefs that work interfered with home life than other respondents did. Focus group data supported survey findings. CONCLUSIONS: Electronic availability of nurse leaders did not directly affect satisfaction, but supervisor support and perception that work interferes with home life strongly and directly affected satisfaction.
Subject(s)
Electronic Mail , Job Satisfaction , Nurse Administrators/psychology , Workplace , Female , Focus Groups , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In intensive care environments, patients' families are often encouraged to participate in their loved one's care; however, many family members feel anxious, depressed, and unsure about how to help patients. OBJECTIVES: To determine (1) the feasibility of teaching family members a simple intervention combining hand massage with essential oils in a trauma intensive care unit and (2) an effect size for use in designing a more powerful trial. METHOD: A quasi-experimental pilot study of the effect of a family-delivered touch treatment on anxiety and depression of family members of patients. Fifteen family members were assigned to a treatment group, and 15 family members were assigned to a control group. The treatment consisted of the application of hand massage with essential oils for 6 sessions. Each session lasted 5 minutes and was presented twice a day for 3 days. RESULTS: The 5-minute intervention was associated with positive change in anxiety and depression scores on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) among family members visiting patients. The magnitude of change (improvement) in anxiety scores within the group of treated family members was significantly greater than within family members in the control group. CONCLUSION: Administering a brief hand massage using pleasant-smelling oils to patients in an intensive care unit may reduce anxiety of family members who administer the treatment.
