Effects of work environment on patient and nurse outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Several parameters of the nurse's work environment lead to fewer patient complications and lower nurse burnout. The aim of this systematic review was the analysis of research data related to the effect of nurses' work environments on outcomes for both patients and nurses. METHODS: Medline was searched by using keywords: 'working conditions', 'work environment', 'nurses', 'nursing staff', 'patients', 'outcomes'. RESULTS: In total, 10 studies were included, of which 4 were cross-sectional and the remaining were descriptive correlational studies. Patients who were hospitalised in units with good work environments for the nurses were more satisfied with the nursing care than the patients in units with poor work environments. Nurses who perceived their work environment to be good experienced higher job satisfaction and lower rates of burnout syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: A good work environment constitutes a determinant factor for high care quality and, at the same time, relates to improved outcomes for the nurses.

Effects of education of paediatric patients undergoing elective surgical procedures on their anxiety - a systematic review.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To identify and critically appraise studies addressing the implementation of education for children aged 2-12 years undergoing elective surgical procedures and to determine whether education is associated with improvements in children's anxiety and other emotions. BACKGROUND: Children undergoing surgery often experience anxiety, which may lead to negative health outcomes, such as increased pain, feeding difficulties and sleeping problems. Education of children about their condition according to their individual needs may be correlated with reduced anxiety. DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: A database search in MEDLINE, PsycInfo, Cochrane Library and CINAHL was carried out during February 2011. Using the PICOS acronym, the query was organised into a searchable foreground question: the studies should evaluate (Objective) the effects of education (Intervention) compared with the standard preparation (Control) for children aged 2-12 years old undergoing elective surgeries (Population). The results would be based on randomised controlled studies (Study design). In total, 475 articles were yielded, from which 45 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility, and finally, 16 studies were included in the review. RESULTS: In 12 of the 16 studies, children in the education groups reported lower anxiety scores. In two studies, no statistically significant effect of education was reported on anxiety. Moreover, education had an age-related effect in two studies, by being more effective to children older than four to six years and having a negative effect on younger children's anxiety. Parents of children in the education groups experienced lower anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Education seems to be especially effective in the reduction in older children's anxiety and to have a negative effect on younger children's anxiety. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Education can be incorporated into the care provided to children aged four to six years or older undergoing elective surgical procedures, according to their individualised needs.

Knowledge expectations of surgical orthopaedic patients: a European survey.

Ageing population entails a growing international problem of osteoarthritis. Best practices for education of these patients are lacking. This study focused on empowering education in Northern (Finland, Iceland, Lithuania and Sweden) and Southern Europe (Cyprus, Greece and Spain). The aim was to analyse associations between expected knowledge and background factors. The data were collected from European arthroplasty patients with the Knowledge Expectations of hospital patients- scale, (KE(hp) - scale), including bio-physiological, functional, experiential, ethical, social and financial dimensions. Patients had essential bio-physiological and functional knowledge expectations. Women expected more than men, employed less than retired, unemployed or who worked at home. Generally, patients in Northern countries expected more than in Southern countries. However, highest expectations were found in Sweden and Greece, lowest in Spain and Cyprus. There are differences in knowledge expectations based on patients' backgrounds. Development of common standards in European patient education needs further research.

Health-related quality of life of patients with severe heart failure. A cross-sectional multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure is a serious chronic syndrome that is accompanied by significant physical and psychological burdens, resulting in poor quality of life. AIM: To assess the quality of life of patients with severe heart failure and its correlation with patient demographic, socio-economic and clinical characteristics. METHOD: We studied 199 patients with heart failure who were hospitalized in the Cardiology Department of three general hospitals of Greece during a 1-year period. Demographic and socio-economic data were obtained using a short questionnaire, while clinical data were obtained from medical record review. The assessment of the patients' quality of life was performed using Minnesota Life with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLWHFQ). FINDINGS: The mean MLWHFQ score was 62.7 (±20.3). Significantly lower quality of life was found in patients with diabetes mellitus (Coefficient beta (ß)=11.4; 95% Confidence Interval (CI), 5.2-17.5), hypertension (ß=10.3; CI, 1.4-19.1), chronic renal failure (ß=13.9; CI, 5.9-21.9), chronic respiratory failure (ß=11.2; CI, 4.7-17.7), cancer (ß=12.3; CI, 2.3-22.4), psychiatric disease (ß=10.5; CI, 0.6-20.4) and those patients who were classified in New York Heart Association class IV (ß=10.6, CI=4.1-17.0). CONCLUSIONS: The average score of the MLWHFQ was high, and this reflects the poor quality of life of patients. Higher scores in specific patient groups show the negative influence of these factors in quality of life. The holistic care of patients with heart failure by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals could improve their quality of life.

Depression, anxiety, and diabetes-related distress in type 2 diabetes in primary care in Greece: Different roles for glycemic control and self-care.

Objectives: The psychological distress of people living with diabetes is increased and associated with poorer glycemic outcomes and self-care. We aimed to examine the frequency of depression, anxiety, and diabetes-related distress (DRD) of individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in primary care (PC) and their comparative associations with clinical, self-care, and socio-demographic characteristics, testing for possible different roles on glycemic control and self-care. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 182 adults with a T2D diagnosis of at least six months, recruited between August 2019-March 2020 and May-October 2020, from an urban PC unit. Participants were screened for symptoms of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7)), and DRD (Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS)). Clinical, self-care, and socio-demographic parameters were recorded. Results: The frequency of clinically significant symptoms of depression was 16.6%, (PHQ-9 score ⩾10), anxiety 17.7% (GAD-7 score ⩾10), and DRD 22.6% (DDS score ⩾2). All PHQ-9, GAD-7, and DDS scores intercorrelated, and higher scores were found to be associated with female gender, lower income, and prior diagnosis of depression. Higher PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores were found to be associated with lower education, more hypoglycemia episodes, more blood glucose self-tests and antidepressant or benzodiazepine use. The retired/housewives scored significantly lower in GAD-7 and DDS compared to the unemployed participants. Higher DDS scores were associated with higher glycated hemoglobin, higher fasting plasma glucose, and insulin use. It was also noted that higher PHQ-9 scores were associated with lower uric acid levels and were significantly higher in the sedentary lifestyle group. Conclusion: DRD was associated with poorer glycemic outcomes while depressive symptoms were associated with lower physical activity perhaps sharing different roles for glycemic control and self-care. The psychological burden of individuals with T2D may be considered in PC.

Diabetes-Related Distress and Associated Characteristics in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes in an Urban Primary Care Setting in Greece.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes-related distress (DRD) is a common psychological issue of people living with diabetes. International guidelines advise to take DRD into consideration in diabetes care but evidence for Greece is scarce. In the present study we aimed to estimate the frequency of DRD as assessed by Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS) and to examine its connections with clinical and sociodemographic characteristics among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) in urban primary care (PC) in Greece. METHODS: This descriptive survey included adults with a diagnosis of T2D of at least six months under medication treatment attending a novel, public urban PC unit. Patients with other forms of diabetes, dementia, and psychosis were excluded. Patients were screened for DRD with DDS instrument and correlations were made between DRD and clinical and sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: In 135 eligible participants the frequency of moderate to high levels of DRD (DDS ≥ 2) was 24.4% and of high levels of DRD (DDS ≥ 3) was 7.4%. Emotional burden (EB) subscale was significantly correlated with younger age, insulin use, duration of insulin use, and the number of insulin injections per day. Longer diabetes duration showed significant correlation with DDS total, EB, and regimen distress. Participants with lower income, sedentary lifestyle, micro-vascular complications, more episodes of hypoglycaemia, and higher levels of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) experienced significantly higher distress. CONCLUSION: DRD screening is important in urban PC and in more susceptible patients as those on more insulin injections per day, with longer diabetes duration, higher levels of HbA1c, lower income, sedentary lifestyle, and more episodes of hypoglycaemia.

Emotions of Orthopaedic Arthroplasty Patients: A European Survey.

METHODS: This was a pre/post-observational study examining patients' emotions before and during elective knee or hip replacement surgery for osteoarthritis in seven European Union countries to identify factors related to better emotional status at discharge. INSTRUMENTS: In addition to demographic data, information was collected on quality of life (EuroQoL five-dimension questionnaire), hospital expectations (Knowledge Expectations of Hospital Patients Scale), symptoms, and experienced emotions. ANALYSIS: Total negative emotions scores at baseline and discharge were transformed into median values. Multivariate analysis identified the baseline factors related to better emotional status at discharge. RESULTS: Patients (n = 1,590), mean age 66.7 years (SD = 10.6), had a significant reduction in the frequency of total negative emotions at discharge as compared with baseline. The multivariate model showed better health status (odds ratio [OR] = 1.012; p = .004), better emotional status at baseline (≥24 points), and shorter duration of hospital stay (OR = 0.960; p = .011) as independent factors associated with better emotional status at discharge (OR = 4.297; p = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing elective knee or hip replacement surgery for osteoarthritis improve their emotional status during hospitalization, with fewer negative emotions at discharge. Good emotional status, feeling of higher health status at baseline, and shorter hospitalization were independently associated with better emotional status at discharge.

Community rehabilitation interventions after hip fracture: Pragmatic evidence-based practice recommendations.

Practice development enables practitioners to develop their knowledge and allows the application of evidence-based care for their patients. It happens within the practitioner's own clinical practice area and enhances personal and professional growth whilst focusing on patients' specific needs. This is important when working with patients in the rehabilitation phase following fragility hip fracture whose care should be provided by practitioners knowledgeable about the best way to approach their needs. This article, which followed the methods for a scoping review, aims to provide the practitioner with an overview of rehabilitation interventions for patients following hip fracture discussed in the literature. There is an introduction to the nature of rehabilitation and the issues raised for the patient with a hip fracture, a discussion of the existing literature, and recommendations for practice based on both that evidence and a pragmatic approach to care. Scoping reviews provide overviews of broad topic areas (Peterson et al., 2017). This gives the reader the opportunity to consider how other factors, besides research evidence, can contribute to best practice and to reflect on how their own practice needs to develop. At the end of the discussion, an overview of pragmatic recommendations for practice is provided based on the findings of the literature considered. Some points for individual reflection are also provided to help the practitioner to consider how the contents of the paper might impact on their own practice.

Translation and validation of the Greek version of the "ASEPSIS" scoring method for orthopaedic wound infections.

INTRODUCTION: The ASEPSIS scoring method represents an important instrument for assessing surgical wounds for infections. The purpose of this study was to translate and validate the ASEPSIS in Greek. METHODS: The ASEPSIS was translated from English to Greek, back-translated to English, and reviewed by an expert committee. Reliability and validity analyses were performed in a sample of 111 consecutive orthopaedic patients. Patients were assessed during hospitalisation (using the ASEPSIS) and at three months after discharge (by phone, through questions about wound healing). RESULTS: Face validity was considered to be very good. The surgical wound infection rate was 6.3% with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria and 3.6% with the ASEPSIS (i.e. score ≥21) (p < 0.001). At three months, 7.4% of the participants reported they were given antibiotics for wound infection and 5.4% needed a rehospitalisation. The ASEPSIS score was correlated to the therapeutic administration of antibiotics (p = 0.001) and the need for rehospitalisation (p < 0.001) during the follow-up. The inter-rater agreement was 90%. CONCLUSIONS: The Greek version of the ASEPSIS can be used by both surgeons and nurses. However, it should be used with caution until more studies are conducted with larger samples and in patients with different surgical procedures.

Posttraumatic Stress, Depressive Emotions, and Satisfaction With Life After a Road Traffic Accident.

BACKGROUND: The psychological response of injured people after traffic accidents includes stress and depression. PURPOSE: To assess orthopaedic patients' stress, depression, and satisfaction with life after traffic accidents in Greece. METHODS: Descriptive, longitudinal, correlational study. Patients' background factors, injury severity, scores on the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale, and the Satisfaction With Life Quality (SWLQ) Scale were recorded. The principles of the Declaration of Helsinki were applied. RESULTS: In total, 60 patients participated in this study during hospitalization following a road traffic accident and 40 patients at 6 months after. Participants were mostly men (75%) with severe injuries (50%). The IES-R score at 6 months was significantly lower than during hospitalization. One out of 3 people had a CES-D score, which is considered of clinical significance. The SWLQ scores were considered high. CONCLUSION: As posttraumatic stress and depression seem to affect a considerable percentage of people involved in road traffic accidents in Greece, these individuals should be assessed for posttraumatic stress and depression while still hospitalized.

Use of ASEPSIS scoring method for the assessment of surgical wound infections in a Greek orthopaedic department.

BACKGROUND: In Greece there is no systematic assessment of surgical wounds with the use of a validated instrument, while the ASEPSIS scoring method has been widely used internationally. AIM: To examine the frequency of wound infections and their correlations both with patient background factors, as well as surgery factors, with the use of ASEPSIS. METHODS: In this prospective, observational study, participants undergoing orthopaedic surgeries in a large hospital in Greece were assessed during hospitalisation and the first month after discharge using the ASEPSIS wound assessment tool. The principles of the Declaration of Helsinki were applied. Non-parametric statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 20.0. RESULTS: In total, 111 patients participated; nearly half (49.5%) had a total ASEPSIS score of "0". Almost 3 out of 4 patients (76.6%) had an ASEPSIS score under or equal to "10" (satisfactory healing) and only 3.6% had a minor or severe surgical wound infection. The ASEPSIS score was only positively correlated to longer surgery duration and longer postoperative stay. DISCUSSION: The frequency of surgical wound infections in orthopaedic patients in Greece is comparable to that described in the literature. ASEPSIS could be used for assessing patients and as a performance indicator in Greek orthopaedic departments.

Empowering education of arthroplasty patients' significant others in three Southern European countries.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between significant others' expected and received knowledge and their background characteristics in three Mediterranean countries (Cyprus, Greece, Spain), all of which deal with economic restrictions, have similar social support systems with the family members acting as family caregivers, and cultural similarities. BACKGROUND: Significant others' role is a key element in the older patients' postoperative recovery. However, people who take care of persons older than 65 years, as persons undergoing arthroplasty, are usually old themselves and need special support. DESIGN: Multicentre, descriptive, correlational study. METHODS: Data were collected preoperatively from 189 and postoperatively from 185 significant others using the Knowledge Expectations and the Received Knowledge of Significant Others Scales during 2010-2012. RESULTS: Approximately one-fourth of the significant others were older than 65 years. Their knowledge expectations were not adequately addressed in any of the countries; they expected to be educated more on biophysiological issues and received the lowest knowledge regarding financial issues. The highest difference between expected and received knowledge was found in Greece and the lowest in Cyprus. Significant others may be less prepared for dealing with situations at home due to the knowledge difference between expected and received knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: Significant others receive less education comparing to what they expect; therefore, they are not prepared for dealing with problematic situations during their old relative's recovery. This is especially important in Mediterranean countries, where family members often provide patient care. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: As health care is changing towards active participation of patients and family, it is important that nurses provide the education needed, as lower education may lead to poor patient outcomes and higher education may lead to significant others' anxiety. Nurses may keep in mind that older significant others do not report higher knowledge difference, but may have lower expectations.

Total Joint Arthroplasty Patients' Education on Financial Issues and Its Connection to Reported Out-of-Pocket Costs-A European Study.

PURPOSE: Total joint arthroplasty is accompanied by significant costs. In nursing, patient education on financial issues is considered important. Our purpose was to examine the possible association between the arthroplasty patients' financial knowledge and their out-of-pocket costs. METHODS: Descriptive correlational study in five European countries. Patient data were collected preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively, with structured, self-administered instruments, regarding their expected and received financial knowledge and out-of-pocket costs. FINDINGS: There were 1,288 patients preoperatively, and 352 at 6 months. Patients' financial knowledge expectations were higher than knowledge received. Patients with high financial knowledge expectations and lack of fulfillment of these expectations had lowest costs. CONCLUSION: There is need to establish programs for improving the financial knowledge of patients. Patients with fulfilled expectations reported higher costs and may have followed and reported their costs in a more precise way. In the future, this association needs multimethod research.

Information and Control Preferences and Their Relationship With the Knowledge Received Among European Joint Arthroplasty Patients.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of joint arthroplasties is increasing internationally, putting increased emphasis on patient education. PURPOSE: This study describes information and control preferences of patients with joint arthroplasty in seven European countries, and explores their relationships with patients' received knowledge. METHODS: The data (n = 1,446) were collected during 2009-2012 with the Krantz Health Opinion Survey and the Received Knowledge of Hospital Patient scale. RESULTS: European patients with joint arthroplasty had low preferences. Older patients had less information preferences than younger patients (p = .0001). In control preferences there were significant relationships with age (p = .021), employment in healthcare/social services (p = .033), chronic illness (p = .002), and country (p = .0001). Received knowledge of the patients did not have any relationships with information preferences. Instead, higher control preferences were associated with less received knowledge. CONCLUSION: The relationship between European joint arthroplasty patients' preferences and the knowledge they have received requires further research.

Difference between received and expected knowledge of patients undergoing knee or hip replacement in seven European countries.

The purpose of the study was to examine received and expected knowledge of patients with knee/hip arthroplasty in seven European countries. The goal was to obtain information for developing empowering patient education. The data were collected (during 2009-2012) from patients (n = 943) with hip/knee arthroplasty prior to scheduled preoperative education and before discharge with the Received Knowledge of hospital patient scale (RKhp) and Expected Knowledge of hospital patient scale (EKhp). Patients' knowledge expectations were high but the level of received knowledge did not correspond to expectations. The difference between received and expected knowledge was higher in Greece and Sweden compared with Finland (p < .0001, p < .0001), Spain (p < .0001, p = .001), and Lithuania (p = .005, p = .003), respectively. Patients' knowledge expectations are important in tailoring patient education. To achieve high standards in the future, scientific research collaboration on empowering patient education is needed between European countries.