Sleep Problems in Individuals With Intestinal Stomas and Determining the Quality of Sleep: A Multicenter Study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine sleep problems and the sleep quality of individuals with intestinal stomas. DESIGN: Descriptive quantitative design was used. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: The research was carried out from September 2018 to September 2019 at 3 university hospitals with stoma units located in Ankara, Turkey. The study sample comprised 222 individuals with intestinal ostomies who were being monitored in these 3 centers. Approximately half (N = 113, 50.9%) had an ileostomy and 68.5% (N = 152) had a temporary stoma. More than half of the participants (N = 116, 52.3%) reported current sleep problems, 59.5% (N = 132) reported that their stoma affected their sleep, and 64% (N = 142) had problems at night due to their stomas, reporting that they woke up frequently during their main sleep period due to ostomy-related problems. METHODS: Three instruments were used to measure study outcomes: the researcher-designed instrument determining the descriptive characteristics of individuals with intestinal stomas, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale. RESULTS: The mean Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score was found to be above 5 (13.42, SD: 3.01) indicating poor sleep quality. The mean Epworth Sleepiness Scale score was 7.54 (SD: 6.37) indicating that participants had daytime sleepiness. The mean Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores of participants with ileostomies ( P = .002) and those with temporary stomas ( P = .009) were found to be significantly higher. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings indicate that individuals with intestinal stomas have poor sleep quality and problems with daytime sleepiness; those with ileostomies and temporary stomas had the worst quality of sleep.

Determination of thermal comfort among nurses working with personal protective equipment in COVID-19 clinics.

AIMS: This study aimed to determine thermal comfort among nurses working with personal protective equipment in COVID-19 clinic. METHODS: In this study, a descriptive design was carried out between June and September 2020. Sample of the study consisted of 246 nurses (77.6%) who worked in the COVID-19 clinics with personal protective equipment. We used a questionnaire to determine thermal comfort of nurses; a follow-up form to determine the factors affecting thermal comfort; and the ASHRAE Thermal Sensation Scale. Four measurements and follow-ups were made three times. RESULTS: More than half of nurses complained of ambient temperature and ventilation, one-third complained of humidity and nearly half complained of poor air quality. The mean thermal comfort score of nurses working in COVID-19 clinics was 1.19 (SD = 0.75). The thermal comfort of the nurses was negatively affected in all measurements except before wearing personal protective equipment. The highest scores were measured leaving the patient room and before removing personal protective equipment (M = 2.65, SD = 0.58). CONCLUSION: The thermal comfort, work performance and stress levels of the nurses were negatively affected by working with personal protective equipment. This study reveals the necessity of improving the working conditions of nurses, including working hours, environment and personal protective equipment.

Effects of progressive muscle relaxation exercises on the vital signs and fatigue in kidney transplant patients: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Multiple effective nursing interventions are needed to manage deviations from normal vital signs and fatigue experienced by kidney transplant patients. In this study, we investigated the effect of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) exercises on vital signs and fatigue in kidney transplant patients. METHOD: We conducted a randomized controlled experimental study with 52 patients (intervention = 26, control = 26) who underwent kidney transplantation at a university hospital in Turkey and met the inclusion criteria. The "Descriptive Characteristics Form", "Vital Signs Monitoring Form", and "Fatigue Severity Scale" were used to record data on the patients. Then, the patients in the intervention group (baseline assessment) were trained to perform PMR exercises, asked to practice, and followed up (first follow-up). Patients were recommended to perform PMR exercises for 20 min every day for four weeks. The second follow-up in the second week after discharge and the third follow-up at the end of the fourth week were performed in the outpatient clinic. RESULTS: We found that the pulse rate, body temperature, and arterial blood pressure decreased over time and oxygen saturation increased in the patients of the intervention group. The PMR exercises decreased fatigue in these patients. The arterial blood pressure and oxygen saturation values differed significantly across different time points among the patients in the control group. The difference in the scores of fatigue severity between the pre-follow-up and the third follow-up in the control group was not significant. CONCLUSION: PMR exercises were found to be an effective nursing intervention in regulating vital signs and reducing fatigue in renal transplant patients.

The Effects of Workload and Working Conditions on Operating Room Nurses and Technicians.

This study was conducted between August 15 and September 20, 2013, to determine the effects of workload and working conditions on operating room (OR) nurses and technicians. The study sample included 74 OR nurses and technicians working in a private university's six hospitals. The Individual Workload Perception Scale and a questionnaire that collected data on risk and environmental factors were used. The mean age of study participants was 29.3 ± 6.7 years, and 62.2% of the participants were female. More than 90% of the nurses and technicians had experienced spills or splashing of blood or other body fluids; anesthetic gases and radiation had affected 63.5% and 71.6% of nurses and technicians, respectively; 63.5% reported lumbar pain; and 46.6% defined the work environment as very stressful. The average workload scale score was 32.4 ± 6.2 (min = 11, max = 55). OR nurses and technicians are exposed to many occupational risks.