Perceptions of adult intensive care unit patients regarding nursing presence and their intensive care experiences: A descriptive-correlational study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine the relationship between perceptions of nursing presence and intensive care experiences in adult intensive care unit patients'. BACKGROUND: Intensive care units (ICUs) are settings where patients have many negative emotions and experiences, which affect both treatment and post-discharge outcomes. The holistic presence of nurses may help patients turn their negative emotions and experiences into positive ones. DESIGN: A descriptive-correlational design was used and reported according to the STROBE checklist. METHODS: The sample consisted of 182 participants. Data were collected using a personal information form, the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), the Intensive Care Experience Scale (ICES), and the Presence of Nursing Scale (PONS). RESULTS: A strong positive correlation existed between total ICES and PONS scores (r = 0.889, p < 0.001). There was a strong positive correlation between PONS total score and ICES subscales (awareness of surroundings (r = 0.751, p < 0.001), frightening experiences (r = 0.770, p < 0.001), recall of experience (r = 0.774, p < 0.001), and satisfaction with care (r = 0.746, p < 0.001)). Males (ß = -0.139, p < 0.05), and patients who were university and higher education graduate (ß = 0.137, p < 0.05) had higher positive ICU experiences. It was also found length of ICU stay was correlated with ICU experiences and nursing presence. CONCLUSIONS: The more positively the patients perceive nurses, the better ICU experiences they have. Gender and education level were found determinants of adult ICU patients' experiences. ICU length of stay predicted what kind of experience patients have and how much they feel the presence of nurses. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Nurses should make their presence felt completely and holistically by using their communication skills for patients have more positive intensive care experiences. Nurses should consider variables which affects patients' ICU experiences and nursing presence.

Vitamin D Status, Lung Function and Atopy in Children with Asthma.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the associations between serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 levels and pulmonary function test outcomes and atopy in children with asthma. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Pediatric pulmonology outpatient clinic and pediatric outpatient clinic, from December 2012 to March 2013. METHODOLOGY: Atotal of 71 asthmatic children and 77 healthy controls aged 7-17 years were recruited. Vitamin D status was assessed by measuring the serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 levels and compared between two groups. The relationship between serum vitamin D levels and pulmonary function test outcomes and serum IgE levels and inhalant panels were also examined in asthmatic patients. RESULTS: The serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 were low in both the asthmatic and control participants (median = 11.8 and 9.8 ng/ml, respectively). Vitamin D levels were significantly low in the patients who had high IgE levels and high levels of specific IgE antibodies against inhalant allergens in asthmatic patients. No correlation was found between vitamin D levels and pulmonary function test outcomes in asthmatic patients (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Vitamin D levels are not associated with pulmonary function test outcomes. However, low vitamin Dlevels are associated with atopy.