Prevention of microbial colonization of feeding tubes in the intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: Various microorganisms which increase the mortality rate in the intensive care unit (ICU) cause microbial colonization of the nasogastric tube (NGT) and use the NGT as a reservoir. AIM: To detect the colonization on the NGT and to determine the effect that training regarding hand hygiene, NGT management, and enteral feeding (EF) provided to ICU nurses and auxiliary service staff (ASS) has on the level of NGT colonization. STUDY DESIGN: A quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test control design was used in this study. Microbial samples were taken from the outer and inner parts of NGT. The microorganisms were categorized as: group 1, no risk; group 2, low risk pathogenic; group 3, high-risk pathogenic group. The training was given to nurses (n = 15) and ASS (n = 7). Hand hygiene, NGT, and EF care training are provided to nurses and ASS by researchers. A total of three training sessions were scheduled to be held in 3 weeks so that all health care staff members were trained. Each session lasted 2 h in total. Patients were assigned to a group if one of the microorganisms presented on the outer surface of the patient's feeding tube and/or on the hub. The hand hygiene compliance was evaluated by direct observation according to the World Health Organization hand hygiene indications. RESULTS: The study was conducted with 46 patients. Evaluating the patients for the presence of microorganisms before education revealed that 4.3% were in group 1, 21.8% were in group 2, and 73.9% were in group 3. After the education, evaluating the samples for the presence of microorganisms revealed that 39.1% were in group 1, 13% were in group 2, and 47.8% were in group 3. A statistically significant difference was found between the number of samples included in the groups after the participants had received training (H = 8.186; p = .017). CONCLUSIONS: An NGT could act as a reservoir of microbial colonization and high-risk microorganisms could be on the tube. Providing training not only to nurses but also to ASS will help reduce the risk of colonization. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Eliminating such colonization with effective hand hygiene during NGT feeding is a cost-effective method. Providing training not only to nurses but also to ASS will help obtain the optimum benefit from patient care.

The effect of N-acetylcysteine on inflammation and oxidative stress in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity: a rat model

Background/Aim: Cisplatin is a highly effective chemotherapeutic agent used in the treatment of solid organ cancers. Besides its chemotherapeutic effectiveness, cisplatin administration is associated with numerous side effects. Of those, the most clinically significant and common effect is nephrotoxicity. Recent studies reported that oxidative stress and inflammation are probably the most important mechanisms that contribute to the nephrotoxicity. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is an antioxidant and antiinflammatory agent. In the present study, the effects of NAC on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity were investigated. Materials and methods: Rats were divided into four groups each including eight rats: CONT, NAC-250, CP, and CP+NAC. Rats in experimental groups were treated intraperitoneally (i.p.) with a single dose of cisplatin (10 mg/kg body weight) and i.p. with NAC (250 mg/kg body weight) for three consecutive days. Nephrotoxicity was determined by plasma BUN and creatinine levels. In tissue samples, myeloperoxidase (MPO), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB), high mobility group box-1 (HMGB-1), total oxidant status (TOS), and total antioxidant status (TAS) levels were measured. Kidneys were analyzed histopathologically as well. Results: It was revealed that cisplatin was not effective on MPO, HMGB-1 and NF-kB levels but did increase TOS levels and decrease TAS levels in tissue samples. Interestingly, NAC elevated MPO and HMGB-1 levels significantly. Nevertheless, NAC ameliorated histological and functional changes in kidney tissues. Conclusion: It is suggested that inflammation has a limited effect on cisplatin nephrotoxicity in this experimental design, and, as reflected by decreased BUN and creatinine levels, NAC can be used as an additional therapeutic agent in standard cisplatin treatment protocols.

Development of the Thirst Discomfort Scale: A Validity and Reliability Study.

BACKGROUND: Thirst is a sensation associated with a dry mouth and the desire or craving to drink water. Surgical patients are among those hospitalized individuals who are at high risk of developing both osmotic and hypovolemic thirst. OBJECTIVES: To develop a new measurement tool for evaluating the thirst-related discomfort of surgical patients and to assess its validity and reliability. METHODS: The study population consisted of patients admitted to the surgical clinics of a research hospital in Turkey between January and March 2022. The new measurement tool was developed in several stages: a pilot implementation phase with 51 patients and the main implementation phase with 198 patients. Data were collected by means of face-to-face interviews with patients. Exploratory factor and confirmatory factor analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics, version 22, and IBM SPSS Amos. RESULTS: The final Thirst Discomfort Scale consisted of 12 items in 3 subdimensions. The Cronbach α values of the scale subdimensions ranged from 0.787 to 0.848, and the Cronbach α value for the scale as a whole was 0.886. The scale explained 66.237% of the total variance of the data. CONCLUSION: The Thirst Discomfort Scale consisting of 12 items and 3 subdimensions is a valid and reliable measurement tool for evaluating thirst-related discomfort of surgical patients.

Impact of Early and Regular Mobilization on Vital Signs and Oxygen Saturation in Patients Undergoing Open-Heart Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: This quasi-experimental study aimed to evaluate the impact of early and regular mobilization on vital signs and oxygen saturation in open-heart surgery patients. METHODS: The study universe comprised patients undergoing open-heart surgery in the cardiovascular intensive care unit of a heart center. The study sample consisted of patients who underwent open-heart surgery from November 2016 to April 2017, met the inclusion criteria, and voluntarily agreed to participate in the study. The study included 75 patients. Of these, 67 completed the mobilization program in two days, starting on the first postoperative day. Each patient was mobilized three times: twice on the first postoperative day and once on the second postoperative day. Vital signs and oxygen saturation for each patient were measured 10 minutes before and 20 minutes after each mobilization. RESULTS: The difference between pulse and systolic blood pressure values measured before and after the first mobilization was statistically significant (P<0.05). In addition, the difference between the mean systolic blood pressure values before the first mobilization and after the third mobilization (123.43±14.09 mmHg and 117.94±14.05 mmHg, respectively) was statistically significant (P<0.05). The other parameters measured in relation to the mobilizations were in the normal range. CONCLUSION: Early and frequent mobilization did not cause vital signs and oxygen saturation to deviate from normal limits in open-heart surgery patients.

Impact of Early and Regular Mobilization on Vital Signs and Oxygen Saturation in Patients Undergoing Open-Heart Surgery

Abstract Introduction: This quasi-experimental study aimed to evaluate the impact of early and regular mobilization on vital signs and oxygen saturation in open-heart surgery patients. Methods: The study universe comprised patients undergoing open-heart surgery in the cardiovascular intensive care unit of a heart center. The study sample consisted of patients who underwent open-heart surgery from November 2016 to April 2017, met the inclusion criteria, and voluntarily agreed to participate in the study. The study included 75 patients. Of these, 67 completed the mobilization program in two days, starting on the first postoperative day. Each patient was mobilized three times: twice on the first postoperative day and once on the second postoperative day. Vital signs and oxygen saturation for each patient were measured 10 minutes before and 20 minutes after each mobilization. Results: The difference between pulse and systolic blood pressure values measured before and after the first mobilization was statistically significant (P<0.05). In addition, the difference between the mean systolic blood pressure values before the first mobilization and after the third mobilization (123.43±14.09 mmHg and 117.94±14.05 mmHg, respectively) was statistically significant (P<0.05). The other parameters measured in relation to the mobilizations were in the normal range. Conclusion: Early and frequent mobilization did not cause vital signs and oxygen saturation to deviate from normal limits in open-heart surgery patients.