The effects of ergonomic sleep mask use on sleep quality and comfort in intensive care patients.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of the use of ergonomic sleep mask on sleep quality and comfort in intensive care patients. This randomised controlled experimental study was completed with 128 surgical intensive care patients (control = 64, experimental = 64). During the second night of their stay in the unit, ergonomic sleep masks were given to the patients in the experimental group, and earplugs and eye masks were given to the patients in the control group. A Patient information form, Visual analogue scale for discomfort, and the Richard-Campbell sleep questionnaire were used to collect data. While 51.6% of the patients were female, the mean age of the patients was 63.87 ± 14.94 years. The highest rates of patients had undergone cardiovascular surgery (28.9%) and general anaesthesia (57.8%). It was determined that the sleep quality of the patients in the experimental group was statistically and clinically significantly higher after the intervention (50.86 ± 21.46 vs 37.64 ± 14.97, t = -5.355, Cohen's d = 0.450, p < 0.001). Likewise, the patients who used ergonomic sleep masks had a statistically significantly lower mean VAS for Discomfort score, and their comfort level was higher (p < 0.001), but the difference was not clinically significant (Cohen's d = 0.208). The results of this study showed that the use of ergonomic sleep masks in surgical intensive care patients had a more positive effect on both the sleep quality and comfort levels of patients compared with earplugs and eye masks. The use of an ergonomic sleep mask is recommended in the early period to facilitate sleep and rest in surgical intensive care patients.

The relationship between spiritual well-being and surgical fear in elderly patients with gonarthrosis.

BACKGROUND: Gonarthrosis is a chronic degenerative joint disease characterised by prolonged pain, affecting ~10% of men and 18% of women aged 60 and older worldwide. Surgical interventions are commonly employed in patients with gonarthrosis to minimise disability, alleviate pain, and improve overall quality of life. However, surgical treatment remains a feared experience. This study was conducted to identify the levels of spiritual well-being and surgical anxiety in elderly patients diagnosed with gonarthrosis who are scheduled for surgical intervention. The aim was to examine the relationship between these factors and identify influencing elements. METHODS: This descriptive and correlational study was conducted between September 2022 and June 2023 in the orthopaedics and traumatology service of a state hospital, involving 105 patients aged 65 and above with gonarthrosis and admitted for treatment. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Surgical Fear Questionnaire, and Three-Factor Spiritual Well-being Scale. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistical tests, Mann-Whitney U-test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Spearman correlation analysis. RESULTS: The short-term surgical fear of patients was 11.69 ± 7.55, the long-term surgical fear was 10.70 ± 9.53, and the total surgical fear was 22.40 ± 14.69 points, indicating a low level. Single and inexperienced elderly patients had higher levels of surgical fear (P < 0.05). The spiritual well-being levels of elderly patients (transcendence, 59.65 ± 12.20; harmony with nature, 29.10 ± 4.65; anomy, 26.34 ± 5.28; total score, 115.10 ± 17.83) were high. The spiritual well-being levels of elderly individuals whose income matched their expenses were higher (P < 0.05). There was a statistically significant negative relationship between the level of anomy in elderly patients with gonarthrosis and surgical fear (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In elderly patients with planned surgical interventions for gonarthrosis. It was determined that the levels of surgical fear were low, and the levels of spiritual well-being were high. The study identified that the level of anomy had an impact on surgical fear. It is recommended that healthcare professionals be aware of the influence of spiritual well-being on surgical fear and provide spiritual support to elderly patients.

Traumatic and Routine Stressors in Emergency Nurses: A Turkish Validity and Reliability Study.

INTRODUCTION: Emergency nurses face traumatic and stressful events of many different forms and severity. The aim of this study is to test the validity and reliability of the Traumatic and Routine Stressors Scale on Emergency Nurses in Turkey. METHODS: This methodological study was conducted with 195 nurses who had been working in the emergency service for at least six months and could be reached via an online questionnaire. Opinions of 9 experts were obtained with the translation-back translation method for linguistic validity, and the Davis technique was used for testing content validity. Test-retest analysis was used to test the time-invariance of the scale. Construct validity was evaluated with exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. The reliability of the scale was evaluated based on item-total correlation and Cronbach's alpha coefficients. RESULTS: The expert opinions were found to be in agreement with each other. Factor analysis results were acceptable, the Cronbach's alpha coefficients of the scale were 0.890 for the frequency factor, 0.928 for the impact factor, and 0.866 for the total scale. It was determined that the correlation values for the time-invariance of the scale were 0.637 for the frequency factor and 0.766 for the effect factor, and the scale had good test-retest reliability. DISCUSSION: The Turkish version of the Traumatic and Routine Stressors Scale on Emergency Nurses, has high levels of validity and reliability. We recommend that the scale be used to evaluate the state of being affected by traumatic and routine stressors among emergency service nurses.

Evaluation of pressure ulcer risk and development in operating rooms.

AIM: This study aimed to determine the risk and development of pressure ulcers in operating rooms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample of the study included a total of 250 patients. In the study, the risk of pressure ulcers was assessed before the operation, and the development of pressure ulcers was evaluated within 24 h after the operation. RESULTS: The risk of pressure ulcers was low before the operation, and Stage I pressure ulcer developed in 12.8% of the patients within 24 h after the operation. The patients had pressure ulcers mostly in their sacrum. Their mean 3S Intraoperative Risk Assessment Scale of Pressure Sore score was 15.68 ± 4.84, suggesting that they were not at risk of developing pressure ulcers. Having a chronic disease (OR = 8.986; 95% CI = 3.697-21.845), undergoing general anesthesia (OR = 3.084; 95% CI = 1.323-7.194), and orthopedic surgery (OR = 10.172; 95% CI = 3.121-33.155) were statistically significant risk factors for pressure ulcers (p < 0.001). Additionally, moderately edematous skin (OR = 3.838; 95% CI = 1.024-14.386), overweight/underweight (OR = 16.333; 95% CI = 3.779-70.602), intraoperative bleeding greater than 800 ml (OR = 13.000; 95% CI = 3.451-48.969), operation time longer than 5 h (OR = 21.667; 95% CI = 2.122-221.223), moderate intraoperative stress (OR = 4.917; 95% CI = 0.425-56.916), body temperature higher than 38.3 °C or lower than 36.1 °C (OR = 5.462; 95% CI = 2.161-13.805), and intraoperative prone position (OR = 3.354; 95% CI = 1.386-8.115) were statistically significant risk factors for the development of pressure ulcers. CONCLUSION: According to our preoperative pressure ulcer risk assessment, it is very important to take additional protective measures both during and after surgical operations to prevent pressure ulcers.

The prevalence of facial pressure injuries among nurses during COVID-19 pandemic and its relationship to COVID-19 infection.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of facial pressure injuries related to personal protective equipment use in nurses and the relationship with getting COVID-19 infection. DESIGN: The study used descriptive and correlational online survey design. METHODS: Nurses in Turkey were recruited via an electronic link sent to their social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter), WhatsApp, and e-mail during the study: March-April 2021. Of them, 603 participants completed the survey form from all over Turkey. RESULTS/FINDINGS: Facial pressure injuries develop in nurses due to use of personal protective equipment. The rates of facial pressure injuries were higher in the nurses who were younger (p=0.002) and those who had less experience years (p=0.005) than the other nurses. The statistically significant variables were determined as age, status of using face shield, status of wearing overalls and status of wearing shoe covers (p<0.05). We determined that facial pressure injuries were not significantly associated with getting COVID-19 infection (p>0,05). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that facial pressure injuries associated with personal protective equipment use among nurses, who work on the frontlines in the COVID-19 pandemic period, is highly prevalent. Experiencing facial pressure injuries did not have a significant effect on the participants' statuses of getting infected with COVID-19. Providing training in health institutions may present an effective strategy in lowering problems.

Relationships between sleep, quality of life and anxiety in patients undergoing cardiac surgeries.

OBJECTIVE: the objective of this study is to examine the relationships between sleep, quality of life and anxiety in patients undergoing cardiac surgeries during the preoperative period, at discharge, two weeks after discharge and three months after discharge. METHOD: this study had a prospective, descriptive and correlational design and was conducted in a single center. The sample consisted of 68 patients who had undergone cardiac surgeries. The data were collected using an Information Form, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Richard-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire and the Nottingham Health Profile. RESULTS: the patients' sleep quality increased from moderate to good at each measurement moment after the surgeries, when compared to sleep quality measured at their first hospitalization. While the state anxiety scores decreased at discharge and 2 weeks after the initial hospitalization, they increased to a moderate level 3 months after discharge. There was no significant relationship between anxiety levels and sleep quality at any measurement moment. Additionally, the patients' quality of life was significantly improved 2 weeks and 3 months after discharge. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that the sleep quality of patients who had undergone cardiac surgeries was improved during the postoperative period, and that this improvement exerted a positive effect on their quality of life.

Investigation of the relationship between the self-efficacy levels in clinical practice and coping behaviors with stress among international nursing students.

BACKGROUND: In this era of rapid globalization, our knowledge regarding the clinical performance perceptions and stress coping behaviors of international students in nursing education is quite limited. The unexplored nature of this topic has the potential to manifest as future clinical challenges. OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between international nursing students' perceived self-efficacy in clinical applications and their coping behaviors with stress. METHODS: Our cross-sectional and correlational study collected data from 117 international nursing students at a state university between June 2022 and July 2023. The data collection tools included the Participant Identification Form, Self-Efficacy in Clinical Performance Scale (SECP), and The Coping Behavior Inventory with Stress Scale for Nursing Students (CBIS-NS). t-test, ANOVA, correlation analysis, and Bonferroni test were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Students, predominantly Azerbaijani (15.4 %) and 64.1 % female, engaged in practices, mainly in medical (34.2 %) and surgical units (33.3 %). Clinical self-efficacy was high, stress coping moderate. A significant positive link existed between coping behaviors and clinical self-efficacy (p < 0.05). Those in public health/mental health units (8.12 ± 1.46) had higher self-efficacy than surgical unit peers (6.94 ± 1.71) (p < 0.05). Satisfied students showed better stress coping (t = 2.645; p = 0.009). Weak positive links were found between transfer/avoidance coping behaviors and clinical self-efficacy (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated a statistically significant positive relationship between international nursing students' perceptions of clinical performance and coping behaviors with stress. Given the rapid globalization of education in the global era, especially in diverse educational and clinical environments with students from different ethnic backgrounds, it is recommended to develop new intervention strategies to enhance students' clinical performances and foster positive coping behaviors with stress.

Exploring the relationship between spiritual care and patient advocacy of nurses from generations X, Y and Z working in intensive care clinics: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between spiritual care and patient advocacy across three generations of nurses working in intensive care units. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. METHODS: Data collection took place from July to August 2022 with 120 nurses in Turkey. Data collection tools included the Spiritual Caregiving Competency Scale, the Spirituality and Spiritual Care Assessment Scale, and the Patient Advocacy Scale for Nurses. Data on nurses' demographics were evaluated using descriptive statistical methods (number, percentage, mean, standard deviation). Independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and linear multiple regression analysis were used to evaluate the relationships between variables, with results reported as 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: More than half of the nurses were from Generation Y (39.2 %) and Generation Z (42.5 %). Generation Z's mean patient advocacy score (156.96 ± 23.16) was statistically significantly higher than Generation X's (139.32 ± 34.26). We determined that the spiritual competence scale communication sub-dimension score of Generation Y nurses working between 1-10 years was higher than that of Generation Z nurses. Additionally, as the patient advocacy scores of all generations increased, so did spiritual competence scores. CONCLUSION: The study found differences in patient advocacy and spiritual care competencies between generations. Thus, we recommend organizing courses, seminars, and in-service training on patient advocacy and spiritual care for intensive care nurses. IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study estimates nurses' spiritual care competencies and patient advocacy levels from different generations and sheds light on the literature to eliminate differences in care between generations in nursing practices that evolve and change over time. It is recommended that courses, seminars, in-service training, spiritual activities, and interactive meetings be organized to encourage the participation of intensive care nurses to minimize the differences in spiritual care and patient advocacy among all generations of intensive care nurses.

Relationships between sleep, quality of life and anxiety in patients undergoing cardiac surgeries / Relaciones entre sueño, calidad de vida y ansiedad en pacientes sometidos a cirugías cardíacas / Relações entre sono, qualidade de vida e ansiedade em pacientes sujeitos a cirurgias cardíacas

Objective: the objective of this study is to examine the relationships between sleep, quality of life and anxiety in patients undergoing cardiac surgeries during the preoperative period, at discharge, two weeks after discharge and three months after discharge. Method: this study had a prospective, descriptive and correlational design and was conducted in a single center. The sample consisted of 68 patients who had undergone cardiac surgeries. The data were collected using an Information Form, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Richard-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire and the Nottingham Health Profile. Results: the patients' sleep quality increased from moderate to good at each measurement moment after the surgeries, when compared to sleep quality measured at their first hospitalization. While the state anxiety scores decreased at discharge and 2 weeks after the initial hospitalization, they increased to a moderate level 3 months after discharge. There was no significant relationship between anxiety levels and sleep quality at any measurement moment. Additionally, the patients' quality of life was significantly improved 2 weeks and 3 months after discharge. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the sleep quality of patients who had undergone cardiac surgeries was improved during the postoperative period, and that this improvement exerted a positive effect on their quality of life.

Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio es examinar las relaciones entre el sueño, la calidad de vida y la ansiedad en pacientes sometidos a cirugías cardíacas durante el período preoperatorio, al momento del alta hospitalaria, y dos semanas y tres meses después del alta. Método: este estudio tuvo un diseño prospectivo, descriptivo y correlacional y se realizó en un único centro. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 68 pacientes que habían sido sometidos a cirugías cardíacas. Los datos se recolectaron por medio de un Formulario de Información y a través de los siguientes instrumentos: State-Trait Anxiety Inventory , Richard-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire y Nottingham Health Profile . Resultados: la calidad del sueño de los pacientes mejoró de moderada a buena en cada medición después de las cirugías, en comparación con la evaluada al momento de la primera internación. Si bien las puntuaciones de ansiedad rasgo disminuyeron al momento del alta hospitalaria y 2 semanas después de la internación inicial, aumentaron al nivel moderado 3 meses después del alta. No se registró ninguna relación significativa entre niveles de ansiedad y calidad del sueño en ninguna de las mediciones. Además, la calidad de vida de los pacientes mejoró significativamente 2 semanas y 3 meses después del alta hospitalaria. Conclusión: los resultados de este estudio demostraron que la calidad de sueño de los pacientes sometidos a cirugías cardíacas mejoró durante el período postoperatorio, además de que esta mejora ejerció un efecto positivo sobre su calidad de vida.

Objetivo: o objetivo deste estudo é examinar as relações entre sono, qualidade de vida e ansiedade em pacientes sujeitos a cirurgias cardíacas durante o período pré-operatório, na alta, duas semanas após a alta e três meses após a alta. Método: este estudo teve um projeto prospectivo, descritivo e correlacional e foi realizado em um único centro. A amostra foi composta por 68 pacientes sujeitos a cirurgias cardíacas. Os dados foram coletados por meio de um Formulário de Informações, do State-Trait Anxiety Inventory , do Richard-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire e do Nottingham Health Profile . Resultados: a qualidade de sono dos pacientes aumentou de moderada para boa em cada momento de medição após as cirurgias, quando comparada à qualidade de sono medida em sua primeira internação. Embora a pontuação de ansiedade-estado tenha diminuído na alta e duas semanas após a internação inicial, ela aumentou para um nível moderado três meses após a alta. Não houve relação significativa entre os níveis de ansiedade e a qualidade do sono em nenhum momento de medição. Além disso, a qualidade de vida dos pacientes melhorou significativamente duas semanas e três meses após a alta. Conclusão: os resultados desse estudo mostraram que a qualidade de sono dos pacientes sujeitos a cirurgias cardíacas melhorou durante o período pós-operatório, e que essa melhora exerceu um efeito positivo em sua qualidade de vida.