Determination of Knowledge and Attitudes of Cardiac Surgery Nurses Regarding the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocol.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the knowledge and attitudes of cardiac surgery nurses regarding the enhanced recovery after surgery protocol. DESIGN: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study. METHODS: The sample consisted of 50 nurses working in the cardiovascular surgery clinic of a university hospital in the province of Izmir, Turkey. A questionnaire consisting of three sections was prepared by the researchers to collect data. The first section of the form captured sociodemographic and descriptive characteristics; the second section examined the level of knowledge about the enhanced recovery protocol for cardiac surgery; the third section captured the nurses' attitudes regarding the enhanced recovery protocol. The questionnaire was distributed to the nurses and the research data were collected after a certain amount of time. Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and correlation analysis were used in the analysis of the data. FINDINGS: The mean age of the nurses was 31.26 ± 6.74 (min = 23, max = 47); 78% were female; 76% had a bachelor's degree; 48% were employed in the intensive care unit. The mean score of the nurses regarding their level of knowledge on the enhanced recovery protocol for cardiac surgery was 18.70 ± 5.29 (min = 0.00, max = 28.00); the mean score regarding attitude toward the enhanced recovery protocol after surgery was 30.00 ± 3.86 (min = 12.00, max = 33.00). There was a positive, moderate, statistically significant correlation (r = 0.396, P = .005) between the mean knowledge level score and the mean attitude level score. CONCLUSIONS: Results showed that nurses' knowledge was at a moderately positive level. Increasing the level of knowledge increased positive attitudes. Recommendations include disseminating protocol information and providing necessary training to increase positive attitudes in an effort to ensure protocol adherance.

Compliance of Health Professionals for Prevention of Inadvertent Perioperative Hypothermia in Adult Patients: A Review.

Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia is defined as a decrease in core body temperature below 36°C (96.8°F) in patients undergoing surgery, starting from one hour before anesthesia induction in the preoperative period, during the intraoperative period, and in the postoperative period in intensive care unit, spanning 24 hours. Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia is a preventable complication that occurs during surgery and can occur due to factors, such as open skin and abdominal cavity, general or regional anesthesia, prolonged surgery duration, low ambient temperature, use of cold irrigation or intravenous fluids, and factors related to the patient. Morbid heart problems, delayed wound healing, increased blood loss and blood transfusion, surgical site infection, deterioration in drug metabolism, and prolonged intensive care and hospital stay are some of the complications that may result from hypothermia. There are several international evidence-based practice guidelines for the prevention and control of hypothermia in the perioperative period. Although the guidelines state that hypothermia can be prevented with some simple and cost-effective measures implemented during the perioperative process, the compliance rate with these practices may be poor in clinical practice. In this article, the practices of healthcare professionals in preventing inadvertent perioperative hypothermia will be discussed in line with evidence-based guidelines.