[The Readiness and Mental Construction of Nurses Caring for Patients With COVID-19: An Example From a Medical Center in Northern Taiwan].

The COVID-19 epidemic continues to spread, and frontline health professionals have unfortunately contracted this virus because of exposure while providing clinical care. Based on the painful experience of the previous SARS epidemic in Taiwan, nurses have adopted a standard of care for infection protection that incorporates early prevention and detection. However, international public health experts remain unable to control the infectivity and variability of the COVID19 virus, which increases the mental stress on frontline nurses when performing care. In this paper, which uses a medical center in the north of Taiwan as an example, JBI clinical guidelines, infection control experience, and nurses' awareness, perceived support, and self-efficacy are applied to suggest ways to improve epidemic prevention and mental construction, enhance nurses' psychological empowerment and refection, promote role identity in nursing and self-value, establish health team awareness, strengthen infection protection concepts, and integrate infection control concepts into the nursing models to develop effective standard operating procedures for epidemic prevention management and effectively prevent the spread of the virus and maintain public health.

Pain prediction model based on machine learning and SHAP values for elders with dementia in Taiwan.

INTRODUCTION: Pain conditions are common in elderly individuals, including those with dementia. However, symptoms associated with dementia may lead to poor recognition, assessment and management of pain. In this study, we incorporated the variables based on questionnaires into a machine learning algorithm to build a prediction model for the pain index of elderly individuals with dementia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 113 cases were collected through questionnaires and used to build prediction models for the patient's pain index. Three machine learning algorithms were incorporated for comparison in this study. To interpret the prediction model, SHapley additive explanations values were used to depict the ranking importance of variables and the relationship between features and pain index. RESULTS: In the comparison of models, random forests with feature selection outperformed in terms of root mean square error and mean absolute error. A total of 11 features were selected based on embedded method. The results showed that the Karnofsky scale played a key role in predicting pain index for elderly individuals with dementia and was positively associated with pain index. Arthritis is the most important disease to predicting the pain index. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provided the key insights to predict the pain index of elderly patients with dementia. In the future, it can be used to develop an application system or webpage, which can reduce the use of labour and improve the efficiency.

Prevention and management of hospital-acquired pressure injury among patients with lung disease in a hospital: a best practice implementation project.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this project was to promote evidence-based practice in the prevention and management of pressure injury in lung disease patients. INTRODUCTION: Pressure injury is a crucial quality indicator for hospital care of patients. The pressure injury incidence threshold in the chest wards has been exceeding that of the general ward (0.128%), which may extend patients' hospital stay. METHODS: Clinical audits were performed using the JBI Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System and Getting Research into Practice (GRiP) audit and feedback tool. Twelve audit criteria representing best practice recommendations for preventing and managing pressure injury among lung disease patients were used. A baseline audit was performed to measure the degree of consistency between existing practice and best practice. This project used the GRiP analysis and multiple strategies to develop care protocols for pressure injury prevention and management. A follow-up audit was conducted to measure changes in clinical practice and pressure injury incidence. RESULTS: Postimplementation audit compliance rates improved for the following criteria: skin assessment for identifying pressure injury indications (from 31 to 81%), identification of pressure injury risk score/category (from 19 to 88%), employment of nutritional assessment tools (from 8 to 93%), and provision of information regarding oral nutritional supplements (from 23 to 84%). Furthermore, patients learning the pressure injury care protocols (from 48 to 93%), the receipt of additional skin protection measures, and repositioning of vulnerable areas to relieve pressure increased to 100 and 93%, respectively. After project implementation, the monthly pressure injury incidence decreased markedly from 0.075 to 0.021%. CONCLUSION: The success factors of this project are attributable to leadership, open communication, multiple learning-by-doing strategies, regular audits, and the promotion of patient and family engagement.

Prevention of needle-stick injury among nurses in an acute ward of a hospital: a best practice implementation project.

OBJECTIVES: This evidence implementation project aimed to identify barriers leading to needle-stick injuries (NSIs) and to develop implementation strategies to prevent NSIs in the acute ward of a hospital in central Taiwan. INTRODUCTION: The incidence rate of NSIs was 5.6% in the acute ward of a hospital in Taiwan. NSIs commonly occur during the drawing of blood, intravenous insertion, needle recapping, or performing any procedure involving sharp medical devices. NSIs are critical occupational risks among healthcare workers, possibly leading to transmission of infectious diseases, especially blood-borne viruses, such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. METHODS: A clinical audit was undertaken using the JBI Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System (PACES) and the Getting Research into Practice (GRiP) approach. Five audit criteria that represented best practice recommendations for prevention of NSIs were used. Baseline data were collected from 177 nurses in five acute wards, followed by the implementation of multiple strategies during a 20-week period of the project. Both baseline and postimplementation audits were undertaken to determine changes in practice. RESULTS: According to the pre-audit concerning the use of safety-engineered injection devices and safe use and disposal of needles, there was 14-15% compliance, which indicated poor compliance with current best-practice criteria. Following the project implementation, the nursing staff were educated about the well tolerated use and disposal of sharps and the improved compliance rate ranged from 40 to 96.6%, with safety needle use increasing from 16 to 95.5%, safety needle operation procedure awareness increasing from 14 to 96%, needles not recapped after use increasing from 47 to 85%, and placing used needles in the sharps collection box increasing from 75 to 80%. CONCLUSION: This article suggests that standardized puncture prevention education and training enhanced nurses' awareness in the acute ward.

Implementing the evidence translation-based resilience care model on family caregivers of stroke patients: a best-practice implementation project.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this project was to promote for the family caregivers of stroke patients the resilience evidence translation care model in the community. INTRODUCTION: Stroke is the main cause of disability among many patients with chronic diseases. Resilience helps family caregivers facing the consequences of adversity and stress to have a positive outcome. METHODS: The study utilized clinical audit strategies under the JBI Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System module. Three audit criteria for the caregivers of stroke patients were considered. A preimplementation audit was conducted with eight nurses and 30 caregivers to measure compliance between current practice and best practice. From that audit we identified barriers and facilitators to practice change by undertaking a Getting Research into Practice analysis. A postimplementation audit was conducted using the same number of samples at 8 weeks for the caregivers to evaluation, and the outcomes using follow-up audit. RESULTS: The three criteria showed an improvement: nurses who received education about resilience care protocols, criterion 1 from 0 to 100%, criterion 2 from 0 to 100%, criterion 3 from 0 to 90%. The results showed that the average resilience of caregivers increased from 17.47 (SD ±â€Š1.94) to 18.33 (SD ±â€Š1.54). The resilience scale of pretest and posttest scores were significantly improved ( P  ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSION: The implementation of best practice for enhancing resilience of the family caregivers of stroke patients on the resilience evidence translation care model: a best practice implementation project in community settings is possible. The results indicate that evidence-based practice is an effective method for enhancing the resilience of family caregivers. The strategies contributed to the success of this project, such as scenario simulation education, Objective Structured Clinical Examination, regular weekly audits, and collaboration with project leaders when carrying out caregiver case discussion during clinical practice.

Effectiveness of Acupuncture in Relieving Chemotherapy-induced Leukopenia in Patients With Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review With A Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers and a major cause of death in women worldwide. Chemotherapy is mainly used to treat and control the progression of breast cancer. Leukopenia is the most common side effect of chemotherapy which may decrease immune function and further lead to serious fatal infections. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of acupuncture on regulating hematopoietic function in chemotherapy-induced leukopenia among patients with breast cancer. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL Plus, Web of Science, and Chinese articles in the Airiti Library and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases were searched to August 2021 for papers to include in a systematic review and meta-analysis. A random-effects model was applied. The effect size was calculated by Hedges' g. Heterogeneity was determined using Cochran's Q test. Moderator analyses were performed to examine potential sources of heterogeneity. A trial sequential analysis (TSA) was conducted to determine whether the current sample size was sufficient. RESULTS: Ten randomized controlled trials involving 650 participants were eligible for inclusion. Analysis by the random-effects model showed a significant effect by acupuncture of ameliorating leukopenia during chemotherapy. Levels of white blood cells (WBCs) were increased (Hedges' g = 0.70, P < .001, I2 = 34%), neutrophil counts (Hedges' g = 0.80, P < .001, I2 = 0%) were significantly enhanced. Moreover, regardless of the manner through which acupuncture was applied, overall values of WBCs increased. CONCLUSIONS: The current meta-analysis supports acupuncture possibly ameliorating chemotherapy-induced leukopenia, as WBC and neutrophil values significantly increased after acupuncture in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Additionally, regardless of the type of acupuncture, values of WBCs increased. These findings are actionable and support both the clinical use of acupuncture to relieve chemotherapy-induced leukopenia and further research regarding the use of acupuncture in patients experiencing immunosuppression when undergoing chemotherapy.Trial Registration: PROSPERO-CRD42020215759.

Implementing the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale in a respiratory critical care unit: a best practice implementation project.

INTRODUCTION: Adequate sedation can lead to patient-ventilator synchrony, facilitation of treatment, and decreased physical and psychological discomfort for patients with respiratory failure in the intensive care unit (ICU). The Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) is considered to be the most appropriate tool in sedation assessment. OBJECTIVES: This aim of this project was to implement evidence-based recommendations for sedation assessment using the RASS in mechanically ventilated patients in the ICU. METHODS: This implementation project was conducted in an ICU at a tertiary medical center in Taiwan. Using the JBI Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System software, a baseline audit was conducted in the ICU, followed by an identification of barriers of RASS assessment and an implementation of management of strategies to improve the consistency of sedation assessment. RESULTS: Results of the baseline audit showed that four of the six selected criteria had 0% compliance. Following the implementation of the strategies, which included education, visual management and development of a "RASS Reminder Card", there was an improvement in all the criteria audited, with each criterion achieving 83-100% of compliance. CONCLUSION: The project successfully improved the implementation of RASS assessment in the respiratory ICU. Following the development and implementation of evidence-based resources, a high level of compliance was achieved for nurses using the RASS in the ICU to assess sedation in patients with a ventilator.

Prevention of catheter-associated urinary tract infection in neurological post-operation patients: a best practice implementation project.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this evidence based implementation project was to promote evidence based practice in the prevention of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) in the neurology and neurosurgery units of a Taipei hospital. INTRODUCTION: Catheter-associated urinary tract infection has been associated with increased morbidity, mortality, hospital costs and length of stay. Urinary drainage systems are often reservoirs of infection in patients, thus effective prevention of CAUTI requires an evidence-based approach. The CAUTI incidence in the neurosurgery units of the hospital was 1.86-2.69% urinary catheter days, which ranked as medium when compared to the entire hospital. METHOD: A clinical audit was undertaken using the Joanna Briggs Institute Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System tool, based on eight audit criteria that represented best practice recommendations for CAUTI. A baseline audit of the neurology and neurosurgery units was performed, followed by the implementation of multiple strategies throughout a 20-week period. A follow-up audit was undertaken after this to assess changes in practice. RESULTS: The post strategy implementation audit results indicated that compliance with clinical guideline recommendations improved considerably. Proper utilization of an appropriate closed drainage system and training of persons maintaining catheters achieved 100% compliance. The guideline recommendation that catheter and drainage bags be changed only when clinically indicated reached 94% compliance. Catheters removed within 24 hours postoperatively improved by more than 50% compliance. Compliance with systemic antimicrobials being clinically indicated and their use justified improved by 25% and documentation on a clinically appropriate indication for ongoing urinary catheterization improved by almost 33.3%. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation project was successful in improving nurses' knowledge and skills related to the prevention of CAUTI. A variety of strategies, such as an education program, simple and clear instruments, collaboration with physicians in caring for patients with a high risk of CAUTI, and multiple educational materials can facilitate implementation of evidence based procedures in clinical practice.

Effectiveness of coffee for postoperative ileus in patients following abdominal surgery: a systematic review protocol.

REVIEW QUESTION/OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this systematic review is to critically appraise, synthesize and present the best available evidence concerning the effects of coffee on postoperative ileus following abdominal surgery. The review will consider the effect of coffee and decaffeinated coffee on recovering gastrointestinal function, time to first bowel movement, time to first flatus, time to tolerance of solid food, postoperative complications and length of hospital stay.