Best practices for iatrogenic anaemia prevention in the intensive care unit: Blood-sparing techniques.

Anaemia is a common issue in patients who are admitted to intensive care units and worsens their condition throughout the stay due to the extraction of blood for diagnostic purposes. It is also well-known that an important amount of the carbon dioxide produced by health services is likely attributable to blood donation, testing and manufacture, storage or distribution of blood components. This must be taken into account to perform nursing interventions consistent with the idea of sustainable health care. In this regard, within patient blood management bundles, with the objective of minimizing the use of blood products, it is recommended to use blood-sparing techniques: small volume tubes (SVT) or closed-blood sampling devices (CBSD). Published studies before 2014 (excepting two more recent ones) have shown that by themselves, both techniques reduce drawn volume but do not decrease haemoglobin reduction and/or need of transfusion. Given the lack of cost-effectiveness studies, it may be easier to implement the use of CBSD as it does not require prior consensus on the discard volume or adaptations in the processing of laboratory tests, as is the case with SVT.

Is caring for pressure ulcers in the intensive care unit in Spain still a challenge? A qualitative study on nurses' perceptions.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of pressure ulcers is an indicator of quality in intensive care units. Due to their frequency and severity, they are identified as a problem of great importance, where the well-being of patients and relatives is compromised, also generating a high healthcare cost. Nurses are primarily responsible for the care of pressure ulcers, however, the existing literature exposes a clear lack of knowledge regarding its prevention and treatment. OBJECTIVES: To explore the attitudes, knowledge and perceived barriers by intensive care nurses regarding pressure ulcers treatment and prevention in a critical care setting. DESIGN: A descriptive qualitative study has been carried out through semi-structured interviews with 22 intensive care nurses from two tertiary university hospitals in Spain. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) guidelines were used to reinforce the methodological approach of the study. FINDINGS: From the collected data, 4 main themes emerged: "lack of specific knowledge about pressure ulcers in intensive care", "continuity of care: the main problem to solve", "teamwork and pressure ulcers: gasping for improvement" and "Skin care as another vital sign". CONCLUSION: Most intensive care nurses consider that they do not have sufficient knowledge regarding pressure ulcers. The nurses' attitudes are positive, however, an ineffective transmission of information and registration regarding ulcers is perceived. Regarding the treatment of pressure ulcers, the lack of continuity of care and updated knowledge/training have been the main barriers. In terms of prevention, the most mentioned barriers have been the clinical condition of the patient and the lack of personnel, despite the level of knowledge.

Effectiveness and safety of the Space GlucoseControl system for glycaemia control in caring for postoperative cardiac surgical patients.

BACKGROUND: Hyperglycaemia is a very common complication in post-cardiac surgical patients, and as such, it must be properly managed. For this purpose, the enhanced Model Predictive Control algorithm for glycaemia control has been implemented into a nurse-led device called Space GlucoseControl (SGC) that aims to achieve a safe and effective blood glucose control in a better way than the traditional "paper-based" protocols. PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to know the effectiveness and safety of the SGC in glycaemia control in cardiosurgical adult patients in the immediate postoperative period in the intensive care unit. METHODS: A prospective before-and-after intervention study was conducted. One hundred sixty cardiosurgical adult patients with hyperglycaemia were selected: 80 in the control group from May to November 2018 and 80 in the intervention group (use of the SGC device) from January to December 2019. The primary outcome was the percentage of time within the target range (140-180 mg/dL in the control group and 100-160 mg/dL in the intervention group). RESULTS: The percentage of time within the target range was significantly higher in the SGC group than in the control group (70.5% [58.25-80] vs 54.83% [36.09-75], p < 0.001). The range was also achieved earlier with the SGC (5 [3-6.875] hours vs 7 [4-11] hours; p < 0.05). The first blood glucose value after reaching the target range was higher in the control group, with statistical significance (p < 0.05). There were no hypoglycaemia episodes in the control group. However, during SGC treatment, six episodes of hypoglycaemia occurred, and all of them were nonsevere (mean value = 61 mg/dL). CONCLUSION: The SGC is useful to achieve a faster tight glycaemic control, with a higher percentage of time within the target range, although episodes of nonsevere hypoglycaemia could be observed.

Intensive care nurses' experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, health care systems worldwide are working under challenging conditions. Patients, who are seriously ill, require intensive care admission. In fighting COVID-19, nurses are frontline health care workers and, as such, have a great responsibility providing needed specialized patient care in intensive care units (ICU). However, working conditions and emotional factors have an impact on the quality of the care provided. AIM: The purpose of the present study was to explore and describe the experiences and perceptions of nurses working in an ICU during the COVID-19 global pandemic. STUDY DESIGN: Qualitative research was undertaken, using an empirical approach and inductive content analysis techniques. METHODS: The selected population consisted of ICU nurses from a tertiary teaching hospital in Spain. Data were obtained via semi-structured videocall interviews from Apr 12th to Apr 30th, 2020. Subsequently, transcribed verbatims were analysed using the template analysis model of Brooks. FINDINGS: A total of 17 nurses comprised the final sample after data saturation. Four main themes emerged from the analysis and 13 subthemes: "providing nursing care," "psychosocial aspects and emotional lability," "resources management and safety" and "professional relationships and fellowship." CONCLUSION: Providing health care by intensive care nursing professionals, during the COVID-19 pandemic, has shown both strong and weak points in the health care system. Nursing care has been influenced by fear and isolation, making it hard to maintain the humanization of the health care. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Implications for practice include optimizing resource management (human and material), providing psychological support, and adequate training for ICU nurses, as well as high-quality protocols for future emergency situations.

Chronic non-cancer pain management by nurses in specialist pain clinics.

BACKGROUND: Chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) is one of the major causes of disability globally, and patients who suffer from it are a complex population, which makes it difficult to provide effective care. Specialist pain clinics and nursing professionals in them are the main care providers, but there is little research conducted in this field. AIM: To explore the attitudes and knowledge of nurses working in specialist pain clinics regarding care of CNCP patients. METHODS: Qualitative phenomenological approach. Sixteen semi-structured interviews were conducted in 2017 with nurses who worked in specialist pain clinics in six hospitals in southern Spain. RESULTS: Data analysis led to the formation of two categories, 'being trained and improving knowledge in CNCP' and 'the challenge of caring for patients with CNCP', and five subcategories. CONCLUSION: The need for care in CNCP is not covered by nurses in all the areas it requires. Lack of time, staffing issues, and specific training in this area makes it difficult to provide care. However, some areas for improvement are proposed, such as psychological interventions, group workshops, continuous training, and multidisciplinary teams.

"Work Like a Chinese": Aspirations, Patterns of Work, and Working Conditions of the Chinese Immigrant Community in Southern Spain.

Expanding businesses was the main reason for the immigration of Chinese people in Spain, which consists the fifth largest nationality of immigrants in this country. Nevertheless, few studies have been carried out to understand the working conditions of this population. Using an ethnographic design, this study examined the work patterns and working conditions among Chinese immigrants living in southern Spain and how these factors affected their health. Observing participants, field notes, and semi-structured interviews with question script were conducted with 133 Chinese immigrants. Five main themes were defined: "Economic improvement as a migratory reason", "Conception to Work", "Labor Sector", "Work conditions", and "Occupational health". Our results showed that Chinese immigrants worked in the provision of services, with long working hours and little rest. Although they had low rates of unemployment, the working conditions had an important impact on their dietary patterns and their family life. Ergonomic and psychosocial risks also explained high rates of musculoskeletal problems and stress. In conclusion, Chinese immigrants living in southern Spain work actively in the service sector of the economy, but with many work hours. These characteristics seem to impact their health at a physical, psychological, and social level.

Competencias profesionales de las matronas suecas y españolas: un estudio cualitativo de sus percepciones / Professional skills of Swedish and Spanish midwives: a qualitative study of their perceptions

OBJETIVOS: Conocer y comparar las percepciones que poseen las matronas de España y Suecia acerca de sus competencias profesionales en la atención al parto, así como la formación académica recibida al respecto y los cuidados prestados durante el parto normal. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio cualitativo de corte fenomenológico con entrevistas individuales semiestructuradas realizado a 12 matronas que trabajaban en el área de partos. Se llevó a cabo un muestreo por conveniencia y en bola de nieve para acceder a las participantes. El análisis de contenido se basó en categorías analíticas preestablecidas, triangulándolas entre los investigadores y teniendo en cuenta el procedimiento clásico propuesto por Huberman y Miles. RESULTADOS: En los discursos de los participantes se observan diferencias y similitudes. Por un lado, los informantes españoles refieren tener conocimientos y desarrollos competenciales de forma parcial, por lo que requieren más formación, y realizan una atención al parto donde la comunicación y las técnicas son prioritarias. Sin embargo, las matronas suecas reflejan pocos conocimientos competenciales, y otorgan importancia al parto humanizado. CONCLUSIONES: Las matronas españolas conocen sus competencias y abogan por un despliegue total de las mismas en atención primaria y hospitalaria, donde la carencia de innovación radica en la falta de recursos humanos, materiales y formativos. Las profesionales suecas desconocen sus competencias; sin embargo, albergan un amplio campo de actuación, donde realizan intervenciones basadas en evidencias. Igualmente, manifiestan la necesidad de más formación en emergencias obstétricas

OBJECTIVES: To know and compare the perceptions that midwives' from Spain and Sweden have about their professional competences in delivery care, received education and procedures to assist a normal childbirth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Qualitative and phenomenological study with semi structured and individual interviews performed with 12 midwives' who worked in delivery area. Convenience and snowballing sampling was performed to access the participants. Content analysis was based in pre-established analytic categories, triangulated among the researchers and taking into account the classic procedure proposed by Huberman & Miles. RESULTS: In the speeches of the participants we could observe differences and similarities. On the one hand, Spanish informants refer to know and develop their competences partially, to require more education and to assist childbirth where communication and techniques are the priority. However, Swedish midwives' do have less knowledge about their competences, giving importance to humanized childbirth. CONCLUSIONS: Spanish midwives' know their competences, claiming a total development of them in outpatient clinics and hospitals, where lack of innovation is due to the deficiency of human, educative and time resources. Swedish professionals don't know their competences, however, they have a large field of action, where they perform interventions based on evidence. Furthermore they refer the need of more education in emergency situations

Conocimientos y creencias sobre el manejo del dolor crónico no oncológico de enfermeras de grupos de medicina familiar / Knowledge and beliefs about chronic non cancer pain management for family medicine group nurses

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