Development of a scale to gain insight into the experience of living with chronic heart failure: The UNAV-Experience of Living with Chronic Heart Failure Scale.

BACKGROUND: To date, there are no tools for the nursing staff to gain systematic insight on the experience lived by patients with chronic heart failure. The objective of this study was to develop a scale for this purpose. METHODS: The study was conducted between January 2018 and December 2020 in three Spanish hospitals. The process described by DeVellis was used for the development of the scale. The items were built based on a phenomenological study and a systematic review of the literature. Next, feedback from a panel of experts was obtained, the scale was administered to a sample of patients with chronic heart failure, and a cognitive interview and an observational study were conducted to create the final version of the scale. RESULTS: The first version of the scale had in seven domains and 76 items. After its evaluation by a panel of experts, it was reduced to a second version with six domains and 55 items. Following the administration of Version 2 to 17 patients (58.8% male, mean age 59.53, 70.6% classified as NYHA functional class II), five items were modified and two eliminated. Thus, the third version of the UNAV-CHF Experience Scale was composed of six domains and 53 items. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents the development of the UNAV-experience of living with chronic heart failure scale. It is an original and novel instrument that allows systematically explore this experience. A larger-scale study is necessary to confirm the validity of our scale.

A study protocol of a comparative mixed study of the T-Control catheter.

Background: Foley catheters have been subject to limited development in the last few decades. They fulfil their basic function of draining urine from the bladder but cause other associated problems. T-Control is a new silicone Foley catheter with an integrated fluid control valve whose design aims to reduce the risks associated with bladder catheterization by a multifactorial approach. The general purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness, comfort, and experience of the patient catheterized with T-Control® compared with patients with a conventional Foley catheter. Study Design: This trial is a mixed-method study comprising a two-arm, pilot comparative study with random allocation to T-Control catheter or traditional Foley catheter in patients with long-term catheterization and a study with qualitative methodology, through discussion groups. Endpoints: The comfort and acceptability of the T-Control® device (qualitative) and the quality of life related to self-perceived health (quantitative) will be analysed as primary endpoints. As secondary endpoints, the following will be analysed: magnitude and rate of infections (symptomatic and asymptomatic); days free of infection; indication of associated antibiotic treatments; determination of biofilm; number of catheter-related adverse events; use of each type of catheterization's healthcare resources; and level of satisfaction and workload of health professionals. Patients and Methods: Eligible patients are male and female adults aged ≥18 years, who require a change of long-term bladder catheter. The estimated sample size is 50 patients. Patient follow-up includes both the time of catheter insertion and its removal or change 4 weeks later, plus the time until the discussion groups take place.

Use of topical sevoflurane in pressure ulcer treatment in a double-lung transplant patient.

Pain caused by wounds of different etiology is usually treated with oral analgesics. New topical use of products such as the ether anesthetic sevoflurane shows good results for pain control and has additional benefits. Pressure ulcers are painful and patients may benefit from the use of sevoflurane. We present the case of a double-lung transplant patient with a long-standing sacral pressure ulcer with poor pain control, for which sevoflurane dressings were used. The number of pain-free hours after application, the amount of daily analgesics and the size of the wound were monitored with the mobile wound application MOWA. After several days of sevoflurane application, the patient reduced analgesic consumption, remained longer free of pain, and the size of the wound decreased. Unfortunately, the patient had serious complications due to multiple comorbidities and died before the wound healed completely. Topical use of sevoflurane in pressure ulcers may be a good option to treat pain and improve patient quality of life.

The effectiveness of an online training program in a nursing unit: extraction of blood cultures. / Efectividad de un programa de formación online en una unidad de enfermería: extracción de hemocultivos.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of an online training platform for procedures among nurses in an internal medicine unit to reduce the number of contaminated blood cultures. METHOD: This was a quasi-experimental pre-post intervention parallel group study. The sample consisted of internal medicine nurses in a tertiary hospital who participated in an online training program about blood culture extraction technique. Knowledge about the technique was measured pre- and post-intervention. Additionally, the study compared the number of blood cultures taken 6 months before and 3 months after the intervention. RESULTS: Forty-eight nurses participated. Pre-intervention knowledge was homogeneous among both groups, improving significantly after the online training program (p=0.0001). The blood cultures taken prior to the training showed contamination levels above international standards; post-intervention, contamination levels fell by up to 3% in the intervention group. CONCLUSION: The educational intervention using the digital platform increased knowledge about the procedure and its application in clinical practice.

Equilibrio emocional, capacidad de autocuidado e integridad cutánea en la persona ostomizada / Emotional balance, self-care ability and skin integrity in ostomized persons

Objetivo: explorar la relación entre equilibrio emocional, autocuidado e integridad cutánea en personas ostomizadas mediante criterios de resultado NOC. Método: estudio observacional prospectivo. Se incluyeron pacientes ostomizados en seguimiento en "Consulta de Ostomía" a los siete días del alta, a los dos, seis y 12 meses. Se estudiaron variables sociodemográficas, clínicas y de resultado, basadas en ocho indicadores relacionados con los NOC (1101) Integridad tisular: piel y membranas mucosas, (1615) Autocuidado de la ostomía y (1204) Equilibrio emocional. Se realizó análisis descriptivo, usando frecuencias, medias y desviaciones estándar (DE). Se estudiaron las correlaciones entre los indicadores derivados de los NOC. Resultados: se incluyeron 55 pacientes. El 65,45% (n= 36) era hombre, con una edad media (DE) de 67,45 (13,4) años, siendo el 58,2% mayores de 65 años. Se restableció la continuidad intestinal en el 50,90% (n= 28) de los participantes. La integridad de la piel la consiguió el 10,90% (n= 6) (visita 1), llegando al 100% (n= 20) (visita 4). Logró un autocuidado adecuado el 18,18% (n= 10) (visita 1), llegando al 100% (n= 20) (visita 4). No consiguió equilibrio emocional ningún paciente en la visita 1, obteniéndolo el 34% (n= 17) (visita 2), el 59,5% (n= 21) (visita 3) y el 70% (n= 14) (visita 4). Las correlaciones entre variables se presentan de forma directa y positiva, con niveles de asociación moderado-bueno. Todas son estadísticamente significativas. Conclusiones: el porcentaje de pacientes con problemas en la piel periestomal mejora a lo largo del seguimiento. El autocuidado aumenta gradualmente así como el equilibrio emocional. Hay relación directa y positiva entre integridad cutánea y autocuidado, calidad del sueño, apetito, mantenimiento del arreglo e higiene personal y manifestación de un estado de ánimo sereno

Objective: to explore the relationship between emotional balance, self-care and skin integrity in ostomized persons through the NOC Outcomes Criteria. Method: a prospective observational study, including ostomized patients under follow-up in the Ostomy Unit at seven days after discharge, and at two, six and 12 months. Sociodemographical, clinical and outcome variables were studied, based on eight indicators associated with the NOC (1101) Tissue Integrity: Skin & Mucous Membranes, (1615) Ostomy Self-Care and (1204) Emotional Balance. A descriptive analysis was conducted, using frequencies, means and standard deviations (SD). Correlations between NOC-derived indicators were studied. Results: the study included 55 patients; 65.45% (n= 36) were male, with 67.45 (13.4) years as mean age (SD), and 58.2% were >65-year-old. Intestinal continuity was restored in 50.90% (n= 28) of the participants; 10.90% (n= 6) achieved skin integrity (visit 1), reaching 100% (n= 20) (visit 4). An adequate self-care was achieved by 18.18% (n= 10) (visit 1), reaching 100% (n= 20) (visit 4). No patient achieved emotional balance at Visit 1; 34% (n= 17) had achieved it at Visit 2, 59.5% (n= 21) at Visit 3, and 70% (n= 14) at Visit 4. Correlations between variables were presented in a direct and positive manner, with Moderate-Good association levels; all of them were statistically significant. Conclusions: the proportion of patients with problems in peristomal skin improved throughout follow-up. Self-care was gradually increased, as well as emotional balance. There was a direct and positive relationship between skin integrity and self-care, quality of sleep, appetite, maintaining personal hygiene and care, and reporting a serene mood

Adherence to initial exclusive breastfeeding among Chinese born and native Spanish mothers.

BACKGROUND: Benefits of breastfeeding on the health of children, mothers and society are well known. However, breastfeeding rates vary according to the population examined. Chinese-born women migrated to high-income countries have shown low breastfeeding rates. Nevertheless, studies comparing breastfeeding rates of Chinese-born immigrants and natives are scarce. The aims of this study were therefore: 1) to compare the rate of exclusive breastfeeding at hospital discharge after giving birth between Chinese-born women resident in Spain and native Spanish women, 2) to assess the influence of the biological, socioeconomic, work-related and cultural factors on exclusive breastfeeding in women of Chinese origin. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study with between group comparisons. This study included 73 postpartum women (33 Chinese-born and 40 native Spanish women). The association between exclusive breastfeeding and the country of origin was assessed by binary logistic regression. RESULTS: Native Spanish women showed a greater prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (80%) compared to Chinese born immigrant women (36.4%) (adjusted for socioeconomic status, parental level of education, age, cesareans and birth weight) (OR = 0.21; 95% CI 0.05-0.91; p = 0.037). However, in other models that considered both work and cultural influences, no differences were observed. DISCUSSION: The classic biological and socioeconomic variables (educational and socioeconomic levels) do not seem to explain the lower rates of exclusive breastfeeding among Chinese immigrant women. This paradigm of inequity appears to be based on both the work conditions as well as cultural characteristics of Chinese born women in Spain, such as their overall attitude towards breastfeeding.

Adaptación de la escala ESCID para medir el dolor en pacientes críticos con daño cerebral / Adaptation of the ESCID scale to measure pain in critical patients with brain damage

OBJETIVO: evaluar la validez de constructo y la fiabilidadde la adaptación de la escala de conductas indicadoras de dolor (ESCID), para valorar el dolor en pacientes críticos con daño cerebral, no comunicativos y sometidos a ventilación mecánica. MÉTODO: sujetos: estudio multicéntrico, observacional. Se llevará a cabo en pacientes críticos con lesión cerebral adquirida, mayores de edad, sometidos a ventilación mecánica invasiva y sin capacidad de comunicación, ingresados en unidades de cuidados intensivos de cuatro hospitales universitarios de tercer nivel de la Comunidad de Madrid. En todos los sujetos se evaluará el dolor con dos instrumentos simultáneamente (ESCID-DC y videograbación). La evaluación del dolor con ESCID-DC se realizará por dos observadores independientes con resultado ciego entre ellos, ante la aplicación de dos procedimientos dolorosos (aspiración de secreciones traqueales y presión en lecho ungueal), y un procedimiento no doloroso. La medición se efectuará únicamente una vez por cada paciente y procedimiento. La medición del dolor se hará en tres momentos: cinco minutos antes, durante y 15 minutos después de cada procedimiento. Cinco minutos antes de iniciar los procedimientos y hasta diez minutos después, dos videocámaras (una enfoca el cuerpo completo, otra solo la cara) captarán imágenes y audio, para posteriormente analizar los cambios gestuales y corporales del sujeto en cada momento, y poder correlacionarlos con los ocho indicadores conductuales de la escala ESCID-DC. CONCLUSIONES: contar con una escala de este tipo con buenas propiedades psicométricas mejorará el manejo del dolor de los pacientes con daño cerebral y, por tanto, la eficacia del tratamiento

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the validity of the concept and the reliability of the adaptation of the Scale of Behavior Indicators of Pain (ESCID) in order to assess pain in critical patients with brain damage, who are non-communicative and undergoing mechanical ventilation. METHOD: subjects: a multicenter observational study. It will be conducted on critical patients with acquired brain damage, of age, undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation, and unable to communicate, who have been admitted to intensive care units from four 3rd level University Hospitals from the Community of Madrid. Pain will be evaluated in all subjects with two instruments simultaneously (ESCID-DC and video recording). Pain evaluation through ESCID-DC will be conducted by two independent observers with blind results between them, with the application of two painful procedures (aspiration of tracheal secretions and pressure on the nail bed) and a non-painful procedure. Measurement will only be conducted once per patient and procedure. Pain measurement will be conducted at three time points: fiveminutes before, during, and fifteenminutes after each procedure. Five minutes before initiating the procedure and up to ten minutes afterwards, two video cameras will capture images and audio (one will focus on the entire body, the other one only on the face), in order to capture and subsequently analyze the gestural and body changes of the subject at each moment, and to be able to correlate them with the eight behavior indicators of the ESCID-DC scale. CONCLUSIONS: the availability of this type of scale, with good psychometric properties, will improve pain management for patients with brain damage and, therefore, treatment efficacy

Comparison of attitudes to breastfeeding among Spanish-born and Chinese-born postpartum women in Madrid.

BACKGROUND: Maternal breastfeeding is a practice that is associated with multiple health benefits for mothers and children. One of the lowest rates of breastfeeding has been observed among Chinese women who immigrate to high income countries. At present, there is a lack of comparative information between this group and that of Spanish-born women. Considering the relationship between the attitude of women towards breastfeeding and the initiation of breastfeeding, the aim of the study was to determine whether the attitude towards breastfeeding among Chinese postpartum women who have immigrated to Spain differs from that of Spanish-born postpartum women. METHODS: Cross-sectional study, with between-group comparison, of 73 postpartum Spanish-born and Chinese immigrant women admitted to the maternity units of "12 de Octubre" Hospital (Spain) between April and November 2016. Attitudes toward breastfeeding were analyzed using the Spanish or Chinese version of the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS). A wide set of socioeconomic, biological, working and attitudinal conditions were considered as covariates. The association between IIFAS and country of origin was assessed by three multiple linear regression models (B, SE, and 95% confidence interval were calculated). RESULTS: All Chinese women were first generation immigrants. Chinese-born women were four years younger than Spanish-born mothers, had a lower educational level, more frequently had a paid job (mainly self-employed), and planned to return to work almost two months earlier than Spanish-born mothers did. Most Chinese women did not breastfeed exclusively.Chinese immigrant women obtained scores of approximately 9 points less in the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS) when compared to Spanish-born women [95% CI -15.59, -2.48], after adjusting for the different socioeconomic, educational and work-related factors. CONCLUSIONS: Chinese-born women resident in Spain present a lower score on the IIFAS, when compared to Spanish-born women, which implies a more negative attitude towards breastfeeding. The between-groups difference is consistent, even when adjusting for known confounders and other factors which could affect the attitude of the mothers. It is therefore striking that, despite being in Spain, Chinese-born women maintain these preferences/attitudes regarding breastfeeding, compared with Spanish-born women, who obtain overall high scores.