The effect of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus containing dressing on superficial incisional surgical site infections experimentally induced by Klebsiella pneumoniae in mice.

Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus is a bacterial agent that stands out for its ability to act as a predator against gram-negative bacteria and has found application against antibiotic-resistant pathogens. The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus against antibiotic-resistant pathogens, particularly those causing infections in surgical incision sites. A total of 6 experimental groups were created in mice, and surgical area infections were initiated with Klebsiella pneumoniae in incision sites. The effects of antibiotics and Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus alone or in combination were compared to the control group. In the Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus treatment group, edema and redness were observed in all mice at 24th hours, in 20% of mice at 48th hours, and in none at the 72 nd h. A significant difference was observed in the Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus treatment groups in reducing Klebsiella pneumoniae burden in the incision area compared to antibiotics alone or Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus + antibiotics, (p < 0.001). Likewise, cytokine level determinations indicated that B. bacteriovorus applications generated a therapeutic response without inducing an inflammatory response.

The relationship between fear of surgery and affecting factors in surgical patients.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explain the fear of surgery in surgical patients, the affecting factors, and their relationship. METHODS: This study was conducted as a descriptive and cross-sectional study. The study population consists of 300 patients undergoing surgical intervention. Data were collected using the "patient information form" and "Surgical Fear Questionnaire." Parametric and nonparametric tests were used to evaluate the data. The relationship between the fear questionnaire and age, number of previous surgeries, and pre-operative pain was evaluated using Spearman correlation analysis. The relationship with emotional stress was evaluated with multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: In this study, it was determined that the predictors of the surgical fear level of the patients were age, gender, anesthesia type, and pre-operative pain experience. There was a negative correlation between the age of the patients and the fear of surgery score and a positive correlation between the pre-operative pain severity and the fear of surgery score. It was determined that the factors most associated with pre-operative fear levels were the patients' pre-operative sense of inadequacy (p < 0.001), feeling anxious and unhappy, and confusion about the surgery decision (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, it has been determined that the emotional states and fears of the patients before the surgery have significant effects on the fear of surgery. For this, it is recommended to determine the emotional states and fears of the patients before the surgery and to make appropriate interventions, as it will facilitate compliance with the surgical process.

Nurses' knowledge and practice in preventing pressure injuries in intensive care units.

OBJECTIVE: Globally, pressure injuries (PIs) are an important problem affecting healthcare institutions and patients. Nurses in multidisciplinary teams, play a crucial role in preventing PIs. Nurses working in intensive care units (ICUs) provide care to patients who are at risk of developing PIs. The aim of this study was to ascertain the knowledge and practices of intensive care nurses in preventing PIs, and to highlight the relationship between this knowledge and the prevalence of PIs. METHOD: This study used a descriptive and correlational design. It was carried out in the level 3 ICU of a university hospital in Kayseri, Turkey. A total of four instruments were used at the data collection stage: a nurse information form; the PI prevention knowledge assessment instrument; PI prevention practices; and a PI Prevalence Form. RESULTS: The population of the study consisted of 111 nurses, 91 (82%) of whom fully participated. The mean score of the nurses' knowledge in preventing PIs was found to be 43.2±11.4%. The most common answer regarding the clinical use of PI prevention practices was: 'always applied'. There was no relationship between PI prevalence and PI prevention knowledge scores of the ICU nurses. CONCLUSION: In this study, it was observed that although nurses reported incorporating PI prevention practices in ICUs, their related knowledge level was insufficient.

Intensive care nurses' knowledge and use of a nursing checklist: A cross-sectional survey.

AIM: This descriptive study was conducted to determine the awareness of nurses working in intensive care units about the daily patient checklist. BACKGROUND: Checklists are used in the daily follow-up and evaluation of patients admitted to the intensive care unit. METHOD: The research was carried out with 180 nurses through the social media account of the Turkish Intensive Care Specialists Association Nurse Commission between July 2021 and March 2022. Data were collected with a descriptive information form and intensive care unit daily patient checklist. Necessary permissions were obtained before the study. RESULTS: Among nurses, 45.0% of them got 15 full points from the Checklist. Moreover, 81.1% of the nurses stated that they knew that a checklist should be used to help eliminate the deficiencies of daily care and treatment in the intensive care unit, while 66.7% stated that they used a checklist. It was determined that nurses knew the most about parameters 'Check the daily infection parameters', 'Glycaemic control', 'Therapy', and the least about parameters 'Thromboprophylaxis', 'Ulcer prevention', 'Hypo-hyper delirium' and 'Use a daily checklist'. CONCLUSION: It was determined that the level of awareness of intensive care unit nurses about some parameters that should be followed daily for patient care was low. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Checklists can be used as a guide for health care professionals in the routine daily evaluation of intensive care unit patients. It is thought that these reminder abbreviations will provide efficiency in preventing the disruption of applications, reducing medical errors, reducing mortality and morbidity, and cost.

The effect of salutogenesis-based care on the sense of coherence in peritoneal dialysis patients.

AIMS: This research is conducted to determine the effect of salutogenesis-based home care on the sense of coherence in patients with peritoneal dialysis. BACKGROUND: Recent studies on the salutogenesis model have shown that the model is effective in promoting and improving health. It was observed that studies based on the salutogenesis model were carried out in the form of a training programme, and there was no study that shows its effectiveness on patient care by integrating it into the nursing process. DESIGN: The research is conducted as a pre-test-post-test control group experimental study. METHODS: The study included 73 patients, including 36 in the intervention group and 37 in the control group. The research data are collected using the Patient Identifier Information Form, Dialysis Symptom Index (DSI), General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) and the Sense of Coherence Scale (SIS). The intervention group is provided care based on the salutogenesis model by making home visits 1 time per week for 8 weeks. In this study, the TREND checklist was followed for non-randomised controlled trials. RESULTS: In the study, the pre-test DSI, GSES and SIS (meaningfulness, comprehensibility, manageability sub-dimension) mean scores of the individuals in the intervention and control groups are similar. The third-month and sixth-month intervention group SIS total and sub-dimension scores and GSES scores are found to be statistically significantly higher than the scores of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: As a result of the study, it is determined that the care based on the salutogenesis model provided to peritoneal dialysis patients increases the sense of coherence and self-efficacy and provides symptom control and decreases the dialysis symptoms. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: It has been observed that the salutogenesis model can be used as a step of nursing care in providing symptom control by strengthening the self-efficacy of patients in clinical and home care.

The influence of foot and back massage on blood pressure and sleep quality in females with essential hypertension: a randomized controlled study.

The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the influence of foot and back massage on blood pressure and sleep quality in females with essential hypertension. Non-pharmacologic methods like massage may be effective for balancing blood pressure and solving sleep problems. This is a randomized controlled study conducted in accordance with CONSORT rules. Females with essential hypertension were applied a total of six sessions of 30 min of foot and back massage twice weekly during 3 weeks. The study included a total of 90 patients of whom 60 were in intervention group (foot massage group, back massage group) and 30 in control group. Data were collected through personal data form (PDF) which included descriptive characteristics, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Six sessions of foot massage and back massage were detected to lead to a reduction in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) values and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). A strong statistical difference was found between mean pretest posttest scores of overall and sub-dimensional scores of PSQI in females in intervention group (p < 0.001). Foot and back massage was found to be effective in reducing blood pressure and improving sleep quality.

Hope and perspective on death in patients with cancer.

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between various attitudes and hope levels of cancer patients. The study was conducted in an observational and cross-sectional design with 106 cancer patients who were followed in the oncology clinic of a hospital. In the study, it was found that women had lower hope levels than men, and as age decreased, hope levels increased and as educational level increased, hope levels increased. It was found that the patients who said "I have fear/worry/anxiety and think about my family as they will be left behind" had lower total scores and subscale scores of hope. The results of the study showed that individuals with cancer had relatively higher hope levels. It was determined that the patients' thoughts about death affected their hope both directly and indirectly.

The Effect of Acupressure on Cardiac Rhythm and Heart Rate Among Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: The Relationship Between Heart Rate and Fatigue.

OBJECTIVES: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia among rhythm disturbances causing symptoms such as dyspnea, palpitation, and fatigue. Various methods are used for control and treatment of the disease. This randomized controlled study was conducted to determine the effect of acupressure applied to patients with AF on their cardiac rhythm and heart rate, as well as relationship between heart rate and fatigue. DESIGN: The study was conducted with 60 individuals (30 in the intervention group and 30 in the placebo group) who met the inclusion criteria of the study in cardiology service. The data in the study were collected using a questionnaire, patient observation form, and brief fatigue inventory. In the study, ethics committee approval, institutional permission, and written informed consent from individuals were obtained. INTERVENTIONS: In addition to standard medical treatments, the individuals in the intervention group were applied with acupressure on their acupuncture points (PC-6, HT-7, CV-17), which were specified by using a specially developed acupressure device, twice per day (minimum 2 and maximum 4 sessions). The individuals in the placebo group were attached to the acupressure device in addition to their standard medical treatments, but the pressure was not applied. All the patients were connected to holter, their pulse and blood pressure were monitored and followed up by being before, during, and after the acupressure. The value of P < .05 was accepted as significant in comparisons. RESULTS: After the acupressure administration, heart rate and systolic/diastolic blood pressures of the individuals in the intervention group decreased (P < .05), whereas only diastolic blood pressure of the individuals in the placebo group decreased at the first administration (P < .05), and the decrease in systolic blood pressure and heart rate was not significant (P < .05). In all patients in sample group, rhythm was not sinus and acupressure did not have a different effect on fatigue. CONCLUSION: As a result of the study, it was determined that the acupressure decreased heart rate in patients with AF, it was effective in decreasing systolic and diastolic blood pressure at repeated administrations, and this decrease was not effective in reducing fatigue. According to these results, it could be recommended to perform the repeated acupressure administration along with pharmacological treatment for reducing heart rate and blood pressure in AF.

Sexuality and marital adjustment in women with hypertension in Turkey: how culture affects sex.

This study examined the relationship between sexual dysfunction and marital adjustment in women with hypertension and the effect of the cultures on the sexual problems of women. Mixed method was used in this study. The study was conducted as quantitative (in descriptive type) to examine sexual dysfunction and marital adjustment in women with hypertension and as qualitative to examine the effect of culture on the views of individuals on sexual problems. The study included 102 women who met inclusion criteria (who were on medication and had active sexual life for 1 year). Patient information form, Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (Female), and Marital Adjustment Test (MAT) were used to collect the data. The mean age of the subjects was found to be 55.10 ± 9.13, the mean duration of hypertension diagnosis was 8.66 ± 6.43, and the mean time to start was 7.87 ± 6.30. The mean duration of marriage for the women with hypertension was 34.08 ± 12.507. There was a negative correlation between sexual orientation, orgasm and sexual satisfaction from the subscales of ASEX and the overall scale (p < 0.05). Accordingly, as the adaptation in marriage diminished, sexual problems increased in women. As a result of the study, it was determined that HT had a negative effect on sexual functioning problems and marital adjustment, but women accepted this situation because of their culture, "women do not have the right to sexuality" and naturally accept the absence of sexuality after a certain age.

How intensive care nurses perceive good death.

This study was to determine the attitude of nurses regarding the concept of a good death and terminal phase was conducted to determine the effect on patient care. This is a descriptive and analytical study. The study was conducted with 102 nurses who worked at an intensive care unit and were willing to participate to the study. The mean Good Death Scale total score was 56.75 ± 8.90 and the Frommelt Scale score was 95.10 ± 8.53. In conclusion, our study results suggest that the attitudes of the nurses during care to moribund patients are moderate and, when appropriate care is given, they perceive the death as a positive experience.

The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis.

Context • Hemodialysis (HD) is a frequently used method for the treatment of chronic renal failure. Patients show many symptoms and problems, depending on the success of HD and the disease. Today, one of the most commonly used methods, in addition to pharmacological treatments, for ensuring symptom control and reinforcing a patient's well-being is complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Objectives • The study was conducted to determine the benefits of the use of CAM for patients undergoing HD. Design • The study was descriptive. Setting • The study took place at 3 dialysis centers located in Kayseri, Turkey. Participants • Participants were 198 patients who had been receiving HD treatment for ≥6 mo at the 3 centers, between June 1, 2014, and August 31, 2014. Outcome Measures • The data were collected using a questionnaire with 24 questions that was prepared by the research team and was based on surveys in the literature. Descriptive statistics and a χ2 test were used in the statistical analysis of the data. Results • Of the 198 patients, 54.5% were female, 51.5% were aged ≥60 y, 52.0% were graduates of primary schools, and 53.0% were homemakers. Regarding CAM, 63.1% of the patients stated that they had used it after the start of dialysis and 64.8% of those patients stated that they had benefited from the treatments. Whereas 48.0% of the patients who used CAM had used herbal products, 91.2% had used mind-body interventions and manipulative and other methods, such as massage, hot-cold applications, and praying. Conclusions • The study found that more than half of the patients who underwent HD used ≥1 CAM method, had benefited from CAM, and had not informed the health care personnel about their use of CAM.

Effect of Terminal Patient Care Training on the Nurses' Attitudes Toward Death in an Oncology Hospital in Turkey.

This is an experimental research aiming at identifying the effect of terminal patient care training on the nurses' attitudes toward death. The sample of this study (n = 41) involves 20 nurses in the training group and 21 nurses in the control group. Nurses were offered terminal patient care training and their attitudes toward death were assessed before and after the intervention. The Death Attitude Profile-Revised (DAP-R) subscale mean scores for fear of death (3.9-4.6, p < .05) and approach acceptance (2.9-3.3, p < .05) were found to significantly increase at the end of training in the training group while mean scores in the control group displayed no significant change (p > .05) in any of the five DAP-R subscales. In accordance with these findings, this study suggests that terminal patient care training should be implemented in the nursing curriculum more extensively and should be frequently repeated as part of the nurses' in-service education.

Living with an Alzheimer patient in Turkey.

The research was performed to determine the problems that caregivers experience with patients with Alzheimer disease. The research was carried out qualitatively with those who were responsible for the care of eight Alzheimer patients who were being treated at the Neurology Polyclinics of Gevher Nesibe Hospital at Erciyes University in Kayseri, Turkey. Research data were collected through questionnaires designed to understand the characteristics of the individuals who provided care and focus group interviews. A written consent from the institution and an oral as well as written consent of the individuals were obtained. Focus groups were interviewed in the same setting at different times with two different groups, including four people who agreed to participate in the research. Each interview was conducted by three personnel: a moderator, a reporter, and an observer. Interviews were structured under four main titles: "The changes seen in the individual with Alzheimer disease"; "Physical, social, psychological, and socioeconomical problems that caregivers experienced"; "Precautions taken against the problems"; and "Patients' expectations of the care". The interviews lasted for approximately 2 hours. A voice recorder and a written registration form were also used to collect information. Six women and two men constituted the research group. The caregivers stated that the patients had such difficulties as forgetfulness, nervousness, jealousy, childish behavior, deterioration in speech, fear of water, hallucinations, and difficulty in carrying out daily life activities. Caregivers emphasized the fact that they perceived the changes in the patients as deliberate behaviors and thus became annoyed and quarreled with them before diagnosis; however, after diagnosis, they felt remorse and experienced guilt because of their ill-treatment of them. In addition, the caregivers hid the patients and their disease from social surroundings. Caregivers mentioned that they had felt as someone who was helpless, exhausted, and abandoned; they lost their freedom and lacked their taste for life. They felt no confidence in someone else caring for the patient; thus, they neglected their own personal needs. Caregivers reported that they often cried and started to smoke because of these problems. They took precautions, such as making identity cards, helping the patients with their daily life activities, not changing the current order at home, and not leaving the patients alone. Caregivers expressed a desire for assistance from home healthcare personnel, a reliable nursing home where they could leave the patient, and a support group to whom they could share their problems. It was found that the caregivers who provided care to patients with Alzheimer disease experienced multidimensional problems, could not find any professional support, and needed institutional assistance.