The Effect of Position Support During Orthopedic Surgery on Postoperative Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Positional pain affect the patient's healing process after the operation. Anti-pressure positioning pads are medical products used to support the patient positioning during surgical procedures. AIMS: The aim of the study was to examine pain related to positioning when anti-pressure gel pads and current visoelastic sponge support options are used during orthopedic surgical cases. DESIGN: The randomized controlled experimental study. SETTINGS: The operating room of an educational research hospital. PARTICIPANTS/SUBJECTS: The study consisted of 100 patients (50 control group and 50 study group) undergoing surgery in a supine position. METHODS: Information form, McGill Melzack Pain Questionnaire, and Visual Analogue Scale were used for data collection. Routine institutional policy was applied to the control group. Study group patients were additionally supported with antipressure position gel pads on the operating table. RESULTS: The rate of pain presence in areas other than the operative area was significantly lower in the patients in the study group (p = .001). The patients in the control group reported that preoperative pain in the waist area increased to unbearable levels during operation. In addition, it was noted that the "addition of the anti-pressure gel pads" resulted in study group patients being mobilized significantly early (p = .001). CONCLUSIONS: The conclusion of this study demonstrated that postoperative pain related to positioning, not the surgical procedure itself, was decreased when antipressure gel pads and viscoelastic sponge support were used together. An unanticipated benefit discovered during the study was earlier mobilization of the study group compared to the control group.

First Aid Knowledge of University Students in Poisoning Cases.

OBJECTIVES: Poisoning is a crucial public health problem which needs serious approach and response to treatment. In case of poisoning, proper first aid is lifesaving and application should be applied in every condition. This research was conducted in order to evaluate first aid knowledge of university students for poisoning. METHODS: The research was conducted between the dates of May 2013-June 2013 with the permission gained from the University Rectorship. The cohort of the research contained 4,560 students who received education in Istanbul. The sample of the study included 936 students who accepted to participate in the research and attended the school during the research. The data were collected by using a questionnaire form, which had 21 questions prepared by researchers. Analysis of the data was carried out with a percentage evaluation method and chi square tests in a computer environment. RESULTS: In our study, 92.6% of students (n=867) knew the phone number of the ambulance in case of emergency. In addition, 57.3% of students (n=536) knew the phone number of the poison hotline, and it was seen that they answered correctly the questions regarding the relation between body system and indications of poisoning. It was determined that the students who received education in medical departments answered the questions correctly more than the students who had education in other departments. (p≤0.001, p≤0.01). CONCLUSIONS: It was observed that the university students in medical departments had more first aid knowledge on poisoning cases compared to the students in other departments who did not have sufficient information regarding these issues. It is thought that first aid education in all departments of universities, both poisoning and other first aid issues, should be conveyed to all students.

[The impact of visits on vital signs of the patients in surgical intensive care unit: a pilot study]. / Cerrahi yogun bakim hastalarinda ziyaretin yasam bulgulari üzerine etkisi: Pilot çalisma.

BACKGROUND: This research was conducted to analyze the impact of visiting patients in the intensive care unit on the vital signs of the patients. METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted at the emergency surgical intensive care unit of a university hospital in Istanbul. The sample consisted of 43 patients aged 18 and above, who stayed at the unit for more than 24 hours. Data collection included the demographic features of the patients as well as the information and evaluation form including the vital signs of patients before, during and after visits. Data were measured before, during and after visits. RESULTS: 39.5% (n=17) of the patients were female and 60.5% (n=26) were male. Values before and after visits, respectively, were as follows: Mean fever 36.7±0.81 and 36.8±.94; pulse 97.3±26.4 and 98.4±26.1; mean respiration 23.76±4.55 and 24.30±4.53; systolic pressure 113.4±25.86 and 120.4±21.15; and diastolic pressure 64.81±8 and 67.30±3. CONCLUSION: This study, carried out as a pilot study, found that visiting patients in intensive care units affects the patients; however, this effect does not cause a serious physiological change in the vital signs of the patient.

The relationship among pressure ulcers, oxygenation, and perfusion in mechanically ventilated patients in an intensive care unit.

PURPOSE: We examined the relationships among oxygenation, tissue perfusion, and other comorbid conditions not incorporated into the Norton Scale, and pressure ulcer (PU) development in subjects receiving mechanical ventilation. DESIGN: Descriptive, observational study. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: The setting was our university hospital's surgical/emergency intensive care unit in Istanbul province, Turkey. The sample comprised 30 patients who were older than 18 years, did not have a PU on admission, and had been mechanically ventilated for more than 24 hours when data collection began. METHODS: Skin integrity and a PU risk, using the Norton Scale, were administered twice daily. In addition, serum blood testing, vital signs, and data regarding ventilation and oxygenation status were obtained from the patient's electronic medical records. RESULTS: Slightly less than half of subjects were women (n = 14, 46.7%). Their mean age was 54.36 years (SD = 20.68). Pressure ulcers developed in 5 patients (16.7%); all PUs were located on the heel. All ulcers were initially observed as stage I lesions; 1 progressed to a stage II ulcer and 1 progressed to a stage III ulcer. Patients who developed pressure ulcers have higher serum glucose levels (z = -2.198; P = .028), higher serum pH levels (z = -2.031; P = .028), and lower diastolic blood pressures (z = 0.055; P = .057) than those who remained ulcer free. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that mechanically ventilated patients who develop PUs were more likely to have significantly higher blood glucose levels, significantly lower diastolic blood pressure values, and significantly higher serum pH values than were patients who remained free of PUs. Nurses who care for mechanically ventilated patients should recognize these factors and initiate preventive interventions as indicated.

Change in the health promoting lifestyle behaviour of Turkish University nursing students from beginning to end of nurse training.

In light of developments in science and technology, content has been added to the nursing curriculum to support and improve students' healthy lifestyle behaviours. The aim of this study was to determine whether any difference was observed in the behaviour of nursing students. This longitudinal and descriptive study was conducted with 57 students during 2002-2006 academic years Marmara University, School of Nursing. The "health promotion lifestyle profile" developed in 1987 by Pender et al. was evaluated as to its validity and reliability in Turkey by the HPLP (healthy lifestyle behaviour scale) adapted by Esin. Percentage, variance analysis, Cronbach alpha coefficient and the t-test were used in the analysis of data. The findings indicated that healthy lifestyle behaviours of nursing students changed over time, from when they began and at the end of every year during their nurse training.