Life situation of a caregiver of a child with congenital heart defect and/or other cardiac problems: structure and preliminary validation of a new questionnaire.

Background: Illness in a child with cardiac disease causes stress, brings additional responsibilities, reorganizes family life, and changes the functioning of the family. Aim: This study aimed to validate a new questionnaire evaluating the life situations of caregivers/parents of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) and/or other cardiac diseases (OCD). Materials and methods: The questionnaire comprised 10 questions aimed at assessing the life situation of an ill child's caregiver in two main areas: personal and spiritual. The total score of the questionnaire assessing the life situation of the caregiver of a child with a CHD and/or OCD can range from 0 to 32 points, with scores <26 indicating a poor, 25 to 32 indicating an average, and >32 indicating a good level of life situation in the personal sphere of the caregiver. The questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach's alpha tests, and repeatability was assessed using Cohen's Kappa test (retest) within a time interval of two to 4 weeks from the first measurement. Results: The research covered 50 respondents. Cohesion in the personal sphere obtained a satisfactory value of Cronbach's α = 0.72, in the spiritual sphere: Cronbach's α = 0.83, and the result common for both sections was: Cronbach's α = 0.66. Conclusion: The Life Situation Assessment Questionnaire for caregivers of children with CHD and OCD is a reliable and homogeneous tool for measuring the functioning of parents in the event of a child's illness.

Face Validity, Content Validity, and Psychometric Testing of the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture Among Undergraduate Nursing Students.

Background and Purpose: Nursing students have an essential role in patient safety. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the face validity, content validity, and psychometric properties of the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture for Nursing Students (HSOPS-NS). Methods: The cross-sectional study was carried out between January and October 2021. The participants were undergraduate nursing students (N = 482) from 16 Czech nursing faculties. Results: Exploratory factor analysis revealed an eight-factor structure, which was verified by confirmatory factor analysis using the optimization process that results in adequate goodness-of-fit indices (root mean squared error approximation = .037; standardized root mean squared residuals = .056; comparative fit index = .935; Tucker-Lewis index = .926; incremental fit index = .936). The internal consistency of a new model was excellent (α = .914). Conclusion: The results indicate that the HSOPS-NS shows evidence of reliability and validity and is a valuable measure of safety culture as perceived by nursing students.

The variables in the rationing of nursing care in cardiology departments.

BACKGROUND: The rationing of nursing care is a complex process that affects the quality of medical services. PURPOSE: An assessment of the impact of nursing care rationing on burnout and life satisfaction in cardiology departments. METHODS: The study included 217 nurses working in the cardiology department. The Perceived Implicit Rationing of Nursing Care, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale were used. RESULTS: A greater emotional exhaustion, the more frequently the rationing of nursing care (r = 0.309, p < 0.061) and the lower the job satisfaction (r=-0.128, p = 0.061). Higher life satisfaction was associated with less frequent rationing of nursing care (r=-0.177, p = 0.01), better quality of care provided (r = 0.285, p < 0.001), and higher job satisfaction (r = 0.348, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Higher levels of burnout contribute to more frequent rationing of nursing care, poorer evaluation of the quality of care provided, and lower job satisfaction. Life satisfaction is associated with less frequent rationing of care, better evaluation of the quality of care provided, and greater job satisfaction.

The Variables of the Readiness for Discharge from Hospital in Patients after Myocardial Infarction.

Discharge after myocardial infarction (MI) reduces the risk of repeated myocardial infarction and stroke and has a positive effect on the patient's prognosis. An important element of preparation is the assessment of the patient's readiness for discharge from hospital. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between a patient's readiness for hospital discharge after MI, their functioning in the chronic illness, and socio-demographic and clinical variables. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, single-center study. The study was conducted among 242 patients who were hospitalized for myocardial infarction after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The Readiness for Hospital Discharge After Myocardial Infarction Scale (RHD-MIS) and the Functioning in Chronic Illness Scale (FCIS) were used. Results: No statistically significant differences were found between socio-demographic and clinical factors and the overall result of the RHD-MIS (p >0.05).There is a positive correlation between hospital discharge readiness and functioning in chronic disease in patients after MI (r = 0.20; p < 0.001). The higher the level of subjective knowledge, the better the functioning in chronic disease (rho = 0.16; p < 0.05), the greater the increase in the sense of influence on the course of the disease (rho = 0.17; p < 0.05) and the greater the decrease in the impact of the disease on the patient's attitude (rho = 0.23, p < 0.05). Conclusions: The higher the readiness for discharge from hospital, the better the patient's functioning in the disease and the lower the impact of the disease on the patient.

Determinants of Sleep Disorders and Occupational Burnout among Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The aim of the study was to assess the determinants of the sleep disorders that occur among nurses working in a shift system by assessing the influence of sociodemographic factors, the impact of shift work, and the occurrence of occupational burnout. Methods: The study included 300 nurses who work shifts in the Silesian Region (Poland). The research was conducted using standardized research tools: the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Results: Among the sociodemographic factors, in the KSS analysis, sleep disorders were most common in men (CI: 0.038; p < 0.001), in divorced individuals (CI: 1.436; p = 0.045), and in individuals who were overweight (CI: 1.927; p = 0.026). Multiple linear regression showed that sleep disorders (p < 0.001) were an independent predictor of MBI among nurses who worked shifts. Conclusions: Sleep disturbances affect the burnout of nurses who work shifts.

Factors Contributing to Rationed Nursing Care in the Slovak Republic-A Secondary Analysis of Quantitative Data.

Rationed nursing care is a significant problem in healthcare facilities worldwide. Awareness of contributing factors to rationed care might support the development and implementation of strategies for reducing this phenomenon from clinical practice. The study examined the association between selected hospital, unit, and staff variables and the prevalence of rationed nursing care. Secondary analysis of cross-sectional data collected between December 2017 and July 2018 from 895 registered nurses in seven acute care hospitals in the Slovak Republic was performed. Data were collected using the questionnaire Perceived Implicit Rationing of Nursing and analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics in the statistical program SPSS 25.0. Statistically significant associations were found between rationed nursing care and unit type, education, shift type, nurses' experience in the current unit, overtime hours, missed shifts, intention to leave the position, perceived staff adequacy, quality of patient care, and job satisfaction. Differences in rating rationed nursing care, quality of patient care, and job satisfaction were identified based on hospital type. Together with top hospital management, nurse managers should develop targeted interventions focusing on mitigating rationed nursing care from the clinical practice with a focus placed on university hospitals. Quality and safe care might be ensured through constant monitoring of the quality of patient care and job satisfaction of nurses as these factors significantly predicted the estimates of rationed nursing care.

Rationing of Nursing Care and Professional Burnout Among Nurses Working in Cardiovascular Settings.

Introduction: Nursing needs close interpersonal contact with the patient and emotional involvement, therefore can contribute to professional burnout and rationing of nursing care. Aim: Assessing the relationship between the rationing of nursing care and professional burnout in nursing staff. Materials and Methods: The study included a group of 219 nurses working in cardiovascular facilities. This was a cross-sectional study designed to investigate the relationship between factors of the care rationing and professional burnout. The survey data was collected with standardised and research instruments such as the revised Basel Extent of Rationing of Nursing Care questionnaire (BERNCA-R) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Results: The total mean BERNCA-R score was 1.38 (SD = 0.62), while the total MBI score amounted to 38.14 (SD = 22.93). The specific components of professional burnout yielded the values: emotional exhaustion (M = 44.8), job dissatisfaction (M = 40.66), and depersonalisation (M = 28.95). Multiple linear regression showed that independent predictors of BERNCA-R score were emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, job dissatisfaction, and multi-jobs activity (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The level of rationing of nursing care in cardiovascular facilities increases along with emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and job dissatisfaction, and multi-jobs activity.

Readiness for Discharge from Hospital after Myocardial Infarction: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a common cause of cardiovascular deaths. Education of patients with myocardial infarctions essential to prevent further cardiovascular events and reduce the risk of mortality. The study aimed to evaluate the associations between patients' readiness for hospital discharge after myocardial infarction, acceptance of illness, social, demographic, and clinical factors. The study used a cross-sectional design and included 102 patients, who were hospitalized for myocardial infarction after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Two questionnaires were used: The Readiness for Hospital Discharge After Myocardial Infarction Scale (RHD-MIS) and Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS). Low readiness characterized nearly half of patients (47.06%), 27.45% of patients showed an intermediate level of readiness, while 25.49% of patients had high readiness. Readiness for hospital discharge was higher among younger patients, respondents living in relationships, living with a family, with tertiary or secondary education, and professionally active. Acceptance of illness was higher among male patients, respondents living in relationships, and family, with secondary education and professionally active. The AIS score positively correlated with readiness for hospital discharge.

Rationing of Nursing Care in Intensive Care Units.

The nursing practice refers to a wide range of tasks and responsibilities. In a situation where there is a problem of limited resources, nurses are forced to ration the patient's care-that is, minimize and skip some tasks. The main purpose of this work was to assess the rationing level of nursing care among staff in the intensive care units. METHODS: The research included 150 anaesthesiological nurses in the Silesian Region in Poland. The research was conducted from July to October 2019 using the standardized Perceived Implicit Rationing of Nursing Care (PRINCA) questionnaire on rationing nursing care, assessing the quality of patient care, and job satisfaction. The Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) standardized questionnaire was used to assess the level of fatigue of respondents in the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial spheres. RESULTS: Sociodemographic factors, such as gender, age, place of residence, education, seniority, and type of employment were not found to affect the rationing level of nursing care in the intensive care unit. The average quality of patient care was 6.05/10 points, while the average job satisfaction rating was 7.13/10 points. Analysis of the MFIS questionnaire showed that respondents experienced fatigue between "rare" and "sometimes", and nursing staff fatigue was the main factor for rationing care. CONCLUSIONS: The higher the level of fatigue, the greater the rationing of care and the less satisfaction from work.

Prolongation of Electrocardiographic T Wave Parameters Recorded during the Head-Up Tilt Table Test as Independent Markers of Syncope Severity in Children.

The head-up tilt table test (HUTT) with the upright phase is used to help determine an imbalance of the sympathetic nervous system that is related to abnormal electrocardiographic repolarization in children with vasovagal syncope (VVS) and also in patients with the long QT syndrome (LQTS). The study attempted to evaluate T wave morphology and QT and TpTe (Tpeak-Tend) intervals recorded in ECG during the HUTT for a more accurate diagnosis of children with VVS. The group investigated 70 children with a negative HUTT result: 40 patients with VVS and 30 healthy volunteers without syncope. The RR interval as well as TpTe, and QTc intervals were measured in lead V5 of electrocardiogram (ECG) on admission to the hospital and during three phases of the HUTT. In syncopal children, which included 23 children with bifid or flat T waves and 17 patients with normal T waves in the upright phase, the QTc and TpTe were longer (p < 0.001) compared to the other test phases and longer (p < 0.001) than in the control group, respectively, with the risk of arrhythmias. Only in the control group, the TpTe was shorter (p < 0.001) in the upright phase than in the other tilt phases. The TpTe in the upright phase (>70 ms) was a good discriminator, and was better than the QTc (>427 ms). Prolongation of electrocardiographic TpTe and QT intervals, in addition to the (abnormal T wave morphology recorded during the HUTT, are helpful for identifying VVS children more predisposed to ventricular arrhythmias with a latent risk of LQTS. Further studies are required to assess the value of these repolarization parameters in clinical practice.

The Differences in the Diagnostic Profile in Children with Vasovagal Syncope between the Result of Head-Up Tilt Table Test.

(1) Background: The features characterizing vasovagal syncope (VVS) are an important factor in the correct evaluation of diagnostic risk stratification in children and adolescents. The aim of the study was to determine the value of identifying the clinical characteristics in children with VVS. (2) Methods: We made a retrospective analysis of the medical records of 109 children with diagnosed VVS. We investigated the specific characteristics of syncope in children with VVS including the positive VVS (+) and negative VVS (-) result of the Head-Up Tilt Table Test (HUTT). (3) Results: We did not observe significant differences in the prodromal symptoms of VVS with HUTT response. In addition to typical prodromal symptoms, no difference in statistically reported palpitations (35/109 or 32.1%) and chest discomfort (27/109 or 27.7%) were recorded. Fear-pain-stress emotions as circumstances of syncope were more often reported by children with a negative HUTT (p = 0.02). Cramps-contractures (p = 0.016) and speech disorders (p = 0.038) were significantly higher in the group with negative HUTT. (4) Conclusions: There is a close relationship in the diagnostic profile between the negative and positive results of head-up tilt table test in children with vasovagal syncope.

The Repolarization Period during the Head-Up Tilt Test in Children with Vasovagal Syncope.

BACKGROUND: Electrocardiography (ECG) and the head-up tilt test (HUTT) are vital in clinical work-up in children with vasovagal syncope (VVS). Ventricular repolarization parameters (QT) measured during the HUTT can be indicative of electrical instability; however, these parameters are not frequently assessed. This study aimed to investigate if ventricular repolarization parameters measured during the HUTT could be indicative of future ventricular arrhythmias in children with syncope. METHODS: The shape and amplitude of the T-wave and parameters of the repolarization period (QT, QTpeak, Tpeak-Tend) were evaluated in a resting ECG performed on the first day of hospitalization and in ECGs performed during three phases of the HUTT. RESULTS: In the after-tilt phase of the HUTT, 19/30 children displayed a change in T-wave morphology. QTc was significantly longer in VVS I compared to that in VVS II patients, but not in the controls (p = 0.092). CONCLUSIONS: We need further follow-up studies to establish the clinical importance of abnormal dynamics of the repolarization period in children with VVS and negative HUTT. Therefore, children with abnormal T-wave refraction and prolonged duration of the TpTe should remain under the care of a cardiological outpatient.