The aim of this study was to compare attitude of the last-year nursing and medical students studying at Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran about spiritual care

Background

The spirituality is a complex and multidimensional concepts including cognitive, behavioral and experimental aspects. For promoting spiritual care we have to consider the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of the human. The studies showed that many patients believe that spirituality plays an important role in their life they believe there is a positive relationship between their recovery and religious and spiritual aspects. Many patients expect health care personnel consider these factors

Method

A descriptive comparative design was used to conduct the study. “Spiritual care perspective scale” (SCPS) was completed by 110 nursing and 220 medical students. Data were analysed by SPSS.

Findings

Based on the findings, 56% of nursing students and 51.8% of medical students have positive attitude on the spiritual care of patients. There was no statistically significant difference between attitudes of the two groups of students. Nursing students had more favorable attitude about existing a superior force or transcendental existence influencing spiritual health. Medical students had more favorable attitudes about considering spiritual care as part of the caring performance.

Conclusion

Aim. The aim of this study was to determine sharp instruments injuries in intensive and general wards of Rasoule-Akram hospital in Tehran in 2010.

Background. Sharp instruments can cause transmission of blood-borne pathogens such as Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV). Annually, there are 66000 HBV, 16000 HCV, and thousands of HIV cases as a results of contact with sharp instruments among health care personnel around the world. Nurses are almost involved in all sharp instrument injuries.

Method. This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 76 nurses of medical-surgical wards and 44 nurses of intensive care units. Data were collected by using Virginia University Questionnaire (Prevention Information Network) for assessing sharp instrument injuries. The data was analyzed by SPSS software.

Findings. The finding showed that most injuries occur in patient's room and the lowest in the treatment room.  Also, 55.8% of all patients have done no action after injury, %35 of them is followed by wards and 9.2% of them are not followed by wards.

Conclusion.  According to high frequency of sharp instrument injuries, it is necessary to provide health care personnel with educational programs. Appropriate education may have significant effect in decreasing injuries among health care personnel.

Abstract

Aim. The purpose of this paper is to describe different types of primary triage methods that are common and applicable in disaster scene in order to familiarize medical team personnel with these methods.

Background. Disaster occurrence is rising all over the world. Primary assessment, treatment and transfer of victims to the medical centers which are away from the disaster scene is important considerations for first responder teams in response phase of disaster management cycle. In this regard, triage is an efficient tool for mass casualty management for which different strategies have been recommended in various countries.

Method. In this review, published articles from 1995 to August 2013 were searched in Ovid, Science Direct, Google Scholar and PubMed data bases by using the keywords Triage, On-scene and Disaster.

Findings. Based on search strategy, 50 English articles were found. Finally, 6 commonly adults triage methods and 2 pediatric triage methods were chosen to be described in this paper.

Conclusion. Regarding the sudden nature of disaster and creating chaos following them, it is necessary for medical team members to apply the appropriate tools for managing mass casualties in attention to limited resources and the large number of victims. In order to perform proper triage method and reduce the amount of error in this procedure, it is necessary to educate correct practices of applicable triage methods to medical team members, Red Crescent workers and volunteers.

Abstract

Aim. The study was conducted to examine the effect of passive range of motion exercises on motor function of patients in acute phase of stroke.

Background. Stroke is one of the most common cerebrovascular disorders. Continuous repetitive exercises in the first six month of stroke may restore significant part of sensory-motor function.

Method. In a randomized controlled trial, the patients with moderate or sever ischemic stroke who experienced hemiparesis or hemiplegia were recruited. Motor function level of defected limb was assessed based on “modified ashworth scale” and motor strength scoring tool. Patients in experimental group (n=37) received passive range of motion exercises, within the 48h of onset of stroke, 6-8 times with 30-45 minutes duration. Patients in control group (n=24) received conventional care. The groups were compared one month after intervention.

Findings. The most recovery was found in upper extremity strength after first month (3.45) relative to basic assessment (2.36). In experimental group, motor strength of upper and lower extremity improved, one month after intervention (P<0.0001). The results showed recovery in motor strength just in upper extremity of control group, after one month (P=0.012). Intervention had no effect on muscle tone.

Conclusion. According to more positive changes in motor function of experimental group after one month, it is suggested to apply the intervention for this group of patients.

Abstract

Aim. This study aimed to determine the relationship of spiritual experiences with the life expectancy and death anxiety in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Background. The patients undergoing CABG experience a critical situation that requires taking into account such factors as life expectancy, spiritual experience, and death anxiety. During taking care of these patients, nurses must consider these experiences and their relationship.

Method. In this descriptive-analytic study, 150 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery in hospitals located in Kerman city, Iran, were recruited within an 8 months period in 2015. Data were collected using a questionnaire including demographic data, Templer Death Anxiety Scale, Adult Hope Scale and the Scale of Daily Spiritual Experiences (DSES). Data were analyzed in SPSS version 20 using Pearson correlation test, Independent T-test, ANOVA and multiple linear regression.

Findings. There was a statistically significant negative correlation of daily spiritual experiences with death anxiety (p=0.004) and death anxiety with life expectancy (p≤0.0001). There was also a statistically significant positive correlation between spiritual experiences and life expectancy (p≤0.0001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that age and life expectancy predicted 61 percent of changes related to spiritual experiences.

Conclusion. The findings suggest that paying attention to spiritual experiences of patients may increase life expectancy and reduce the death anxiety. It is suggested to include supporting, facilitating and attending to the spiritual needs of patients in nursing care plans for these patients.

Abstract

Aim. This study was conducted to examine the effect of combined inhalation of lavender oil, chamomile and Neroli oil on vital signs of patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Background. Increase in vital signs in patients with acute coronary syndrome worsens the disease and increases anxiety. The use of complementary medicine for better patient outcomes has been usually considered by the nurses due to the low complications and relatively low costs.

Method. This was a single-blinded, randomized clinical trial that carried out at the Emam Sajad Hospital in Shahryar, Tehran, Iran in 2016.  After obtaining the approval from the Ethics Committee of Iran University of Medical Sciences, 75 patients aged 20 to 80 years who signed the informed consent were recruited and randomly allocated into three groups (control, placebo, and intervention groups) using block randomization design (25 subjects in each group). In the intervention group, patients were asked to strew 2 drops of the aroma on an eye pad, keep their hands at the distance of 5 cm from their nose and take deep breath 10 times. After this, the pad was placed beside the pillow of the patient until the next morning. In the placebo group, this process was carried out using distilled water and the control group received routine care. The patients’ vital signs were measured before intervention, one hour after and every four hours after intervention until the next morning. Data were analyzed in SPSS, version 22, using chi-square test, t-test and ANOVA.

Findings. Before intervention, there was no statistically significant difference between three groups in terms of demographic characteristics as well as pulse rate, respiratory rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The results showed that the combination of three aromas decreased pulse rate, respiration rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure in one, four, eight and twelve hours after the intervention in the aromatherapy group compared to the time before the intervention.

Conclusion. The use of aroma as a complementary method in patients with acute coronary syndrome could decrease their pulse rate, respiratory rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Due to the low risk and suitable accessibility to these aromas, the results can be used by nurses in the critical care unit and patient caregivers to improve patients' vital signs.