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Abstract

Aim. The aim of this study was to evaluate nurses' views about visiting in coronary care unit (CCU).

Background. Social support includes emotional and instrumental support provided by family and friends who visit the patient. Visiting is shown to be influential on patients' recovery. On the other hand, visiting time has been an issue of the medical staff, patients and visitors.

Method.In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 140 nurses working in CCU participated in the study. Data were collected by the use of demographic questionnaire and "The Beliefs and Attitudes Toward Visitation in ICU Questionnaire" (BAVIQ). The data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS Version 19.

Findings. Most nurses believed that visiting interferes with direct nursing care (65%), and causes nurses to spend more time in providing information to the patients’ families (82.8%). Most nurses (85%) did not desire to liberalize the visiting policy of their unit.

Conclusion. The results of the study showed that CCU nurses have rather negative viewpoints toward visiting and open visiting policy that is in conflict with emotional needs of patients and their families.

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Abstract

Aim.The aim of this study was to review the physical and social environment monitoring of the intensive care unit and examine how it affects the physiological status of the patient and family needs.

Background.Knowledge and skill in providing nursing care are the main factors affecting the recovery of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). While a nurse or nursing unit can possess perfect critical care skills and knowledge, those are not the only factors that influence patient recovery. Including nursing skills in ICU is environmental monitoring and creating a pleasant environment with minimal stress. This monitoring includes control of light, sound, color, landscape, music and social support.

Method.This review was conducted by searching electronic databases and hand searching of library resources. Finding articles and research projects was conducted by using keywords on the internet and relevant sites.

Findings.Improvement of the environment in which care is provided not only helps in the healing process for patients, but also increases employee satisfaction and families affected. Environmental monitoring reduces stressful factors from ICU to rectify the effects of these wards for patients and also, reduces staff stress.

Conclusion.The use of research findings is an important part of improving the quality of care for patients in intensive care units and their families. The ICU setting has the potential to afford patients the best possible opportunity to heal if key stress-reducing elements are incorporated into its physical design. Such elements may reduce noise, offer privacy, add full-spectrum lighting, and assimilate color. As well as considering the physical design, a critical program that integrates the family and other healing measures is essential to the milieu of a healing environment.

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Abstract

Aim. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in elderly of Kashan.

Background.The Iranian elderly population is rapidly growing. It is estimated that more than 10 percent of country population would be elderly in the forthcoming twenty years. Structural and physiological changes occurring in the elderly’s cardiovascular system are associated with a higher incidence of CVD in the elderly. Coronary heart disease is the most common cause of death in the elderly.

Method.This cross-sectional study was conducted on 500 people over 60 years old in Kashan city, Iran, in 2014. Subjects were randomly selected from10healthcare centers of Kashan. A questionnaire was used to collect data including demographics, underlying diseases and risk factors for CVD. The data analyzed using descriptive statistics through SPSS 11.5.

Findings.The prevalence of risk factors for CVD was high among elderly people.

Conclusion. Teaching individuals, controlling risk factors and screening are suggested. It is also recommended that elderly people  increase physical activities and cease smoking.

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Aim. This paper reviews articles and clinical trial evidence regarding diet for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. Background. CVD is rapidly becoming a primary cause of death worldwide. Thus, identification of dietary changes that most effectively prevent CVD is necessary. Method. This review was conducted by searching out electronic databases and hand searching of library resources. Searching out articles and research projects was conducted by using keywords on the internet and relevant sites. Findings. According to the findings, at least 3 dietary strategies are effective in preventing CVD: substituting non-hydrogenated unsaturated fats for saturated and trans-fats increasing consumption of omega-3 fatty acids from fish, fish oil supplements, or plant sources and consuming a diet high in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains and low in refined grain products. Conclusion. According to the current evidence, diets using non-hydrogenated unsaturated fats as the main form of dietary fat, whole grains as the main form of carbohydrates, an abundance of fruits and vegetables, and adequate omega-3 fatty acids can offer significant protection against CVD. Such diets, along with regular physical activity, avoidance of smoking, and maintenance of ideal body weight may prevent the majority of cardiovascular disease.

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Abstract
Aim. The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the quality of life (QoL) and spiritual health of parents of children after heart transplant in Iran. 
Background. The child and his family enter a new phase of life after a heart transplant. Assessing the QoL and spiritual health of parents can determine the psychological and health consequences for children and their families. 
Method. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study on 102 pairs of parents of children after heart transplantation in the hospitals Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center in Tehran, Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran, and Razavi Hospital in Mashhad, using the consensus sampling method from November 2020 to June 2021. The questionnaires used in this study included the World Health Organization Quality of Life– BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) and Spiritual Well-being Scale. Data were collected in the forms of face-to-face and network communication (WhatsApp and Telegram). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22 using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Findings. The mean score of QoL for mothers and fathers was 57.35±12.42 and 57.93±12.22, respectively. Also, the mean score of spiritual health for mothers and fathers was 90.68 ± 07.13 and 88.76 ± 12.78, respectively, which were considered as the average level. In general, these results may have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Parents' QoL had no statistically significant relationship with demographic variables of them and their children. Mothers' spiritual health had a statistically significant relationship with their education (P=0.034), employment status (P=0.002) and age (P=0.024). Regarding fathers, the spiritual health showed a statistically significant relationship with the child's gender (P=0.016) and the waiting time for transplantation (P=0.023).
Conclusion. No difference was observed between fathers and mothers of the children after heart transplant in terms of the variables of QoL and spiritual health. This can indicate the same pressure on both mother and father to take care of the child, especially in critical situations such as the Covid-19 pandemic. In this situation, the support of these families by nurses and health workers to follow up their child's treatment, making an appointment to visit or to better understand their conditions in case of problems is of particular importance. More studies are needed to clarify the situation of these children and their families.