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To verify the efficacy of virtual reality compared to tablet games for pain and anxiety management in children undergoing percutaneous bone pin and/or suture removal procedures.
Randomised clinical trial using two parallel groups: (1) virtual reality or (2) tablet game.
Three-center, randomised pragmatic clinical trial, using a parallel design with two groups (experimental group: immersive virtual reality; active comparator: tablet games). Children aged 6–17 requiring percutaneous pins and/or sutures were recruited between 2020 and 2022 from three outpatient orthopaedic clinics in paediatric hospitals. Pain was measured with the Numerical Rating Scale and anxiety with the Child Fear Scale before and immediately after the procedure.
A total of 188 participants were assigned to either the virtual reality group (96 participants) or the tablet group (92 participants). At the first assessment, there was no noticeable difference between the two groups in terms of pain or anxiety levels. However, further analysis revealed that participants aged 13 and older in the virtual reality group experienced significantly lower anxiety.
Virtual reality was not more efficacious than games on a tablet for pain and anxiety of children undergoing removal of bone pins or sutures. However, virtual reality demonstrated a benefit in reducing anxiety for teenagers, particularly those aged 13-older.
Virtual reality games provide an immersive, non-pharmacological alternative of for anxiety management of teenagers during pins and/or sutures removal.
This study showed that a virtual reality game may help reduce anxiety during pins and/or sutures removal procedures in patients aged 13 years and older.
We adhered to the CONSORT checklist for reporting results.
A patient partner reviewed the study design, methods and final manuscript.
NCT03680625
Patient safety is a central pillar of healthcare quality. However, with repeated examples of failure emerging across healthcare, there is an ongoing need to better understand how the safety of care can be improved for patients. Evidence suggests that some population groups are more likely to inequitably experience healthcare harm. This review will look at what evidence exists on understanding patient safety harm and its causes and impact on different population groups and particularly those from marginalised backgrounds. It will also focus on what actions can be taken to address patient safety disparities and service improvements, including with patient and public involvement.
A scoping review of empirical and grey literature will be conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute guidance. Medical databases such as Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO will be searched for peer-reviewed articles and grey literature sources such as BASE, institutional and government repositories will be searched for reports, independent reviews, confidential enquiries, etc. These will be searched from 2001 to present for publications in English. Title and abstract and full text screening will be undertaken by one or more people acting as first reviewers and validated by a second reviewer. A data extraction form will be used to extract data including equity considerations following the PRO EDI framework. Data will be grouped thematically and analysed using a narrative approach.
Ethics approval is not required for this work as the information used is publicly available. The findings of the review will be disseminated through stakeholder meetings, a peer-reviewed publication and conference presentations.
osf.io/4mfus.
To examine burnout levels, nurse perceptions of the work environment, job satisfaction, intention to stay and quality of care for nurses working in emergency departments before and following a planned change to nurse staffing levels.
A pre-post observational design.
A systematic approach (Nursing Hours per Patient Presentation) was introduced to determine nurse staffing levels based on patient presentations resulting in adjustments to nurse staffing. Data on burnout, the work environment, intention to stay, job satisfaction and quality of care were collected from three emergency departments prior to and following the adjustments to nurse staffing.
An adjustment to nurse staffing levels was made to all three emergency departments. Mean emotional exhaustion scores were significantly lower, and quality of work environment scores and levels of job satisfaction were significantly higher for nurses following staffing adjustments. There was an increase to the proportion of nurses who perceived an improvement in quality of care delivered. In general, the results indicated improvements in outcomes following adjustments to nurse staffing levels.
A more holistic organisational approach is required to address staffing in emergency departments. Initiatives that involve frontline nurses in resource planning facilitating a bottom-up approach to allow for improved work environments would be beneficial.
This study addressed a planned change to nurse staffing levels in emergency departments and staff outcomes pre and post changes to staffing levels.
This study highlighted that staffing an emergency department, based on nursing hours per patient presentation, was associated with improvements in staff outcomes.
The research will impact on nurses working in emergency departments as outcomes from this research were used to develop a Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix in Emergency Care Settings.
STROBE and SQUIRE checklist.
No Patient or Public Contribution.
by Martin Chebet, Kathy Burgoine, Joseph Rujumba, Noela Regina Akwi Okalany, Peter Olupot-Olupot, Thorkild Tylleskär, Andrew D. Weeks, Agnes Napyo, David Mukunya, Ingunn Marie S. Engebretsen
BackgroundIn sub-Saharan Africa, stillbirth rates remain high. To design effective interventions to reduce stillbirths, accurate determination of their aetiology is important. Conventional autopsy for accurate confirmation of cause is not acceptable or feasible in several societies in sub-Saharan Africa; minimal invasive tissue sampling (MITS), is a recently developed, less invasive alternative. In this study, we explored the acceptability of MITS in the community and among healthcare workers in Uganda to guide the future implementation.
MethodsA qualitative study was done among community members and healthcare workers in Mbale in Eastern Uganda. We undertook in-depth interviews and focus group discussions in English or local languages. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed as necessary prior to formal content analysis. The themes were organised using NVivo software and presented according to Sekhon’s theoretical framework.
ResultsOverall, participants preferred the idea of MITS to conventional autopsy because of the perception that it was fast, maintained the facial appearance and kept the body intact. It was thought that the procedure would improve the detection of the cause of stillbirths, which in turn would help to prevent future stillbirths. It would also resolve conflicts in the community between community members or the women and the healthcare workers about the cause of a stillbirth. It was suggested that some community members may not approve of MITS because of their religious beliefs; the fear that the body parts may be extracted and stolen for witchcraft or organ donation; and a lack of trust in the healthcare system. To implement the procedure, it was suggested that extensive community sensitization should be done, space limitations in healthcare facilities overcome, healthcare workers should be trained and limited human resource should be addressed.
ConclusionThe implementation of MITS in Mbale, Eastern Uganda, is likely to be acceptable given sufficient training and sensitisation.
Dyspnea is a common chief complaint leading to emergency department (ED) visits. Multiple conditions may cause or be associated with dyspnoea, including bacterial pneumonia, acute heart failure (AHF), exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma and pulmonary embolism. Each of these diagnoses has a specific treatment recommended by international guidelines. Inappropriate treatment in the ED is more frequent among elderly patients and is independently associated with in-hospital mortality. Point-of-care ultrasound is immediately available at the bedside. Lung and cardiac ultrasound (LuCUS) offers excellent diagnostic accuracy for bacterial pneumonia, AHF and COPD exacerbations, even in elderly patients. The primary objective of the LUC REED trial is to evaluate the impact of a LuCUS-guided strategy versus standard care on reducing inappropriate treatment of dyspnoea in elderly ED patients.
The LUC REED trial is a prospective, interventional, multicentre, stepped-wedge randomised controlled trial designed to assess the superiority of a LuCUS-guided strategy over standard care in ensuring treatment appropriateness for dyspnoea in elderly ED patients. The study will include 504 patients over 2 years. Patients aged >65 years presenting with acute dyspnoea and signs of severity (respiratory rate ≥22 or SpO2
Ethics final approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of France—Est IV on 4 April 2025 (2024-A01678-39). Results will be published in peer-reviewed international journals.
Introducción. La ansiedad social se caracteriza por la preocupación ante la evaluación de otros. En el contexto universitario, se expresa mediante dificultades para realizar presentaciones orales, pedir ayuda, participar en trabajos grupales, ingresar al aula o evitar el contacto visual con el docente, afectando negativamente el rendimiento académico. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la relación entre la ansiedad social, el sexo, la edad y las dificultades en la regulación emocional en estudiantes de la carrera enfermería en 2024. Metodología. Estudio observacional, comparativo y transversal. La muestra incluyó estudiantes de la Lic. en Enfermería. Se utilizó un cuestionario sociodemográfico, el Inventario de Fobia y Ansiedad Social- Forma Breve (SPAI- B) y la Escala de Dificultades en la Regulación Emocional (DERS), adaptados en estudiantes universitarios argentinos y aplicados digitalmente. Los participantes firmaron un consentimiento informado. El análisis se realizó con SPSS versión 26. Resultados. Participaron 178 estudiantes, el 74,2% de sexo femenino, con una edad promedio de 24,25 años (DS=5.98). El 59,6% presentó niveles medios de ansiedad social y el 21,9% altos. No se halló asociación entre la ansiedad social y el sexo, pero los estudiantes con ansiedad social alta fueron significativamente más jóvenes (p=0,03) y presentaron mayores dificultades en la regulación emocional (p=0,000).Discusión. Este estudio proporciona evidencia sobre los factores asociados a la ansiedad social en estudiantes de enfermería en Argentina. La relación entre la ansiedad social y las dificultades en la regulación emocional destaca la necesidad de implementar estrategias para promover el bienestar de los estudiantes.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Social anxiety is characterized by worry about being evaluated by others. In the university context, it is expressed through difficulties in giving oral presentations, asking for help, participating in group work, entering classrooms, or avoiding eye contact with instructors, negatively affecting academic performance. The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between social anxiety, sex, age, and difficulties in emotional regulation in nursing students in 2024. Materials and Methods: Observational, comparative, and cross-sectional study. The sample included nursing students. A sociodemographic questionnaire, the Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory - Short Form (SPAI-B), and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) were used, all adapted for Argentine university students and administered digitally. Participants signed an informed consent form. The analysis was performed using SPSS, version 26. Results: A total of 178 students participated, 74,2% of whom were female, with a mean age of 24,25 years (SD = 5.98). Of the participants, 59,6% exhibited moderate levels of social anxiety, and 21,9% showed high levels. No association was found between social anxiety and sex, but students with high social anxiety were significantly younger (p=0,03) and experienced greater difficulties in emotional regulation (p =0,000). Discussion This study provides evidence on factors associated with social anxiety in nursing students in Argentina. The relationship between social anxiety and difficulties in emotional regulation highlights the need for strategies to promote students' well-being.
To evaluate the impact of nurse care changes in implementing a blood pressure management protocol on achieving rapid, intensive and sustained blood pressure reduction in acute intracerebral haemorrhage patients.
Retrospective cohort study of prospectively collected data over 6 years.
Intracerebral haemorrhage patients within 6 h and systolic blood pressure ≥ 150 mmHg followed a rapid (starting treatment at computed tomography suite with a target achievement goal of ≤60 min), intensive (target systolic blood pressure < 140 mmHg) and sustained (maintaining target stability for 24 h) blood pressure management plan. We differentiated six periods: P1, stroke nurse at computed tomography suite (baseline period); P2, antihypertensive titration by stroke nurse; P3, retraining by neurologists; P4, integration of a stroke advanced practice nurse; P5, after COVID-19 impact; and P6, retraining by stroke advanced practice nurse. Outcomes included first-hour target achievement (primary outcome), tomography-to-treatment and treatment-to-target times, first-hour maximum dose of antihypertensive treatment and 6-h and 24-h systolic blood pressure variability.
Compared to P1, antihypertensive titration by stroke nurses (P2) reduced treatment-to-target time and increased the rate of first-hour target achievement, retraining of stroke nurses by neurologists (P3) maintained a higher rate of first-hour target achievement and the integration of a stroke advanced practice nurse (P4) reduced both 6-h and 24-h systolic blood pressure variability. However, 6-h systolic blood pressure variability increased from P4 to P5 following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, compared to P1, retraining of stroke nurses by stroke advanced practice nurse (P6) reduced tomography-to-treatment time and increased the first-hour maximum dose of antihypertensive treatment.
Changes in nursing care and continuous education can significantly enhance the time metrics and blood pressure outcomes in acute intracerebral haemorrhage patients.
STROBE guidelines.
No Patient or Public Contribution.
To evaluate the relevance of signs and symptoms for the clinical identification of ESI and TI in HD-CVC, by means of international expert consensus, and to reach a consensus on a definition and clinical management (CM) for these infections.
A recent systematic review showed a high heterogeneity in the signs/symptoms used for determining exit site infection (ESI) and tunnel infection (TI) of haemodialysis central venous catheter (HD-CVC).
A modified Delphi ranking process was carried out between November 2020 and March 2021, consisting of four rounds using an online questionnaire with a panel of 26 experts from 12 countries.
Experts responded on the level of relevance for the identification of ESI and TI, based on a list of 22 signs/symptoms obtained from a previous systematic review, using a 4-point Likert-type scale. After reaching consensus on the signs/symptoms, they followed the same method to reach consensus on the CM. The STROBE Checklist was used to report this study.
A high degree of consensus was reached to identify the presence of ESI based on nine signs/symptoms: presence of pain at the exit site (ES) during interdialysis period, with fever ≥38°C do not suspect other cause, local signs at the ES (inflammation, induration, swelling, hyperemia/erythema ≥2 cm from ES) and obvious abscess or purulent exudate at ES; and of TI. Likewise, 5 cm were agreed upon.
This Delphi study provides international expert consensus definitions of ESI and TI in HD-CVC, laying the groundwork for the validation of an HD-CVC ES clinical assessment scale for early identification of ESI.
In addition, this study provides a series of attitudes to consensual clinics regarding signs/symptoms of local infections in HD-CVC, which may be useful as expert opinion in clinical practice guidelines, when there is insufficient scientific evidence.
Objetivo: analizar las ITU en una Residencia y diseñar una estrategia de manejo y prevención. Metodología: estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo y longitudinal de ancianos institucionalizados en una Residencia de Cádiz entre el 1/abril/2015 al 31/marzo/2016. Seleccionamos aquellos que padecieron al menos un episodio de ITU. No presentamos criterios de exclusión. Resultados: contamos con 119 residentes, (media de 88/mes), presentaron infección 44 (75% mujeres). Edad entre 71 y 102 años, moda y mediana de 84. Tasa de incidencia global 49%/año. Sondaje vesical un 15,90% e incontinencia urinaria 86,36%. El 79.1% fueron episodios agudos, 20.9% crónicos y el 68.08% recidivaron. Manifestaciones clínicas: fiebre, astenia, dolor, hiperglucemia y hematuria. Escherichia coli. como germen más habitual. Conclusión: constatamos alta prevalencia de ITU mejorable con estrategia de gestión multidisciplinar, evitando sobrediagnóstico y sobretratamiento y prevención primaria con probióticos.
Introducción: En las últimas décadas, la población juvenil española, ha experimentado numerosos cambios en sus patrones de alimentación y ejercicio físico, destacando el alto porcentaje de adolescentes que acuden a su centro educativo sin haber desayunado. Diversos estudios muestran que la educación escolar puede producir efectos beneficiosos, promoviendo actividad física y alimentación saludable, hábitos que permanecen el resto de la vida. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de los hábitos nutricionales y de ejercicio físico en la población infantojuvenil de Benicassim, que durante el año lectivo 2015-2016 cursara de 6º primaria a 2º de bachillerato. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo, observacional y transversal que muestra los hábitos nutricionales y de ejercicio físico mediante la Encuesta mundial de salud a escolares (módulos de alimentación y deporte). Participaron 143 alumnos que cursaban entre 6º de primaria y 2º de bachillerato en Benicàssim. Resultados principales: La mayoría de alumnos mantienen hábitos saludables (desayuno y almuerzo diario, consumo de lácteos y consumo moderado de alimentos salados y grasos), aunque persiste un 20% que no muestran estos hábitos. Los chicos realizan más ejercicio físico (3-4 días), que las chicas (2-3 días), que parece que pasan más horas sentadas. Conclusiones: La mayor parte de los encuestados presentan hábitos saludables, sin embargo, gran parte de los alumnos no desayunan a diario. Además cabe destacar el importante porcentaje de población con un IMC considerado como delgadez.
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