To investigate the risk factors for primary non-central malposition of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) tip in neonates admitted to the neonatal surgical department, compare the malposition rates across different insertion sites in disease types, and explore whether different diseases affect PICC tip malposition.

A retrospective case–control study conducted in accordance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement.

A 3A women’s and children’s hospital in South China (Guangdong Province).

A total of 558 neonates aged ≤28 days who underwent PICC insertion between January 2019 and November 2024 were enrolled. Neonates with congenital circulatory system malformations, incomplete clinical data and death or treatment withdrawal before tip positioning were excluded.

The primary outcome was the incidence of primary non-central PICC tip malposition confirmed by X-ray or ultrasound within 24 h after insertion. Secondary outcomes included comparison of primary non-central PICC tip malposition rates across different insertion sites and comparison of primary PICC tip malposition rates by insertion sites across different disease groups.

558 neonates were included in this study, including 460 cases with PICC tip in place and 98 with PICC tip malposition. In binary logistic regression analysis, the PICC insertion site was considered an independent risk factor (OR 2.908, 95% CI 1.748, 4.840, p

Medical staff can choose appropriate upper or lower limb veins for PICC insertion without worrying about the impact of abdominal diseases or thoracic diseases on non-central PICC tip malposition. PICC insertion via the head and neck veins should be performed with caution in neonates, as these sites carry a high risk of primary non-central tip malposition compared with other insertion sites.

Prolonged sedentary behaviour (SB) is an independent risk factor for adverse health outcomes, with current WHO guidelines emphasising both increased physical activity (PA) and reduced sitting time. While electronic health (eHealth) interventions offer scalable solutions, the comparative effectiveness of two dominant strategies: sedentary break interventions (frequent interruptions of sitting) versus PA promotion (structured activity sessions) remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis protocol aims to compare the effectiveness of interventions targeting breaks in SB versus increased PA in reducing sedentary time through meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing either intervention to a control condition, while exploring key moderating factors including participant characteristics, intervention type, duration, eHealth delivery mode, theoretical basis, use of behaviour change techniques (BCTs), PA intensity and SB frequency.

This protocol follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines. A comprehensive search will be conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library from inception to 31 July 2025, with language restrictions limited to English and Chinese publications. RCTs comparing eHealth-delivered interventions promoting sedentary breaks with those increasing PA in adults will be included. The primary outcome is sedentary time (objectively measured or self-reported), and secondary outcomes include health outcomes such as cardiometabolic markers, fatigue and well-being. Two reviewers (SC and XN) will independently screen studies, extract data and assess risk of bias using validated tools. Meta-analyses will be performed if sufficient homogeneous data are available, comparing changes in sedentary time. Subgroup analyses will explore effects by participant characteristics including gender (male vs female), age groups (3 to

Ethical approval is not required as this study involves secondary analysis of published data. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication and conference presentations.

CRD420251042994.

Concept analysis is widely used in nursing to clarify key concepts, support theory development and improve conceptual consistency in research and practice. Although concept analysis studies have increased substantially, concerns remain regarding methodological heterogeneity and incomplete reporting. Based on preliminary scoping of the literature, no dedicated scoping review has yet mapped the broad landscape of concept analysis studies in nursing while also examining reporting completeness. This protocol describes a scoping review that will characterise methodological trends, identify recurrent reporting omissions and generate an evidence map to support future methodological work in this field.

This scoping review will follow established scoping review guidance and will be reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. Guided by the Population-Concept-Context framework, we will search major English-language and Chinese-language databases for nursing-related concept analysis studies. All concept analysis approaches will be considered eligible, provided the study explicitly reports analysing a nursing-related phenomenon. Two reviewers will independently screen records, assess full texts and chart data using a standardised extraction form. In parallel, reporting completeness will be examined using an author-developed, evidence-informed audit checklist. Findings will be synthesised using descriptive statistics and qualitative thematic analysis.

Ethical approval is not required because this review will synthesise data from publicly available sources. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication and conference presentation. The review is expected to provide a structured overview of current concept analysis practices in nursing and to identify priority areas for improving reporting transparency in future methodological work.

To determine burnout prevalence, associated factors and coping strategies used by nursing professionals.

Cross-sectional analytical study.

Public and private healthcare institutions in Kerala, India.

Nursing professionals in Kerala (n=349).

Burnout levels (assessed with the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT)) and coping strategies. Log-binomial regression was performed to identify factors associated with burnout.

High burnout was reported by 36.1% of participants (126/349; 95% CI 31.1 to 41.4). Burnout prevalence was higher among nurses with an MSc (Master of Science) or higher educational qualification (adjusted prevalence ratio (APR)=1.46; 95% CI 1.04 to 2.03); those working in urban settings (APR=1.41; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.90); those who were single, divorced or separated (APR=1.58; 95% CI 1.18 to 2.12); those with travel time ≥30 min (APR=1.36; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.79); and those engaged in clinical/direct patient care duties (APR=1.75; 95% CI 1.18 to 2.59). Commonly reported coping strategies included active coping (59.6%), seeking instrumental social support (58.7%) and venting (54.4%), whereas negative strategies, such as substance use, were less frequent (22.9%).

Over one-third of the nurses in our study reported high burnout. Efforts to reduce burnout should focus on nurses with higher qualifications, those working in urban settings, those with higher travel time, those who are single/divorced/separated and those involved in clinical duties to enhance healthcare quality.

Breastfeeding provides well-documented benefits for both mothers and infants, yet global exclusive breastfeeding rates remain below target levels. Current research on lactation outcomes and challenges tends to focus on isolated factors, creating a fragmented evidence base. This scoping review aims to systematically map the existing literature on factors affecting lactation during the first 6 months post partum. We will develop and apply a Bio-Psycho-Social-Ecological (BPSE) integrative framework to organise the findings and identify gaps for future research.

We will conduct this scoping review following the updated Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and report findings according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. Systematic searches will be performed in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang and VIP databases. We will include systematic reviews, meta-analyses and randomised controlled trials published between January 2020 and October 2025. Two reviewers will independently screen articles and extract data. The extracted data will include study characteristics, trial registration status, examined factors or interventions and relevant lactation outcomes. Findings will be synthesised narratively and mapped within the BPSE framework.

Ethical approval is not required as this scoping review will synthesise data from publicly available publications. The findings will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presentations at relevant academic conferences.

Open Science Framework https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/NXCRF.

Seamless collaboration in the operating room is the critical foundation for patient safety and successful outcomes. This synergy enhances efficiency, minimises errors and is a key determinant of the final surgical quality. The objective of this study is to synthesise qualitative studies on facilitators of and barriers to teamwork between operating room nurses (ORNs) and other practitioners.

Systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative studies.

A systematic search was conducted across nine electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science (Core Collection), CINAHL, PsycINFO, CNKI, WanFang and Vip. The search covered the period from 1 January 2014 to 30 September 2025. The search strategy used both medical subject headings and free-text terms, supplemented by the snowball method and grey literature.

Qualitative studies exploring teamwork involving ORNs were included. Of 4839 initially retrieved records, 29 studies finally met the inclusion criteria.

Two researchers independently extracted data, including the author, year of publication, country, study design, study objective, interview location, number of participants, age, methods of data collection and analysis and duration of interviews. The key findings were synthesised into two overarching themes: facilitators (eg, professional skills, role awareness, team familiarity, patient-centred culture, effective leadership) of and barriers (eg, individualistic behaviour, hierarchical culture, insufficient resources, punitive management, environmental constraints) to teamwork between ORNs and other practitioners. A meta-synthesis was conducted to synthesise study results from different groups and countries. NVivo 15 was used for data management.

A total of 29 qualitative studies (published between 2014 and 2025) were included in this study. Key facilitators of teamwork included professional skills, role awareness, team familiarity, patient-centred culture and effective leadership. Major barriers encompassed individualistic behaviours, punitive management, hierarchical culture, environmental constraints and insufficient resources. These factors worked across individual, interpersonal and systemic levels to shape OR teamwork.

Optimising OR teamwork requires a multifaceted approach simultaneously addressing these facilitators and barriers. Interventions should simultaneously cultivate individual competencies (eg, skills, role awareness), foster positive team dynamics (eg, familiarity, psychological safety, inclusive leadership), and rectify systemic issues (eg, hierarchical culture, resource constraints, punitive management). In this way, teamwork between ORNs and other practitioners can be enhanced, thereby contributing to improved perioperative safety and outcomes.

CRD42024506414.

To assess the level of alarm fatigue among intensive care unit (ICU), cardiac care unit (CCU) and emergency room (ER) nurses, identify associated demographic and occupational factors, determine the most frequent sources of alarms and evaluate nurses’ psychological reactions to alarms.

A cross-sectional, descriptive–analytical study.

ICUs, CCUs and ERs of six public teaching hospitals affiliated with Tehran and Kashan Universities of Medical Sciences in Iran.

Using a multistage stratified random sampling method, 285 nurses were approached, of whom 260 completed and returned the questionnaires (response rate: 91%). Participants were registered nurses with at least a bachelor’s degree or higher and 3 months of experience in ICUs, CCUs or ERs.

The primary outcome was the level of alarm fatigue measured using the validated Nurses’ Alarm Fatigue Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes included factors associated with alarm fatigue and nurses’ reported psychological responses to frequent alarms.

The mean score of alarm fatigue was 26.4±7.9, indicating a moderate level. After adjusting for confounders and hospital-level clustering using multivariable mixed-effects regression, higher monthly income was significantly associated with lower alarm fatigue (β=–0.15, p=0.03), and nurses working rotational shifts reported significantly higher fatigue compared with those with fixed shifts (β=0.18, p=0.02). Other demographic and occupational factors were not significant. Reported psychological reactions to alarms included indifference (14%), irritability (18%) and anxiety/stress (15%).

ICU, CCU and ER nurses experience a moderate level of alarm fatigue, with income and shift type as independent associated factors. The association between income and alarm fatigue may reflect the role of financial stress as an additional job demand that compounds the burden of frequent alarms, particularly in contexts where low base salaries lead nurses to rely on overtime and multiple shifts. These findings underscore the need for targeted managerial and educational interventions, including shift schedule optimisation and attention to workload-related stressors, alongside alarm prioritisation strategies. Due to the cross-sectional design, causal inferences cannot be drawn.

Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) are major drivers of hospitalisation, readmission and mortality. Patient delay, the interval between the onset or recognition of exacerbation symptoms and the first contact with a healthcare professional, represents a potentially modifiable part of the overall prehospital delay. Existing evidence on why people with COPD delay seeking care is fragmented, based on heterogeneous definitions of delay and limited sets of predictors, and has not yet been synthesised within a coherent theoretical framework. This protocol describes a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify determinants of delayed care-seeking during AECOPD, structured by Andersen’s Behavioural Model of Health Service Use.

We will include observational analytic studies (prospective or retrospective cohort, case-control and cross-sectional designs) involving adults (≥18 years) with physician-diagnosed COPD who have experienced at least one AECOPD. The primary outcome is delayed care-seeking, defined as the time interval between onset or recognition of exacerbation symptoms and first contact with a healthcare professional or facility; studies must report a clear definition of "delay" and provide effect estimates (or sufficient data to calculate them) for associations between candidate determinants and delayed presentation or delay duration. Determinants of interest will be mapped onto Andersen’s predisposing, enabling and need-related domains. We will search PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and EMBASE from database inception to the date of the final search, supplemented by grey literature searching, backward reference list screening and forward citation tracking, without restrictions on country or, where feasible, language. Two reviewers will independently perform study selection and data extraction and will assess risk of bias using study design-specific critical appraisal tools appropriate to cohort, case-control and cross-sectional studies. Where at least three studies report comparable effect measures for the same determinant–outcome pair, random-effects meta-analyses will be conducted; otherwise, findings will be synthesised narratively. Certainty of evidence for key associations will be graded using the grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation approach adapted for observational and prognostic evidence.

Ethical approval is not required for this systematic review and meta-analysis, as it will use data extracted exclusively from published studies and other publicly available sources, with no involvement of individual participants or identifiable personal data. The findings of this review will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presentation at relevant academic and clinical conferences. The results are expected to inform clinicians, nurses and policymakers about key determinants of delayed care-seeking during AECOPD, and to support the development of theory-informed, targeted interventions aimed at promoting timely healthcare utilisation.

This study has been registered in the PROSPERO (CRD420251244791).

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disorder, often accompanied by comorbidities like type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). These conditions have a significant impact on patients’ sleep quality and metabolic health. Current treatments for KOA primarily focus on symptom management, while innovative approaches targeting interconnected health outcomes remain underexplored. The lumbar knee recovery device, a non-invasive device patented in Iran, offers potential benefits by enhancing lumbar-knee synchronisation, improving blood circulation and optimising cellular metabolism. This randomised controlled trial (RCT) aims to evaluate the device’s effectiveness in improving sleep quality and regulating blood glucose levels in diabetic patients with KOA.

This RCT aims to evaluate the impact of using the lumbar knee recovery device (Kamarasa) on sleep quality, blood glucose levels, HbA1c (blood glucose control level over the past 90 days) and body mass index (BMI) in patients with T2DM and grade 1–3 KOA. The study will be conducted at the Orthopedic Clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, and the Health and Wellness Clinic. Eligible participants will be randomly allocated into two groups: the intervention group (receiving 10 supervised sessions using the Recovery device over 3 months) and the control group (receiving standard KOA and diabetes care). A total of 37 participants will be included in each group. The primary outcome, sleep quality, will be assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index at baseline and 3 months post intervention. Secondary outcomes will include random blood glucose levels, which will be measured at 10 intervals during the study; BMI, measured at the start and end of the study and HbA1c, assessed at both baseline and post intervention. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index will be used to assess pain, stiffness and physical function, also at both baseline and 3 months. Appropriate statistical tests, including two-sample t-tests, ² tests, analysis of covariance or linear regression, will be performed based on the type of variables using SPSS V.23. Additionally, standardised intervention effect sizes will be calculated for each outcome.

Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Tehran University of Medical Sciences with reference number (IR.TUMS.FNM.REC.1403.145). Additionally, the study protocol was registered with the IRCT under the identifier IRCT20191027045257N7 on 24 November 2024.

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20191027045257N7). This clinical trial was registered on 24 November 2024.

The clinical practicum is a critical component of nursing education. In Spain, it is currently facing systemic challenges that compromise its quality and sustainability. A persistent nursing shortage, combined with increasing pressure on healthcare systems and a growing number of students intended to address this gap, is adding strain to clinical learning environments, which may compromise the capacity of nurses to provide adequate supervision and meaningful learning experiences for nursing students. This not only diminishes the quality of the training experiences, but also negatively affects the well-being of both students and nurses, further worsening the situation. This protocol outlines a study aimed at conducting an in-depth analysis of the current challenges affecting the clinical practicum and proposing a new model that effectively addresses them, with significant potential for adaptation and implementation across different health education fields and geographical locations.

The study will employ a sequential mixed-methods design comprising two integrated phases. In phase I, quantitative, qualitative and scoping review methodologies will be combined to identify current challenges and opportunities. Quantitative data will be obtained by administering questionnaires to nursing students and clinical mentors (CMs) tutoring them in Catalonia, examining potential barriers and facilitators to their mentoring role. Data will be analysed through descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data will emerge from semistructured interviews with CMs and nurse coordinators, as well as from a visual elicitation technique, the ‘Emojional’ Calendar, conducted with students to understand their clinical practicum experiences. These will be analysed through an inductive thematic analysis approach. The scoping review, following the Arksey and O’Malley framework, will identify best practices in clinical practicums in nursing and other health studies globally. Phase II will involve a three-round qualitative Delphi study in which all preceding results will be presented to stakeholders and decision makers in order to redesign the clinical practicum model.

Ethical approval for this study was obtained from Hospital del Mar Clinical Research Ethics Committee (Ref #2023/11123). Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations, as well as via strategic actions (forums and meetings with healthcare managers, deans and policymakers) and general outreach (talks, social media and websites) targeted at professionals, students and the public.

Pressure injuries (PIs) pose a substantial global healthcare challenge, with their prevalence ranging from 0% to 72.5% across settings.1 In the UK, over 700 000 individuals are affected annually, with community settings prevalence of 0.40–0.70 per 1000 adults in Northern England.2 Early detection of PIs presents unique challenges in individuals with darker skin tones (DST), accentuating a critical gap in nursing education and...

This study investigates the association between healthcare staff turnover and quality of care in nursing homes.1 2 In recent years, the healthcare industry has faced serious challenges regarding workforce shortages. Particularly in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes, staff shortages and high turnover rates are considered major problems.1 2 This situation has not only negatively impacted patient care quality, but has also placed considerable pressure on healthcare systems...

Elderly patients, defined as adults aged 65 years and above, represent a growing segment of the surgical population.1 Despite numerous advances in surgical techniques and postoperative care, elderly patients face unique physical and psychological challenges that can exacerbate their risk of poor clinical outcomes.2 The recent study by Kata et al explores...

Haemodynamic management, and particularly the management of blood pressure (BP), is critical to reduce mortality and preserve the functional capacity of people with cardiovascular disease.1 However, there is insufficient evidence to justify lower BP targets (≤135/85 mm Hg) in people with hypertension and established cardiovascular disease.1 Wang et al have undertaken a multicentre clinical trial in 26 hospitals across China to explore both...

Central venous catheters (CVCs) are widely used for the administration of medications, fluids and parenteral nutrition. It has been estimated that annually 5 million CVCs are inserted in the USA and 27 million worldwide. However, the use of CVC is associated with several risks. This systematic review and meta-analysis by Teja et al provides important findings about some CVC complications globally and at the venous site.1

The...

Management of heart failure (HF) is a challenge, with less than one-third of patients meeting physical activity recommendations.1 Existing cardiac rehabilitation programmes are designed to meet class 1A American Heart Association recommendations for physical activity.1 Benefits, facilitators and barriers to these programmes are described...

While there is minimal literature regarding the lived experience of fathers with infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), paternal involvement is associated with reduced length of hospitalisation and improved weight gain.1 Alternatively, negative fathering behaviours are associated with behavioural problems at 1 year of age.1 Perceived exclusion from having an...

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in intensive care units (ICUs) marks a significant advancement in critical care, offering automated task management and enhanced data analysis. Historically, critical care has relied on high-acuity clinical decision-making, where nurses’ judgement and expertise are paramount. The rapid evolution of AI promises efficiency but raises concerns about ethical implications, role changes and trust. While AI tools improve clinical outcomes, their black-box nature and potential for...

Music intervention is a complementary treatment that aims to ameliorate symptoms related to a medical condition. Music intervention is distinct from music therapy in that it is a solo listening experience rather than an active or therapist-guided session. Music intervention is thought to be a low-risk and convenient treatment with potentially positive effects on patients with breast cancer as measured by self-assessed symptom or quality of life scores or pain treatment...