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Ayer — Octubre 2nd 2025Tus fuentes RSS

Glasgow Coma Scale Practice Among Emergency Nurses in China: A Multicenter Cross‐Sectional Study

ABSTRACT

Aim

To analyse current Glasgow Coma Scale practice among emergency nurses in China and identify factors influencing assessment quality.

Design

A quantitative, multicenter cross-sectional design.

Methods

A convenience sample of 1740 emergency nurses from secondary and tertiary hospitals across 21 provinces completed a validated structured questionnaire between March and April 2025. Participants had at least 6 months of emergency nursing experience. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multiple logistic regression to examine factors influencing correct Glasgow Coma Scale application.

Results

Participants had a mean age of 29.8 years (SD = 6.2). Only 52.5% of nurses demonstrated correct Glasgow Coma Scale application despite 97.0% having theoretical knowledge of scoring criteria. While 56.8% had received Glasgow Coma Scale training, significant standardisation deficiencies emerged. Notably, 41.8% of departments lacked operational guidelines, and 53.7% of nurses experienced scoring disagreements with colleagues. Clinical utilisation varied substantially by patient population: traumatic brain injury (97.8%), neurological diseases (96.9%), and systemic critical illness (85.8%). Multivariate analysis identified six significant factors influencing correct application: standardised training (OR = 2.252, 95% CI: 1.789–2.825), manageable workload ≤ 4 patients/shift (OR = 1.652, 95% CI: 1.327–2.057), departmental guidelines (OR = 1.523, 95% CI: 1.233–1.881), extensive work experience ≥ 9 years (OR = 1.534, 95% CI: 1.182–1.992), while multidisciplinary collaboration issues (OR = 0.559, 95% CI: 0.439–0.712) and special patient experience (OR = 0.520, 95% CI: 0.406–0.666) were associated with reduced accuracy.

Conclusion

Substantial standardisation challenges exist in Glasgow Coma Scale practice among Chinese emergency nurses, characterised by significant gaps between theoretical knowledge and clinical application. Major barriers include insufficient standardised guidelines, inconsistent training approaches, and inadequate interdisciplinary collaboration.

Impact

Healthcare administrators should develop national standardised guidelines, implement simulation-based training programs, optimise emergency workflows, and integrate alternative assessment tools to enhance consciousness assessment accuracy and improve patient safety.

Reporting Method

STROBE statement adherence.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.

The Mediating Role of Death Coping Between Moral Resilience and Vicarious Posttraumatic Growth Among ICU Nurses

ABSTRACT

Aim

This study aimed to examine the level of vicarious posttraumatic growth among intensive care unit nurses in China and explore the mediating role of death coping ability in the relationship between moral resilience and vicarious posttraumatic growth.

Study Design

A multicentre, cross-sectional study was conducted in accordance with the STROBE guidelines.

Methods

Between January and March 2025, a questionnaire survey was conducted among 666 intensive care unit nurses from nine tertiary Grade A hospitals across five provinces in China. Participants completed three standardised instruments: the Rushton Moral Resilience Scale, the Coping with Death Scale–Short Version, and the Vicarious Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. We used IBM SPSS 27.0 for descriptive statistics, univariate analyses, and correlation analyses, and employed AMOS 27.0 to perform structural equation modelling for testing mediation effects.

Results

Intensive care unit nurses demonstrated a moderate level of vicarious posttraumatic growth. Moral resilience was positively associated with both death coping ability and vicarious posttraumatic growth. Death coping ability was found to play a partial mediating role in the relationship between moral resilience and vicarious posttraumatic growth.

Conclusion

Moral resilience and death coping ability are key factors associated with vicarious posttraumatic growth among intensive care unit nurses. Nurses with stronger moral resilience are more likely to cope constructively with death-related stress, which may support psychological growth in trauma-intensive environments.

Impact

This study highlights the need to enhance intensive care unit nurses' moral and emotional capacities through ethics education, emotional coping training, and institutional support strategies. Strengthening these competencies may foster professional development and mental wellbeing in critical care settings.

Patients sense of gain experience and its influencing factors: a cross-sectional study in Foshan, China

Por: Xia · P. · Liang · B. · Zeng · Q. · Wang · L. · Zhai · L. · Li · M. · Chen · L. · Yang · H. · He · H. · Xu · X. · Gong · W.
Objectives

Patients’ sense of gain experience (PSGE) is the comprehensive feeling throughout the treatment process, which is a critical benchmark for evaluating comprehensive medical and health system reform in China. This study aims to assess the current status of PSGE in public hospitals and identify important associated factors, providing evidence-based recommendations for improving healthcare services.

Design

This was a cross-sectional study conducted from October to November 2023.

Setting

A total of 14 public hospitals in Foshan, Guangdong Province, China.

Participants

There were 3223 responses, including 1592 from outpatients and 1631 from inpatients.

Primary outcome measure

PSGE was assessed across five domains: time accessibility, service accessibility, cost affordability, patient participation and efficacy predictability. Participants were also asked to provide an overall rating of the PSGE.

Results

The overall score for PSGE was 4.47±0.53 (mean±SD), with service accessibility receiving the highest score (4.68±0.50) and affordability the lowest (4.17±0.86). Secondary hospitals scored an overall PSGE of 4.55±0.50, while tertiary hospitals scored 4.42±0.54. Key factors associated with PSGE were overall satisfaction (β=0.164, p

Conclusions

This study found that patients reported a positive PSGE with service accessibility but reported a less positive PSGE with cost affordability. A tier-based disparity was evident, with secondary hospitals outperforming tertiary hospitals in overall PSGE outcome. Stronger PSGE was positively associated with higher scores in overall satisfaction, treatment satisfaction, satisfaction with medical reforms, patient loyalty and hospital reputation. Demographic and institutional factors, such as hospital level, patient type and household registration, were associated with the PSGE. Efforts can be focused on enhancing clinicians’ willingness and competence in discussing treatment costs during clinical encounters. It is essential for policymakers to address disparities in healthcare experiences among patient groups across hospital tiers to advance equitable, patient-centred systems.

Effect of liposomal bupivacaine combined with bupivacaine hydrochloride for transversus thoracic muscle plane block and pectoral nerves block in modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Por: Zhou · J. · Zhou · R. · Tang · S.-H. · Chen · Z. · Zhang · J. · Yang · D.
Introduction

The incidence of acute pain subsequent to modified radical mastectomy (MRM) for breast cancer approximates 40%, with more than half of these cases evolving into chronic pain. Currently, the commonly employed analgesic schemes in clinical practice still have inadequacies. Liposomal bupivacaine (LB) is bupivacaine encapsulated in liposomes, and it is reported that its duration of action can extend up to 72 hours. This study will investigate the analgesic efficacy of LB in combination with bupivacaine hydrochloride (BHCl) for transversus thoracic muscle plane (TTP) block and pectoral nerves (PECS) block after MRM for breast cancer.

Methods and analysis

In this prospective, randomised, controlled trial, we will enrol 80 female patients aged 30 to 65 years who are scheduled to undergo MRM under general anaesthesia in combination with nerve block. They will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the LB+BHCl group (Group A) and the BHCl group (Group B). All patients will undergo ultrasound-guided TTP+PECS block prior to surgery. The primary outcomes are the cumulative pain visual analogue scale (VAS) scores from 6 to 72 hours post-surgery and the quality of recovery, assessed using the QoR-40 score at 72 hours post-surgery. The secondary outcomes include the time to first analgesic rescue, the consumption of analgesic drugs within 72 hours postoperatively, the occurrence of adverse events and the VAS scores at 6 and 12 months postoperatively.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University (2024 Ke Lun Shen (2024-07-01)). All patients will provide written informed consent. The results of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration number

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2400089933).

Validation of a Qigong quality of life questionnaire (3Q instrument) in patients with cancer: a study protocol

Por: Xu · J. · Li · H. · Stylianou · S. · Sze · D. M.-y. · Chan · V. W. S. · Yang · A. W. H.
Introduction

Cancer has impacted patients’ quality of life (QoL). Qigong, a type of mind-body exercise, has been adopted by some patients with cancer to improve their QoL. However, various lengthy questionnaires were used to assess Qigong’s effects which made data synthesis difficult. Therefore, a simplified Qigong QoL Questionnaire (3Q instrument) has been developed to assess cancer patients’ QoL when they practise Qigong. This study aims to validate this instrument and contribute to the standardisation and simplification of the outcome measures for the studies on Qigong.

Methods and analysis

A total of 173 patients with cancer practising Qigong in Australia and China will be recruited to evaluate QoL using the 3Q instrument and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General (FACT-G) questionnaire. SPSS Statistics V.29 software will be used for data analyses. Exploratory factor analysis will be conducted to identify the factor structures of the 3Q instrument. The internal consistency of the 3Q instrument will be evaluated by Cronbach’s alpha. Test–retest reliabilities will be confirmed by intraclass correlations. Content validity will be assessed by the Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Construct validity will be established through confirmatory factor analysis. Criterion validity will be assessed against FACT-G, and Spearman’s correlation coefficient will be adopted to calculate their correlations.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has been approved by the RMIT University Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC26229). The findings from the present study will be submitted to peer-reviewed journals for publication and/or presented at conferences.

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Enhanced Bézier curve-based trajectory planning for high-altitude autonomous trucks

by Du Chigan, Jianbei Liu, Yang Zhao, Jianyou Zhao

Highway freight transport is the backbone of Tibet’s logistics network, accounting for 76.4% of regional freight movement (Tibet Bureau of Statistics, 2024). Challenging alpine road conditions—characterized by steep grades, sharp curves, and narrow lanes—combine with the substantial dimensions of heavy trucks to create significant operational difficulties. Autonomous truck development offers a potential solution; however, their trajectory planning algorithms exhibit limitations in high-altitude environments. To address these challenges, we propose a novel trajectory planning method using quartic Bézier curves. These 4th-order parametric curves provide G² continuity. Our approach integrates speed profiles into a three-dimensional curve representation and employs a two-phase optimization process to ensure safety and efficiency. Simulation results demonstrate the method’s effectiveness in maintaining truck stability while enabling responsive maneuvering under Tibet’s demanding road conditions.

Impacts of resistance training combined with vibration training on the IGF-1/PI3K/AKT/FOXO3 axis and clinical outcomes in patients with sarcopenia: A protocol for a randomized controlled trial

by Haoyang Zhou, Jinfeng Yang, Na Li, Jinying Li, Jianxin Ran, Yan Zheng, Yifan Long, Fang Cheng, Yuanpeng Liao

Background

Sarcopenia is an age-associated disorder characterized by a progressive decline in skeletal muscle mass, strength, and physical function. The condition is linked to low levels of anabolic hormones such as insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), with its downstream phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/ protein kinase B (AKT)/ forkhead box protein O3 (FOXO3) signaling pathway. There is growing evidence that resistance training (RT) or vibration training (VT) could improve physical functioning in individuals with sarcopenia. However, the related physiological influence of exercise on sarcopenia remains elusive.

Method

This prospective randomized controlled trial will be conducted among 96 participants, aged between 65 and 80 years. In participants, sarcopenia diagnosis will be confirmed based on the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria, and participants will be randomized into either control, RT, VT, or RVT (combined RT and VT) groups. The intervention will last 12 weeks, with assessments performed at baseline, 12 weeks (after intervention), and 24 weeks (follow-up). The primary outcomes will include skeletal muscle mass, handgrip strength, and gait speed. Secondary outcomes comprise IGF-1 concentrations, PI3K/AKT and FOXO3 protein activity, quality of life, and timed-up-and-go test performance assessments.

Discussion

This clinical study aims to elucidate the potential modulation of molecular mechanisms in vivo for combined RT and VT in sarcopenia patients and to identify the effects of the intervention on physical function.

Trial registration

ChiCTR, ChiCTR2400083643. Registered on April 29, 2024.

Optic nerve sheath diameter and Pcv-aCO2/Ca-cvO2 for predicting outcomes in traumatic brain injury patients during prehospital care: a prospective cohort study in China

Por: Jiang · H. · Wang · H. · Xie · Z. · Yang · L.
Objectives

To predict the outcome of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) using the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) and the central venous minus arterial CO2 pressure to arterial minus central venous O2 content ratio (Pcv-aCO2/Ca-cvO2) in prehospital settings.

Design

A prospective cohort study was conducted in China.

Participants

The study was conducted from October 2023 to October 2024, enrolling patients diagnosed with TBI. Participants presenting a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) 2/Ca-cvO2: Group A Pcv-aCO2/Ca-cvO2 >1.8 mm Hg/mL and ONSD >5.6 mm; Group B: Pcv-aCO2/Ca-cvO2 >1.8 mm Hg/mL and ONSD ≤5.6 mm; Group C: Pcv-aCO2/Ca-cvO2 ≤1.8 mm Hg/mL and ONSD >5.6 mm; and Group D: Pcv-aCO2/Ca-cvO2 ≤1.8 mm Hg/mL and ONSD ≤5.6 mm.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

30-day mortality, functional neurological recovery at discharge (measured by Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS)), and length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay were compared between the 4 groups.

Results

Our findings show that Group D had the lowest 30-day mortality, the shortest ICU stay and the highest good recovery at discharge (GOS score) among the four groups. Survival curves illustrated a decrease in 30-day mortality in group C patients after mannitol administration compared with patients who did not receive mannitol administration. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for Pcv-aCO2/Ca-cvO2 combined with ONSD (0.907 (95% CI 0.843 to 0.941)) was higher than those for ONSD (0.851 (95% CI 0.791 to 0.911)) alone, Pcv-aCO2/Ca-cvO2 (0.814 (95% CI 0.744 to 0.873)) alone or initial GCS (0.823 (95% CI 0.763 to 0.889)). Calibration plots demonstrated a strong alignment between observed and predicted probabilities for ONSD, Pcv-aCO2/Ca-cvO2, the combination of ONSD and Pcv-aCO2/Ca-cvO2, and initial GCS.

Conclusions

ONSD combined with Pcv-aCO2/Ca-cvO2 is a relatively novel method for predicting the outcome in TBI patients, especially in a prehospital setting. This dual approach may improve the prediction of early prognosis and guide osmotherapy treatment in patients with TBI.

Research Capability and Influencing Factors Among Clinical Nurses: A Multicentre Cross‐Sectional Study

ABSTRACT

Aim

To evaluate the research capability of clinical nurses in China and identify the determinants associated with their capability.

Background

As nursing evolves into an increasingly independent discipline, the research capability of clinical nurses has become critical for the development of the profession, advancing evidence-based practice and improving patient care quality.

Methods

A multicentre cross-sectional survey was conducted using convenience sampling from September 2023 to February 2024, among clinical nurses in tertiary hospitals across three provinces in China. The Nursing Research Capability Self-Assessment Scale was used to assess the research capability of the nurses. Chi-square tests, one-way analysis of variance and multiple linear regression were used to examine factors associated with research capability. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology was followed.

Results

A total of 1074 clinical nurses participated. The mean research capability score was 89.11 ± 27.69, reflecting a moderate level of research capability. However, two dimensions of research questions and literature review received lower scores. Multiple linear regression analysis identified that education level, professional title, administrative position and nursing job title (all p < 0.05) were independent predictors of research capability.

Conclusions

Clinical nurses exhibit moderate research capability, with notable deficiencies in formulating research questions and conducting literature reviews. Key factors influencing research capability include education, professional title, administrative position, and job title. Targeted training and development programmes should address these factors to enhance nurses' research competence and advance nursing science.

Causal mediation analysis of a randomised controlled trial in China: evaluating whether the pay-it-forward strategy increases HPV vaccine uptake by reducing vaccine delay intention and increasing vaccine confidence

Por: Lu · Y. · Yang · Y. · Li · Y. · Qin · C. · He · Y. · Gong · W. · Tang · S. · Li · J. · Wu · D.
Objective

To explore whether vaccine confidence and vaccine delay intention mediated the effect of the pay-it-forward intervention on human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake.

Design

This secondary mediation analysis of a two-arm randomised controlled trial was conducted among female adolescents aged 15–18 years in Chengdu, China, from July 2022 to June 2023.

Setting

This study was conducted in four residential areas representing diverse economic backgrounds in Chengdu.

Participants

A total of 321 parents of girls aged 15–18 years who had not received the HPV vaccine participated in the study.

Intervention

Participants were randomly allocated into two arms. Pay-it-forward participants received a community-contributed subsidy (47.7 USD) to support the HPV vaccination, along with educational postcards and an opportunity to donate to support others. In the standard-of-care arm, participants paid for their vaccination.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Primary outcome was the receipt of the first HPV vaccine dose within a 3-month period following an intervention. Based on previous literature, we hypothesised that vaccine confidence and vaccine delay intention were potential mediators. Vaccine confidence was measured using the vaccine confidence index. Vaccine delay intention refers to the caregiver’s preference to postpone HPV vaccination for their daughter until the preferred vaccine type becomes available, rather than accepting the immediately accessible HPV vaccine. Data on these mediators were collected via a self-administered online questionnaire conducted after the intervention but before vaccination.

Results

Among urban participants, when compared with the standard-of-care arm, about 39% of the effect of the pay-it-forward intervention on vaccine uptake was mediated by a reduction in vaccine delay intention. Notably, vaccine confidence did not appear to mediate the effect of the intervention on vaccine uptake. Among suburban participants, no mediation effects were observed. In the suburban setting, caregivers who vaccinated their daughters showed poorer prior awareness of the HPV vaccine before participating in the trial compared with those who did not vaccinate their daughters (41.5% vs 21.1%; p=0.011).

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that among urban participants, the pay-it-forward may have effectively reduced vaccine delay intention, which was associated with an increased uptake of the HPV vaccine. However, in suburban areas, enhanced awareness might be a potential contributing factor to improved vaccine uptake, but further research is necessary to affirm this.

Trial registration number

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2200055542.

Ratio of haemorrhagic area to retinal area as a novel indicator for AI-based screening of diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes: a community-based cross-sectional study

Por: Sun · R. · Zhang · T. · Zhao · S. · Hu · Z. · Wang · J. · Jiang · B. · Pan · Q. · Yang · Y. · Hu · Y.
Background

The application of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the screening of diabetic retinopathy (DR) has made significant strides. However, there remains a lack of comprehensive validation and evaluation of AI-derived quantitative indicators in DR screening.

Objective

This study aims to assess the diagnostic performance of retinal microvascular indicators in the early detection of DR in patients with type 2 diabetes and to identify potential novel indicators for early DR screening.

Research design and methods

This cross-sectional study included 533 community-recruited patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who underwent fundus imaging. Based on the results of the fundus examination, the eyes were categorised into non-DR, mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), moderate NPDR and severe NPDR groups. AI systems were employed to quantify various retinal microvascular indicators, including microaneurysms (MAs), haemorrhage count (HC), haemorrhagic area (HA), the ratio of HA to retinal area (HA/RA), the ratio of HA to MA (HA/MA) and HC and/or MA (H/MA). Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyse the association between fundus indicators and DR severity, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to assess the predictive and screening value of these indicators, determining sensitivity, specificity, ROC area under the curve (AUC) and optimal cut-off values.

Results

Among the 533 participants (mean age 64.03±9.71 years; 51.6% female), the DR prevalence was 10.0%. After adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes duration, glycated haemoglobin levels, smoking and alcohol consumption, multivariable logistic regression indicated that HA/RA (OR 1.873, 95% CI 1.453 to 2.416) and HA/MA (OR 1.115, 95% CI 1.063 to 1.169) were associated with mild NPDR. Similarly, HA/RA (OR 1.928, 95% CI 1.509 to 2.464) and HA/MA (OR 1.165, 95% CI 1.112 to 1.220) were associated with moderate NPDR, and HA/RA (OR 2.435, 95% CI 1.921 to 3.086) and HA/MA (OR 1.171, 95% CI 1.117 to 1.226) were linked to severe NPDR. ROC curve analysis revealed that before adjustment, HA/RA demonstrated the highest screening value for DR, with an AUC of 0.917, sensitivity of 86.14%, specificity of 93.41%, Youden’s index of 0.796 and an optimal cut-off value of 0.063. After adjusting for confounding factors, the AUC for HA/RA in diagnosing DR was 0.900, with sensitivity of 83.17%, specificity of 86.28%, Youden’s index of 0.695 and an optimal cut-off value of 0.093.

Conclusions

The HA/RA and HA/MA show robust screening performance for early DR. These indicators should be considered for inclusion in AI-based early DR screening systems in the future.

Consequences in critically ill patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation after diaphragmatic stimulation techniques: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Por: Tong · S. · Yang · Y. · Li · Y. · Liu · L. · Chang · W.
Objective

Prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV) may lead to poor outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effects of diaphragmatic stimulation on the duration of MV (DMV), the intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (ILOS), the proportion of patients successfully weaned and maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) in patients with prolonged MV.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources

Cochrane library, Embase, Pubmed and Web of Science up to December 2024.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies evaluating the outcomes of patients with prolonged MV after diaphragmatic stimulation were included up to December 2024.

Data extraction and synthesis

All articles were independently assessed by two reviewers, and a third reviewer was consulted to resolve different evaluations. Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) and the Cochrane Collaboration tool in RevMan V.5.3 software (The Cochrane Collaboration, 2014) were applied to assess the quality of cohort studies or RCTs. The meta-analysis was carried out with RevMan V.5.3 software, applying a random-effects model and presenting results with 95% CIs. Heterogeneity was examined using the Higgins I² statistic, and subgroup analyses were carried out to investigate possible contributors to heterogeneity. Sensitivity analyses were further conducted in Stata 18.0 (StataCorp LP, College Station, TX, USA). Potential publication bias was assessed through funnel plots combined with Egger’s regression test. For each outcome, the certainty of evidence was appraised according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE).

Results

Ten studies involving 802 patients (349 received diaphragmatic stimulation) were included. The meta-analysis indicated that patients receiving diaphragmatic stimulation had shorter DMV (mean differences (MD) –5.69 d, 95% CI –10.99 to –0.39, p=0.04) and ILOS (MD –5.48 d, 95% CI –10.72 to –0.24, p=0.04). The proportion of patients successfully weaned was larger in patients with diaphragmatic stimulation (risk ratios (RR) 1.25, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.53, p=0.04). The MIP increased compared with the control group.

Conclusions

The promising results suggest that diaphragmatic stimulation has the potential to shorten DMV and ILOS and accelerate weaning from ventilator.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42024599512.

Comparison of diagnostic yield and safety of three endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial biopsy techniques in diagnosing patients with mediastinal/hilar lymphadenopathy: a protocol of multicentre randomised trial in China

Por: Deng · M.-m. · Yang · Z. · Zhong · C. · Zheng · Z. · Tong · R. · Zhou · G. · Li · X. · Zhao · L. · Herth · F. J. F. · Hou · G.
Introduction

Mediastinal and/or hilar lymphadenopathy (MHL) is increasingly identified owing to various underlying conditions. Minimally invasive biopsy techniques, including endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA), transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy (TBMC) and transbronchial forceps biopsy (TBFB), are common diagnosis tools. However, their safety and diagnostic efficiency remain unclear. This trial aims to compare the diagnostic yield and safety of these three techniques.

Methods and analysis

This study is a three-arm, parallel-design, randomised controlled trial involving 972 adult patients with MHL recruited from multiple medical centres. Participants will be randomly assigned to the EBUS-TBNA, TBMC via a tunnel or TBFB via a tunnel group. The primary outcome is diagnostic yield, and the secondary outcomes include diagnostic sensitivity, sample quality and procedure-related complications. Statistical analyses will be conducted using the appropriate methods. An independent sample ² test will be used to test the differences in the diagnostic yield and incidence of procedure-related complications.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval was obtained from the China-Japan Friendship Hospital Ethics Committee (2022-KY-194).

Written informed consent will be obtained from all patients or their guardians before their enrolment in the study. This study will be conducted per the principles established in the Declaration of Helsinki and the International Council for Harmonisation Guidelines for Good Clinical Practice.

Trial registration number

www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT06262620).

Adaptation and Validation of the Supportive and Palliative Care Indicators Tool (SPICT): A Quantitative Methodological Study

ABSTRACT

Aims

To translate the Supportive and Palliative Care Indicators Tool (SPICT) into Chinese and conduct preliminarily tests of its performance in hospitalized patients with cancer.

Design

A cross-sectional validation study conducted from January to March 2024.

Methods

SPICT 2022 was translated in both directions, following the Brislin translation model, and the Chinese version culturally debugged through expert consultation and pre-testing. Content validity was evaluated by expert scoring. Tool internal consistency was evaluated using KR-20 coefficient, and retest reliability was evaluated using kappa coefficient. The screening performance was evaluated by sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV).

Results

Of 388 hospitalized cancer patients included, approximately one-quarter had potential palliative care needs. Content validity of the Chinese version of SPICT was good, as were internal consistency and test–retest reliability. Accuracy (0.905), sensitivity (0.806), specificity (0.943), PPV (0.845), and NPV (0.926) for the Chinese version of SPICT indicated that it is an acceptable instrument.

Conclusion

The Chinese version of SPICT can be applied for screening of palliative care needs in hospitalized patients with cancer in China.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

The Chinese version of SPICT had been adapted to assist clinicians or nurses in quickly identifying hospitalized patients with cancer who may have palliative care needs. This is conducive to help clinical team to start palliative care consultation, care goal discussion and (or) referral for patients in clinical practice. And it probably helps to advance integration between palliative care assessment and routine oncology care assessment.

Impact

This study provided a screening tool for palliative care, with good validity and reliability, as well as excellent screening performance to facilitate palliative care need screening in clinical practice, promote palliative care referrals and improve patient quality of life.

Reporting Method

This study was reported according to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.

Profiles of Compassion Competence Among Nurses of China: A Latent Profile Analysis

ABSTRACT

Aims

To understand the current situation of nurses' compassion competence and analyse the characteristics and influencing factors of different categories of nurses' compassion competence based on latent profile analysis, to provide a theoretical basis for formulating targeted compassion training programmes.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Methods

From June to October 2023, 550 nurses from tertiary grade A hospitals in Shandong province were selected by convenience sampling and investigated by utilising a demographic characteristics questionnaire, the Compassion Competence Scale for the Nurses, the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Service Survey. Latent profile analysis was performed to explore the potential categories of nurses' compassion competence, and single-factor analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to explore the related influencing factors.

Results

A total of 513 nurses were included. The compassion competence of nurses could be divided into four categories: the compassion competence deficient group (7.56%), the compassion competence low-imbalanced group (15.35%), the compassion competence high-balanced group (50.38%) and the compassion competence excellent group (26.70%). Department, years of working, humanistic care training experience, whether work is supported by colleagues and leaders, mindfulness and job burnout were the influencing factors of different potential categories (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion

There are four categories into which nurses' compassion competency can be categorised. Nursing managers and medical institutions can formulate precise training methods that enhance nurses' compassion competency based on the traits of various nurse categories in order to improve the quality of nursing service.

Impact

The results of this study help to understand the categories and heterogeneity of nurses' compassion competence and provide a basis for nursing managers and medical institutions to improve the compassion competence of different categories of nurses.

Patient or Public Contribution

All participants were nurses who completed an electronic questionnaire related to this study.

Information Distortion in Electronic Health Records: A Concept Analysis

ABSTRACT

Aims

To conceptualise information distortion in Electronic Health Records (EHRs), with the goal of providing a theoretical foundation for improving documentation practices.

Design

A concept analysis.

Methods

Walker and Avant's strategy for concept analysis was used. The defining attributes, antecedents and consequences were identified.

Data Sources

A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL and Scopus from their inception to December 2024. Studies published in English that addressed information distortion in EHRs were included.

Results

A total of 37 studies were included. The three defining attributes were: real-world health truth, representation of reality and mismatch relationship. Antecedents were divided into five categories: people-related factors, equipment factors, regulatory factors, working environment factors and management factors. The consequences of information distortion in EHRs included threats to patient safety, poor operational performance, eroded trust, compromised research quality and health inequity.

Conclusion

This concept analysis enhances the understanding of information distortion in EHRs and provides a foundation for further empirical validation. The findings may contribute to the development of measurement instruments and strategies to mitigate information distortion in healthcare settings.

Impact

By undertaking a concept analysis of information distortion in EHRs, healthcare professionals will be better equipped to recognise and assess this ethical phenomenon, thereby supporting the development of targeted interventions to mitigate potential harms to healthcare practices. In addition, the clarity of this concept could provide a new angle from which to analyse the origins of flawed EHR documentation and its ripple effects across healthcare systems.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public involvement.

Current status and factors influencing compassion fatigue in clinical placement nursing students: a mixed-methods study protocol

Por: Yang · Y.-F. · Li · X.
Introduction

Compassion fatigue (operationally defined as a nursing student’s reduction in empathetic capacity or interest towards ‘bearing the suffering of clients’ manifesting as consequent emotional and behavioural responses to secondary exposure of others’ traumatic experiences) among nursing students affects not only their physical and mental health, but it may also spread and undermine the stability of the nursing profession as a whole. Therefore, this study aims to delve deeply into the causes and trends of compassion fatigue among undergraduate nursing students and gain a better understanding of nursing students’ feelings, experiences and coping mechanisms in relation to compassion fatigue.

Methods and analysis

This mixed-methods study will be conducted in two phases. This study will recruit 110 nursing students from a teaching hospital in China. Eligible participants will be asked to complete validated questionnaires. Student interns will also be asked to participate in semistructured qualitative interviews to investigate their feelings, experiences and coping mechanisms in relation to compassion fatigue. Statistical analysis of survey data will include descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as qualitative content analysis.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Chinese Medical University. The findings will be disseminated at conferences and journal articles.

Trial registration number

Current status and factors influencing compassion fatigue in clinical placement nursing students: a mixed study (ChiCTR2500097955; Pre-results).

Causal mapping of psychological and occupational risk factors for suicidal ideation in psychiatric nurses using Bayesian networks: A multicenter cross-sectional study

by Min Wang, Yushun Yan, Wanqiu Yang, Ruini He, Lingdan Zhao, Yikai Dou, Yuanmei Tao, Xiao Yang, Qingqing Xiang, Xiaohong Ma

Psychiatric nurses represent a high-stress occupational group that experiences elevated levels of suicidal ideation (SI), emphasizing the need for focused mental health interventions. The main purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of SI among psychiatric nurses and to identify the psychological and occupational factors associated with SI. A total of 1,835 psychiatric nurses completed questionnaires on depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), SI, quality of work-related life (QWL), and burnout. Multivariate logistic regression and phenotypic network analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with SI and the potential pathways linking depressive symptoms, burnout, and QWL to SI. The results indicated that 11.33% of the participants had SI in the past two weeks. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, personal accomplishment, stress at work, general well-being, and the home-work interface were significant predictors of SI. Network analysis further revealed that psychomotor changes, guilt, sad mood, low energy, and appetite changes were the symptoms most directly associated with SI. In addition, sad mood, general well-being, and work-home interface were linked to job and career satisfaction, whereas sad mood and low energy were associated with emotional exhaustion and SI. These findings contribute valuable large-scale evidence on the mental health challenges faced by psychiatric nurses and highlight the importance of addressing mood disturbances, energy loss, and work-related stress in SI prevention efforts for this vulnerable group.

Volume kinetics of crystalloid and colloid solutions administered to healthy anesthetized cats

by Chien-Hsien Kitty Yang, Xiu Ting Yiew, Robert G. Hahn, William Muir, Carolyn Kerr, Shane Bateman

This prospective experimental study evaluated the disposition of a crystalloid and a colloid solution in 10 healthy cats under general anesthesia. Each cat was randomly assigned to receive either 20 mL/kg of a balanced isotonic crystalloid solution (PLA) or 5 mL/kg of 6% tetrastarch 130/0.4 solution (T-HES), administered over 15 minutes, in a 2-period, 2-treatment crossover design. Blood samples were collected, and urine output was measured during a 3-hour experimental period. Plasma dilution was calculated using serial hemoglobin concentrations and red blood cell count. Volume kinetics (distribution and elimination) of each fluid were determined using non-linear mixed effects pharmacokinetic modeling software. Data from a previous study with a similar methodology in healthy conscious cats were included in the population kinetic analysis, revealing anesthesia as a significant covariate for k21 (peripheral-to-central intercompartmental rate constant) for PLA and k10 (dilution-dependent first-order elimination rate constant) for T-HES. Cumulative urine output under general anesthesia was approximately 3.5 times lower for PLA and 2.5 times lower for T-HES compared to conscious cats. Overall, our data suggest that the elimination of PLA and T-HES is markedly reduced, and a bolus of PLA produces a short period of plasma expansion with the potential to cause significant peripheral fluid accumulation in cats during general anesthesia.

Combined application of BNLF2b antibody with VCA-IgA, Rta-IgG, and Zta-IgA in nasopharyngeal carcinoma screening in the Guangxi region

by Ruilan Lin, Ru Qin, Yunlong Zhang, Yao Guan, Boheng Wu, Shangyang Li, Shenhong Qu, Yulin Yuan

Background

This study aims to assess the diagnostic value of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) BNLF2b antibody(P85-Ab), alone or in combination with VCA-IgA, Rta-IgG, and Zta-IgA antibodies, in the context of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods

The study included 100 NPC patients and 100 healthy controls. Chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay was utilized to measure P85-Ab levels in the serum samples of both NPC patients and healthy controls. Additionally, the ELISA method was employed to detect serum levels of VCA-IgA, Rta-IgG, and Zta-IgA antibodies. The study analyzed the roles of serum P85-Ab in conjunction with VCA-IgA, Rta-IgG, and Zta-IgA antibodies in the diagnosis of NPC.

Results

Serum levels of P85-Ab, VCA-IgA, Rta-IgG, and Zta-IgA antibodies in NPC patients were significantly higher than those in the normal control group (P  Conclusion

The combined detection of P85-Ab with VCA-IgA, Rta-IgG, and Zta-IgA antibodies demonstrates high diagnostic value for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Serum P85-Ab may serve as a potential marker for the diagnosis of NPC.

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