Journal of perianesthesia nursing : official journal of the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses
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J. Perianesth. Nurs. · Jun 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialPerioperative music or headsets to decrease anxiety.
The ambient noise of monitors, other patients, and staff in the postanesthesia care unit/operating room may elevate levels of anxiety. The purpose of our study was to determine the effect of music versus noise-blocking headphones on the level of anxiety in women undergoing gynecologic same-day surgery. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained. ⋯ All groups experienced a drop in anxiety from pre- to postoperative status, but the usual care group had the least improvement (P<.05). The music group experienced the lowest postoperative anxiety scores; the headphone group had a greater change overall. Music is a relatively inexpensive intervention, easy to administer, and noninvasive.
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J. Perianesth. Nurs. · Apr 2012
Reduction of preoperative anxiety in pediatric surgery patients using age-appropriate teaching interventions.
More than 5 million children in the United States undergo surgery annually. Of those 5 million children, 50% to 75% experience considerable fear and anxiety preoperatively. ⋯ Children are most susceptible to the stress of surgery owing to their limited cognitive capabilities, greater dependence on others, lack of self-control, limited life experience, and poor understanding of the health care system. This article will review the literature on preoperative interventional teaching strategies to reduce preoperative anxiety in children and discuss the methods available for evidence-based preparation of children undergoing surgery.
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J. Perianesth. Nurs. · Apr 2012
Stethoscopes as a source of hospital-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
Stethoscopes are potential vectors of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The purpose of this project was to determine the presence of MRSA on the diaphragms of personal and unit stethoscopes within a hospital setting before and after cleaning with alcohol prep pads. The sample consisted of 141 personal and unit stethoscopes in adult medical-surgical and intensive care units of a large university hospital in the Southeast. ⋯ Bacterial growth was noted in the precleaning group, but no MRSA colonies were detected. The postcleaning group had no bacterial growth. There was not enough data to statistically support that isopropyl alcohol is effective in decreasing bacterial counts; however, these findings suggest that current disinfection guidelines are effective in preventing MRSA colonization on stethoscopes in this setting.
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J. Perianesth. Nurs. · Feb 2012
Experiences of nurses related to prolonged-stay patients in a postanesthesia care unit in Karachi, Pakistan.
The role of the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) is to provide short-term monitoring of patients after surgery until recovery from anesthesia. The transfer of patients from the PACU to their designated units, however, may be delayed for various reasons. A qualitative descriptive approach was used to explore the experiences of six nurses working in the PACU at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. ⋯ An overarching theme that was derived from the content analysis was that of the factors impacting quality patient care. The content analysis generated a broad category of "general effects" and subcategories that included patients, families, and PACU nurses. The findings highlight the effects of prolonged PACU stays on patients, their families, and PACU nurses.