Ayşe Beşer

Nursing Interventions in the Prevention of Needlestick and Sharps Injuries: The Case of a University Hospital in Turkey

ABSTRACT This study aimed to create an occupational safety program by reducing the rates of needlestick and sharps injuries in nurses. The universe of this experimental study was made up of nurses working in a university hospital and they were involved in a preliminary study before administering the sampling method. The data were collected through “Needlestick and Sharp Injuries Form” and “Clinical Observation and Evaluation Form”. As a result of this study, while the rate of needlestick and sharp injuries in nurses before the intervention was 31.2 percent, it was found to be 24.3 percent in the 9th month monitoring following the intervention, which yielded a significant difference. Needlestick and sharp injuries continued to occur. These results should be considered in the design of occupational safety programs to reduce the NSIs at the Hospital Center. It is also necessary to establish a monitoring system of needlestick and sharp injuries at a hospital level and a reporting system at the national level in Turkey.

Reliability and Validity of the Turkish Version of the Caregiver Reaction Assessment Scale

ABSTRACT The scales need to be adapted for the society so that they can be used. This study aims to assess the reliability and validity of the Caregiver Reaction Assessment Scale. The phases of the testing of the scale included the translation and adaptation of the Preparedness for Caregiving Scale construct analysis by an expert group, and pre-test and psychometric evaluation (factor analysis, reliability coefficient and inter-item correlations). Pearson Correlation analysis of the results showed a significant positive relationship between test-retest scores of the scale (r= .775, p= .000; t=781, p= .439). Cronbach alpha coefficient was α=.88 and standardized α value was .89. The scale explains the fifty-six percent of total variance. The scales were found to be reliable and valid in Turkish population. These findings suggest that the Turkish version of the instrument is available for measuring specific aspects of the caregiving experience in the Turkish population.

Oncology nurses’ perspectives on safe handling precautions: a qualitative study

Background: Oncology nurses can be exposed to hazardous drugs during their preparation, administration, transfer and storage and elimination of their waste. Aim: This study was directed towards describing attitudes, opinions and experiences of nurses administering these drugs about safe handling precautions. Methods: A qualitative study design was used. Fifteen nurses working for at least three months involved in preparation, administration and transfer of antineoplastic drugs and management of wastes. Findings: Experiences, viewpoints and attitudes of nurses about safe handling precautions were analyzed in accordance with basic components of Health Belief Model. Conclusions: Based on experiences, viewpoints and attitudes emphasized most by nurses, the most important factors about safe handling precautions were perceived barriers and cues to action. As well as heavy work schedules and high number of patients per nurse, lack of equipment and insufficient knowledge were found to be barriers to taking safe handling precautions.