Gulcan Bagcivan

Relationship between dialysis adequacy and sleep quality in haemodialysis patients.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between dialysis adequacy and sleep quality in haemodialysis patients. BACKGROUND Sleep problems are common in haemodialysis patients. Dialysis adequacy is one of the factors associated with sleep quality. Studies evaluating the association between dialysis adequacy and sleep quality in haemodialysis patients present different results. DESIGN Descriptive and cross-sectional study. METHODS This study was performed with a total of 119 patients who had applied to dialysis centres for haemodialysis treatment between January and March 2014. The data collection form consists of socio-demographic and medical characteristics as well as laboratory parameters. A modified Post-Sleep Inventory was used to examine sleep quality in the research. RESULTS There were no statistically significant relationship between sleep quality and dialysis adequacy (p > 0·05). When the Post-Sleep Inventory scores were evaluated according to sleep quality, 63·0% of patients had poor sleep quality, and 37·0% had good sleep quality. Sleep quality was worse in unemployed patients (X(2) = 4·852; p = 0·025) and patients who smoked heavily (Z = 2·289; p = 0·022). CONCLUSIONS In this study, there is no statistically significant relationship between dialysis adequacy and sleep quality. However, it was found that the majority of haemodialysis patients had poor sleep quality. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Even if the dialysis adequacy of patients is at the recommended level, their sleep qualities may be poor. Therefore, evaluations of the sleep quality of haemodialysis patients during the clinical practice must be taken into consideration.

Perioperative Palliative Care Considerations for Surgical Oncology Nurses

OBJECTIVES To explore the opportunities to incorporate palliative care into perioperative oncology patient management and education strategies for surgical oncology nurses. DATA SOURCES Articles related to palliative care and surgical oncology to determine the degree of integration, gaps, and implications for practice. CONCLUSION Although evidence supports positive patient outcomes when palliative care is integrated in the perioperative period, uptake of palliative care into surgical settings is slow. Palliative care concepts are not adequately integrated into surgical and nursing education. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE With appropriate palliative care education and training, surgical oncology nurses will be empowered to foster surgical-palliative care collaborations to improve patient outcomes.

Investigation of the knowledge and attitudes of patients who are undergoing hemodialysis treatment regarding their arteriovenous fistula

Purpose The major cause of morbidity in hemodialysis patients is arteriovenous fistula deficiency. The patient should have adequate knowledge to ensure arteriovenous fistula patency. Our aim is to investigate the knowledge and attitude of the patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment regarding arteriovenous fistula. Methods This study was conducted on 335 patients who met the study criteria. Data collection forms evaluating the “Socio-Demographic and Medical Characteristics” and “Knowledge and Attitudes about arteriovenous fistula” of the patients were developed following a literature review by the investigators. Results The rules most known and implemented were “to not measure blood pressure” and “to not draw blood from arms with fistula”, while the least known and implemented were “to use blood vessels on the hands in arms without fistula for intravenous intervention” and “to know which situations cause hypotension”. Conclusions Hemodialysis patients with arteriovenous fistulas need to know that developing self-care behavior is a means to reconcile lifestyles with current health status. Accordingly, planned training in self-care should be provided to hemodialysis patients and their families, and nurses should repeat information to patients who demonstrate a lack of knowledge.