Kathrine Hoffmann Kusk

Operating room nurses’ positioning of anesthetized surgical patients

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To describe the incidence of problems associated with the positioning of anaesthetised surgical patients. BACKGROUND The positioning of the anaesthetised surgical patient is a complex task. The interdisciplinary nature with several professional groups in a surgical team may lead to conflict between the positioning standards and individual consideration for the patient. Existing knowledge of the relationship between the different positioning forms, surgical team competences and the applicability and availability of positioning equipment is sparse. DESIGN A descriptive cross-sectional study. METHOD An electronic questionnaire was sent to 833 OR nurses employed at four public university hospitals. With 481 responses, a response rate of 57·7% was achieved. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed using the spss software package (version 19.00). RESULTS Positioning of the patient was found to be particularly difficult for the prone (43·8%), lithotomy (53·4%) and lateral (65·5%) positions. Lack of positioning competences and equipment for arm support, standardised equipment for leg support and standard sizes of OR beds seemed to complicate positioning. CONCLUSION Lack of appropriate positioning equipment and positioning competences in surgical teams, combined with the poor availability of positioning equipment in ORs were found to cause problems. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE There is a need for innovative solutions to develop modern forms of positioning equipment allowing individual consideration of the patient. Further research is required on positioning equipment, optimisation of continuity and the establishment of permanent surgical teams.

Investigating the motives of patients with knee OA undergoing a TKR: A qualitative interview study

Clinical Nursing Research Unit, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark Research Unit for Musculoskeletal Function and Physiotherapy, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark Department of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Næstved‐Slagelse‐ Ringsted Hospitals, Slagelse, Denmark Correspondence Erik Elgaard Sørensen, Clinical Nursing Research Unit, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark. Email: ees@rn.dk

Intensive care doctors’ preferences for arterial oxygen tension levels in mechanically ventilated patients

Oxygen is liberally administered in intensive care units (ICUs). Nevertheless, ICU doctors’ preferences for supplementing oxygen are inadequately described. The aim was to identify ICU doctors’ preferences for arterial oxygenation levels in mechanically ventilated adult ICU patients.

Alcohol screening in North Denmark Region hospitals: Frequency of screening and experiences of health professionals

Background: Alcohol consumption is a risk factor for disease, disability and death. Approximately 20% of all hospital admissions are alcohol related. In Denmark, hospitalised patients undergo systematic health risk screenings to establish preventive initiatives if the screening detects a risk. The frequency and usability of alcohol screening and health professionals’ experiences of the screening is unknown. Aim: To examine the frequency and usability of alcohol screening at North Denmark Region hospitals, as well as health professionals’ experiences of screening for alcohol. Methods: This study consisted of an initial audit of 120 patient records from medical and surgical units at four hospitals assessing information on alcohol screening. This was followed by six focus-group interviews with health professionals (n = 20) regarding their experiences of conducting alcohol screening. Results: Among overall health screenings, screening for alcohol and tobacco smoking was performed most frequently (81.8% and 85%). Alcohol screening scored the lowest percentage for usability (67.7%). Hospital-based alcohol screening was perceived ambiguously leading to a schism between standardised alcohol screening and the individual needs of the patient. Health professionals described different patient types, each with their perceived needs, and screening was associated with taboo and reluctance to engage in alcohol screening of some patient groups. Conclusion: This study revealed factors that influence health professionals working with hospital-based alcohol screening. The variation in and complexity of alcohol screening suggests that screening practice is an ambiguous task that needs continuous reflection and development to ensure that health professionals are prepared for the task.