1. |
- Warrén Stomberg, Margareta, et al.
(author)
-
Symptoms and signs in interpreting Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) intoxication - an explorative study
- 2014
-
In: Scandinavian Journal of Trauma Resuscitation & Emergency Medicine. - London : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1757-7241. ; 22
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Acute poisoning with gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) has been a serious medical and social problem in different parts of the world including Sweden. GHB is a drug of abuse which acts primarily as central nervous system (CNS) depressants. GHB has serious toxicity, although many young users do not recognise GHB as a dangerous drug. The aim of this pilot study was to explore how symptoms with risk of failure in vital functions would be valued among professionals that encounter GHB intoxication in the emergency phase. Methods: A web-based survey focusing on the assessment of vital clinical signs for possible GHB intoxication using a numeric scale was carried out during April and May 2011. The participants, n 105, are all professionals who encounter GHB intoxicated in the emergency phase, but have different levels of training in GHB intoxication, mainly Registered Nurses (RNs) in southwest Sweden, employed in pre-hospital or emergency departments at somatic and most psychiatric health care facilities, as well as police officers who in their work come into contact with drug users. Responses in the survey were scored according to risk of GHB intoxication with serious failure of vital functions. The score value was then referred to a so-called evidence based priority (EBP) scale and analysed using descriptive statistics and Fisher's exact test. Results: Cardiac arrest, coma, hypoxia, general convulsions, slow respiratory and heart rate and pale skin are symptoms with the highest risk of serious failure in vital physical functions and were predominantly recognised as such. Conclusion: Despite the professionals' different levels of training in GHB intoxication, all of them were relatively well aware of and in accordance regarding the most risky symptoms. The interpretation score for the less risky symptoms and signs of GHB intoxication varied depending on their degree of training. The results should be viewed cautiously, as the size of the professional groups and their general knowledge of critical symptoms of GHB poisoning varied.
|
|
2. |
- Abdalrahim, Maysoon S, 1962, et al.
(author)
-
The effect of postoperative pain management program on improving nurses’ knowledge and attitudes toward pain
- 2011
-
In: Nurse Education in Practice. - : Elsevier BV. - 1471-5953. ; 11:4, s. 250-255
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Effective postoperative pain treatment is an essential component to good quality of care. The purpose of this study was to explore nurses’ knowledge of and attitudes toward pain in surgical wards before and after implementation of a postoperative management program at a university hospital in Jordan. The program consisted of an education program for nurses, and its effect was evaluated by using a pre- and post-intervention design. Sixty five registered nurses were asked to respond to a 21 items questionnaire, and a total of 240 patients’ records were audited. After implementation of the program, the mean scores for all the questionnaire items were found to increase to 75%, with an average of 16/21 for the correct answers. There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) between the number of correct answers between nurses’ responses in the pre-intervention phase and their responses in the post-intervention phase for most of the questionnaire items. Also, there was a statistically significant improvement in the documentation of patients’ care in 85% of the audited patients’ records. It was recommended to introduce an acute pain services (APS) using a well established and safe pain management routines to increase the quality of care.
|
|
3. |
- Augustinsson, Annelie, et al.
(author)
-
Red-Haired People's Altered Responsiveness to Pain, Analgesics, and Hypnotics : Myth or Fact? A Narrative Review
- 2024
-
In: Journal of Personalized Medicine. - : MDPI. - 2075-4426. ; 14:6
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Red hair has been linked to altered sensitivity to pain, analgesics, and hypnotics. This alteration may be impacted by variants in the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene, which are mainly found in redheads. The aim of this narrative review was to explore and present the current state of knowledge on red hair and its plausible associations with altered responsiveness to pain, analgesics, and hypnotics. Structured searches in the PubMed, CINAHL Complete, and Scopus electronic databases were conducted. Evidence suggests that women with red hair have an increased sensitivity to pain. Conversely, data also indicate a higher pain tolerance in homozygous carriers of MC1R variant alleles. Varied responses to analgesia have been reported, with both increased analgesic responsiveness in homozygous carriers of MC1R variant alleles and less analgesia in redheads. Data indicate an increased need for hypnotics in redheads. However, failed attempts to find statistical associations between red hair and altered responsiveness to hypnotics are also evident. Even though there seems to be an association between red hair and an altered responsiveness to pain, analgesics, and/or hypnotics, the results of this narrative review are inconclusive. Further research studies with larger populations and MC1R testing are needed.
|
|
4. |
- Bergström, Annika, et al.
(author)
-
Comfort Theory in Practice-Nurse Anesthetists' Comfort Measures and Interventions in a Preoperative Context
- 2018
-
In: Journal of Perianesthesia Nursing. - : Elsevier BV. - 1089-9472 .- 1532-8473. ; 33:2, s. 162-171
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: The Comfort Theory proposes a systematic work approach to respond to patients' holistic needs. The usefulness of the Comfort Theory in the perioperative setting should be investigated. The aim of this study was to describe and analyze the nurse anesthetist's comfort measures in the preoperative context on the basis of the Comfort Theory. Design: Qualitative observational study. Methods: Semi-structured, clinical observation data collection in the preoperative context and deductive thematic analysis. Findings: The nurse anesthetist's comfort measures in the preoperative phase in the operating room department aim to ensure the patient's needs of relief, ease and transcendence in the physical, psycho-spiritual, environmental and socio-cultural contexts. Conclusion: The application of the Comfort Theory to daily work in the preoperative phase is of value for the nurse anesthetist in becoming more aware of the individual holistic needs of the patient and in this way adapting and initiating comfort measures and interventions.
|
|
5. |
|
|
6. |
|
|
7. |
- Brattwall, Metha, 1952, et al.
(author)
-
Brief review: Theory and practice of minimal fresh gas flow anesthesia.
- 2012
-
In: Canadian journal of anaesthesia. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1496-8975 .- 0832-610X. ; 59:8, s. 785-797
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PURPOSE: The aim of this brief review is to provide an update on the theory regarding minimal fresh gas flow techniques for inhaled general anesthesia. The article also includes an update and discussion of the practical aspects associated with minimal-flow anesthesia, including the advantages, potential limitations, and safety considerations of this important anesthetic technique. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Reducing the fresh gas flow to<1 L·min(-1) during maintenance of anesthesia is associated with several benefits. Enhanced preservation of temperature and humidity, cost savings through more efficient utilization of inhaled anesthetics, and environmental considerations are three key reasons to implement minimal-flow and closed-circuit anesthesia, although potential risks are hypoxic gas mixtures and inadequate depth of anesthesia. The basic elements of the related pharmacology need to be considered, especially pharmacokinetics of the inhaled anesthetics. The third-generation inhaled anesthetics, sevoflurane and desflurane, have low blood and low tissue solubility, which facilitates rapid equilibration between the alveolar and effect site (brain) concentrations and makes them ideally suited for low-flow techniques. The use of modern anesthetic machines designed for minimal-flow techniques, leak-free circle systems, highly efficient CO(2) absorbers, and the common practice of utilizing on-line real-time multi-gas monitor, including essential alarm systems, allow for safe and cost-effective minimal-flow techniques during maintenance of anesthesia. The introduction of new anesthetic machines with built-in closed-loop algorithms for the automatic control of inspired oxygen and end-tidal anesthetic concentration will further enhance the feasibility of minimal-flow techniques. CONCLUSIONS: With our modern anesthesia machines, reducing the fresh gas flow of oxygen to 0.3-0.5 L·min(-1) and using third-generation inhaled anesthetics provide a reassuringly safe anesthetic technique. This environmentally friendly practice can easily be implemented for elective anesthesia; furthermore, it will facilitate cost savings and improve temperature homeostasis.
|
|
8. |
- Brattwall, Metha, 1952, et al.
(author)
-
Dagkirurgin i Sverige sker strukturerat och med enhetliga rutiner
- 2012
-
In: Läkartidningen. - 0023-7205. ; 109:41, s. 1824-1827
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Day surgery, come and leave hospital the day of surgery, is today well established practice in Sweden. A web-based questionnaire sent to all day surgical units in Sweden early 2011 asking about current routines and praxis for 2010 showed a remarkably coherent praxis. The routines used were seemingly well in line with evidence based medicine. There were no set age or body weight limits for being acceptable for day surgery, patients were however assessed on an individual base preoperatively by an anaesthetist. Multimodal pain management started prior to surgery is standard of care. Most units are also providing patients prescription and or take home packages with analgesics at discharge after surgery, also strong opioids are not uncommonly send home when needed in limited amounts. Escort to assist when leaving hospital after surgery is commonly requested but not an absolute demand. Follow-up after discharge is not done on a regular base. Also interaction and information with primary care is only done infrequently. Pain, PONV and social circumstances are the most common causes for hospital unplanned admission.
|
|
9. |
|
|
10. |
- Brattwall, Metha, 1952, et al.
(author)
-
Patient assessed health profile: a six-month quality of life questionnaire survey after day surgery.
- 2010
-
In: Scand J Public Health. - : SAGE Publications. - 1651-1905 .- 1403-4948. ; 38:6, s. 574-579
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AIM: Patient assessed quality of life is one of the principal end-points after day surgery. The aim of the present study was to describe the natural course, differences and timing of final evaluation for three common day surgical procedures; inguinal hernia repair (IHR), arthroscopic procedures (AS); and cosmetic breast augmentation (CBA). Method: A total of 355 patients prospectively completed an extended eight-item EQ-5D questionnaire (pain, mobility, mood, self-care, activities, sleep, sex, need for analgesic), preoperatively and at one, three and six months postoperatively. RESULTS: Pain and mobility problems were frequently reported prior to surgery among IHR and AS patients, while CBA patients had less deviation from normal in the preoperative health profile. The proportions of patients reporting surgery-related deviations were 35%, 20% and 5% at one, three and six months respectively. After one month, 50% of AS patients still suffered subjective discomfort as compared to 13% and 20% of the IHR and CBA patients, respectively. Pain and ambulation problems were the most common symptoms in all groups. Six months after surgery, 94% of IHR, 89% of AS and 97% of CBA patients were fully recovered. CONCLUSIONS: No major morbidity or severe complications were observed and patients' satisfaction was high overall. We found procedure-specific changes in the postoperative health profile after day surgery. AS patients recovered more slowly compared with IHR and CBA patients. We conclude that time for final evaluation differs significantly between procedures.
|
|