Repository logo
 

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Hand hygiene management among nurses: collective health challenges
    Publication . Graveto, João; Santos, Cristina; Costa, Paulo Santos; Fernandes, Elisabete; Alarico, Susana; Osório, Nádia; Albano, Helena; Oliveira, Vânia
    Objective: To describe the determining factors in hand hygiene management among nurses and identify associated collective health challenges. Method: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Data were collected using a questionnaire that was applied in four internal medicine units of a hospital of reference in Portugal. Results: The sample was composed of 50 nurses aged 26 to 55 years (mean age of 34.88 years); 80% were women, 58% had a Bachelor’s degree, and had 5-30 years of nursing practice (X̄ =11.94;±5.92). The vast majority of nurses (90%) reported complying with the existing recommendations on hand hygiene in pre-established moments. However, none of the nurses were able to identify all the moments for hand hygiene using water and soap or alcohol-based handrub. Conclusion: This study shows that continuous training, adequate materials/structures in the units, and redesigned administration/supervision practices are determining factors to achieve higher levels of adherence to hand hygiene among nurses, as well as increased quality and safety in care delivery, which is a current collective health challenge. Descriptors: Health Services Administration; Hand Hygiene; Nurses; Infection Control; Public Health Nursing
  • Peripheral venipuncture in elderly patients: is near-infrared light technology an option to avoid vein depletion?
    Publication . Santos-Costa, Paulo; Sousa, Liliana B.; Serambeque, Beatriz; Bernardes, Rafael; Parreira, Pedro; Salgueiro-Oliveira, Anabela; Vieira, Margarida; Graveto, João
    Background: Peripheral venipuncture is the minimal invasive procedure most commonly performed in acute settings. However, several publications report that health professionals perform multiple puncture attempts until a successful catheterization or blood draw is achieved. Among the patients most affected by this reality are the elderly patients, who often display a number of factors that increase difficulty. In recent years, several recent technological aids, such as the Near-Infrared Light, have emerged in the medical devices market as potential facilitators of vein selection and puncture. However, while Near-Infrared Light devices are widely studied in pediatric settings, there are no known reviews of its use and applicability with elderly patients. Methods: A scoping review of the literature was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute method. Study relevance, data extraction, and synthesis were performed by two independent reviewers. Results: Three studies were included in this review. The use of NIR technology may improve the number of peripheral veins located in elderly patients, as well as reduce hematoma development and patient anxiety before, during and after the procedure. Moreover, one study briefly explored health professionals’ usability and technology acceptance related outcomes. Conclusions: While peripheral venipuncture of elderly patients assisted by NIR devices is still an understudied area, the studies found indicated results favorable to its clinical application. However, such results should be carefully analyzed, since potential bias and lack of larger study samples may prevent the generalization of the results.
  • Translation and validation of the modified A-DIVA scale to european portuguese: dicult intravenous access scale for adult patients
    Publication . Santos-Costa, Paulo; Sousa, Liliana B.; Loon, Fredericus H.J. van; Salgueiro-Oliveira, Anabela; Parreira, Pedro; Vieira, Margarida; Graveto, João
    Abstract: (1) Background: In Portugal, no accurate and reliable predictive instruments are known that could assist healthcare professionals in recognizing patients with diffcult venous access. Thus, this study aimed to translate and validate the Modified A-DIVA scale to European Portuguese. (2) Methods: A methodological and cross-sectional study was conducted in two phases: translation of the Modified A-DIVA scale to European Portuguese following six stages proposed by Beaton and collaborators, and assessment of its psychometric properties in a non-probability sample of 100 patients who required peripheral intravenous catheterization in a Portuguese hospital. (3) Results: The European version of the Modified A-DIVA scale (A-DM scale) showed excellent inter-rater accordance scores, k = 0.593 (95% CI, 0.847 to 0.970), p < 0.0005. The A-DM scale’s criterion and construct validity was assessed through predictive, convergent, and correlational analysis with variables identified in the literature as associated with diffcult peripheral intravenous access, with moderate to large magnitudes and statistical significance. (4) Conclusions: The A-DM scale is a reliable and valid instrument that can support healthcare professionals and researchers in the early identification of patients at risk of diffcult peripheral intravenous access. Future validation studies are needed to test the A-DM scale’s applicability across clinical settings and in different patient cohorts.