Implementation of evidence‐based nursing practice for diabetic patients: An Iranian experience

Evidence‐based nursing is recognized as an indicator of quality in nursing practice, a basis for accountability and the gold standard of professional nursing care. The aim of this study was to explore nurses’ experiences and perceptions about evidence‐based nursing practice in giving care to patients with diabetic foot ulcers. A qualitative research design was adopted, and content analysis was used to analyse data. Semistructured interviews were held with 19 bachelor‐degree nurses working in a teaching hospital in an urban area of Iran. During data analysis, two main themes developed: ‘structural backgrounds of the organization’ and ‘empowerment’. Accordingly, it was concluded that successful implementation of evidence‐based nursing requires the reconfiguration of the administrative structure in the hospital. In addition, it requires the support of nurse leaders to facilitate the implementation of evidence‐based nursing in the practice.     

Living with cardiac resynchronization therapy: Challenges for people with heart failure

The number of people with heart failure requiring implantation of a cardiac resynchronization device is increasing in Iran. Although this intervention is an effective life‐saving treatment, several challenges are associated with patients’ lifestyle after insertion. This study identified the challenges and coping mechanisms of Iranians with heart failure living with cardiac resynchronization therapy. A qualitative approach using conventional content analysis was adopted. Seventeen people with heart failure and three nurses were recruited between December 2014 and November 2015 from a teaching hospital and a private clinic in Rasht, Iran. Participants were interviewed using semi‐structured interviews lasting 30–60 min. Five themes emerged: (i) fear of implantation, (ii) the panic of receiving a shock from the device, (iii) lack of control over life, (iv) inadequacies of the healthcare system, and (v) psychosocial coping. A heightened understanding of these challenges and coping strategies could prepare healthcare professionals to provide better routine care, education, and support to the recipients of cardiac resynchronization therapy prior to implantation, during the recovery period, and for long‐term management.     

Laparoscopic rectopexy in solitary rectal ulcer

Patients with Solitary Rectal Ulcer Syndrome (SRUS) come to a physician with passage of mucus and bloody liquid within defecation. The treatment for SRUS is depended to the severity of symptoms and the existance of rectal prolapse. This study is a report of the assessing of rectopexy as surgical modalities for 62 medical treatment resistant SRUS patients who were referred to the gastrointestinal department of Shahid Sadoughi Medical University and Mojibian hospital. The present non-randomized clinical trial was carried out in 62 SRUS patients from 1991 till 2005. In these patients SRUS was confirmed by histology. They were symptomatic after conservative therapy and referred for surgical intervention. All of them had been undergone abdominal rectopexy by two laparoscopic surgeons. In our study, rectal bleeding and history of digitalization had the highest and lowest frequency of symptoms and signs in our cases respectively. Abdominal rectopexy was done in 39 cases and complete recovery in our cases was 69.23%. Complete recovery rate in cases with dysplasia (63.8%) was significantly higher than cases without that (P=0.04). Complete recovery rate in cases that had finger defecation (85%) was significantly higher than cases without that (50%) (P=0.03). Laparoscopic rectopexy is one of the main surgical techniques for treatment of SRUS. This technique can present complete recovery for SRUS patients. Some of them include topical medications, behavior modification supplemented by fiber and biofeedback and surgery were more available and studied. But it seems that education of SRUS patient conservative treatment remain cornerstone in the SRUS management.