Dignity represents the essence of nursing care; hence, nurses are professionally responsible for promoting understanding about the promotion, provision, and preservation of every patient's dignity, while considering contextual differences. The aim of this study was to explore the factors that influence, promote, or compromise patient dignity. A purposeful sample of 14 participants with hospitalization experience was chosen, and individual in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted for data collection. Using inductive content analysis, the themes and subthemes related to factors influencing patients' dignity were explored: "persona" ("personal beliefs" and "personal characteristics"), "communication behaviors" ("verbal interaction," "body language," "compassionate behavior," and "devoting enough time"), and "staff conduct" ("professional commitment," "adequate human resources," and "staff's proficiency and competency"). The findings revealed that it is essential to expand nurses' insights and knowledge about preserving patients' dignity and the factors that influence these. Recognizing and focusing on these factors will help nurses to establish practical measures for preserving and promoting patients' dignity and providing more dignified care at the bedside.

It is essential to recognize the humanness and individuality of each patient to preserve and promote human dignity in diverse cross-cultural settings. The findings support and expand current understanding about the objective and subjective nature of dignity preservation in cross-cultural nursing.

Although hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a valuable treatment in many life-threatening pediatric disorders, a large number of children who receive hematopoietic stem cell transplantation are faced with a variety of physical and psychological problems throughout this process. In this study, we explored the lived experiences of these children during their treatment to provide a better understanding of their main concerns, emotions, and expectations. The participants were six children, aged between 6 and 17 years, who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Data were collected through individual, in-depth, and semistructured interviews. Using interpretive phenomenological analysis, the findings revealed that the children experienced "transplantation rejoicing" in this "difficult passage", which was associated with "deepening of family ties". Awareness of these experiences, feelings, and concerns can help in the development of more professional interventions to provide children with holistic care during their hospitalization.

Background It is widely believed that using personal protective equipment (PPE) provides high levels of protection for healthcare workers (HCWs) in the fight against coronavirus disease (COVID‐19). However, the long‐term use of PPE is inconvenient for HCWs and may cause physical discomfort. These factors could result in poor compliance and disrupt the health and safety of HCWs, which may negatively affect the patient's safety. Objective This study aimed to investigate the literature for the purpose of collecting convincing evidence of HCWs' physical problems associated with PPE use during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods This scoping review was conducted using PubMed, Embase, ProQuest, Science Direct, Springer, Biomed Central, and Google Scholar to identify the related literature. Results HCWs have experienced various physical disorders including skin, respiratory, musculoskeletal, nervous, urinary, and circulatory system problems that are associated with PPE in various body systems. Among these, skin problems were the most frequent physical problems. Conclusions The literature demonstrated the adverse impacts of using PPE on HCWs. Therefore, healthcare policymakers should take the appropriate measures to improve the work environment during the COVID‐19 pandemic, which could consequently prevent and mitigate the adverse effects of using PPE.

Background: Patients with cancer deal with physical, psychosocial, spiritual, and existential problems that impact on their quality of life. This study aimed to assess the effect of dignity therapy on the quality of life of mentioned patients. Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 50 patients with cancer hospitalized in a palliative care center in Tehran, Iran, in 2017-18 who fulfilled inclusion criteria were selected through convenience sampling. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life-C15-Palliative (EORTC-QLQ-C15-PAl) questionnaire was filled by patients before and 2 weeks after dignity therapy. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, mean, and standard deviation, as well as inferential statistics, including independent t-test and Chi-square test. Results: Results showed that dignity-therapy led to more improvement in the quality of life of the intervention group (t 35,18 = 4.82, p = 0.001). There was also a significant difference between the two groups in terms of the physical functioning scale (t 32,96 = -2.60,p = 0.01) and emotional functioning (t 45,69 = 6.54, p < 0.001). We also found that dignity-therapy led to more improvement in nausea and vomiting (χ 2 = 5.71, p = 0.02), insomnia (χ 2 = 15.78, p < 0.001), appetite (χ 2 = 5.09, p = 0.02), and constipation (χ 2 = 12.50, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The application of new approaches like-dignity therapy could benefit patients with cancer in terms of reducing their distress, improving symptom severity, physical and emotional functioning, and total quality of life.

There is a lack of knowledge regarding perceptions, feelings, and experiences of Ghanaian patients living with ESRD. This study aimed to discover the experience and meaning of living with ESRD. This qualitative study was conducted using Heideggerian hermeneutic phenomenology. A total of 13 participants were purposefully selected, and data was collected through individual semi-structured interviews. The recorded interviews were transcribed and analyzed using Diekelmann, Allen, and Tanner method. After the final analysis, five main themes emerged: Spiritual fluctuation, Living in uncertainty, Period of agony and frustration, Tough fortification, and Changed roles and status. This study provided deep insight and understanding regarding the lived experiences of patients living with end-stage renal disease in Ghana. The results of this study may benefit nursing care in terms of considering the patients’ lived experiences to provide quality and person-centered care.

Background: Mechanically ventilated patients experience a high level of anxiety due to their therapeutic condition. Anxiety is one of the strongest emotions that patients under mechanical ventilation experience due to their inability to communicate with others. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of using a communication board on these patients’ by assessing serum cortisol level and vital signs. Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was conducted in 2020. This study included 60 ventilated patients, who had been randomly assigned into two intervention and control groups. After blood sampling and evaluation of cortisol and physiological parameters, patients in the control group received routine communication by nurses, whereas those in the intervention group received communication using a communication board. Subsequently, the serum cortisol level and physiological parameters were measured again. Results: No significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of demographic characteristics. There was a significant difference in blood cortisol levels before and after in the intervention group ( t 29 = 15.52, p < 0.001). After the intervention, the intervention group's systolic blood pressure ( t 58 = −3.78, p < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure ( t 58 = −3.79, p < 0.001), and heart rate ( t 58 = −2.09, p = 0.041) were significantly lower than the control group. Conclusions: Communication through a communication board in mechanically ventilated patients leads to decreased cortisol levels and physiological parameters. It is recommended to do more studies about communication boards’ content and use this tool for more prolonged periods.

Aim To explore nurses’ perspectives on and experiences of safety‐related organisational challenges during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) outbreak by Iranian nurses. Background In different clinical contexts, nurses face numerous organisational challenges threatening their safety because of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Introduction Exploring nurses’ perceptions towards safety‐oriented organisational challenges might inform nurse managers, healthcare managers, educators and policymakers on the priorities that should be considered to increase organisations’ readiness and safety. Methods This qualitative descriptive study is reported according to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines. Through purposeful sampling, 19 participants were involved. The research data were collected from March to August 2021 by conducting semi‐structured interviews that were analysed through the content analysis approach. Findings Three organisation‐related safety challenges experienced were related to (1) human resource, (2) educational and (3) workforce protection issues. Discussion Nurses experienced several safety issues related to the complexity faced by the health care organisations during the pandemic, exacerbated by previous frailties of the nursing system. Conclusion The three challenges that emerged might be considered a priority in building pandemic plans, transforming the experiences of nurses as a source of learning for all, capitalising on their suggestions and rendering healthcare facilities ready to deal safely with future crises. Implications for nursing and health policy Adopting appropriate measures to decrease human resource issues and that related to education, and promoting workforce health protection, are both recommended to improve nurses’ work environment and satisfy their safety needs.