Introduction: Heparin is a sulfated polysaccharide belonging to the glycosaminoglycan family with strong anticoagulant activity. It has been widely used to maintain intravascular catheters in patients requiring intravenous medication. It is believed that heparin prevents thrombus formation in the intravascular catheter, but since the 1980s, the necessity of the heparin solution for peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) flushing has been questioned in several clinical trials. According to the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), there are four special categories of High Alert Medications (HAMs), including heparin. Aim: The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the efficacy of normal saline versus heparin solution in maintaining the patency and functionality of the PIVC and avoiding complications. Methodology: A systematic review using PubMed and Cochrane Library databases was conducted. Original research studies of hospitalized patients with PIVC, regardless of age, published in English, over the last decade (2009-2019) were eligible for inclusion. Results: The review concluded in 10 studies that met the inclusion criteria. From these studies, it appears that it is not fully documented whether the normal saline (N/S 0,9%) is superior to heparin solution (H/S) in the flushing of the PIVC for maintaining its patency and prevent complications. Researchers tend to support the use of N/S 0,9% due to safety, error avoidance, efficiency, ease of use and cost-effectiveness. Concern about the possible complications of the heparin solution was the cause of guidelines development for N/S 0,9% in countries such as Australia. Conclusions: The use of normal saline seems to outweigh the heparin solution in maintaining the patency of PIVC.

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Introduction: When the pressure ulcer does not respond to established standard care, then international guidelines recommend the use of alternative forms of therapy such as electrical stimulation, negative pressure wound treatment, ultraviolet radiation, electromagnetic field therapy or ultrasound. Low and high frequency ultrasound is used to treat various types of chronic ulcers including venous, diabetic and pressure ulcers.Aim: The aim of the present systematic review was to investigate the effectiveness of ultrasound in promoting the healing of pressure ulcers.Method and Material: A systematic review was carried out in the electronic databases PubMed and Cochrane Library. Inclusion criteria were primary and secondary studies, whose sample were patients with pressure ulcers, regardless of age, published in English language of the last decade (2008-2018).Results: The review revealed 5 articles that met the inclusion criteria. The results of these studies showed an advantage in the use of ultrasound for the treatment of pressure ulcers in relation to the standard wound care only.Conclusions: The use of ultrasound seems to be a process which improves and accelerates the healing of pressure ulcers. The method of low and high frequency ultrasound in the treatment of chronic wounds, presents many advantages. It appears to be easy to use, painless, less stressful and better accepted by patients.

Introduction: In Greece, it is estimated that annually 600 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed, being the third most common form of cancer in women after breast cancer (22.9%) and colon cancer (9.4%).In addition to being life-threatening, such a diagnosis can also represent the psychological impact of gynecological cancers; there are negative emotional consequences of such a diagnosis for both patients and their families affecting the quality of life (QOL) of patients with gynecological cancer.Aim: To examine the quality of life (QOL) of women with recent diagnosis of gynecologic cancer (RDGC) in Greece during their illness and to identify the psychosocial problems and the symptoms faced by women in the early stages of the disease.Material and Method: A prospective study of 63 patients with RDGC before undergoing hysterectomy, who completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire.Results: The patients were between 45 and 50 years old (19.6%). Impaired physical functioning of women with RDGC was associated with strenuous activity or a long walk. Emotionally, patients showed a lack of concentration, tension, anxiety, irritation and depression. Age was negatively correlated with depression (p-value = 0.05<0.1). More than half of women had pain and few of them suffered a lot. Pain, shortness of breath (dyspnea) and fatigue caused discomfort and interference with daily living activities. More than half had sleeping disorders. Constipation and lack of appetite were common symptoms of the digestive system. Most women had no social or financial problems and rated their quality of life “very good”.Conclusions: Women with a RDGC, besides the common physical symptoms such as fatigue, pain, anorexia, sleep disorders and loss of appetite, had also emotional disorders. The feeling of depression was present in most patients. It was found that the younger the patient, the more depressed they feel.