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This qualitative descriptive study, underpinned by the naturalistic inquiry, explored the lived experiences of individuals awaiting coronary artery bypass grafting in Thailand. Eleven northern Thai individuals volunteered to participate. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews and analyzed using content analysis. Two major themes arose: uncertainty of life and striving to balance well-being. The first of these themes is presented in this paper. Uncertainty of life was recognized as a dynamic emotional state of being unsure or insecure in life, but its occurrence depended on the individual situation; it was described through two subthemes that had a profound effect on the participants: fear of death and fear of disability. Participants' uncertainty of life encompassed being unsure about the risks of dying from illness, both prior to and following the surgery, and surviving the surgery with a disability. These findings provide insight into the experiences of individuals awaiting coronary artery bypass grafting and will assist nurses and other healthcare providers in creating timely programs and appropriate interventions to reduce uncertainty of life while awaiting surgery.

Aim To improve hospitals disaster preparedness during floods. Background The Thai flood disaster in 2011 struck several sectors, including hospitals. It is necessary to build a disaster preparedness system that ensures that hospitals have the capacity to respond effectively to any kind of disaster. Methods This qualitative study was conducted using content analysis. Purposive sampling was used to select 15 participants, including doctors, nurses and other staff involved in disaster preparedness, and semi‐structured interviews were conducted with them. The study was reported according to COREQ guidelines. Results Healthcare personnel identified several ways in which flood disaster preparedness of hospitals may be enhanced. Three themes and eight subthemes were identified during the data analysis. The three themes were as follows: 1) ongoing efforts for flood prevention and mitigation at a national level; 2) developing operational guidelines to effectively prevent and resolve flood problems at provincial levels; and 3) increasing the levels of flood readiness at the hospital level. Conclusions The results of this study indicate strategies to help policymakers and health personnel enhance flood disaster preparedness measures at hospitals based on the experiences of hospital personnel involved in one of the worst flood disasters worldwide. Relevance to clinical practice Hospitals alone cannot deal with unpredictable events; they need additional assistance in disaster preparedness. There are three levels at which improving hospital flood disaster preparedness can take place: national, provincial and hospital levels. Nursing professionals participate in hospital disaster preparedness and work with multidisciplinary teams to provide services. Nurses should be prepared for such participation, as their involvement, through tailored services for hospital disaster preparedness, can expand the literature on nursing knowledge to improve clinical outcomes.

Objectives To develop a wound management record form for traumatic patients in the emergency department and to explore the feasibility of using the form to record wound management of traumatic patients in an emergency department. Methods This developmental study used the National Health and Medical Research Council’s Guide to the Development of Clinical Practice Guideline (1999) as the research framework for development of the record form. The form was tested for feasibility by 20 emergency nurses who recorded wound management for 70 trauma patients who also completed a Wound Management Record Form Feasibility Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results The Wound Management Record Form developed was a one-page paper form which includes a checklist, standard abbreviations, a full-body anatomical picture for recording location, and space for additional information. The form includes five components: wound assessment, wound cleansing, wound closure and dressing, antibiotics and vaccination, and follow-up. Evaluation of use of the form found the completeness of components 1-5 to be 88.57, 82.86, 90.00, 81.43, and 82.86 percent, respectively. The majority of participating nurses either agreed or strongly agreed that the form was easy and convenient, precise and valid, appropriate as a wound management record for the emergency department, and saved time in recording information. The majority felt the form to be effective and feasible for use in an emergency department. Conclusion The Developed Wound Management Record Form is both appropriate and feasible for use in emergency departments.

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