Background Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) may cause complications when adequate and appropriate care is not provided. To avoid these complications, caregivers’ experiences and practices must be considered. Methods This study used the phenomenological qualitative research method. Twenty‐one caregivers underwent in‐depth interviews and were observed for PEG practices. Interview and observational data were analyzed using content analysis. Results This study revealed 8 themes and 24 subthemes under 3 categories of PEG management, social‐emotional change of the caregivers, and expectations, and it was observed that caregivers made errors in stoma care, tube feeding, and medication administration through the PEG tube. Conclusion Results indicated that comprehensive and practical discharge training, and home care and counseling services should be provided to effectively address the challenges faced by caregivers of patients with PEG.

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OBJECTIVES Driveline infections continue to be a significant complication following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Driveline exit-site care is crucial for the prevention of infections; however, there are no uniform guidelines. The goal of this study was to provide an overview of the currently published driveline exit-site care protocols in patients with LVAD. METHODS A systematic literature review was performed. Studies before 15 December 2020 were included if the number of driveline infections was a primary outcome and the driveline exit-site care protocol was explained. RESULTS Eleven articles were included in the systematic review, including 1602 patients with LVADs. The median of the frequency of driveline infections in the articles was 13.8% with a range of 0–52.6%. There was a marked variability in the methods of care of driveline exit sites, without a standardized driveline dressing technique in patients with LVADs. The frequency of driveline infections was 6–7.5% in studies using a dressing kit that included chlorhexidine, a silver-based dressing and an anchoring device. Furthermore, there was variability in the anchoring devices and the frequency of dressing changes, which varied from daily to weekly. No specific anchoring device or change frequency was found to be superior. CONCLUSIONS Based on this systematic review, driveline exit care protocols that included chlorhexidine, a silver-based dressing, the use of an anchoring device and dressing kits might be best in reducing driveline infection rates. However, prospective studies with larger cohorts are needed to establish the optimal protocol for driveline exit-site care.

Background Cardiovascular nurses’ skills and experiences of cardiac critical care, management of cardiovascular emergencies, and mechanical circulatory support have been considered vital in providing nursing care for COVID-19 patients in intensive care units during the COVID-19 pandemic. To our knowledge, there are no studies have focused on the contribution and experiences of cardiovascular nurses in the critical care of COVID-19 patients. Objectives To explore the experiences of cardiovascular nurses working in a COVID-19 intensive care unit during the pandemic. Methods The study was conducted as a qualitative study with phenomenological approach in June-December 2020. Study data were gathered from ten cardiovascular nurses through semi-structured interviews. Results Six themes emerged from the interview data: the duties and responsibilities in a COVID-19 intensive care unit; the differences of COVID-19 intensive care unit practices from cardiovascular practices; the transferrable skills of cardiovascular nurses in a COVID-19 intensive care unit; the difficulties encountered working in a COVID-19 intensive care unit; the difficulty of working with personal protective equipment; and the psychosocial effects of working in a COVID-19 intensive care unit. Conclusion Cardiovascular nurses made an important contribution to the management of nursing services with their experiences and skills in the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Bu çalışma karaciğer transplantasyonu yapılan hastalarda immünsupresif ilaç kullanımına uyumu belirlemek amacıyla yapılmıştır.

The novel coronavirus disease, which started in China and affected the whole world, has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization due to its high rapid spread and mortality rates. The rapid spread of the disease and need for intensive care caused the establishment of pandemic hospitals in Turkey and all over the world. Special healthcare teams have been formed to take part in the management of coronavirus cases in pandemic hospitals. One of the most important team members who take the most responsibility is nurses. Nurses working in different fields took part in the pandemic clinics and intensive care units in this process. Cardiac surgery nurses, who are experienced in critical patient care, mechanical ventilation support, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, mechanical circulation support, and emergency situation management, also served on the pandemic teams. In this article, the duties and responsibilities of cardiac surgery nurses, their problems and needs during the pandemic process, and their contribution to the process were evaluated.

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