Evolving with technology: Machine learning as an opportunity for operating room nurses to improve surgical care-A commentary

Development and psychometric properties evaluation of nurses' innovative behaviours inventory in Iran: protocol for a sequential exploratory mixed-method study

INTRODUCTION

Nurses' innovative behaviours play a crucial role in addressing the challenges including adapting to emerging technologies, resource limitations and social realities such as population ageing that are intricately tied to today's healthcare landscape. Innovative behaviours improve healthcare quality, patient safety and satisfaction. Organisational factors and individual attributes influence nurses' inclination to innovate. With the rise of artificial intelligence and novel technology, healthcare institutions are actively engaged in the pursuit of identifying nurses who demonstrate innovative qualities. Developing a comprehensive protocol to elucidate the various dimensions of nurses' innovative behaviours and constructing a valid measuring instrument, rooted in this protocol represents a significant step in operationalising this concept.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The study encompasses two phases: a qualitative study combined with a literature review, followed by the design and psychometric evaluation of the instrument. To ensure diversity, a maximum variation purposive sampling method will be used during the qualitative phase to select clinical nurses. In-depth semistructured interviews will be conducted and analysed using conventional content analysis. Additionally, a comprehensive literature review will supplement any missing features not captured in the qualitative phase, ensuring their inclusion in the primary tool. The subsequent quantitative phase will focus on evaluating the questionnaire's psychometric properties, including face, content and construct validity through exploratory factor analyses (including at least 300 samples) and confirmatory factor analyses (including at least 200 samples). Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), reliability (test-retest), responsiveness, interpretability and scoring will also be assessed.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study originates from a doctoral dissertation in nursing. Permission and ethical approval from Semnan University of Medical Sciences has been obtained with reference code IR.SEMUMS.1401.226. The study's findings will ultimately be submitted as a research paper to a peer-reviewed journal.

Novel Designed Surgical Drapes Reducing Fluid Permeability in the Surgical Critical Area of a Sterile Operation Interface: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Aim. To compare the impact and cost effects of medical long fiber polyester drapes and cotton fabric drapes on operative sterile operation interfaces. Background. The comparison of the properties of the commonly used surgical drapes materials in terms of leakage, device slip, and prevention of intraoperative adverse events is not clear. Method. A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted in the operating room of a tertiary hospital in Chengdu, China. A total of 400 patients who underwent urology surgery were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups by computer, the study group (200 cases) selected the new long-fiber polyester cloth, while the control group (200 cases) selected conventional cotton fabric surgical drapes during the operation to maintain a sterile operating interface. The impermeability and water absorption of surgical drapes, the rate of device slip and skin scald in surgical patients, and the cost effect of the two kinds of surgical drapes were compared. Results. The long fiber polyester surgical drapes were superior to conventional cotton cloth in water absorption (g/m2) (835 ± 15.8 VS 225 ± 21.0, t = 328.261, $P<0.001$ ), preventing surgical site infections (2.5% VS 8.0%, χ2 = 6.081, $P=0.014$ ), device slip (7.5% VS 17.0%, χ2 = 8.396, $P=0.004$ ), patients from burning (0 VS 1, Fisher $P=1.0$ ), and total cost per use ($) (0.83 VS 0.96–1.09). Conclusion. Long fiber polyester fabric has a stronger antipenetration ability of fluid and microorganisms thus forming an effective protective barrier. It also has strong hygroscopicity, and its special design can prevent the occurrence of sliding of surface instruments and skin scald in patients. In addition, its cost effect is superior. Implications for Nursing Management. Operating room nursing managers can introduce long fiber polyester drapes into the selection of medical textiles to construct aseptic surgical barriers and prevent surgical site infection.