Nephrology nurses' perspectives working with patients experiencing needle-related distress

Point-of-Care Arterio-Venous Fistula Ultrasound in the Outpatient Hemodialysis Unit-A Survey on the Nurses' Perspective

The preservation of complication-free arterio-venous fistulas (AVF) for long-term hemodialysis (HD) use is associated with better overall patient outcomes, which is why this is a current goal in any HD center. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) for in-center AVF assessment has proven its benefits in the identification of vascular access (VA) complications and as an additional tool to avoid blind cannulation. The current study aims to assess the change in the HD nurses' perceptions regarding AVF POCUS use in the HD center. The nursing staff anonymously answered a Likert scale questionnaire with five questions related to various aspects of AVF POCUS utility shortly after the technique had been implemented and at a 5-year follow-up. The results showed an overall positive attitude toward this method, both at implementation and at follow-up, with no statistically significant score changes for four out of the five items assessed. However, we found a statistically significant reduction in the nurses' cannulation confidence scores at the 5-year follow-up (p < 0.01). Overall, AVF POCUS implementation is regarded as a useful tool, with major benefits both for the patient and for the medical team. The current study results aim to support the introduction of AVF POCUS assessment as a standard practice from the nursing staff's viewpoint. This study was not registered.

The Experience of Spanish Prison Nurses with the HIV Pandemic

INTRODUCTION

This study discusses the experiences of nurses in Spanish prisons during the HIV/AIDS pandemic, emphasizing administrative changes and adaptive measures, such as the creation of the Subdirectorate General of Penitentiary Health.

OBJECTIVE

We describe the experiences of nurses in Spanish penitentiary centers in the face of the HIV/AIDS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The interpretative and phenomenological approach explored experiences between 1981 and 2023 through focus groups and convenience sampling. Participants were recruited through telephone calls and telematic meetings using Microsoft Teams. Four key themes were identified: the stigmatization of inmates, changes in nursing, the importance of training and resources, and equal treatment between genders.

RESULTS

The nursing vision focused on gathering information, providing comprehensive patient support, and sharing personal experiences.

DISCUSSION

This research provides a historical perspective on the adaptation of prison nursing to the pandemic, highlighting coping processes and suggesting future lines of research on the experiences of inmates, prison guards, and surveillance officers.

CONCLUSIONS

We highlight the low media visibility of the pandemic in prisons, underlining the importance of understanding and valuing the nursing experience in prison settings during health crises.