Purpose
This study describes the attitudes toward Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), physical discomfort with wearing PPE, obsession with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), and perceived psychosocial stress among operating room nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic and identifies factors affecting perceived psychosocial stress.
Methods
This study used a descriptive, cross-sectional design to evaluate physical discomfort experienced when wearing PPE, attitudes toward PPE, and obsession with COVID-19. We collected the data between December 2020 and January 2021. The participants were 127 nurses who worked in operating rooms at three hospitals in South Korea. Perceived psychosocial stress was assessed using the Psychosocial Well-being Index Short Form. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression.
Results
Having a bachelor's degree (β=.28, p=.031), attitude toward PPE (β=-.22, p=.011), experiencing shortness of breath while wearing PPE (β=.26, p=.008), and obsession with COVID-19 (β=.23, p=.006) were identified as factors affecting the psychosocial stress of nurses who wore PPE and participated in surgery.
Conclusion
Nurses who had a negative attitude toward PPE, experienced shortness of breath while wearing it, and had a high level of obsession with COVID-19 had higher psychosocial stress. To reduce the psychosocial stress of nurses who wear PPE and participate in surgery, we suggest research on education that can reduce repetitive thinking about infectious diseases, such as obsession with COVID-19. Additionally, support is needed to improve positive attitudes toward PPE and alleviate physical discomfort.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to test the effect of visual information blocking nursing intervention (VIBNI) on stress and anxiety of patients undergo chemoport insertion in operating rooms.
METHODS
A non-equivalent control quasi-experimental design was used. Forth eight participants were enrolled and randomized to experimental group (VIBNI group, n=24) and control group (n=24). All participants received chemoport insertion under local anesthesia. During chemoport insertion, participants allocated to the VIBNI group had their both eyes covered with gamma-sterilized white gauze (5cm × 20cm, 0.5cm in thickness and 4g in weight) that can transmit light of 330Lux. Data from 43 participants were analysed after excluding 5 participants who withdrew (3 in the VIBNI group, and 2 in the control group) due to hypertension and anxiety history. Blood pressure and pulse were measured for stress. Blood sample (3 mL) was obtained before and during the procedure to measure serum cortisol level. State anxiety and VAS was measured for anxiety.
RESULTS
The difference of cortisol level between two groups was statistically significant after VIBNI intervention (p=.007). In terms of systolic blood pressure (p=.005) and pulse (p < .001), interaction of two groups appeared to be significant over time.
CONCLUSION
In our sample, participants received the VIBNI reported lower stress responses (cortisol level, systolic blood pressure and pulse) during chemoport insertion. Based upon our preliminary results, further evaluation in a larger sample and objective anxiety is warranted.

Citations

• Effects of Forced-Air Warming Therapy on Anxiety, Pain, and Body Temperature of Patients under Local Anesthesia during Surgery: A Quasi-Experimental Study
  Jeongmin Lee, Yeojin Yi
  Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing.2023; 30(2): 206.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of study was to describe operation room nurses' ethical values in relationship to the attitude and meaning of life toward organ transplantation in brain death.
METHODS
This study used a descriptive correlational survey design. Participants were 174 nurses who had attended to organ transplantation surgery in brain death more than once. Data were collected from September 1 to 11, 2015 and were analyzed using independent t-test, ANOVA, Scheffé test, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and hierarchical multiple regression with SPSS 22.0.
RESULTS
Educational level, attitude on organ transplantation in brain death, and meaning of life were significant variables predicting the level of nursing ethical value, accounting for 82.6% of the variability.
CONCLUSION
Continued education and self-development programs should be encouraged for operating room nurses to establish professional nursing ethics as well as positive meaning of life and attitude toward the organ transplantation in brain death.

Citations

• Influencing Factors of Death Perception and Self-efficacy on Meaning in Life in Nurses who Experienced End of Life Care
  Hee Jung Hong, Sung Hee Choi, Bok Soon Shin
  The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing.2023; 26(1): 49.     CrossRef
• Types of Perception toward Ethical Issues in Perioperative Nurses: Q-Methodological Approach
  Jin Nam Kim, Seok Hee Jeong
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2018; 48(6): 679.     CrossRef
• Influence of Information Literacy and Perception of Patient Data Privacy on Ethical Values among Hospital Clinical Nurses
  Hyung-Eun Seo, Eun-Young Doo, Sujin Choi, Miyoung Kim
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration.2017; 23(1): 52.     CrossRef