The Importance of Continuity of Care Women with Obstetric Trauma

Around 50% of women who give birth naturally have trauma to the birthing tract requiring soft tissue suturing. In Lithuania, women spend an average of 2-3 days in hospital after an uncomplicated natural delivery, which is not always enough time to acquire the skills to take care of the new-born as well as to care for the delivery wound. Continuity of care after the return of the mother from hospital is particularly important to avoid complications in the postnatal period such as fever, wound infections, resolution of wound edges, incontinence of gases or faeces, formation of fistulae, painful sexual intercourse, and delay of future family planning. Aim of the study: to assess the importance of continuity of care for women with obstetric trauma. Methods: A quantitative study, an anonymous survey of women who have given birth naturally in the last two years and who have experienced various soft tissue injuries of the birthing tract between November 2020 and January 2021, following an analysis of the scientific literature, was conducted.The survey data were analysed using Microsoft Office Excel 2016 data processing software. The study was carried out in accordance with ethical principles. Results: 110 women participated in the study. Most of the respondents were first-time mothers with grade I-II perineal or vaginal tears. More than half of the women highlighted the lack of information from professionals about home care of the birth canal, postnatal sexuality, and family planning. Conclusions: Women with natural childbirth who have suffered soft tissue injuries to the birthing tract experience pain in the wound area in the postnatal period, which limits movement when walking, sitting, getting up from a lying position, and feel anxiety and fear of soft tissue injury when defecating. Mothers are not sufficiently informed about home care of the obstetric wound and would prefer follow-up care in primary care.

Effects of different methods of physiotherapy in individuals with cervicogenic headaches

Objective. To assess the effects of different physiotherapy methods in individuals with cervicogenic headache. Methods. 20 subjects with cervicogenic headaches have been studied. Subjects were randomized to two groups of 10 subjects. The first group of subjects underwent physiotherapy with post – isometric relaxation, the second group – physiotherapy in combination with vibration. Before and after the interventions, pain intensity, neck disability index, active cervical range of motion and neck muscle strength were evaluated in all subjects. Results. Physiotherapy reduces the intensity of pain (from strong and very strong to moderate intensity), improves neck function (from severe to moderate disability), increases active cervical range of motion by four to six degrees and increases neck muscle strength (p < 0,05). When comparing results between groups, no statistically significant difference in results were observed (p > 0,05). Conclusion: Complex physiotherapy in combination with post – isometric relaxation or vibration helps to improve the function of individual neck, increase active cervical range of motion and strength of muscle strength.

Parents' Feelings About Preterm Birth And Cooperation With Nurses In Hospital

Aim of the study: to analyse parents' feelings about preterm birth and cooperation with nurses in hospital. Research methods. After the analysis of scientific sources, a quantitative research was conducted - online written survey from 26-11-2020 to 21-12-2020, in the focused groups "Klaipėda premature babies", "Mothers", "Premature babies", "Premature babies and Mothers' Fears", "Natural Motherhood", "Helping to Grow". The study involved 106 parents who had premature births in the last two years and had been admitted to hospital for more than 48 hours. SPSS version 24.0 was used for the statistical analysis of the study data. Results. The majority of the participants were women (68,9%), more than half of the parents (51,9%) were aged between 31 and 40 years, and the majority of the participants had a university degree. For more than a third of the participants this was their first birth. The study showed that the majority of parents of preterm newborns were afraid for their child's health/life (4.41±0.85) and sad that they could not be with their child all day (4±0.97). The most important factors for parents to cooperate with nurses were pleasant communication (4.68±0.54), sharing of experience (4.65±0.68), taking responsibility (4.65±0.82) and timely information (4.63±0.64). Slightly less important for parental cooperation are individual personal characteristics (4.5±0.96) and personal attitudes (4.3±1.12). Conclusions. Parents with a premature newborn feel fear for their child's health/life and sad that they cannot spend all their time together. When caring for a premature newborn in hospital, the following factors are important for cooperation with nurses: pleasant communication, sharing of experience, taking responsibility and timely information.

Medication Administration Errors and Contributing Factors at Nurses Workplace: Literature Review

Medication errors are a serious problem that can be a threat to health and patient safety and can lead to mistrust of the health system and the work of professionals. Medication administration errors occur at any stage of patient care and can be related to a variety of influencing factors [1]. This literature review identifies the main medication administration errors, which are grouped into medication administration and incorrect documentation of administered medication groups. Along with medication administration errors, the main reasons why nurses make errors in medication administration are identified. The study focuses on medication administration errors and their determinants in nurses' work. The aim of the literature review was to analyze medication errors and their determinants in nurses' work. Methods: an exploratory review was conducted to analyze medication administration errors and their determinants in nurses' work. The methodology considered five main stages that contributed to a focused analysis of the selected studies. Results of the literature review. It was found that medication errors are influenced by the work environment, which is full of extraneous sounds, other members of the medical team, and conversations unrelated to the administration of medicines. The human factor is also a factor in medication administration errors related to the medication, its dose, or the wrong administration time. Medication administration errors are inevitable, no matter how advanced the patient's care and nursing techniques.

Assessment of risk of falls and internal risk factors in elderly patients who need heart pacemarkers

The aim is to assess the frequency of falls and intrinsic fall risk factors in patients requiring pacemakers. Methodology. The research was conducted from November 2020 to February 2021. Participated patients were hospitalized at the LUHS hospital Kauno Klinikos Department of Cardiology and required heart pacemaker implantation. Total 82 patients participated in the study. The questionnaire was composed by the authors of the research. The study was obtained by the Bioethics Permit of the Medical Academy of LUHS (No. BEC-SL (B) -42). Results. Almost half of the patients fell (45.1%) at least once a year. Elderly patients (65 years and older) are more likely to experience falls than patients under 65 years of age p=0,006. Elderly patients are more often exposed to various internal risk factors of falls: urination at night (82,9 %), weakness (82,9 %), dizziness (76,8 %). Perceived decreased leg muscle strength was found in both women and men (69.6% and 52.8%, respectively, p = 0.002). Patients older than 65 years and therefore <65 years experienced leg pain (54,9% and 7,2%, respectively, p = 0.002), urination at night (68,4% and 14,6%, respectively, p = 0.009), and experienced fatigue (63,0% and 13,6%, p = 0.028). Conclusions. Almost half of the patients who were in need of heart pacemaker implantation experienced falls. ≥ 65 years old patients experienced falls more than once a year. It has been found that these patients often experience weakness, fatigue, and dizziness. A common intrinsic fall risk factor is urination at night. ≥ 65 years old patients have more internal falls risk factors than patients under 65 years old.

Psychological Problems of Patients with a Stoma during Preoperative and Postoperative Period

Aim of the study. To reveal the psychological problems of patients with a stoma in the preoperative and postoperative periods. Methods. Analysis of scientific literature and quantitative research. A quantitative research was conducted to reveal the psychological problems experienced by patients with a stoma in the preoperative and postoperative periods. It also aimed at revealing the opinion of nurses about the psychological problems experienced by patients with a stoma in the preoperative and postoperative periods. Patients and nurses were provided with anonymous questionnaires. The study included patients with a stoma (N = 34) in one of the largest cities hospital X and nurses who were caring of them (N = 30). A descriptive statistics was used for analysis. Results. The majority of patients agreed that they had felt fear before the operation, and this was noticed by all the nurses in the study. Nearly half of patients agreed that after surgery they feared they would not be able to cope with a stoma, and almost all nurses agreed. Most patients agreed that they experienced the lack of information and psychological discomfort. However, the patients disagreed that they had felt lonely and unsup-ported after surgery. The patients noted the lack of theoretical knowledge about stoma care after surgery.

Assessment of Reasons of Parents' Refusal to Vaccinate Their Children

Parents who do not have enough knowledge and scientifically based information about vaccines, their benefits and harms lead to the wrong approach to vaccination, they are beginning to question the usefulness of vaccines and it is necessary and completely refusing to vaccinate children so that there could be possible consequences. Research aim. To evaluate the reasons for parents refusing to vaccinate their children and possible consequences. Research methods. The study was performed using a quantitative descriptive research method. The study participants were parents (n = 394) who refused to vaccinate their children with at least one vaccine from the recommended pediatric preventive vaccination calendar. Results. The results of the study revealed that parents are aware of preventive vaccinations against infectious diseases, but only a third agree that preventive vaccinations are the main way to protect against infectious diseases. Usually, parents do not vaccinate their child for fear of vaccine complications; through an intensive vaccination calendar; due to excessive components in vaccines; because the child's immunity in the event of an infectious disease is better than that acquired after vaccination; vaccinations can cause certain additional diseases and parents believe that vaccines are a way for companies to make money. Conclusions. False information about the safety of vaccines in the media and on the Internet has a major influence on parents' decision to vaccinate their children. Due to insufficient information available and the wrong attitude about vaccination parents tend not to trust the benefits of vaccination. The main reasons why parents refuse to vaccinate their children are fears about vaccine complications and side effects, an over-intensive vaccination schedule, and the amount and impact of vaccine ingredients.

Assessment of Reasons of Parents' Refusal to Vaccinate Their Children

Parents who do not have enough knowledge and scientifically based information about vaccines, their benefits and harms lead to the wrong approach to vaccination, they are beginning to question the usefulness of vaccines and it is necessary and completely refusing to vaccinate children so that there could be possible consequences. Research aim. To evaluate the reasons for parents refusing to vaccinate their children and possible consequences. Research methods. The study was performed using a quantitative descriptive research method. The study participants were parents (n = 394) who refused to vaccinate their children with at least one vaccine from the recommended pediatric preventive vaccination calendar. Results. The results of the study revealed that parents are aware of preventive vaccinations against infectious diseases, but only a third agree that preventive vaccinations are the main way to protect against infectious diseases. Usually, parents do not vaccinate their child for fear of vaccine complications; through an intensive vaccination calendar; due to excessive components in vaccines; because the child's immunity in the event of an infectious disease is better than that acquired after vaccination; vaccinations can cause certain additional diseases and parents believe that vaccines are a way for companies to make money. Conclusions. False information about the safety of vaccines in the media and on the Internet has a major influence on parents' decision to vaccinate their children. Due to insufficient information available and the wrong attitude about vaccination parents tend not to trust the benefits of vaccination. The main reasons why parents refuse to vaccinate their children are fears about vaccine complications and side effects, an over-intensive vaccination schedule, and the amount and impact of vaccine ingredients.

Bibliotherapy. Reading Recomendation experiencing Exclusion during COVID-19

The relevance of the research is based on more than a year-long restrictions experienced by people of Lithuania and worldwide because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The theoretical part presents a concept for bibliotherapic recommendations for reading. From an interdisciplinary point of view, the research integrates insights from the domains of psychology, public health, information and communication and literary criticism. Individuals experiencing psychological problems, by delving into literature which encourages reflection of humanistic values, during their in-depth reading process, can not only distract themselves from stressful everyday life but also, while identifying themselves with personages of literary works, better conceive themselves and their environment as well as find new ways to solve their problems. This justifies the applicability of bibliotherapy for those who experience social exclusion during the pandemic. The open survey collected data from 17 experts (12 members of the Lithuanian Bibliotherapy Association and 5 practitioners involved in bibliotherapy projects; 4 study participants from the health service sector (psychotherapists); 6 representatives from the education sector; and 7, from the cultural sector). A recommendatory list of books for passive bibliotherapy sessions was drawn. The list comprises 2 topics: (1) recommendations for general bibliotherapy and (2) fiction for health practitioners (81 books in total, 43% of which are accessible online). Every entry in the list includes metadata required for the identification of the work (AUTHOR and title), a brief substantiation of bibliotherapic aspects formulated by experts and the information about the accessibility of the book on the portal ibiblioteka.lt. The list of bibliotherapic literature can be also useful for health practitioners, social activities professionals, organisers of local community activities, librarians and those who wish to provide help by reading.

The opinion of breast cancer patients on the non-pharmacological pain-relief methods

Aim. To determine the opinions of II and III stage breast cancer patients on the non-pharmacological pain-relief methods. Methods. The research was performed from November 2019 to January 2020 in the Oncology and Hematology department of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kaunas Clinics. Patients completed a survey of 25 questions. 33 surveys were analysed. Statistical data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 25.0 and Microsoft Excel 2016 software packages. Results. Almost half of the survey participants were unaware of the pain-relief methods, had not tried any of physical pain-relief methods and did not know or have an opinion about their effectiveness. Half of the survey participants thought that music, spiritual and cognitive behavioral therapies can relieve the pain. Also, more than half of the participants had not tried any psychological pain-relief methods and did not know or have an opinion about their effectiveness. More than half of the participants did not know if it is possible to reduce pain using medical marijuana, virtual reality glasses and hypnosis.