Swedish County Hospital Research Articles

Impact of postoperative skin disinfection with chlorhexidine on bacterial colonisation following shoulder arthroplasty surgery: a controlled randomised study

Surgical site infections are a significant threat to patient safety. Shoulder arthroplasty carries an increased risk due to foreign implants. Skin preparation in general is a key preoperative preventive intervention, and the use of chlorhexidine can have a prolonged effect on bacterial colonisation. There is a lack of evidence regarding whether postoperative disinfection has an impact on bacterial colonisation during the first 48 hours after surgery. Our hypothesis was that applying postoperative antiseptic with 5 mg/ml chlorhexidine in 70% ethanol would lead to reduced bacterial colonisation with Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococcus and Cutibacterium acnes around the surgical wound within the initial 48 hours after elective shoulder surgery, compared with the use of sodium chloride. A single-blinded, controlled study was conducted at a county hospital in Sweden. Swabs from the skin were collected four times: at baseline, preoperatively, after the intervention and after 48 hours. Our hypothesis was not confirmed. Although not statistically significant, the chlorhexidine group had a higher prevalence of bacterial colonisation of clinically relevant bacteria. Our study could not confirm that postoperative disinfection with chlorhexidine reduces bacterial colonisation compared with sodium chloride. The results highlight the complexity of SSIs and the importance of evidence-based preventive skin preparation to ensure patient safety. Further research is needed, considering the study's limitations, to explore and evaluate the effectiveness of different skin cleansing solutions and preventive strategies in diverse surgical contexts.

The Relation between Walking Capacity and Quality of Life after Stroke: A Study of Consecutive Patients in a Swedish County Hospital

The Relation between Walking Capacity and Quality of Life after Stroke: A Study of Consecutive Patients in a Swedish County Hospital

Pulmonary superinfection diagnosed with bronchoalveolar lavage at intubation in COVID patients: A Swedish single-centre study.

Patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID) pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (C-ARDS) on invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) have been found to be prone to having other microbial findings than severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-2)-CoV-19 in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid at intubation causing a superinfection. These BAL results could guide empirical antibiotic treatment in complex clinical situations. However, there are limited data on the relationship between microbial findings in the initial BAL at intubation and later ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) diagnoses. To analyse the incidence of, and microorganisms responsible for, superinfections in C-ARDS patients at the time of first intubation through microbial findings in BAL fluid. To correlate these findings to markers of inflammation in plasma and later VAP development. Retrospective single-centre study. One COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU) at a County Hospital in Sweden during the first year of the pandemic. All patients with C-ARDS who were intubated in the ICU. We analysed BAL fluid specimens from 112 patients at intubation, of whom 31 (28%) had superinfections. Blood levels of the C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, neutrophil granulocytes, and lymphocytes were indistinguishable between patients with and without a pulmonary superinfection. Ninety-eight (88%) of the patients were treated with IMV for more than 48 h and of these patients, 37% were diagnosed with VAP. The microorganisms identified in BAL at the time of intubation are normally found at the oral, pharyngeal, and airway sites. Only one patient had an indistinguishable bacterial strain responsible for both superinfection at intubation and in VAP. One fourth of the patients with C-ARDS had a pulmonary superinfection in the lungs that was caused by another microorganism identified at intubation. Routine serum inflammatory markers could not be used to identify this complication. Microorganisms located in BAL at intubation were rarely associated with later VAP development.

Resilience Capability and Capacity in Unexpected Crises: Experiences and Lessons Learned in a Healthcare Organisation during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Aim. The current article aims to gain insight into (a) what characterises organisational resilience during an unexpected crisis such as COVID-19 and (b) how organisations respond to developments in their environments. Background. In times of societal crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the resilience of the healthcare organisation is tested. Method. This research is based on a case study in a university hospital and a county hospital in Sweden using surveys with both structured and open answers. Results. The result shows ambiguity and “polarised” experiences, emphasising flexibility vs. structure, clear hierarchical information vs. spaces for peer learning through dialogue, and focus on acute care vs. determination to continue with core operations. Conclusion. The article concludes that the pandemic resulted in paradoxes, tensions, and new experiences in organisational processes and interactions. These create opportunities for learning not only during crises but also for improving nursing management in both acute and planned care. Three relations are important in building organisational resilience in crises: resilience capability, resilience capacity, and sustainable resilience practices. Implications for Nursing Management. Organisational resilience under extraordinary circumstances, such as a pandemic, as well as enhancing the previous literature on nursing management that offer a more individually oriented perspective.

To support self-management for people with long-term conditions - The effect on shared decision-making, empowerment and coping after participating in group-learning sessions.

IntroductionInterventions that support patients to handle the emotional and medical aspects of a long‐term health condition is important. One way is to use peer‐support groups, to help patients solving problems, increasing their knowledge and making decisions.Aimwas to investigate the impact on shared decision‐making, empowerment and coping after participation in group‐learning sessions for patients with long‐term conditions (N = 42).DesignAn intervention following a health education programme based on group‐learning sessions was established. Eight different programmes were held in five different departments at a regional county hospital in Sweden.MethodsQuestionnaires were analysed using paired‐sample t‐test.ResultsResults showed that patients might have better opportunities to be more active during their patient encounter after attending the group learning sessions. Interventions directed to patient activation may be one key in future healthcare management, especially concerning long‐term conditions. Empowering patients is central in healthcare, and using different approaches is important.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on subcutaneous venous port-related complications in patients with cancer: a retrospective case\u2013control study

BackgroundVascular access in cancer patients is of great importance in order to deliver tumour-specific therapy and continues to be so during exceptional conditions. This study aimed to examine the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on the care and complication rates associated with subcutaneous venous port (PORT) insertion in cancer treatment.MethodsWe retrospectively studied all adult cancer patients that received a PORT in 2020 at a Swedish county hospital, including insertion characteristics and in-dwell complication rates for up to 6 months after implantation; these estimates were compared with historic data.ResultsData from 257 patients, of which 56 were haematological patients, were included and compared with those of 168 patients in the control group. The group characteristics were similar, except for the inclusion of haematological patients in the study group. Insertion characteristics showed a shorter waiting time and higher rates of antibiotic and sedative use during the pandemic. The rates of postoperative haematoma and catheter occlusion during the study period were higher than otherwise. The rates of adverse events related to the PORT in the solid tumour group were comparable to those in the control group (18.4% vs. 14.9%). Patients with haematological malignancies were more likely to experience adverse events (37.5% vs. 18.4%) and deep venous thrombosis (7.1% vs. 1.0%) than those with solid tumours.ConclusionIn conclusion, the present findings suggest that PORTs remain a safe venous access system even during a pandemic, indicating a robust vascular access service.

Waiting for lumbar spinal stenosis surgery: suffering and a possibility to discover coping abilities.

The objective of this study was to describe aspects of suffering related to being a person with LSS and how suffering is managed before LSS surgery. A Swedish county hospital. Interviews with 18 consecutive patients on the waiting list for LSS surgery. The themes that emerged from content analysis were further interpreted using Antonovsky salutogenic model as a sensitizing concept. The suffering from LSS before surgery included the main theme of experiencing an impaired physical and social life and struggling to be believed and taken seriously. This had coping strategies to manage symptoms before surgery: a good physician-patient relationship alleviates the burden of long waiting times; ways to manage pain and disability; ambiguous expectations and hope for recovery, and; ways to handle concerns before surgery). Being a person with LSS includes suffering and a possibility to discover coping abilities or having support structures for doing so. Our study emphasizes the importance of a supportive dialogue, where physicians and patients make the suffering from LSS and care before LSS surgery more comprehensible and manageable.

Limitations of care and comorbidities are associated with increased mortality in patients treated with non-invasive ventilation: A retrospective observational study in a single-center ICU.

Background:Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is a common treatment for acute respiratory failure in intensive care units (ICU). While there is increasing data on outcomes after NIV treatment, there are large variations in staffing and monitoring where NIV is provided, making results hard to generalize. The aim of this study was to characterize patients treated with NIV, describe outcomes, and identify factors associated with outcome in an ICU at a Swedish county hospital.Methods:A single-centre retrospective observational study during 2018 of patients treated with NIV in a six-bed ICU at a Swedish county hospital. Patient characteristics, including comorbidities, details of ICU stay, simplified acute physiology score (SAPS-3), details of NIV treatment and 30-day mortality were collected, and the Charlson co-morbidity index (CCI) was calculated. Primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and associated factors.Results:92 patients with mean age (71,3, SD 12,1) were treated with NIV during the study period. 42 (46%) were women. Median CCI was 3 (25th-75thpercentiles 1.4)) and median SAPS-3 score was 66 (25th-75thpercentiles 58). The 30-day mortality was 37% and in the univariate analysis, SAPS-3 score >66, Charlson comorbidity index, CCI>=3, pCO2 <5.5 and limitation of care were factors associated with increased 30-day mortality. pH <7.35 and pO2<8 at admission showed no associations with 30-day mortality.Conclusions:We found that patients treated with NIV in ICU were a diverse population where comorbidities and presence of limitations of care might be considered as better predictors of 30-day mortality, rather than physiological parameters.

Early post-operative nausea and vomiting: A retrospective observational study of 2030 patients.

The overall risk of post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after general anaesthesia is reportedly 20%-40%. The first episode of PONV may occur early in the post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU) or later at the ward or after discharge at home in an ambulatory setting. This study aimed to investigate and describe the risk of early PONV in a PACU, and we hypothesised that patients and perioperative factors were associated with early PONV. This single-centre retrospective observational study was conducted in a Swedish county hospital from January to June 2017 and included adult patients who underwent surgical procedures under general anaesthesia. Perioperative data were obtained by reviewing the local registry for surgical procedures, medical records and anaesthesia and post-operative charts. Early PONV was defined as PONV occurring up to 4hours post-operatively at the PACU. Any notification in the medical records, perioperative charts or the registry regarding nausea, vomiting or PONV treatment was regarded as PONV. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for factors associated with early PONV. A total of 2030 patients were included in the study, of which 9.6% (n=194) experienced early PONV. Factors associated with a high risk of early PONV were suboptimal PONV prophylaxis, need for opioids, female sex, body mass index >35kgm-2 and major surgery and anaesthesia time ≥60minutes. We found that every 10th patient under general anaesthesia experienced early PONV. Suboptimal PONV prophylaxis and previously acknowledged risk factors for PONV were associated with early PONV.

Microbiological colonization of peripheral venous catheters: a prospective observational study in a Swedish county hospital

SummaryBackgroundMost peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) used in Scandinavia are fitted with an injection port, creating an open PVC system. This port is difficult to disinfect, which may lead to the introduction of micro-organisms upon use.AimTo investigate the prevalence of microbiological colonization of the injection port and internal lumen of ported PVCs with a minimum dwell time of 48 h at sample collection.MethodsAdult patients admitted to different medical and surgical departments and the intensive care unit were invited to participate in this prospective observational study. With the PVC in situ, the injection port and internal lumen were swabbed and cultured separately. Demographic and clinical data were collected to compare patients with colonized and non-colonized PVCs.FindingsIn total, 300 PVCs from 300 patients were analysed. Of these, 33 patients (11.0%) had at least one positive culture. The colonization locations were as follows: port only, 26 (8.7%); internal lumen only, 5 (1.7%); and port and internal lumen, 2 (0.7%). The colonization rate was significantly higher in the injection port than in the internal lumen (P<0.0001). A ported PVC inserted in the hand incurred a significant risk of colonization (P=0.03). The odds ratio for colonization among patients in the infectious diseases department was 0.1 (95% confidence interval 0.1–1; P<0.06) compared with patients in the medical department.ConclusionThis study showed that 11% of ported PVCs were colonized by micro-organisms, with the vast majority (8.7%) of colonization occurring in the injection port.Clinical trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov; ID NCT03351725.

Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia and cardiac implantable electronic devices in a county hospital setting: a population-based retrospective cohort study.

BackgroundDue to a high incidence of cardiac implantable electronic device-associated infective endocarditis (CIED-IE) in cases of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) and high mortality with conservative management, guidelines advocate device removal in all subjects with SAB. We aimed to investigate the clinical course of SAB in patients with a CIED (SAB+CIED) in a Swedish county hospital setting and relate it to guideline recommendations.MethodsAll CIED carriers with SAB, excluding clinical pocket infections, in the County of Västmanland during 2010–2017 were reviewed retrospectively.ResultsThere were 61 cases of SAB+CIED during the study period, and CIED-IE was diagnosed in 13/61 (21%) cases. In-hospital death occurred in 19/61 (31%) cases, 34/61 (56%) cases were discharged with CIED device retained, and 8/61 (13%) cases were discharged after device removal. Subjects dying during hospitalization were elderly and diseased. No events was seen if the CIED was removed. Among four discharged cases with conservatively managed CIED-IE one relapse occured. Among 30 cases discharged with retained CIED and no evidence of IE, 22/30 (73%) cases had an uneventful follow-up, whereas adverse events secondary to overlooked CIED-IE were likely in 1/30 (3%) cases and could not be definitely excluded in additionally 4/30 (13%) cases.ConclusionsDuring the study period, management became more active and prognosis improved. The heterogeneity within the population of SAB+CIED suggests that a management strategy based on an individual risk/benefit analysis could be an alternative to mandatory device removal.

No findings of SARS-CoV-2 in conjunctival swabs from patients at an emergency outpatient ophthalmological healthcare facility in a Swedish county hospital: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundCOVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2. Virus has been found in conjunctiva of hospitalised patients with COVID-19. Conjunctivitis has also been reported as a presenting symptom of disease.ObjectiveThe aims of the...

Are cancer care pathways associated with longer waiting times. Analysing crowding out effects in radiology, pathology, and surgery

Introduction In 2015, Sweden initiated the implementation of standardised cancer care pathways (CCPs). With short, nationally imposed target times from diagnosis to first treatment, the issue of crowding out effects has been debated. This study investigate whether the implementation of CCPs is associated with longer waiting times for surgery, radiology scans and pathology analyses for other patient groups. Methods Data from the internal computer systems used in radiology, pathology and surgery to plan and follow the production at a county hospital in Sweden during 2014–2017 were analysed. By utilising the different priority categories used in these specialties, changes in waiting times before and after the implementation of CCPs could be analysed. Results The results are consistent with an association between the implementation of CCPs and longer waiting times for the priority category prioritised immediately after the CCP category in all specialties. In addition, none of the lowest priority categories within each subspecialty have experienced increased waiting times after CCP implementation. Discussion These results are consistent with a change in prioritisation where CCP patients are receiving shorter waiting times after CCP implementation at the expense of other patient groups. Crowding out effects related to CCP implementation have not been previously researched. This study therefore fills a gap in present literature. With an increased awareness of these challenges, and a more holistic perspective in the implementation process, actions can be put in place to identify and counteract crowding out effects.

Risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting in hip and knee arthroplasty: a prospective cohort study after spinal anaesthesia including intrathecal morphine

BackgroundThe overall risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting after general anaesthesia is approximately 30% even with prophylactic medications. Studies exploring the risk after regional anaesthesia including intrathecal morphine are limited but indicate that intrathecal morphine is highly emetogenic and is additive to the PONV risk associated with other forms of anaesthesia. The aim of this observational study was to investigate the risk of PONV after spinal blockade combined with intrathecal morphine and to explore associations with patient and perioperative factors, including given PONV-prophylaxis. We hypothesized that a large number of patients in a clinical setting receive less prophylaxis than the recommendations in guidelines (suboptimal prophylaxis), leading to a higher risk for PONV compared to those receiving adequate PONV prophylaxis.MethodsThe study was conducted as a prospective observational cohort study regarding PONV in patients undergoing hip/knee replacement under spinal anaesthesia including intrathecal morphine. Patients were included at a county hospital in Sweden during April–November 2013 (n = 59) and September 2014–June 2015 (n = 40). One hundred eight patients entered the study with 99 patients analysed in the final cohort. Patients were followed the first three postoperative days with a questionnaire regarding PONV and peri- and postoperative data was collected. PONV risk is presented as the proportion of patients (%) with PONV and was related to the level of perioperative PONV-prophylaxis (suboptimal/optimal). Univariate analysis was used to analyse factors associated with PONV.ResultsForty-six patients (46%) experienced PONV during the 3-day study period whereof 36 patients (36%) until noon the first day after the procedure. 19/27 patients (70%) that received suboptimal PONV-prophylaxis experienced PONV compared to 27/72 (38%) that received optimal PONV-prophylaxis (p = 0.015). Further, female gender and/or a history of motion sickness were associated with an increased PONV-risk.ConclusionsThere was a high risk for PONV after spinal anaesthesia including morphine. PONV risk was associated with the level of prophylaxis and with known risk factors for PONV. Our findings suggest that a more liberal use of PONV prophylaxis might be motivated.

Measuring quality of life in life-threatening illness \u2013 content validity and response processes of MQOL-E and QOLLTI-F in Swedish patients and family carers

BackgroundThe McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire - Expanded (MQOL-E) and the Quality of Life in Life-Threatening Illness-Family Carer/Caregiver version (QOLLTI-F) are developed for use with patients facing the end of life and their family carers, respectively. They are also developed for possible use as companion instruments. Contemporary measurement validity theory places emphasis on response processes, i.e. what people feel and think when responding to items. Response processes may be affected when measurement instruments are translated and adapted for use in different cultures. The aim of this study was to translate and examine content validity and response processes during completion of MQOL-E and QOLLTI-F version 2 (v2) among Swedish patients with life-threatening illness and their family carers.MethodsThe study was conducted in two stages (I) translation and adaptation (II) examination of content validity and response processes using cognitive interviews with 15 patients and 9 family carers. Participants were recruited from the hemodialysis unit, heart clinic, lung clinic and specialized palliative care of a Swedish county hospital. Patients had life-threatening illness such as advanced heart failure, advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, end-stage kidney disease or advanced cancer. Patients were outpatients, inpatients or receiving home care.ResultsPatients and family carers respectively believed that the items of the MQOL-E and QOLLTI-F v2 reflect relevant and important areas of their quality of life. Although some items needed more time for reflection, both instruments were considered easy to understand. Some changes were made to resolve issues of translation. Participants expressed that reflecting on their situation while answering questions was valuable and meaningful to them, and that responding was an opportunity to express feelings.ConclusionsThe results of response processes pertaining to the Swedish translations of both MQOL-E and QOLLTI-F v2 contribute evidence regarding content validity, linguistic equivalence and cultural appropriateness of the translated instruments. In addition, results show that the instruments may support conversations on matters of importance for quality of life between patients and/or family carers and health care professionals. Further research is needed to study the psychometric properties of Swedish translations.

116.7: Development and translation and of the psychometric Flodén ATODAI into the Swedish version.

Background: There is a lack of published, validated questionnaires for evaluating the attitudes toward organ donor advocacy among intensive care unit (ICU) staff. Specific behavior among ICU staff is significantly associated with if there is consent to, or decline of, organ donation. In 2011, Flodén et al. developed the questionnaire “Attitudes towards organ donor advocacy scale” (ATODAS). Through the translation and cross-cultural adaption of the ATODAS into English, the questionnaire was further developed resulting in the “Flodén ATODAI North American version” (Attitudes Toward Organ Donor Advocacy Instrument). Therefore, the Aim of this study is to develop and psychometrically evaluate the instrument Flodén ATODAI into the Swedish version, for measuring intensive and critical-care nurses’ attitudes toward organ donor advocacy. Methods: A cross-sectional study was employed as the study design. Data was collected separately for the two included studies. Study subjects were Swedish nurses who currently worked in a Swedish ICU. For the major data collection (n=715), participants were identified by the Swedish association of health professionals. For the test-retest (n=33), participants were identified at an ICU at a Swedish county hospital. The validation of the Flodén ATODAI was performed in several steps: • Construct validity with Exploratory Factor Analysis, Kaiser-Mayer-Olkin, Bartlett’s test and Scree plot • Internal validity with Discriminant and Convergent validity, Scaling success, and Cronbach’s alpha • External validity with Known-groups validation, and • Reliability testing with test-retest and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient Results: The Exploratory Factor Analysis showed that the previously used five-factor solution of the questionnaire just agreed partially, but not entirely, which motivated this study of instrument development. Internal and external validation was performed. Known-groups validation revealed significant differences between the ICU nurses with a designated role in organ donation and neuro-ICU nurses, compared to the general ICU nurses. The six factors identified of the Flodén ATODAI showed good reliability in the test-retest analysis and the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient. Conclusions: The modified Flodén ATODAI [Swedish version] may be a reliable and valid tool for measure attitudes toward organ donor advocacy among ICU nurses. Anticipated or potential outcomes of this study may include: Evaluation of baseline attitudes of ICU nurses that can lead to tailored professional development; Changes in organizational structure related to organ donation; and Increased understanding of critical care nurses and the barriers to organ donation.

Prevalence of Premature Thelarche at 18 Months of Age: A Population- and Hospital-Based Study of Prevalence and Incidence in Girls Born at Northern Älvsborg County Hospital in Sweden

Objective: The aim of this work was to investigate the prevalence of premature thelarche (PT) in 18-month-old girls, and the incidence of clinically evaluated PT for girls aged 18–36 months. Methods: In the prevalence substudy, a prospective population-based cohort of 3,140 girls born at Northern Älvsborg county hospital (NÄL) in Trollhättan, Sweden, was followed for 2 years. Girls with breast development at the 18-month health check were referred to one pediatric center in NÄL for evaluation. All girls with PT were included and followed for clinical outcome and 17β-estradiol. The prospective incidence substudy covered 8 years in a 10-year period and included all girls aged 18–36 months born at NÄL who were clinically evaluated for PT. Results: The prevalence of PT at 18 months in our cohort was 1.6/1,000. The 5 girls with PT no longer showed symptoms at the follow-up 3–6 months later. The incidence was 1.1/1,000 for girls aged 18–36 months and 1.0/1,000 for girls aged 18–30 months who were clinically evaluated for their PT. Conclusion: This is the first prospective population-based study of PT and it shows a prevalence of PT at age 18 months of 1.6/1,000. The incidence of clinically evaluated PT was 1.1/1,000. Our result is in line with other studies reporting the incidence of PT from medical records (0.4–40/1,000). The outcome of PT in our study, as in the other studies, is that the great majority of girls show only benign symptoms.

Continuity and utilization of health and community care in elderly patients with heart failure before and after hospitalization

BackgroundThe period after hospitalization due to deteriorated heart failure (HF) is characterized as a time of high generalized risk. The transition from hospital to home is often problematic due to insufficient coordination of care, leading to a fragmentation of care rather than a seamless continuum of care. The aim was to describe health and community care utilization prior to and 30 days after hospitalization, and the continuity of care in patients hospitalized due to de novo or deteriorated HF from the patients’ perspective and from a medical chart review.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study with consecutive inclusion of patients hospitalized at a county hospital in Sweden due to deteriorated HF during 2014. Data were collected by structured telephone interviews and medical chart review and analyzed with the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient and Chi square. A P value of 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsA total of 121 patients were included in the study, mean age 82.5 (±6.8) and 49% were women. Half of the patients had not visited any health care facility during the month prior to the index hospital admission, and 79% of the patients visited the emergency room (ER) without a referral. Among these elderly patients, a total of 40% received assistance at home prior to hospitalization and 52% after discharge. A total of 86% received written discharge information, one third felt insecure after hospitalization and lacked knowledge of which health care provider to consult with and contact in the event of deterioration or complications. Health care utilization increased significantly after hospitalization.ConclusionMost patients had not visited any health care facility within 30 days before hospitalization. Health care utilization increased significantly after hospitalization. Flaws in the continuity of care were found; even though most patients received written information at discharge, one third of the patients lacked knowledge about which health care provider to contact in the event of deterioration and felt insecure at home after discharge.

I am quitting my job. Specialist nurses in perioperative context and their experiences of the process and reasons to quit their job.

The lack of specialist nurses in operating theatres is a serious problem. The aim of this study was to describe reasons why specialist nurses in perioperative care chose to leave their workplaces and to describe the process from the thought to the decision. Twenty specialist nurses (i.e. anaesthesia, NA, and operating room nurses) from seven university- and county hospitals in Sweden participated in qualitative individual in-depth interviews. Data were analysed by systematic text condensation. We identified four themes of reasons why specialist nurses quitted their jobs: the head nurses' betrayal and dismissive attitude, and not feeling needed; inhumane working conditions leading to the negative health effects; not being free to decide about one's life and family life being more important than work; and, colleagues' diminishing behaviour. Leaving one's job was described as a process and specialist nurses had thought about it for some time. Two main reasons were described; the head nurse manager's dismissive attitude and treatment of their employees and colleagues' mistreatment and colleagues' diminishing behaviour. Increasing knowledge on the role of the head nurse managers in specialist nurses' decision making for leaving their workplace, and creating a friendly, non-violent workplace, may give the opportunity for them to take action before it is too late.

Fever or not fever – that’s the question: A cohort study of simultaneously measured rectal and ear temperatures in febrile patients with suspected infection

Objective: To study how ear and rectal body temperatures relate to each other over time in febrile patients.Methods: Descriptive cohort study with repeated measurements. The setting was a Unit for Infectious Diseases at a county hospital in Sweden. Patients, 18 years, admitted for suspected infection and with a rectal or ear temperature of 37.5°C were invited. 16 females and 24 men, 19 to 94 years were included. Ear and rectal temperature was measured simultaneously every two hours for one day.Results: Mean rectal temperature was higher, compared to both ear sites. Ninety-five percent of the differences between the rectal and ear sites were within 0.6°C to 1.1°C. Changes in rectal temperature were smaller and slower than in ear temperature, especially when patients were given temperature-lowering drugs.Conclusions: Adjustments from one temperature site to another is a risk of diagnostic error affecting clinical decision-making. Ear temperature reacts faster than the rectal site to body temperature changes and antipyretics, and is therefore more reliable in the assessment of the patient’s condition. Traditional paradigm for temperature measurement and assessment needs to be replaced with evidence-based science to improve patient safety.