University Hospital In Ankara Research Articles

Long-term results of pancreaticoduodenectomy and endoscopic resection in the treatment of early stage carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater: case series and review of the literature

We retrospectively evaluated 6 cases to explore the role of curative pancreaticoduodenectomy and endoscopic resection of ampulla of Vater tumors. Six patients diagnosed with stage 1 ampullary tumors at Ankara University Hospital between January 1994 and September 2009 were analyzed retrospectively. Icterus was the cardinal symptom in all patients. The median time for the symptoms caused by the lesion of the papilla was 7 weeks in patients with carcinoma. The diameters of the visualized tumors were less than 20 mm. Diabetes mellitus was observed in 2 patients. When the patients were classified according to TNM staging, all patients were in stage 1. Endoscopic resection was performed in 3 patients, and the other 3 patients underwent curative pancreaticoduodenectomy. The mean ages in the curative pancreaticoduodenectomy group and endoscopic resection group were 54.3 and 80.3 years, respectively. Tumor recurrence was not observed in any patient. Among the endoscopic resection group, there was no sign of tumor recurrence for 72 months in 1 patient, 6 months in another patient, and 46 months in the last patient. One of the patients died 46 weeks after endoscopic ampullectomy. This patient also had diabetes mellitus and cardiac problems. Radical pancreaticoduodenectomy is presently the most common method for resecting malignant ampullary tumors. Endoscopic resection of carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater appears to be an alternative to surgical therapy, particularly in patients for whom surgical approach carries a high risk.

Health Beliefs Concerning Breast Self-examination of Nurses in Turkey

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the health beliefs regarding breast self-examination (BSE) and their relationship with age, educational status and history of breast cancer in the family among nurses working in a university hospital. A cross-sectional design was used, with a convenience sample of 381 nurses at a military university hospital in Ankara in Turkey. Data were collected by using a personal data form and the Champion's Health Belief Model Scale. Descriptive statistics, logistic regression, Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal Wallis Test were conducted. The proportion of nurses reported doing BSE regularly is 47.2%. Controlling variables such as age, body mass index, the age at first birth, breast cancer in the family history and educational background, we found that the subscales of the health belief model, BSE benefit (OR=0.782), self-efficacy (OR=0.919), and risk perception (OR=0.114) have statistically significant effects on the risk of not making BSE. It is important to be aware of the health beliefs of nurses regarding BSE so that their own health can be protected and improved. Beneficial attitudes and behaviors of nurses regarding BSE will enable them to provide more effective services to women regarding breast cancer. Understanding the nurses' health beliefs, attitude and behavior that are influential to make BSE will guide nursing practices towards early diagnosis of breast cancer at the societal level.

Malignant intraperitoneal mesothelioma-Başkent University experience

To evaluate diagnostic and treatment results of malignant intraperitoneal mesothelioma in one setting. 12 patients treated for malignant peritoneal mesothelioma from January 2007 to June 2009 in Başkent University Ankara Hospital, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics were evaluated. In a retrospective observational study design tumour stage, grade, differentiation, time from first symptoms, pleural involvement, peritoneal cancer index, surgical cytoreduction, chemotherapeutic regimen, number of cycles, disease free survival and overall survival were evaluated. Disease free survival, overall survival, time until first symptoms were researched. The main presenting symptom was abdominal distension. Primary cytoreductive surgery followed by chemotherapy was performed in 9 patients. In 6 patients completeness of cytoreductive score below 2 was achieved. As a first line chemotherapy the most often used was cisplatin in combination with pemetrexed. Themean time from first symptoms until the diagnosis was 1.9 months. Disease free survival of 4.4±1.0 months after completing particular treatment and overall 1-year survival of 85.7 % was observed. No correlations between first symptoms (0.27, p=0.52), time until the diagnosis (-0.29, p=0.44) and overall survival were observed. Similarly, correlations between peritoneal cancer index (0.25, p=0.67), prior surgical score (-.45, p=0.37), completeness of cytoreduction score (0.61, p=0.27) and overall survival were not observed. Because of the low number of patients and different treatment approaches data from a particular patient setting are inconclusive, but from the literature there is evidence that patients with malignant intraperitoneal mesothelioma should undergo optimal cytoreduction and receive a combination of cisplatin and pemetrexed as a first line chemotherapy for intravenous or cisplatin in different chemotherapy regimens using the intraperitoneal administration route, if accessible, with even higher overall survival rates.

Cost of pneumococcal infections and cost-effectiveness analysis of pneumococcal vaccination at risk adults and elderly in Turkey

Pneumococcal infections have a substantial burden in Turkey, particularly in the elderly (>60 years) and at-risk adults (18–59 years). VCR are low at approximately 2%. The first aim of this study was the evaluation of the burden of pneumococcal infections (pneumonia and bacteremia) from a public payer perspective in elderly and at-risk adults. The second aim was the evaluation of cost effectiveness of implementing a large PPV program in these populations. A decision tree model was employed using demographic and epidemiological input obtained from Turkish official sources and international literature. Vaccination was assumed to protect for 5 years with 60% and 50% effectiveness against BPP in elderly and at-risk adults respectively. Vaccination effectiveness of 21% against NBPP was assumed for both populations. Costs input were obtained from a previous study conducted between 2002 and 2008 in a public university hospital in Ankara, Turkey. Univariate sensitivity analyses and Monte-Carlo simulations were performed. The vaccination program was cost effective and cost saving compared to no vaccination, pneumococcal vaccination with 60% coverage led to a mean of 4,695 LYG in the elderly and 2,134 LYG in at-risk adults with 40% coverage. Mean incremental savings reached 45.4 million YTL in the elderly and 21.8 million YTL in at-risk adults. This analysis suggests that pneumococcal vaccination of elderly and at-risk adults is associated with a positive return on investment from a public payer perspective and supports the continued recommendation of pneumococcal vaccines, as well as their full funding in Turkey.

İntrahepatik Kolestazlı Gebelerin Neonatal Sonuçları

Objective: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is a clinical syndrome, characterized by maternal pruritus and biochemical cholestasis. Epidemiologic surveys show significant regional differences in the incidence of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. In this study, we evaluated the frequency of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and perinatal/neonatal outcomes in our hospital. Methods: Twenty patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and their 22 newborn babies (3 twins), and one intrauterine exitus with unknown etiology were included in this retrospective analysis. Ursodeoxycholic acid was given to 50%of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy patients. Fifteen (65.2%) of the newborn babies were ≤37 weeks. Eight (34.7%) of newborns had transient respiratory support, 2 with continuous positive airway prssure. None of the babies had diagnosed respiratory distress syndrome, thus none of them required surfactant. One case of intrauterine exitus has occured with unknown etiology. Results: We conducted a retrospective study about frequency and perinatal outcome of pregnancies complicated by intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy between June 2007-August 2010 at Baskent University Ankara Hospital. Perinatal/neonatal outcomes were retrospectively studied by medical chart review. Conclusion: In our study intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy was present in 1.4% of pregnancies, that was similar to the European population. Increased risk of preterm delivery and respiratory distress syndrome were reported in literature, in our study group, none of the babies had RDS or other serious neonatal complications of preterm labor despite high rate of preterm birth rate and rather high levels of maternal serum bile acid levels.

The opinions of nurses regarding the orientation training

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the opinions of nurses regarding the orientation training. Materials and methods: This research is a descriptive type of study. Since it is planned that all the nurses (N=250) in Baskent University Ankara Hospital will be in the scope of the research, sampling was not performed. The number of nurses who are reached and agreed to join the research is 203. Hence, 80% of them are reached. The researchers prepared a questionnaire containing 30 questions after examining the literature. The questionnaire was carried out between April 15 and May 15 2008 to participants. Results: The mean age is 23±5.29 years and 97% of the nurses are female, 50.2% of them are male from Health College. Of all, 55.2% of them have worked less than 3 years. A total of 91.1% of the nurses stated that orientation training must be carried out and 80.3% of them who attended to orientation training think that the training is adequate. Conclusion: The nurses stated that the materials were adequate and organized while evaluating the orientation training which they attended, moreover they emphasized that the training should be given periodically rather than by classical method.

The opinions of nurses and physicians related to euthanasia

Objective: The research was conducted to investigate the opinions of nurses and physicians pertaining to euthanasia who are working at Internal Medicine, Surgery and Intensive Care Unit departments at Baskent University Ankara hospital. Methods: The research is a descriptive one. The sample consisted of 154 nurses and physicians who are working at Internal Medicine, Surgery and Intensive Care Unit departments at Baskent University Ankara hospital and accepted to participate and could be reached. A questionnaire with 30 items was used to collect data to obtain the socio-demographic characteristics and the opinions pertaining to euthanasia of nurses and physicians. Frequencies, mean values and chi-square tests were used in statistical analysis. Results: The participants didn’t approve euthanasia with a high ratio however it was determined that almost half of them asserted it as patient’s rights of a patient who want his/her death to be fastened and who has no chance to be cured and who are spending the last days of their life with unbearable pain. Except the age groups and marital status there was no significant difference found statistically between the opinions of physicians and nurses regarding euthanasia (p>0.05). Conclusion: It was stated that nurses and physicians consider not active euthanasia but passive euthanasia as acceptable.

The Effect of the Mobbing on Organizational Commitment in the Hospital Setting: A Field Study

ABSTRACT Mobbing includes any kind of systematic behaviors, such as threats, humiliation, and violence, committed by an employee against his or her colleagues, subordinates, or managers. In recent years, reoccurring and persistent mobbing behaviors that result in a power imbalance between harasser and victim are increasing. These unethical behaviors can affect organizational commitment, employee efficiency, motivation, job satisfaction, and potential staff burnout. To measure this concept a questionnaire was given to 320 administrative staff in a university hospital in Ankara, Turkey. Significance was noted between mobbing and affective responses and continuance of employment. In addition, findings support that the majority of the respondents (79%) reported experiencing mobbing and of these 32% reported that these behaviors continued for a duration of 2–5 years. Reasons for these types of behaviors in the work environment included: job stress, administrative/supervisor/management problems, and work performance. The majority of the respondents who were victims did nothing in response. In closing, a correlation analysis was conducted to specifically address the relationship between mobbing and organizational commitment and no significant relationship was found. Reasons for these responses are discussed along with suggestions and practice implications.

Nutrition-Related Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Hemodialysis Patients

This study sought to determine nutrition-related cardiovascular risk factors in hemodialysis patients. This was a cross-sectional study. This study included outpatients from the Hemodialysis Unit of Baskent University Ankara Hospital. This study was conducted on 93 endstage chronic renal-failure patients (50 male and 43 female) aged between 18 and 65 years. Patients undergoing hemodialysis three times weekly with 4 hours of standardized bicarbonate hemodialysis were included. Patients with cardiovascular disease were excluded. A questionnaire was administered to patients regarding demographic and disease information. The nutritional status of patients was determined by a food-frequency questionnaire, a 3-day, 24-hour dietary record, and subjective global assessment. Several biochemical parameters were analyzed, and body weight was measured. Percentages of patients' serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, and total cholesterol/low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels that were higher than National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP/ATP III) criteria amounted to 7.5%, 4.3%, 43%, and 10.8%, respectively. The percentage of patients' serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels that were lower than NKF and NCEP/ATP III criteria reached 41.9%. According to serum albumin levels, 44.1% of patients were malnourished. In terms of patients' dietary total fat intake, 98.9% were higher than NKF and NCEP/ATP III criteria, and all patients' dietary saturated fatty acids intake were higher than recommended. For 87.1% of patients, the dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids/saturated fatty acids ratio was <1. Moreover, in terms of NKF recommendations, the percentages of patients with insufficient dietary folate and vitamin B(12) intake reached 100% and 61.3%, respectively. Hemodialysis patients should be considered at high risk for developing cardiovascular disease. Therefore, when planning diets of endstage renal disease patients, it is important to consider nutrition-related cardiovascular-disease risk factors for the sake of quality of life and survival.

Baby walkers: a perspective from Turkey

To determine in an urban population in Turkey, the frequency of baby walker (BW) use, beliefs and attitudes of mothers regarding BWs, frequency of BW-related injuries and whether families receive counselling from their paediatricians about BWs or not. Children aged 2 months to 5 years who attended the well-child care clinics of Fatih University Hospital in Ankara comprised the sample. A semi-structured questionnaire was verbally administered. Of 495 children, 75.4% was found to use BW. Female gender [odds ratio (OR) = 1.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) =1.19-2.78) and lower maternal education (OR = 0.37, 95% CI = 1.18-0.74) were found to be associated with BW use. Frequencies of injuries associated with BWs were low (7.8%). Only 92 (18.6%) families received appropriate counselling by their paediatricians. The results of our study show that BW use is common in urban Turkey. Families are not informed about the lack of benefits and potential hazards of BWs and base reasons of using and not using on unique cultural beliefs rather than informed, evidence-based decisions. Paediatricians in Turkey and potentially other countries require information about the need for counselling families about the hazards associated with BW use.

Oxidant/antioxidant status and vitamin A levels in children infected with varicella

Varicella is a childhood disease, with its highest incidence being found in children aged 1 to 9 years. The aim of this study was to investigate the plasma oxidant and antioxidant status in Turkish children with varicella infection. The study population consisted of 29 children infected with varicella recruited from the Department of Pediatrics at Baskent University Hospital in Ankara, Turkey. The control group consisted of 20 age-matched children from the same region who were apparently otherwise healthy. After overnight fasting, venous blood samples were obtained and transferred to heparinized tubes. Plasma malondialdehyde and vitamin A levels were measured in both groups. The plasma malondialdehyde levels were higher in children in the infected group than they were in children in the control group. However, there were no statistically significant differences in plasma vitamin A levels between the groups. This study suggests that oxidant stress causes significant peroxidation, and the antioxidant defence system is affected in varicella infection. Antioxidant supplementation may yield beneficial results in these patients. Further studies are needed to determine the positive effects of vitamin A supplementation in patients with varicella infections.

Comparison of Sampling Methods for Urine Cultures

To compare efficacy and cost of conventional and alternative sampling methods concerning urine cultures. An experimental study with two replications was carried out in a 900-bed university hospital in Ankara, Turkey. The sample was 160 hospitalized female patients, who were asked to give urine specimens, September 10,2000 and September 1,2001. They were patients on urology and obstetrics and gynaecology wards. The authors informed the patients about the study first and then obtained two samples from each patient under their observation. The number of specimens was 320. Statistical methods were descriptive. The rates of contamination and significant growth, respectively, were 4.4% and 7.5% for the conventional method and 5.6% and 10% for the alternative method. The cost per culture was 2.588.257 TL (2.10 USD) for the conventional method and 57.021 TL (0.05 USD) for the alternative method. The cost difference was statistically significant. The two methods yielded similar results but the alternative method was less expensive.

Critically Located Cavernous Malformations

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of patients who underwent resection with the aid of microsurgical techniques and stereotactic and image-guided surgery for critically located cavernous malformations which still represent a considerable surgical challenge due to the close proximity of vital and eloquent structures. Between 1997 and 2003, 12 patients with critically located cavernous malformations (CMs) underwent surgical resections at Ankara University Hospital. CMs of the pons (n=3), medulla oblongata (n=1), cavernous sinus (n=3), motor cortex (n=4) and the newly defined superior cerebellar peduncle (n=1) were treated using image-guidance and advanced microsurgical principles. Preoperative assessment was done with CT, MRI and angiography. Lesion locations, clinical presentations and outcome were analyzed. The surgical approach was chosen as lateral suboccipital (n=4), parietal (n=4), cranio-orbitozygomatic (n=3) and retrosigmoid (n=1). All CMs were readily identified and completely removed with no permanent morbidity and mortality. The immediate outcome after surgery was improved for 8 patients (66.6%). Long-term outcome was unchanged for one patient and a proved good surgical outcome for three patients, during the mean follow-up period. Stereotactic methods together with image-guidance and microsurgical techniques allow the creation of most effective and safe corridors to access the CMs in eloquent regions with a minimization of tissue manipulation and low risk of permanent neurological deficit.

The Experience of Fatigue in Turkish Patients Receiving Chemotherapy

To determine the experience of fatigue in Turkish patients receiving chemotherapy. Descriptive. Outpatient unit in a large university hospital in Ankara, Turkey. 100 patients randomly chosen from those who were undergoing chemotherapy at the outpatient unit. Data were collected using a personal information form developed by the investigator and a visual analog scale for fatigue. Measures taken by patients to cope with fatigue, fatigue experienced by individuals affecting their daily activities, age and gender, disease and treatment factors, and symptoms related to the chemotherapy. The majority of patients (86%) experienced fatigue, and 73% stated that they coped with fatigue by decreasing their activities and resting more. Age was not a statistically significant factor affecting the level of fatigue, but gender was found to have an effect. Length of illness, number of chemotherapy courses, and the patients' symptoms affected level of fatigue. The majority of patients experienced fatigue, and most of the measures used to cope with fatigue were not effective. Fatigue affected patients' daily activities. A need exists for more and better interventions to help patients cope with chemotherapy-related fatigue.

Prevalence and phenotypic evaluation of Candida dubliniensis in pregnant women with vulvovaginal candidosis in a university hospital in Ankara

Candida dubliniensis is very similar to Candida albicans in terms of genotypic and phenotypic characteristics. As the hormonal milieu of the vagina during pregnancy, characterised by a lack of maternal cell-mediated immunity, enhances Candida colonisation and serves as a risk factor for symptomatic expression, investigation into the isolation of C. dubliniensis in vaginal discharges of pregnant women with vulvovaginal candidosis was made. A total of 77 Candida isolates obtained from 60 patients positive for vulvovaginal candidosis collected from 218 pregnant women were investigated for C. dubliniensis subsistence. In total 41 Candida species phenotypically identified as C. albicans on the basis of a positive germ tube test and carbohydrate assimilation tests were screened for the presence of C. dubliniensis. Phenotypic tests for differentiation of C. dubliniensis from C. albicans, such as growth at 42 and 45 degrees C on Sabouraud dextrose agar, appearance on CHROMagar and colony morphology on Cornmeal-Tween-80 agar and Staib agar were carried out. Only one strain (2.43%) was phenotypically identified as C. dubliniensis. According to our study, a combination of at least five phenotypic methods is necessary for an exact diagnosis of C. dubliniensis. Large-scale studies of pregnant women are required to discover the aetiological importance of this yeast.

Prevalence of MGUS in a geriatric population in Turkey

17564 Background: In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS) in the geriatric population in Turkey, with their clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods: The study group consisted of all individuals who applied to the outpatient clinic of Geriatrics Department between January-December 2005 in Hacettepe University Hospital in Ankara, Turkey. This clinic serves patients older than 65 years of age either with various acute/chronic diseases or healthy individuals for check-up purposes. All the participants had serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) -and immunofixation as needed- along with their routine laboratory tests and bone mineral density (BMD) measurements. Patients with a monoclonal protein in their SPEs were further evaluated for the presence of multiple myeloma. Clinical and laboratory parameters of patients with MGUS were compared with a control group of randomly selected 100 individuals who did not have MGUS. Results: A total of 1012 patients were enrolled in the study. Monoclonal band was detected in 22 patients (2.17%). The majority of the M proteins (63%) were of Ig G type. Of the remainder, 32% were Ig A, and 5% Ig M. Further investigations in these patients depicted one patient to have multiple myeloma and one patient to have lung carcinoma. The remaining 20 patients were diagnosed as MGUS (1.97%). BMD measurements of the patients with MGUS were significantly lower than the control group. Median lumbar BMD t score was -2.66 (Interquartile range (IQR): −.72 −3.77) in MGUS patients and -1.76 (IQR: −0.50 −2.47) in controls (p = 0.007). The two groups were found to be comparable in terms of comorbid diseases and other laboratory parameters. Conclusions: The prevalence of MGUS above the age of 25 is 1%, above 50 it is 1.7%, and above 70 it is approximately 3%. In our study, the frequency of MGUS above 65 years of age was found to be 1.97%, which is a little lower than the above quoted figures. It must be noted that our study group was not population-based and chronic diseases may be more common than the general population, resulting in a higher prevalence of MGUS. Another finding was the lower BMD measurements in patients with MGUS. BMD data is limited in patients with MGUS in the literature and further studies are needed to elucidate whether there is an association or not. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Urologic Complications in 1523 Renal Transplantations: The Baskent University Experience

Urologic complications, observed since the beginning of renal transplantation, cause significant morbidity and mortality. In the first few years the procedure was performed, incidence of urologic complications was reported to be 10% to 25%. Recently, the incidence of urologic complications after renal transplantation has decreased to 2.5% to 12.5%; unfortunately, a higher incidence exists in pediatric recipients, reaching approximately 20% with an associated 58% and 74% graft survival rates for cadaveric and living-related transplantation, respectively. We retrospectively analyzed the postoperative urologic complications reported in the medical charts of 1523 consecutive kidney transplantations (1130 men, 74.2%; 393 women, 25.8%; mean age, 31.9 ± 10.9 years; range, 7 to 64 years; 354 cadaveric, 23.2%; 1169 living, 76.8%) performed by our team since 1975. The first 321 procedures took place at Hacettepe University Hospital in Ankara, Turkey, and the remaining 1202 were performed at Baskent University Hospital in Ankara. Urologic complications occurred in 46 (3%) recipients. Twenty-three (1.5%) of these patients had urine leakage, 15 (1%) had urinary obstruction due to ureteral stricture, 6 (0.4%) had distal ureter necrosis, and 2 (0.1%) developed renal calculi in the late postoperative period. Twenty-four out of 46 required reoperation for urologic complications. The remaining 22 patients were treated conservatively in our interventional radiology department with excellent results. In conclusion, urologic complications will always occur in the posttransplant period. Early diagnosis by experienced personnel and use of interventional radiology can greatly reduce the need for surgical treatment.

The psychological impact of genetic testing on parents

The aim of this descriptive study was to explore the psychological impact of genetic testing on parents whose children have been referred for genetic testing. Genetic tests enable individuals to be informed about their health status and to have the opportunity of early diagnosis and treatment of their diseases. However undergoing genetic testing and receiving a positive test result may also cause stress and anxiety. This descriptive study was carried out at the genetic departments of two university hospitals in Ankara. The sample of this study consisted of 128 individuals whose children have been referred for chromosomal analysis. Data were collected through using a semi-structured interview method with a data collection form and the anxiety inventory and analysed using the percentages and independent samples t-test. The majority of our participants experienced distress before genetic testing. Their general trait anxiety score before receiving the test results was 47.38, and following the test results the state anxiety score was 50.65. Having a previous child with an abnormality, a positive test result, and being a mother elevated the anxiety of individuals. This paper supports the findings of previous studies, which indicated that genetic test results might lead to anxiety in individuals and reveals the importance of genetic counselling. As the results of this study indicated, genetic testing causes distress and anxiety in individuals. Nurses can play an important role in minimizing anxiety of parents whose children undergo genetic testing by providing information about genetic testing and by taking part in the counselling process.

ERCP Related Sepsis

Endoscopic procedures performed worldwide have increased considerably in recent years. In addition to diagnosis, many cases previously necessitating surgery now often can be carried out by endoscopic techniques. However, endoscopy has introduced its own infection risk. Most reports of gastrointestinal endoscopy-associated infection describe sepsis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with biliary tract obstruction. During this study, which was conducted by Infection Control Committee of Ankara University Hospital, 13 out of 1147 (1.1%) and 17 out of 922 patients (1.8%) had ERCP related sepsis in 2002 and 2003 respectively, at the ERCP Unit of Gastroenterology Department. Sepsis-caused mortality were 23.1 and 29.4% in 2002 and 2003 respectively. The first four causative agents were Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas spp, Klebsiella spp and Enterobacter spp. Type and frequency of the causative agents remind that both endogenous and exogenous mechanisms are together responsible for the infections emerging from ERCP Unit. Besides, increasing isolation of Pseudomonas spp. brings out the strong need for re-evaluation of infection control measures, mainly effective cleansing and disinfection of endoscopes.

Nurses’ Views on Their Role in Genetics

To determine the views of nurses about their roles in genetics. A descriptive study. Two university hospitals in Ankara, Turkey. From a population of 1,717 nurses, 313 were selected by using the stratified random sampling method. Two hundred seventy nurses agreed to participate. Nurses' viewpoints on their role in genetics. Nurses defined their roles in genetics as gathering family history, providing information about a genetic test including its duration and risks, and providing counseling and psychological support. More graduates of baccalaureate degree nursing programs were in favor of nurses' roles in genetics than were graduates of lower educational level. Nurses reported that their knowledge of basic genetics is insufficient and that they need additional training. The majority of nurses were not aware of the possible risks and harms of genetic information for the individual, suggesting a very important point of ethical lack. The results of this study demonstrate a need for educational preparation for nurses in both genetics and ethics. Nurses could assume their potential roles if their educational needs were met.