Background & Aim: Hemodialysis centers are highly susceptible to nasocomial infections due to application of hemodialysis machines, medical equipment, and invasive techniques and devices. This research was carried out in order to evaluate methods of infection control using by staff of hemodialysis centers.

Methods & Materials: In this descriptive study, all hemodialysis units in hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences (n=4) were studied. Data were gathered using a 3-section questionnaire as well as five series of check-lists that were designed to evaluate physical characteristics of the units, methods of disinfection processes of the units, hemodialysis machines, and common equipment, and finally precaution measurements using by the staff. Data were described using SPSS statistical software.

Results: Research findings showed that just one of the study units was appropriate regarding physical characteristics of the units. Method of disinfection of hemodialysis centers was appropriate in 50 per cent of the study units and it was relatively appropriate in the rest. Disinfection of hemodialysis machines was appropriate in all units. Regarding disinfection of the shared equipment, all units were relatively appropriate. In 25 per cent of the units, staff had relatively appropriate precaution measurements and the rest (75 per cent) had inappropriate measurements.

Conclusion: Results showed that the methods of infection control using by the staff of hemodialysis centers in hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences were not appropriate.

Background & Aim: One of the nurses' roles in patient care is frequent position change in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. Because of attaching many lines and tubes to these patients, they are in supine or lateral positions most of the time. Nurses prefer these positions due to making care simple. Many studies have shown that prone position has positive effects on oxygenation and ventilation. However, other studies have shown some negative effects. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of prone position on oxygenation in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation.

Methods & Materials: In this quasi-experimental study, 36 patients were selected using simple sampling method. Data were collected using a questionnaire and oxygenation data sheet. First, patients were put in supine position. After 30 and 120 minutes, oxygenation was assessed. Then they were changed to prone position and after 30 and 120 minutes oxygenation was reassessed. Data were analyzed using paired t test, spearman, and fisher exact tests in SPSS.

Results: The results indicated that there was significant differences between prone position and the amount of spo2 and sao2 oxygenation after 30 and 120 minutes (P<0.001).

Conclusion: Prone positioning was effective on oxygenation after 30 and 120 minutes so nurse should use this position in their care.

Background & Aim: Surgery is a stressful experience. Fear of postoperative pain causes anxiety. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of patient education about pain control on patients&apos anxiety before abdominal surgery.
Methods & Materials: In this quasi-experimental study, 89 patients who were planned to undergo elective abdominal surgery in an educational hospital were recruited to the study. Informed consents were obtained. The participants were randomly allocated in two control (n=45) and experimental (n=44) groups. The questionnaire included demographic information, clinical characteristics, and the Spielberger&aposs State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Patients in the experimental group received education about pain control one day before surgery. The education method was oral explanation for 20-30 minutes. The control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics (chi-square, t-test, Fisher&aposs exact test, Wilcoxon signed ranks and Mann-whitney&aposs tests) in the SPSS.
Results: Findings indicated that there was a significant difference in anxiety level between the experiment and control groups before surgery (P<0.001). There was also a significant difference between anxiety level in the surgery day (P<0.001) between the two study groups. The anxiety level was significantly decreased in the experiment group.
Conclusion: Based on our findings, patient education about pain control led to reduce preoperative anxiety in patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Patient education is a non-medical simple intervention that is recommended for using in surgery wards.