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Surgical site contamination, for example, with coagulase-negative staphylococci, probably derives from both the patient’s own skin flora and those of the surgical team. Despite preoperative antiseptic preparation with chlorhexidine solution, complete sterilizationof the skin is not possible and gradual recolonization will occur. Plastic adhesive drape is an established method used to prevent direct wound contamination from adjacent skin. In this study, the time to skin recolonization after antiseptic preparation was measured and the impact of using plastic adhesive drape on this recolonization was evaluated. Repeated bacterial sampling using three different methods over 6 hr was conducted after antiseptic preparation in 10 volunteers. Recolonization of skin was observed after 30 min with plastic drape and after 60 min without plastic drape; there were significantly more positive cultureswith the plastic drape than without (31% vs. 7.5%, respectively, p< .001). Sampling with a rayon swab was the most sensitive sampling method. In conclusion, covering the skin with a plastic adhesive drape seems to hasten recolonization of the skin after antiseptic preparation. However, clinical trials to confirm this finding are warranted.

Aim: The aim of this study was twofold: first, to describe the experience of being the next-of-kin of a person suffering from colorectal cancer (CRC), and second, to describe how a psychoeducational program (PEP) might contribute to the next-of-kin's life experience. Psychosocial interventions for next-of-kin to cancer patients are effective in improving quality of life issues, although there are conflicting results in previous studies. Most studies have evaluated the effects of PEP for mixed cancer groups but there is little knowledge about how next-of-kin to a person treated for CRC describe their experience of life and their experience of participating in a PEP. Methods: The study used a qualitative descriptive design. Individual, open-ended interviews with each of the 18 next-of-kin, of persons receiving treatment for CRC, who participated in a PEP. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Results: Based on the experiences described by the next-of-kin to a person treated for CRC, the subtheme; Facing a personal challenge was developed. From their described experiences of participating in a PEP, the subtheme Obtaining New Insights and Perspectives emerged. One main theme was finally identified; Finding a Wider Horizon. The study illuminates the importance of integrating the next-of-kin/family in the colorectal cancer care. Conclusion: The findings from this study can be used to plan future interventions for next-of-kin to patients with CRC as it offers possibilities to understand the next-of-kin's situation and experience from participating in a PEP.

The purpose was to investigate if women with high pre-procedural anxiety reported higher degree of relaxation and comfort if listening to music during coronary angiographic procedures. A prospective randomized controlled trial was used included 68 patients undergoing coronary angiography and/or PCI. The women were allocated to receive calming music and standard care or standard care only. Relaxation, environmental sound and discomfort associated with lying still were assessed. There was significantly more positive impression of the sound environment and less discomfort associated with lying still in women listening to music in comparison to women who received only standard care. No effect in relaxation was found.

Aim. To describe the experience of life the first year after surgery from the perspective of persons treated for colorectal cancer and their partners.

Background. Colorectal cancer is a common cancer form, and treatment can cause unpleasant side effects such as sexual dysfunction and bowel problems. Partners struggle to keep family life normal and provide support. Little is known about couples' experiences a year after treatment for colorectal cancer.

Design. Qualitative descriptive.

Methods. Individual semi-structured interviews with 13 persons treated for colorectal cancer and their partners, a total of 26 participants.

Results. One theme was identified in the study; 'Life is back to normal and yet not:' participants described living a normal but different life than before. Three subthemes were identified; 'Life has a shadow of death', 'The treated body sets the rules' and 'To share or not share the illness'.

Conclusions. Findings showed that both the patients' and their partners' lives were influenced by uncertainty and the condition of the patient. Attitudes varied towards sharing the illness. It was found that information needs varied both within and between couples. A future challenge to healthcare personnel is the obligation to meet the needs of both patients and their partners on the illness trajectory and recovery after treatment for colorectal cancer.

Relevance to clinical practice. Findings enhance the understanding of the impact of colorectal cancer on both patients and partners. Healthcare personnel need to assess both the patient's and partner's need for information, support and assistance. Support groups could be an effective tool for providing information, communication and support. Future studies are needed to evaluate such groups.

The patients' sexual life after a myocardial infarction is important for his/her quality of life. In spite of this, many patients are in doubt regarding their sex life after a myocardial infarction (MI) and the sexual information received, and counselling from health care providers has been seen to be insufficient. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of 'The 25-item Sex after MI Knowledge Test' in a Swedish context. A convenience sample was recruited. The scale was translated into Swedish and completed by 79 former patients from The Heart and Lung Patients' National Association on two occasions, with an interval of 2 weeks. The scale was tested for face and content validity, internal consistency and test-retest reliability. The result in this study indicates that the instrument has good face and content validity and displayed a moderate internal consistency (alpha 0.61). The instrument showed some level of instability in test-retest reliability with 60% of the items presenting moderate or strong agreement between the test and retest. Further studies that use this instrument in larger and more diverse samples are thus needed.

Postoperative sore throat and hoarseness are common and disturbing complications following endotracheal intubation, and women are more frequently affected by these symptoms. This study explores risk factors associated with postoperative sore throat and hoarseness in women following intubation.

In this prospective cross-sectional study, 97 patients undergoing elective ear, nose, and throat surgery or plastic surgery were included. Eight different variables were analyzed to detect possible associations for the development of postoperative sore throat or hoarseness. For data analysis, the f} test and the odds ratio were used.

Three variables were found to be significant risk factors for postoperative sore throat: age greater than 60 years (P = .01), the use of a throat pack (P = .04), and endotracheal tube No. 7.0 (size 7 mm; P = .02). The only risk factor found to be significantly associated with developing hoarseness was an endotracheal cuff pressure below 20 centimeters of water (P = .04). Larger studies are needed to confirm these risk factors.

The purpose of this article was to explore sexual knowledge in persons who had suffered from myocardial infarction (MI). Seventy-six Swedish persons completed the "Sex after MI Knowledge Test" questionnaire. Overall, 53% of the men and 45% of the women scored maximum in the test. In a comparison between sexes, the men scored significantly more often a correct answer compared to the women for two out of the 25 items. The levels of correct answers were less then 50% for 14 out of the 25 items in both sexes. In conclusion we found that people who had suffered MI had poor levels of knowledge about sex and that there were some differences concerning lesser knowledge among the females in comparison to males. In regard to application, using a validated instrument facilitates an interactive communication between the patient and health care professionals, and opens up for a tailored education in line with the patient's and his or her partner's needs.

Background

A cardiac catheterization laboratory can be a frightening environment and music can be a supportive source of environmental sound that stimulates and maintains relaxation.

Aim

To test the effects of patient focused music versus loudspeaker music versus standard sound on patient's experiences of anxiety and well-being during coronary angiographic procedures.

Methods

A prospective, randomized, controlled trial of 98 subjects undergoing elective coronary angiogram and/or percutaneous coronary intervention. The subjects were randomly allocated to three different groups of sound environments: a control group (the usual sound environment), a patient focused music group (audio pillow) or to a loudspeaker music group.

Results

Anxiety decreased significantly and well-being increased significantly in the two music groups compared to the control group. There was a significantly more positive impression of the sound environment in the patient focused music group compared to the two other groups.

Conclusion

This study showed that the use of a specially designed music reduced anxiety and increased well-being in patients during coronary angiographic procedures. However, patient focused music seemed to be more preferable. The sound environment was rated more positively by the subjects listening to music via audio pillow. The music delivered via loudspeakers seemed to distract the staff during the examination at the cardiac catheterization laboratory.