Kentaro Hara

Image Surgical nurses frequently perform perioperative hand hygiene, predisposing them to hand dryness and skin barrier impairment. This single‐center randomized controlled trial evaluated a ceramide‐based lamellar emulsion for improving hand skin barrier function among surgical nurses. Thirty‐five nurses were assigned to an intervention group (n = 18) applying the emulsion twice daily for seven days or a control group (n = 17) receiving usual care. Transepidermal water loss, stratum corneum hydration, skin surface pH, and dry skin scores were assessed at baseline and follow‐up. Transepidermal water loss significantly decreased in the intervention group from day 1 and remained lower than in the control group. Hydration increased and dry skin scores improved in the intervention group, whereas minimal changes occurred in the control group. Short‐term use of the emulsion improved barrier function and may help reduce occupational skin damage in perioperative nurses. These findings support integrating moisturizing protocols into perioperative hand hygiene.

Operating room nurses increasingly provide shadowing education to nursing students within high-acuity surgical environments, yet little is known about how they experience this educational role. This qualitative descriptive study explored how operating room nurses experience providing shadowing education and the strategies they use to sustain it. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten operating room nurses at a national acute care medical centre in Japan and analysed using inductive qualitative content analysis. Four categories were identified: perceived cognitive workload; professional growth and identity reinforcement; organisational and workflow challenges and adaptive instructional strategies. Participants described dividing attention between patient safety, surgical workflow and student supervision, while also experiencing reflective practice and strengthened professional identity. They used deliberate strategies to integrate teaching into surgical flow without compromising safety. Findings were synthesised into a preliminary conceptual model intended to guide future development and evaluation of shadowing education in perioperative practice.

Image Inadvertent hypothermia caused by redistribution of core heat after anesthesia induction is a common perioperative complication. This randomized controlled trial evaluated whether brief (five‐minute) limb‐focused warming added to whole‐body prewarming improves efficiency and attenuates redistribution hypothermia during general anesthesia. Eighty‐two adults undergoing laparoscopic lower gastrointestinal surgery were randomly assigned to a prewarming group (n = 41) or control group (n = 41). The intervention combined standard whole‐body prewarming with targeted warming of both forearms and lower legs for five minutes before anesthesia induction. Core temperature, peripheral temperature, and perfusion index were recorded at baseline and peri‐induction intervals. At 30 minutes after induction, the prewarming group had a higher median core temperature (36.8 °C versus 36.5 °C [98.2 °F versus 97.7 °F]; P = .046) and a smaller decline from baseline ( P < .001), as well as higher peripheral temperature. This brief nurse‐led approach provides efficient thermal protection without delaying anesthesia induction.

Time-related sterility maintenance (TRSM) remains common in Japanese operating rooms (ORs), requiring routine re-sterilization of unopened supplies. Event-

Background: Needlestick injuries remain a persistent occupational hazard for staff working in operating rooms, where sharp instruments are handled under time pressure within complex team environments. A substantial proportion of incidents are not reported, limiting timely post-exposure management and obscuring the true extent of occupational risk. Methods: This literature review summarised published research on needlestick injuries in operating room settings and explored factors influencing underreporting among perioperative staff. Studies were identified through searches of international and Japanese databases and examined for reporting behaviours and perceived barriers. Results: Across countries and professional groups, recurring themes included low perceived infection risk, cumbersome reporting procedures, concern about disrupting surgical workflow, fear of criticism or blame, and organisational culture. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need to simplify reporting systems, strengthen safety culture, and encourage peer support to promote safer perioperative practice.

Background Medical device-related pressure injuries (MDRPIs) are common among mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) and are frequently associated with endotracheal tubes. This study aimed to evaluate the association between different endotracheal tube securement methods and the occurrence of MDRPIs among mechanically ventilated patients. Methodology This single-center, retrospective cohort study was conducted at an advanced critical care and emergency center in Japan. Patients aged ≥16 years who required invasive mechanical ventilation for ≥48 hours between April 2020 and November 2024 were included. The AnchorFast SlimFit (Hollister) device was introduced in 2022 as an alternative to adhesive tape and routinely used since 2023. The incidence of MDRPIs (including intraoral sites) was compared between securement methods. Results A total of 364 patients were analyzed (AnchorFast group, n = 163; adhesive tape group, n = 201). The overall incidence of MDRPIs was significantly lower in the AnchorFast group than in the adhesive tape group (25/163 (15.3%) vs. 65/201 (32.3%), p < 0.001). Lip-related MDRPIs were less frequent in the AnchorFast group (8/163 (4.9%) vs. 39/201 (19.4%), p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified AnchorFast use as an independent factor associated with a lower risk of MDRPIs occurrence (odds ratio = 0.522; 95% confidence interval = 0.033-0.626; p = 0.031). Conclusions AnchorFast fixation was associated with a markedly lower incidence of MDRPIs than conventional tape, particularly on the lips. Given the observational design, causal inference is limited, and prospective studies are warranted.

Skin exposure of central venous (CV) ports is a rare but serious complication in patients undergoing outpatient chemotherapy. While nutritional and procedu