Prabha Lis Thomas

Objective: To appraise the knowledge of undergraduate nursing students regarding patient safety and to compare their perceived competence on patient safety in clinicals and classroom settings. Methods: The study adopted a non-experimental descriptive research design to attain the objectives of the study. The study was conducted in two nursing colleges located in Bengaluru. Purposive sampling technique was utilized to select a sample of 369 undergraduate nursing students. Knowledge of undergraduate nursing students regarding patient safety was assessed using a structured Knowledge questionnaire, which was prepared and validated by subject experts from the institution. Health Professionals Education in Patient Safety Survey (H-PEPSS) was used to compare the perceived competence of students in classroom and clinical settings about patient safety. Findings: The students were in the age group of 18-31 years with a mean age of 21.00 ± 1.73. Majority of them were females (65.3%) and undergoing BSc Nursing course (68.8%). The mean knowledge score of nursing students on patient safety was 9.16 ± 3.37 and 69.1% of the subjects had adequate knowledge on patient safety. The students expressed a significantly higher (t367=1.54, p=.001) perceived competence on patient safety in theory (83.48%± 16.21) compared to clinical settings (81.36 ± 20.85). The study also noted a significant positive correlation between knowledge on patient safety and perceived competence of students on patient safety in theory (r=0.55, p=.01) and clinical setting (r=0.048, p=.02). Novelty: The study revealed that while undergraduate nursing students possess a fundamental understanding of patient safety concepts, there are certain areas where their knowledge can be further improved. The study emphasizes the need for experiential learning opportunities, such as clinical simulations and hands-on training, to enhance their self-efficacy and translate theoretical knowledge into practical skills. Keywords: Patient safety, Knowledge, Perceived competency, Undergraduate nursing students, Self­efficacy, Healthcare safety

Background Transition from a newly graduated nurse to an expert nurse may involve personal professional intellectual and emotional changes along with skill and role changes. As the global shortage of nurses remains an important issue to be solved it is important to ensure that novice nurses have a safe and smooth professional role transition.Aim The study aimed to address the professional role transition of new graduate nurses during their initial years of practice.Methods A phenomenological research approach was used among the ten nurses who were working as staff nurses at a tertiary care hospital in Bangalore. An interview technique was used to collect the data in two phases Focused group interview and Individual interview.Results The collected data was categorized into three stages based on Judy Boychuk Duchscherrsquos transition theory. During the initial 3-4 months Doing stage the nurses were excited but soon realized that they were not prepared enough to manage the workload and responsibility of their role as staff nurses. The themes that emerged were ldquoBeing scared and stressedrdquo ldquoReality is differentrdquo and ldquoNeed to learnrdquo. Subjects felt scared and stressed and realized that the reality is different and understood the need to learn. During the next 9-12 months Being Stage their competency skill and confidence levels improved. ldquoGaining confidence and Trustworthinessrdquo were the themes that emerged during this phase. From 12 months and above Knowing phase the subjects experienced less stress gained confidence and improved their individual capacity to cope and the themes unfolded were ldquoYes I know and to be empoweredrdquo.Conclusion The study revealed the complexity in the transition from student to registered nurse. In the current scenario with an acute shortage of staff nurses it is vital to address this issue and to plan necessary reforms for strengthening the profession.

Background: Oral mucositis is the most severe and debilitating adverse effect of cancer treatment, resulting in inadequate nutritional intake, treatment disruptions, and dose alteration, leading to increased hospital costs and decreased tumor control. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of turmeric mouthwash on oral health status and onset and severity of treatment-induced oral mucositis and associated oral dysfunctions among head and neck cancer patients. Methods: A randomized controlled design was adopted (CTRI/2018/06/014367). Turmeric mouthwash was administered to the experimental group (n = 46) and benzydamine mouthwash was given to the control group (n = 46). Oral health status and mucositis were graded using the Oral Health Assessment Tool and the World Health Organization oral toxicity criteria, respectively. Oral dysfunctions were measured by a patient-reported oral mucositis symptom scale and xerostomia short-form inventory. All outcome variables were measured weekly during the entire course of radiation therapy. Results: Both groups were comparable with regard to their demographic and outcome variables (P > .05). The incidence of intolerable mucositis in the control group was 100% compared with 17.8% in the experimental group. Repeated-measures analysis of variance demonstrated significant differences in the onset and severity of oral mucositis (P = .001), oral health status (P = .001), and oral dysfunctions (P = .001) between the experimental and control groups. Conclusion: Turmeric mouthwash was effective in reducing the severity of oral mucositis and associated oral dysfunctions as compared with benzydamine mouthwash. Implications: Use of turmeric, a nontoxic and cost-effective intervention, can be an alternative to the traditional management of oral mucositis.

Objectives This study aimed at identifying and describing self reported oral pain and dysfunctions associated with oral mucositis among patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiation. Method A prospective observational study was conducted on 30 head and neck cancer patients who were undergoing radiation therapy and consented to participate. Data was collected by using a baseline proforma, WHO Oral Toxicity scale and Patient reported oral mucositis symptom scale. The patients were followed up during the entire course of radiation therapy and were monitored for the development of oral mucositis and were asked to rate their pain and associated dysfunctions on 100 mm scale. Result The present study findings revealed that all the subjects developed oral mucositis at the end of third week which was progressed to grade 3 or 4 mucositis by the end of therapy. The scores of oral pain and oral dysfunctions were progressively increased during the course of treatment with its peak at the end of treatment. Cumulative dose of radiation therapy and receipt of concurrent chemotherapy were found to have a significant association with oral dysfunction. The study also noted a significant positive correlation with severity of mucositis and oral dysfunctions. Conclusion Severe and painful oral mucositis is a dose limiting adverse effect of radiation therapy and its detrimental effect on oral functions is significant. Hence adequate preventive measures of mucositis to be identified to enhance the quality of life of head and neck cancer patients receiving radiation therapy.