Introduction Nurse anesthetists (NAs) rely on various tools to perform their daily tasks effectively, with communication being one of the most essential during the perioperative phase. The study aimed to explore NAs' experiences with the perioperative dialogue with patients and how this dialogue has evolved over the past 30 years. Materials and methods The study employed a qualitative design, with data gathered through three group interviews focusing on NAs' experiences. Interpretive content analysis, following the approach of Graneheim and Lundman, was used. Initially, 27 NAs were recruited, and 18 (three men and 15 women) participated in the interviews. Their ages ranged from 33 to 72 years, with work experience spanning 17 to 42 years. Results The text analysis identified three categories: advantages of perioperative dialogue, disadvantages of its absence, and suggestions for improvement. Key challenges included maintaining continuity of care, ensuring a high level of patient and NA safety, reducing care-related complications, minimising patient socialisation, providing incomplete care, and increasing stress for both NAs and patients. The NAs also offered several suggestions for improvement. Conclusion Perioperative meetings should be better structured to improve communication and assess outcomes. Enhancing patient involvement, developing NAs' skills, and providing clearer information in multiple languages could improve satisfaction and safety. Further research is needed to establish the dialogue’s role as a guiding principle for staff and patients.

ABSTRACT Background: The triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein (TG/HDL) ratio emerges as a promising marker for cardiovascular risk. However, the relationship between overall serum lipid levels and hemorrhagic stroke (HS) remains uncertain. Therefore, our study aims to explore the association between this novel index and mortality in HS patients. Methods: Utilizing a retrospective-prospective framework from January 2020 to August 2023, we scrutinized data from 104 hospitalized patients diagnosed with HS, with particular attention to their medical backgrounds and lipid profiles. Results: Age (odds ratio [OR], 1.078; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.032–1.125; P = 0.001), atrial fibrillation (OR, 0.237; 95% CI, 0.074–0.760; P = 0.015), glucose level (OR, 1.121; 95% CI, 1.007–1.247; P = 0.037), and TG/HDL index (OR, 0.368; 95% CI, 0.173–0.863; P = 0.020) emerged as independent predictors for in-hospital mortality, as determined by both univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Conclusion: Our results add weight to the growing evidence backing the utility of the TG/HDL index in assessing cardiovascular risk among HS patients. They emphasize the necessity of adopting a comprehensive risk assessment and management strategy that incorporates both traditional markers and novel indicators.

Aim To investigate how immigrants from the Balkan region experienced their current life situation after living in Sweden for 30 years or more. Materials The study was designed as a qualitative study using data from interviews with informants from five Balkan countries. The inclusion criteria were informants who were immigrants to Sweden and had lived in Sweden for more than 30 years. Five groups comprising sixteen informants were invited to participate in the study, and they all agreed. Results The analysis of the interviews resulted in three main categories: "from someone to no one", "labour market", and "discrimination". All the informants reported that having an education and life experience was worth-less, having a life but having to start over, re-educating, applying for many jobs but often not being answered, and finally getting a job for which every in-formant was educated but being humiliated every day and treated separately as well as being discriminated against. Conclusion Coming to Sweden with all their problems, having an education and work experience that was equal to zero in Sweden, studying Swedish and re-reading/repeating all their education, looking for a job and not receiving answers to applications, and finally getting a job but being treated differently and discriminated against on a daily basis was experienced by all the in-formants as terrible. Even though there are enough similar studies in Sweden, it is always good to write more to help prospective immigrants and prospective employers in Sweden.

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to determine whether fear and prejudice in relation to organ donation and the transplantation of organs may influence the decision to become an organ donor. Materials and Methods. Data were collected through four group interviews using open-ended questions and qualitative content analysis. Forty participants, 16 males and 24 females from seven countries, participated in the focus group interviews. Results. The analysis resulted in three main categories, and nine subcategories. Fears and prejudice caused by tradition and customs, approval of organ donation by family members, perception of the body as a gift from parents, the influence of religious leaders, knowledge about the religious understanding of organ donation, influence of social ambience on respondents, knowledge of the donation process in the healthcare system, including knowing about life after eventual organ donation, were some of predictors in the decision to agree to organ donation. Conclusion. More education on the factors that influence organ donation, more information in schools, health institutions and through the media, as well as more research with the aim of “dispelling” fears and prejudice about organ donation would significantly improve the current situation and result in a larger number of potential organ donors.

Introduction Inflammation can arise as a consequence of both extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and ureteroscopy (URS) treatments. Alterations in inflammatory parameters may serve as indicators of kidney injuries and the ensuing inflammation. This study aims to investigate the effects of ESWL and URS procedures on inflammatory parameters for proximal ureteral stone treatment. Materials and methods A prospective interventional study comprised 120 patients with confirmed stones measuring less than 10 mm in the upper half of the proximal ureter. These patients were randomly assigned to either the ESWL or URS treatment groups. Laboratory analyses encompassed interleukin-6 (IL-6), leukocyte count, fibrinogen levels, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), which were assessed prior to the intervention, on the first postoperative day, and six months later. IL-6 levels in the serum were determined using a chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA). Results There was no significant difference in IL-6 levels between pre-intervention and the first post-intervention day in patients treated with ESWL (1.8 (1.4-2.59) pg/mL vs. 2.33 (1.22-3.19) pg/mL). However, for patients treated with URS, the pre-intervention IL-6 value was 2.9 (1.9-3.34) pg/mL, and it increased significantly to 7.1 (3.85-28.07) pg/mL on the first post-intervention day (p<0.001). On the first post-intervention day, levels of IL-6, CRP, leukocyte count, and ESR were significantly higher in patients treated with URS compared to ESWL (p<0.001; p<0.001; p=0.03; p=0.03, respectively). Conclusion Our research findings suggest that monitoring IL-6 levels can offer valuable insights into the degree of inflammation and tissue damage during and following observed procedures, particularly among patients undergoing URS, even within the initial days post-procedure.

Background: As a surgical nurse in a healthcare team, it is helpful to position the patient, depending on the nature of the procedure, and to prepare independently both the instrumentation and the site of surgery with drapes prior to the surgical procedure. Objective: To examine the experience of surgical nurses in their work with the WHO surgical checklist in Sweden. Methods: Data were collected from one hundred and ninety-six healthcare professionals, including thirty-nine surgical nurses, using a self-administered questionnaire. The Mantel-Haenszel and Pearson χ2 tests were used for ordered and unordered categorical variables. The qualitative data was presented in the form of the positive and negative contribution of the checklist and the text was analyzed according to Graneheim and Lundman. Results: Surgical nurses (61.6%) answered “no” to the question about being educated and trained in using checklists. Almost the same answer was given when it came to adapting the checklist to the department and the fact that the assistant nurse was responsible for ensuring the checklist was used (61.5%). 89.9% of them did not know who was responsible for implementing the checklist before surgery. According to (56.4%), the checklist was used all the time in emergencies, while (12.8%) of them stated that they did not believe that the checklist improved patient safety. Conclusions: Compliance with the WHO’s checklist varies, and the observed compliance is lower than that documented. The surgical nurses gave the same responses as others in the team. Clearer procedures are needed during surgery, specifying how the checklist should be used in practice, and there should be a designated person who is responsible for implementing the checklist.

Background: Transplantation of cells, tissues, and organs enables many patients to regain impaired organ function, promoting healing or prolonging life and improving overall quality of life. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes of students in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina regarding organ donation and transplantation of organs. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 255 students from four different faculties in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the majority enrolled in either the Faculty of Medicine or the Faculty of Health Sciences. The students collected data using a self-administrative questionnaire, providing sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge and attitudes about organ donation and transplantation. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel version 3645 and R studio v2024.04.2, based on R 4.4.1. Results: Out of all students, 49 of them (19.3%) demonstrated poor knowledge, while 131 students (51.6%) exhibited average knowledge. Analyzing the data by Faculty type revealed significantly higher levels of knowledge among students in Medical and Health faculties compared to those in the Educational Science Faculty (χ2=10.196, p=0.006). Regarding attitudes, 56 students (22%) had a negative attitude, while 117 students (45.9%) had a highly positive attitude. Only 13 students (5.1%) owned a donor card. Conclusion: Students from Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Health Sciences generally possess higher basic knowledge about organ donation, yet despite this knowledge, their attitudes toward organ donation often remain negative. It is essential to implement effective strategies aimed at raising awareness and fostering a positive attitude toward organ donation.