Background: Intensive care unit-acquired muscle weakness (ICU-AMW) is one of the recurrent complications of bed rest among patients in the intensive care units (ICUs). The digital electronic acupunctoscope neuromuscular stimulation can be utilized as an alternative physiotherapy option to mobilize critical ill patients passively in early rehabilitation program. The study aim: This study aimed to assess the effect of physiotherapy with a digital electronic acupunctoscope on preventing the intensive care unit-acquired muscle weakness and improving limbs muscles strength. Research Design and setting: From March to September 2022, this prospective, non-randomized controlled trial was done in two critical care units. Sampling: 60 patients were split evenly between the control and intervention groups, with 30 patients in each. Study tools: Four tools were used in this study; patient characteristics, the Medical Research Council (MRC) Scale, the Sedation Agitation Scale (SAS), and the duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) and the length of stay in ICU. Results: The MRC mean score of the upper and lower limbs of the intervention group significantly improved in comparison to the control group on the seventh day with p<0.001. Incidence of ICU-AMW, the duration of MV and ICU length of stay were significantly lower in the intervention group versus in control group with p<0.001.Conclusion: The continuous application of digital electronic acupunctoscope neuromuscular stimulation sessions for patient in ICUs can effectively enhance muscle strength; prevent the occurrence of ICU-AMW. Therefore, the future studies should concentrate on the effect of digital electronic acupunctoscope neuromuscular stimulation on respiratory muscles.

Background: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) has emerged as a major public health problem around the world. Infection is potentially preventable; yet, it remains the second most common cause of death in hemodialysis patients and still remains a major problem among patients on hemodialysis (HD) especially in Egypt. In recent decades, several important advances have been made in the therapy of HD with guidelines to ensure the delivery of optimum care to HD patients. Aim: to evaluate the impact of infection control measures as specified in guidelines on infection rate at hemodialysis unit. Study Design: a quasi-experimental study design was utilized to meet the aim of the study. Setting: It was conducted in the hemodialysis unit in Minya University hospital. Subjects: The study group was a convenience sample which included all health team staff in the hemodialysis unit. Data collection tools: 1) Self-Administered Questionnaire, 2) Infection Control Associated Practices Observational Checklists, 3) Polices and Resources' Assessment Tool and 4) Infection Assessment Tool for Patients in hemodialysis unit. Results: The study results revealed an obvious improvement in knowledge and practice of the studied health team staff in hemodialysis unit with a statistically significant differences pre, post and follow up the guidelines application. Also, the results revealed a decrease in signs and symptoms of infection and decrease in infection rate post guidelines application. Conclusion: Application of infection control guidelines improves health team staff knowledge and practices with positive impact on the infection rate for patients and health team staff in hemodialysis units. Recommendation: Continuous education and training of both new and current health team staff in hemodialysis unit about infection prevention and control guidelines should be enhanced.

Late defecation can be a significant clinical challenge that can compromise mechanical ventilator (MV) weaning management plans and prolong an intensive care unit (ICU) stay. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of late defecation on mechanical ventilator weaning, and the factors associated with late defecation in mechanically ventilated patients. Study design: A quantitative descriptive research design was used in this study. Sampling and setting: Purposive sample of 120 mechanically ventilated patients in three ICUs for ≥ 48 hours were investigated, and their defecation status was assessed during the first week after admission. The patients were divided into two groups: normal defecation, and late defecation. Four tools were used in this study; patient assessment sheet, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II score, The Victoria Bowel Performance Scale, and the patient outcomes assessment tool. Result: Incidence of weaning failure was 24.5% among patients in the normal defecation group and 52.2% among patients in the late defecation group, with a statistically significant difference (P value = 0.002*). (30.2 %) and (55.2 %) of patients in the normal defecation and the late defecation groups respectively received muscle relaxants with statistically significant difference (P value= 0.006*). Conclusion: The use of muscle relaxants, sedatives, and vasopressors may be associated factors of late defection development. Late defecation has a negative effect on MV weaning in critically ill patients. Recommendations: Frequent monitoring of gastro-intestinal motility and applying evidence based guidelines for management of disturbance in gastro-intestinal motility should be routine care in ICU.

Background: One of the difficulties faced by surgical patients is pain; 60% of them report postoperative anxiety and mild to moderate discomfort. Acupressure is a complementary and alternative medicine therapy that promotes relaxation and pain relief. Aim: This study aimed to examine the efficacy of acupressure on post-operative pain, anxiety level, and sleep quality in abdominal surgical patients. Study Design: A quasi-experimental study design was utilized to meet the aim of the study. Setting: The study was conducted in the surgical unit, and outpatients at Minia University Hospital. Subjects: 80 patients were split evenly between the control and acupressure groups, with 40 patients in each. Tools: Four tools were used: a structured interviewing questionnaire, a numerical scale of pain, the state trait anxiety inventory, and the Arabic Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Results: There was no significant difference in score of pain, anxiety and sleep quality before intervention among both groups, but post acupressure intervention the score in the Acupressure group was significant reduced pain, anxiety and sleep quality scores compared to control group (p<0.001). Conclusion: Acupressure is a useful intervention for easing pain, calming anxiety, and enhancing sleep quality. Recommendations: The study recommended training nurses to use acupressure as a useful method for controlling pain and anxiety and enhancing sleep quality.

Background: Despite the growing demand for blood and its products, some people, particularly the youth, are reluctant to donate blood. Aim: To evaluate the effect of the orientation program on undergraduate nursing students' performance regarding blood donation. Subjects and method: Design: A quasi-experimental research design was used to achieve the aim of this study. Setting:The study was conducted at the Faculty of Nursing, Minia University, Egypt on the undergraduate nursing students. Subjects: The sample consisted of convenient 900 undergraduate nursing students selected from the previous setting. Tool: A self-administered related questionnaire was designed using an electronic survey (Google form) which included four parts: Part I: undergraduate nursing students' demographic characteristics, Part 2: undergraduate nursing students' knowledge regarding blood donation, Part 3: undergraduate nursing students' attitudes regarding blood donation, Part 4: undergraduate nursing students' practices regarding blood donation. The link to the survey was sent to the respondents via WhatsApp groups. Results: The study result revealed that more than onethird of studied undergraduate nursing students had a poor level of knowledge, and more than half of them had an inadequate level of practice about blood donation before the implementation of the program. The majority of students had a good level of knowledge and most of them had a satisfactory level of practice after implementing the program. There was a highly statistically significant difference and improvement in undergraduate nursing students' knowledge, attitude, and practice after program implementation than pre-implementation. Conclusion: The findings of the study concluded that orientation program had positive effects on improving undergraduate nursing students' performance regarding blood donation. Recommendations: The study recommended organized blood donation orientation program are required to increase undergraduate nursing students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward blood donations.