Objective:to determine the incidence rate and risk factors for the nursing-sensitive indicators phlebitis and infiltration in patients with peripheral venous catheters (PVCs). Method:cohort study with 110 patients. Scales were used to assess and document phlebitis and infiltration. Socio-demographic variables, clinical variables related to the PVC, medication and hospitalization variables were collected. Descriptive and inferential analysis and multivariate logistic models were used. Results:the incidence rate of phlebitis and infiltration was respectively 43.2 and 59.7 per 1000 catheter-days. Most PVCs with these vascular traumas were removed in the first 24 hours. Risk factors for phlebitis were: length of hospital stay (p=0.042) and number of catheters inserted (p<0.001); risk factors for infiltration were: piperacillin/tazobactan (p=0.024) and the number of catheters inserted (p<0.001). Conclusion:the investigation documented the incidence of nursing-sensitive indicators (phlebitis and infiltration) and revealed new risk factors related to infiltration. It also allowed a reflection on the nursing care necessary to prevent these vascular traumas and on the indications and contraindications of the PVC, supporting the implementation of the PICC as an alternative to PVC.

Reusable tourniquets and conventional securement dressings are considered risk factors for the occurrence of reported complications and catheter-related bloodstream infections. This study’s purpose is to assess the impact of single-use disposable tourniquets and advanced occlusive polyurethane dressings with reinforced cloth borders on peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC)-related complications and contamination. A pre- and post-interventional prospective observational study was conducted in a cardiology ward of a tertiary hospital between April 2018 and February 2019. Overall, demographic and clinical data from 156 patients and PIVC-related outcomes were collected (n = 296) as well as PIVC tips for microbiological analysis (n = 90). In the pre-intervention phase (n = 118), complication rates of 62.1% were reported, while 44.1% of the PIVCs were contaminated (n = 34). In the post-intervention phase (n = 178), complication rates decreased to 57.3%, while contamination rates significantly decreased to 17.9% (p = 0.014; n = 56). Through a logistic regression, it was found that the use of innovative technologies reduces the chance of PIVC contamination by 79% (odds ratio (OR): 0.21; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.05–0.98; p = 0.046). Meanwhile, PIVC-related complications and fluid therapy emerged as predictors for PIVC contamination. Findings suggest that the adoption of these innovative devices in nurses’ practice contributes to the significant reduction of PIVC contamination.

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar a incidência cumulativa de obstrução do cateter venoso periférico e identificar o uso do flushing para prevenção das obstruções. Método: método misto, com estudo de coorte descritivo com seguimento de 110 pacientes de uma clínica médica de Portugal. A coleta de dados envolveu entrevistas com 22 enfermeiros, análise documental e observação participante. Realizada análise temática dos achados qualitativos e análise descritiva para os dados quantitativos. Resultados: a incidência cumulativa de obstrução foi 50%. As categorias temáticas desvelaram que o flushing era um cuidado para prevenção da obstrução do cateter venoso e realizado antes e/ou após a administração dos medicamentos. O volume de solução fisiológica utilizado no flushing variou entre 3 e 10 ml. Verificaram-se, também, situações de não adesão ao flushing e fatores que influenciavam nesta adesão, a saber: o tempo para realizar os cuidados, a complexidade e o grau de dependência dos pacientes, o volume de trabalho e o número de enfermeiros para prestar os cuidados. Conclusão: o flushing é um cuidado de enfermagem para a prevenção da obstrução do cateter venoso periférico, no entanto, as práticas de enfermagem para implementação não são uniformes quanto a frequência e volume de solução fisiológica. A ausência de um protocolo de enfermagem, a complexidade e o grau de dependência dos pacientes, o volume de trabalho e o número de enfermeiros são fatores capazes de influenciar na adesão à prática do flushing e consequentemente na incidência de obstrução do cateter venoso periférico e na segurança do paciente e qualidade dos cuidados.

BackgroundAge determination has great importance in many clinical decisions, being commonly used in odontopediatrics, orthodontics, pediatrics, and forensic medicine. The Nolla and Demirjian et al. methods have been used for these purposes. However, estimating chronological age by means of the dental mineralization stage is not a straightforward analysis, and it is fundamental to test the validity of these methods and their applicability to populations. In this article we intend to compare the accuracy of estimating chronological age from dental age measured with the Nolla and Demirjian methods in a Portuguese and Spanish sample, considering the variables of sex and age-group.MethodsThe sample was composed of 821 orthopantomographs of healthy Portuguese (n = 270) and Spanish (n = 551) subjects from 4 to 34 years old. For the Nolla and Demirjian methods, seven mandibular left teeth were examined, staged according to the dental maturity scale of each method. We obtained a good index of inter-rater agreement, a good internal consistency for the teeth assessment, and a good temporal consistency.ResultsDental age was calculated for each method. The Demirjian et al. method tends to overestimate the real age of participants and the Nolla method tends to underestimate it. The accuracy of both methods varied between the sexes and age groups. Both methods were found to be more precise with males. As the age-group increases, the predictive capacities of both methods diminish. The Nolla method was more accurate than the Demirjian method in early and late childhood for both sexes. Neither method could predict chronological age in adults.ConclusionsWe can estimate chronological age for early and late childhood, through the Nolla and Demirjian methods, with the former showing greater predictive capacities than the latter. The Demirjian method tends to overestimate age and the Nolla method tends to underestimate it, leading to the importance of forming regression equations adapted to the population studied. Nolla and Demirjian formulas adapted to our sample were created as a function of sex and age-group.

There is a positive relationship between learning music and academic achievement, although doubts remain regarding the mechanisms underlying this association. This research analyses the academic performance of music and non-music students from seventh to ninth grade. The study controls for socioeconomic status, intelligence, motivation and prior academic achievement. Data were collected from 110 adolescents at two time points, once when the students were between 11 and 14 years old in the seventh grade, and again 3 years later. Our results show that music students perform better academically than non-music students in the seventh grade (Cohen's d = 0.88) and in the ninth grade (Cohen's d = 1.05). This difference is particularly evident in their scores in Portuguese language and natural science; the difference is somewhat weaker in history and geography scores, and is least pronounced in mathematics and English scores (η 2 p from .09 to .21). A longitudinal analysis also revealed better academic performance by music students after controlling for prior academic achievement (η 2 p = .07). Furthermore, controlling for intelligence, socioeconomic status and motivation did not eliminate the positive association between music learning from the seventh to the ninth grade and students' academic achievement (η 2 p = .06). During the period, music students maintained better and more consistent academic standing. We conclude that, after controlling for intelligence, socioeconomic status and motivation, music training is positively associated with academic achievement.