This paper reports on a study conducted to determine the incidence of phlebitis related to peripheral cannulae, and its predisposing factors in a general surgery department. Phlebitis is a serious health problem that affects a large proportion of hospitalized patients receiving intravenous therapy. A data collection tool was developed based on the previous literature and was completed between 15 October and 30 November 2010 in a general surgery department. All patients with peripheral cannulae who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, and who agreed to participate in the study where monitored. This was a quantitative study, which used descriptive, inferential, and correlational analysis. A total of 171 patients and 286 peripheral cannulae were monitored. The average incidence of phlebitis was 61.5%, and factors such as diabetes and tobacco consumption were identified as relevant to the development of phlebitis. Other elements identified as predisposing to the development of phlebitis include administration of potassium chloride, the dwell time of the peripheral cannula, and the anatomical location of the cannula. Phlebitis associated with peripheral cannulae is still a current problem requiring knowledgeable staff who can prevent, recognize and act appropriately in a timely manner to minimize its severity.

This scoping review, conducted within the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) framework, analysed the recent literature (January 2018 to March 2023) addressing factors inherent to professional practice environments and organisational contexts influencing nurses’ adoption of evidence-based practice (EBP). This review included studies involving nurses regardless of sector, practice setting, and scope of practice. A systematic search was undertaken across the PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, and MEDLINE databases, as well as the EThOS, OATD, and RCAAP platforms. The extracted textual elements underwent a content analysis, resulting in a coding structure established through an inductive approach that categorised information into main categories and subcategories linked by similarity and thematic affinity. Forty-one studies were included, revealing four main categories of factors impacting EBP adoption by nurses: (1) organisational dynamics, (2) management and leadership, (3) teamwork and communication, and (4) resources and infrastructure. The study’s limitations acknowledge the subjective nature of categorisation, recognising potential variations based on individual perspectives despite adopting procedures to minimise the risk of bias. The results provide a substantial foundation for developing interventions to cultivate environments conducive to EBP adoption by nurses, thereby enhancing the integration of evidence into nurses’ professional practice contexts. This review was prospectively registered on the Open Science Framework (registration no. osf.io/e86qz).

This article reports the results of a clinical audit conducted to assess the minimum requirements for safe maintenance of peripheral intravenous catheters. The audit also determined the incidence of phlebitis and attempted to establish a causal relationship between some of the variables used to assess a catheter's maintenance status and the development of phlebitis.

Medication errors have serious consequences and high costs for the patient and the system. The treatment process and the care required for critically ill patients are complex, and these patients are more vulnerable to errors and potential consequences. A scoping review using the JBI methodology was conducted across PubMed, CINAHL, and MEDLINE databases and reported by the PRISMA-ScR guidelines to explore strategies that can mitigate medication errors by nurses. The search strategy focused on references published between January 2012 and April 2023. Sixteen studies were included, and the results were organized into thematic areas. Medication errors by nurses are in the areas of preparation, administration, and documentation; organizational, system-related, procedural, personal, and knowledge and training factors are predisposing factors for errors; educational intervention, verification and safety methods, organizational changes, and error reporting are the strategic areas to mitigate medication error. The organization of the data could be different, as it depends on the reviewers’ experience. Knowledge of the factors that cause medication errors and interventions to mitigate them make it possible to outline strategies to minimize their occurrence and achieve health gains. The protocol preceding this review has been registered in the Open Science Framework and published.

This scoping review was conducted under the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) framework. It included primary studies published until 30 April 2023, obtained through a systematic search across PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, and MEDLINE databases. The review focused on primary studies that used the Delphi technique in nursing competence research, especially those related to defining core competency frameworks and developing instruments to assess professional competence. The goal was to analyze the different methodological approaches used by authors, synthesize them, and propose recommendations to enhance methodological rigor, reliability, and validity in the application of the Delphi technique. For this purpose, the following review question was established: “What is the available evidence on the use of the Delphi technique in the study of professional competence in nursing?”. The extracted textual elements underwent a content analysis, resulting in dimensions established through an inductive approach. Twenty studies were included, yielding insights into diverse methodological options for conducting Delphi studies, organised around a set of dimensions: (1) preparatory procedures; (2) procedures for accessing and selecting experts; (3) acquisition of expert input; (4) data analysis and consensus; and (5) ethical and legal procedures and guarantees. The study’s limitations include the inability to include certain studies due to a lack of response to requests for clarification from corresponding authors. Additionally, the primary studies’ methodological quality was not assessed, which is another relevant aspect. The study’s results offer valuable insights for researchers intending to utilise the Delphi technique within the context of the research referenced in the included studies. This information encompasses important methodological choices, highlighting their potential benefits and associated risks. The review was prospectively registered on the Open Science Framework (Registration No: osf.io/kp2vw).