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Aims. The aim of this study was to determine the perceived verbal and physical violence and related factors experienced by nurses in emergency settings. Background. Studies on violence in emergency departments indicate an increasing frequency of these incidents. However, little is known about the violence experienced by the Turkish nurses working in emergency departments. Design. Survey. Methods. The study population included 255 nurses. Data were collected using a questionnaire. Results. Verbal violence was reported with a frequency of 91 center dot 4%. Of the nurses, 74 center dot 9% had been exposed to physical violence in at least several episodes during the previous 12 months. Patients' relatives were the main perpetrators, followed by patients, most of whom were male. After experiencing violence, most of the nurses reported that, they had felt fear and only 3% described that they took sick leave, while 80% did not report the incidences of violence they experienced. The nurses described that, after a violent incident, they sought support mainly from their colleagues in emergency departments rather than from the administration. Over half of the nurses (65%) felt safe 'none of the time' in emergency departments, and 89 center dot 8% of them described that patients and patient relatives may potentially exhibit violent behaviours towards the staff when they are first admitted to emergency department, while 73 center dot 7% believed that the staffing pattern and physical environment of their emergency departments were not adequate to prevent violence. Most of the nurses (83 center dot 5%) stated that they should be provided with the training that will help them prevent and manage violence as part of their in-service education, whereas 82 center dot 7% of them had not received any such training. Relevance to clinical practice. The findings have implications for occupational health and safety from both employer and employee perspective.

Aims: To test whether there is any difference between blood pressure readings with patients wearing clothes under the manometer's cuff and not wearing clothes. Background: The few studies published on this subject have shown that blood pressure measurements give similar results whether the patients' arm is covered by clothing or not. However, it has not been clarified whether this is also true in hypertensive patients. Method: Blood pressure was measured on non-sleeved arm, sleeved arm and again on non-sleeved arm in 258 hypertensive patients using a mercury-filled column sphygmomanometer. Three nurses who were experienced and specially trained for the study performed blood pressure measurements. They were unaware of the purpose of the research. Results: Measuring blood pressure with the manometer's cuff over participant's sleeved arm did not differ significantly from non-sleeved arm measurements. Relevance to clinical practice: Sleeves have no effect on blood pressure results. Blood pressure readings taken over the sleeves will be much more practical and time saving in busy departments like emergency rooms, during disasters like earthquake where decisions have to make in minutes. Additionally, it will be time saving for general health screening surveys. Finally, it may have preferable because of hygiene concerns, patient privacy and religious beliefs. © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate burnout and job satisfaction (JS) level and their effects on quality of life (QOL). Material and Methods: Research included 322 nurses who worked in emergency units. The survey consisted of demographic information, Maslach Burnout Inventory, Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire, and The World Health Organization (WHO) Quality of Life Instrument-Brief Form. The data were analyzed with SPSS-version 10. Results: The rate of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment were 54.3%, 54.7%, and 46%, respectively. Depersonalization was negatively correlated with age; emotional exhaustion was higher among nurses without children; burnout was higher among nurses working at state hospitals and lower among nurses self-choosing emergency department to work. JS level of nurses was moderate. Intrinsic satisfaction was higher than extrinsic satisfaction. Nurses were most satisfied with nature of work, job security, ability utilization, authority, team interaction, personal achievement and morale values and least satisfied with working conditions, compensation, advancement, recognition, and independence. The factors effecting JS in a positive way were being married, having children, working at administrative position and self-choosing the emergency department to work. Emotional exhaustion and depersonalization were negatively associated with JS and QOL, while personal accomplishment was positively associated with JS and QOL. There was a positive correlation between JS and QOL. Conclusion: Half of the nurses have experienced burnout; their JS level was moderate and intrinsic JS was higher. Among nurses self-choosing emergency department to work, burnout was lower and JS was higher. Burnout, JS and QOL were correlated. We suggest that the preferences of nurses be considered when planning working departments to decrease burnout while increasing JS and QOL. Copyright © 2009 by Türkiye Klinikleri.

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate burnout and job satisfaction (JS) level and their effects on quality of life (QOL). Material and Methods: Research included 322 nurses who worked in emergency units. The survey consisted of demographic information, Maslach Burnout Inventory, Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire, and The World Health Organization (WHO) Quality of life Instrument-Brief Form. The data were analyzed with SPSS-versiom 10. Results: The rate of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment were 54.3%, 54.7%, and 46%, respectively. Depersonalization was negatively correlated with age; emotional exhaustion was higher among nurses without children; burnout was higher among nurses working at state hospitals and lower among nurses self-choosing emergency department to work. JS level of nurses was moderate. Intrinsic satisfaction was higher than extrinsic satisfaction. Nurses were most satisfied with nature of work, job security, ability utilization, authority, team interaction, personal achievement and morale values and least satisfied with working conditions, compensation, advancement, recognition, and independence. The factors effecting JS in a positive way were being married, having children, working at administrative position and self-choosing the emergency department to work. Emotional exhaustion and depersonalization were negatively associated with JS and QOL, while personal accomplishment was positively associated with JS and QOL. There was a positive correlation between JS and QOL. Conclusion: Half of the nurses have experienced burnout; their JS level was moderate and intrinsic JS was higher. Among nurses self-choosing emergency department to work, burnout was lower and JS was higher. Burnout, JS and QOL were correlated. We suggest that the preferences of nurses be considered when planning working departments to decrease burnout while increasing JS and QOL.

Objective: To deter mine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMD) and the related factors in Turkish nurses. Material and Methods: The sample consis ted of 2400 nurses working at hospitals in Istanbul. The study was conducted between January and May in 2008. A cross-sectional survey de sign was used. Data were collected by a questionnaire including personal, occupational variables, and WRMD. Results: Twelve-month preva lence was 79.5%. The highest prevalen ce was recorded for the lo wer back (49.7%), followed by shoulders (38%), and neck (35%). Nurses working in intensive care units were likely to suffer from WRMD more when com-pared to other nurses. The most common factors that led to or worsened WRMD were heavy lifting (92.3%), prolonged standing (89.8%), and bending (64.8%). Seventy percent of nurses with WRMD had visited a doctor, 47% took sick-day medical report, 4% of nurses repor ted that WRMD symptoms made them to modify the irdu ties, and 32% of nurses reported that they would like to leave the occupati on. Conclusion: This study sup ports that nurses in Tur key suf fer from symptoms of WRMD due to work-re lated factors similar to their counter parts elsewhere. There sults may contribute to plans for preventative strategies aga inst WRMD in Turkey. © 2010 by Türkiye Klinikleri.

Aims: The aim of this study was to examine whether there is any difference between BP readings with patients crossing a leg at the knee level and uncrossing during BP measurement. Background: It is clear that numerous factors influence an individual's blood pressure (BP) measurement. However, guidelines for accurately measuring BP inconsistently specify that the patient should keep feet flat on the floor. Design: Repeated measures. Method: Using a mercury-filled column sphygmomanometer, BP was measured at uncrossed leg position, crossed leg position and again at uncrossed leg position in 283 unmedicated or medicated patients. Three experienced nurses specially trained for the study performed BP measurements. Results: The results indicated that BP increased significantly with the crossed leg position. Systolic and diastolic BP significantly increased approximately 10 and 8 mmHg, respectively. Conclusion: Crossing the leg at knee results in a significant increase in BP. Relevance to clinical practice: Leg position during measurement of BP should be standardised and mentioned in publications. © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.