TOPIC

Medical-surgical research

Everything we have read on medical-surgical. Each paper is summarised from the full article rather than its abstract, so the limitations are in there too, and the funding wherever the paper declares it.

342 PAPERS · PAGE 4 OF 7 · NEWEST FIRST

• RNSystematic Review2025Nursing practices and complications associated with peripheral catheterization for outpatient antineoplastic therapy: scoping review.Revista brasileira de enfermagemScoping review of nursing practices for peripheral IVs during outpatient chemotherapy identified phlebitis, extravasation, and infection as key complications. It mapped evidence on site selection, skin prep, and monitoring but found no trials testing these interventions.
• RNCohort2025The role of oncology nurse navigators in the outcomes of surgical patients with head and neck cancer.Revista brasileira de enfermagemHead and neck cancer patients followed by oncology nurse navigators reached multidisciplinary assessments sooner, adhered better, had surgery sooner and fewer emergency visits, though hospital stay did not differ.
• RNSystematic Review2025Transition experiences of patients and families upon discharge from intensive care: a scoping review.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemAdult patients and families described ICU-to-inpatient transfer as stressful and poorly explained. Across 30 studies, gaps in information and communication appeared at assessment, planning, execution and follow-up. Nurses should expect unmet needs and give clear information.
• RNCohort2025Trajectories of cumulative fluid balance and the association with pressure injuries in ICU patients.International journal of nursing sciencesICU patients whose cumulative fluid balance rose rapidly over the first 7 days had more pressure injuries, even after accounting for severity and ICU treatments. Treat rapid accumulation as a skin-risk signal in nursing care, but this does not prove that changing fluids prevents injuries.
• RNOther2025An Expert Knowledge Algorithm and Model Predicting Wound Healing Trends for a Decision Support System for Pressure Injury Management in Home Care Nursing: Development and Validation Study.JMIR nursingA home-care pressure injury algorithm matched an expert nurse's recommendations in most of 12 test cases, but its wound-healing prediction ranges were narrower than intended. It may guide wound care, but it does not prove better patient outcomes.
• RNQualitative2025Mindfulness practices for alleviating distress among postpartum women.Revista brasileira de enfermagemPostpartum women in a high-risk maternity hospital described eight mindfulness sessions as bringing calm, less crying, less pain and guilt, and closer connection to their babies. These are their experiences, not proof the practice works.
• RNOther2025Accuracy of nursing diagnoses of hospitalized people with HIV: implications for care.Revista brasileira de enfermagemMost nursing diagnoses for hospitalized people living with HIV were rated high accuracy (60%), but 29.82% were rated null accuracy. Nurses should check that documented signs and symptoms actually support each diagnosis before using it to guide care.
• RNOther2025Effectiveness of processing laryngoscopes used in surgical patients undergoing orotracheal intubation.Revista brasileira de enfermagemRoutine manual cleaning of laryngoscopes failed to remove organic residue. Although simulated microorganisms were eliminated, all tested devices retained protein levels above safety limits, and some showed visible dirt on blades and handles.
• RNCohort2026The OCTO-Plus Intervention to Support Families of Chronically Critically Ill Children in Paediatric Critical Care: A Pilot Study.Nursing in critical careParents of chronically critically ill children in paediatric critical care could be recruited and kept in a nurse and physician-delivered family support pilot; stress, anxiety, depression and family functioning scores trended better, but it did not test whether the support works.
• RNQualitative2026Implementing Peer Support in Community Mental Health Nursing Teams: Qualitative Evaluation.Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursingSwiss community mental health nursing teams found clients expressed feeling understood and hopeful with peer support workers, while unclear roles, low hours, billing gaps and weak team understanding limited integration.
• RNMeta-Analysis2025Impact of opioid-free anesthetic on postoperative complication following gynecological surgery: a meta-analysis.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PIn women undergoing gynecological surgery, opioid-free anesthesia, a bundle of non-opioid agents, was associated with less postoperative nausea and vomiting, less rescue antiemetic use, and better recovery. It did not reduce pain scores, analgesic use, or change extubation time.
• RNCohort2026Integrating Psychosocial Screening Into Cardiac Nursing: Feasibility of Nurse-Led Type D Personality Assessment for Predicting Emotional Recovery in Coronary Care Unit Patients.Nursing in critical careIn 110 coronary care patients, Type D personality was linked to anxiety and depression, and avoidant coping was linked to depression and total distress.
• RNOther2025Maternal and neonatal factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding upon hospital discharge.Revista brasileira de enfermagemIn a tertiary Ecuadorian hospital, 91.55% of discharged newborns were exclusively breastfed. Exclusive breastfeeding was less likely with illicit substance use, tobacco use, hypertension, cesarean, anesthesia, multiple birth, low weight, low 5-minute Apgar, and cleft lip/palate.
• RNRCT2025Influence of therapeutic play on salivary cortisol levels in children undergoing venipuncture.Revista brasileira de enfermagemPreparing children for a needle with a doll did not lower their stress hormone more than no preparation. There was no clear difference in cortisol after the blood draw.
• RNSystematic Review2025Video Conversation Aids to Assist in Goals-Of-Care Discussions With Older Adults in a Medical Setting: A Systematic Review.The American journal of hospice & palliative careVideo aids were often acceptable to older adults and sometimes improved goals-of-care knowledge or shifted preferences toward comfort care, but effects were inconsistent and did not always change documented decisions.
• RNCohort2026Validation of a Swahili Pediatric Pain Scale in Tanzania: An Observational Study.Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management NursesSwahili instructions for the Facial Pain Scale-Revised and Color Analog Scale accurately measured pain in Tanzanian children. Both scales worked well, but the face scale was preferred by most children and caregivers. Nurses can use these tools to assess pain consistently.
• SLPRNQualitative2026Patient Perspectives on Inpatient Mealtimes: Insights on Swallowing, Mental Wellbeing and Recovery.International journal of mental health nursingThirteen adults on mental health wards described shared dining as stressful, crowded and controlling, with queues, fixed menus and staff supervision reducing choice. Some linked anxiety to faster eating and greater choking worries.
• RNQualitative2026Patient Experiences of a Recovery-Oriented Nursing Programme in Inpatient Psychiatric Care: A Qualitative Study.Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursingIn psychiatric wards, patients said nurse-led recovery groups felt useful when sessions were voluntary, structured, and led by attentive staff. Patients described the workbook and diary as tools to focus thoughts, plan for discharge, and continue strategies after leaving hospital.
• RNRCT2026Assessment of Discriminant Validity for Measures of Hope and Hopelessness in Adults With an Acute Cardiac Event.Research in nursing & healthAfter a cardiac event, feeling hopeless did not mean having no hope. Hopelessness and hope were related but separate, and many patients who felt hopeless still reported hope.
• RNQualitative2026Patients' Experience Before Cardiac Surgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study.Nursing openPatients waiting for heart surgery during pandemic described loneliness and losing themselves. They avoided burdening family, feared death, and said no visitors and staff focused on surgery information made isolation worse.
• RNOther2026Primary Nursing in Intensive Care Units.Nursing in critical carePrimary nursing increased ICU nursing organisation scores in one unit, but the other unit only partly reached it and some patient and care process measures fell.
• RNOther2026Postoperative Consequences of Fear and Anxiety in Open Heart Surgery: A Comparative Analysis of Two Patient Groups.The journal of nursing research : JNRReferral and nonreferral cardiac surgery patients had similar postoperative pain and similar preoperative anxiety and fear. In referral patients, fear was linked to pain, and anxiety was linked to discharge time, but no treatment was tested.
• RNRCT2026Single-Use Versus Multiple-Use Endotracheal Suction Catheters in Mechanically Ventilated Patients: A Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial.Nursing in critical careIn 58 mechanically ventilated ICU patients, single-use suction catheters and chlorhexidine-flushed reused catheters were feasible, with no adverse events. This pilot cannot show whether these catheter strategies reduce ventilator-associated pneumonia compared with standard saline flushing.
• RNRCT2026Effectiveness of Closed Blood-Sampling Devices in Critically Ill Adults: A Feasibility Trial.Nursing in critical careOnly 9.3% of screened patients were eligible, 27.1% of randomised patients were lost to follow-up, and 91.7% received care as planned. The device group reported lower transfusion and discard volume, but the trial did not test whether it worked.
• RNCase Report2026Advancing Knowledge of Acute Cutaneous Graft-Versus-Host Disease Wound Care: A Case Study.Journal of wound, ostomy, and continence nursing : official publication of The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses SocietyWounds from severe acute graft-versus-host disease had mostly resolved by the 104th day after stem cell transplant, following atraumatic skin care, soft silicone dressings, pressure relief, and pain control given with multiple systemic therapies.
• RNSystematic Review2026Summary of Evidence for Perioperative Management of Day Surgery Patients Undergoing Anorectal Surgery.Nursing openThis review synthesizes 46 evidence items for day-case anorectal surgery, emphasizing targeted preoperative assessment, avoiding routine antibiotics or bowel prep, and strict discharge criteria like a recovery score above 9. It guides nursing and surgical teams on perioperative care steps.
• RNQualitative2026'In the Midst of a Thunderstorm': Young People's Experiences of Physical Restraint in Inpatient Mental Health Services in the UK.International journal of mental health nursingYoung people aged 10-13 described inpatient physical restraint as frightening and confusing. Fear built before contact, restraint felt like losing control, and distress lingered afterward, often without helpful debrief.
• RNCohort2026Living Space Mobility and Liberty Deprivation Measures Among Residents With Dementia in Long-Term Inpatient Care: A Longitudinal Study.Nursing openResidents with dementia stayed closer to their room and living area than residents without dementia. Liberty-depriving measures were linked to more restricted movement, regardless of dementia.
• RNCohort2026Intermittent Catheters With Integrated Features Designed to Reduce the Risk of Urinary Tract Infection: Findings From the Continence Care Registry, a Multinational, Observational, Longitudinal Study.Journal of wound, ostomy, and continence nursing : official publication of The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses SocietyIn 32 adults using intermittent self-catheterization, catheters with integrated protective features were associated with significantly lower UTI risk, better quality of life, and higher satisfaction than standard catheters without these features.
• PTOTRNQualitative2026Identifying Candidate Predictors of Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries among Adult, Medical-Surgical Patients Using Clinical Expert Knowledge: A Delphi Study.Journal of wound, ostomy, and continence nursing : official publication of The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses SocietyA panel of 16 clinicians agreed that 132 of 205 concepts are important for assessing pressure injury risk. Activity, age, mobility, moisture, skin condition, friction and shear, and repositioning reached 100% agreement. These are expert opinions on what to look for, not tested predictors.
• RNOther2026Impact of the 'Reserved Therapeutic Space' Nursing Intervention on Acute Mental Health Inpatients' Perceptions of the Therapeutic Relationship, Quality of Care, Perceived Coercion and Length of Stay: A Multicentre Quasi-Experimental Trial.Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursingNurses using a 'Reserved Therapeutic Space' intervention saw patients report stronger therapeutic relationships, higher perceived quality of care, and less coercion. Length of stay also decreased, with patients in the intervention group discharged faster than those in usual care units.
• RNCohort2026Self-care and fatigue in individuals hospitalized with decompensated heart failure during the covid-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemHeart failure self-care scores were not linked to how tired patients felt or how much fatigue limited them among 132 patients hospitalized for decompensated heart failure. Most had inadequate self-care maintenance and management before admission and were very or extremely tired last week.
• RNMeta-Analysis2026The Effect of Reflexology on Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Open Heart Surgery: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.The journal of nursing research : JNRPostoperative reflexology was associated with lower self-reported anxiety across 8 randomized trials in 485 open-heart surgery patients, but trials varied widely and some were medium quality, so it cannot be treated as proven relief.
• RNCohort2026Chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity in cancer patients: an observational study at an Oncology reference hospital from southeastern Brazil.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemBefore first chemotherapy, 84 cancer patients had baseline risk signs: high C-reactive protein in 30, abnormal ECG tracing in 10, and high troponin in 1. Links between drug combinations, inflammation, and tracing changes were mostly absent.
• RNCase-Control2026Risk Factors for Pressure Injury in ICU Patients.Nursing openICU patients with co-morbidities, MEWS score of 5 or more, sedative use, Braden nutrition score, skin oedema or faecal incontinence were identified as at higher risk for hospital-acquired pressure injury. Nurses can use these markers to prioritise skin checks and repositioning.
• RNOther2026Association of Emergency Department and Medical-Surgical Nurse Staffing on Patient Departures Against Medical Advice.Journal of emergency nursingEach additional patient per ED nurse was associated with a higher likelihood of patients leaving against medical advice. Each additional medical-surgical patient was associated with higher likelihood as well. Staffing load may contribute to patients leaving before recommended care.
• RNOther2026Identifying Factors Associated With Loneliness in Older United States Veterans: An Ecological Systems Approach.Research in gerontological nursingLoneliness in hospitalized older Veterans is driven by community vulnerability and lack of emotional support, not military history. Widowed Veterans and those living alone had significantly higher odds of loneliness. Clinical care should prioritize assessing perceived emotional support and social isolation over service-connected diagnoses.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2026Geriatric Models of Surgical Care: A Scoping Review.Journal of advanced nursingMost models shortened hospital stays, but mortality results were inconsistent. Nurse practitioners performed comprehensive geriatric assessments and coordinated care in 38% of studies. Allied health input appeared in 58% of models, yet functional outcomes and quality of life were rarely measured.
• RNQualitative2026How Nurses Communicate About Amputation and Death in Specialised Outpatient Wound Clinics-A Qualitative Study.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesNurses in chronic wound clinics focused on wound healing and often avoided conversations about amputation or death. They cited limited skills, time, unclear roles, and fear of removing hope. Some patients raised amputation because of pain or exhaustion.
• RNOther2026Development of Telenursing Guidelines to Improve the Quality of Services in Diabetic Wound Care in a Hospital in Thailand: Case Study.JMIR nursingIn 20 patients with diabetic wounds, telenursing follow-up was paired with wound care and assessments, and wound severity scores fell significantly over 8 weeks. No amputations were reported, but there was no control group, so this cannot prove telenursing alone healed wounds.
• RNSurvey2026Informal Caregivers' Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice on the Prevention, Care, and Healing of People With Pressure Injuries: A Cross-Sectional Study in China.Advances in skin & wound careFamily caregivers of pressure injury patients in China scored 0.5% of the maximum for knowledge, 86.90% for attitude, and 41.87% for practice.
• RNCohort2026Validation of PREdiction of DELIRium in ICu Patients (PRE-DELIRIC) Among Patients With Severe Pneumonia: A Prospective Cohort Study.Nursing in critical careThe PRE-DELIRIC prediction tool did not identify delirium risk well in ICU severe pneumonia patients. In 173 patients, prediction was poor. Nurses should not use it alone to target prevention; CAM-ICU checks remain important.
• PTRNRCT2026Effectiveness of a digital technology-assisted personalized exercise prescription in the telerehabilitation of postoperative coronary heart disease patients: A randomized controlled trial.International journal of nursing sciencesPeak oxygen uptake did not improve more with the digital personalized home rehabilitation program than usual care in low-risk patients after coronary intervention. Submaximal endurance, exercise duration, and some quality-of-life scores showed secondary benefits.
• RNOther2026Exploring the Impact of Safewards on Aggression and Coercion in Psychiatric Inpatient Care: Findings From a Swedish Longitudinal Quasi-Experimental Trial.International journal of mental health nursingSafewards did not show reduced coercive measures or aggressive incidents in Swedish psychiatric wards. Staff reported Safewards becoming more routine over time.
• RNOther2026Effectiveness of the Semi-Automated Post-ANaesthesia Discharge Assessment Tool: A Pre-Post Study Using Propensity Score Matching.Nursing in critical carePANDA, an electronic discharge checklist completed by PACU nurses, reduced length of stay by 16 minutes on average. All surveyed nurses found it simple; most found it acceptable and feasible. It is a single-centre pre-post study.
• RNCohort2026Preoperative smoking cessation: Is it a trigger for long-term abstinence?Journal of perioperative practicePlastic surgery patients who complied with preoperative smoking cessation instructions were not significantly more likely to be abstinent at 1 year. They had a longer median time before relapse: 2 months versus < 1 month.
• RNMeta-Analysis2026The Effectiveness of Non-Pharmacological Interventions on Preoperative and Postoperative Anxiety Among Patients Undergoing Abdominal Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Worldviews on evidence-based nursingFor adults having elective abdominal surgery, non-drug approaches lowered anxiety before and after surgery. Preoperative counseling had the largest effect; relaxation exercises may reduce opioid use and speed bowel recovery, but no intervention shortened hospital stay.
• RNQualitative2026Experiences and Expectations of Hospitalised Patients Undergoing Negative Pressure Wound Therapy With Instillation: A Qualitative Study.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesPatients felt more prepared when told what to expect, but pain, alarms, sleep loss, and nurses unfamiliar with the pump caused distress. They worried about managing negative pressure wound therapy with instillation at home without hospital support.
• RNRCT2026Effectiveness of an Educational Intervention With Home Visits and Telephone Follow-Up on Knowledge and Quality of Life in Patients With Heart Failure: A Randomized Clinical Trial.Nursing & health sciencesNurse-led home visits, telephone calls, an educational booklet, and a self-care recording tool after heart failure hospitalization improved patient knowledge and quality of life at 60 days.
• RNCohort2026Development of a Nomogram-Based Prediction Model for Postoperative Delirium in Patients After Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Cohort Study.Nursing openAfter hip replacement, older age, higher fall risk, indwelling catheter and lower total protein were linked to postoperative delirium; a visual model could help nurses estimate individual risk.