The efficacy of gum chewing in reducing postoperative ileus: a multisite randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: The purpose of this prospective, attention-controlled, randomized study was to determine whether postoperative gum chewing reduces the duration of postoperative ileus symptoms following elective open or laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy when compared with standard care or an attention-control intervention.

Subjects And Settings: Forty-seven subjects scheduled for either an open or laparoscopic colon resection participated in the study. Subjects were recruited preoperatively at the preadmission learning centers of the 2 acute care medical centers that comprised the study settings.

Efficacy of a skin tear education program: improving the knowledge of nurses practicing in acute care settings.

Purpose: We sought to evaluate the knowledge base of acute care registered nurses (RNs) regarding skin tears and the efficacy of an online educational program designed to improve their knowledge of skin tears including (1) predisposing factors; (2) identification and assessment of skin tears using the Payne-Martin Classification System; and (3) preventive care, treatment, and documentation.

Design: This was a prospective quasi-experimental education intervention study.

Participants And Setting: Four hundred sixteen acute care RNs from 2 affiliated hospitals participated in the study.