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Background and Objectives: Pain is frequently reported as an unpleasant feeling during diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Using local anaesthetics is one of the common ways to reduce pain. The present study was conducted to determine and compare the effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) with a combined anaesthetic ointment of lidocaine and prilocaine on pain level. Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 240 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients at Imam Reza Hospital in Kermanshah, in 2020. These patients required three procedures including arterial-venous blood sampling and intravenous catheter placement. In each clinical procedure, 80 patients were divided into groups receiving electrical stimulation and anaesthetic ointment in the needle or catheter insertion area. The pain level assessment was done by the visual analogue scale and after the procedures and in 1st, 3rd, and 5th minutes. The time and attempt frequency were also recorded. Independent t-test and two-way repeated measures ANOVA were used for data analysis. Results: The pain level in venous and arterial sampling and catheter placement was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The attempt frequency was not statistically significant across different procedures (p>0.05), but the time to perform the procedures was significantly higher in the stimulation group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Electrical stimulation can reduce local pain caused by the insertion of a needle or catheter, similar to anaesthetic ointment. Therefore, it is proposed that this method be further investigated in non-pharmacological pain reduction guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background • Pneumonia caused by the ventilator is the most common acquired infection in the intensive care unit (ICU), which increases the morbidity and mortality of the patients. Eucalyptus plant has antiseptic properties that may mollify such morbidity and mortality. Objective • To assess the effect of Eucalyptus incense on prevention of pneumonia in patients with endotracheal tube in the ICU. Research Design • A randomized controlled clinical trial with parallel groups of 100 patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. Setting • An ICU in a teaching hospital. Interventions • Randomization to received Eucalyptus solution 5% (intervention group = 50) and received 10 cc distilled water as an inhaler 3 times/d (every 8 h/d for 20 min) (control group = 50). Primary Outcome Measures • The incidence of early and delay pneumonia and pulmonary infections based on clinical pulmonary infection criteria were assessed. Results • The incidence of late pneumonia was significantly lower in the intervention group compared with control groups (P < .01). The prevalence of Klebsiella, Candida albicans, and Staphylococcus aureus was significantly decreased in the intervention group (P < .01). Conclusion • The results present study showed that Eucalyptus inhalation is effective in reducing the incidence of pulmonary infection in patients under ventilation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pneumonia caused by the ventilator is the most common acquired infection in the intensive care unit (ICU), which increases the morbidity and mortality of the patients. Eucalyptus plant has antiseptic properties that may mollify such morbidity and mortality., Objective: To assess the effect of Eucalyptus incense on prevention of pneumonia in patients with endotracheal tube in the ICU., Research Design: A randomized controlled clinical trial with parallel groups of 100 patients undergoing mechanical ventilation., Setting: An ICU in a teaching hospital., Interventions: Randomization to received Eucalyptus solution 5% (intervention group = 50) and received 10 cc distilled water as an inhaler 3 times/d (every 8 h/d for 20 min) (control group = 50)., Primary Outcome Measures: The incidence of early and delay pneumonia and pulmonary infections based on clinical pulmonary infection criteria were assessed., Results: The incidence of late pneumonia was significantly lower in the intervention group compared with control groups (P < .01). The prevalence of Klebsiella, Candida albicans, and Staphylococcus aureus was significantly decreased in the intervention group (P < .01)., Conclusion: The results present study showed that Eucalyptus inhalation is effective in reducing the incidence of pulmonary infection in patients under ventilation.