Thai Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Nursing

Editorial Note

Duangkamol Wattradul — 2026-01-17

Outcomes on health status, health-related quality of life and satisfaction among patients with interstitial lung disease received continuity of care

Nathsapass Rawaiklang — 2025-12-21

This descriptive study aimed to examine the outcomes of continuity of care in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD), including health status, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and satisfaction. The sample consists of 1) One hundred and four medical records of ILD patients who received continuity of care at Interstitial Lung Disease Clinic, Central Chest Institute of Thailand for 1 year with follow-up of health status and HRQOL for three times: at the first visit, 6 months, and 12 months, and 2) Sixty ILD patients who received continuity of care for at least 1 year. The instruments used for data collection included 1) personal data recording form, 2) medical data recording form, included health status: dyspnea (mMRC), pulmonary function (FVC% predicted, DLCO% predicted), functional ability (6MWD), HRQOL (EQ-5D-5L and EQ-VAS), and 3) satisfaction questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Friedman’s rank test, and Repeated measures ANOVA.

The results revealed that all 3 times, patients mostly had dyspnea in level 1. Three follow-ups over one year showed that patients' mMRC and FVC% predicted were not different (p >.05), but DLCO% predicted decreased significantly (p <.001). 6MWD and EQ-5D-5L at 6 and 12 months were significantly higher than the first visit (p <.001), whereas EQ-VAS scores were not different (p >.05). 86.7% of the patients were satisfied with the continuity of care at a high level. The results of this study can be used as information to improve the quality of continuous care and increase satisfaction in ILD patients.

Development and effectiveness of an E-book on cardiovascular examination for nursing students

Prangtip Ucharattana — 2025-12-21

This research and development study aimed to: (1) develop and evaluate the efficiency of an E-Book on cardiovascular examination, and (2) examine its effectiveness by comparing learning achievement in knowledge and physical examination skills between an experimental group and a control group, as well as assessing students’ satisfaction with the E-Book. The study was conducted in two phases: Phase 1 involved the development and efficiency testing of the E-Book, while Phase 2 focused on testing its effectiveness. The sample consisted of 102 first-year nursing students at Rangsit University, with 42 students participating in Phase 1 and 60 students in Phase 2. Research instruments included the E-Book, a knowledge achievement test, a physical examination skills assessment, and a satisfaction questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Mann–Whitney U test, independent t-test, and one-sample t-test.

The results demonstrated that the E-Book achieved an efficiency score of 82.5/84.5, exceeding the established 80/80 criterion. No significant difference was found in knowledge achievement between the control and experimental groups. However, students in the experimental group exhibited significantly higher physical examination skill scores than those in the control group (p < .001). Furthermore, students’ satisfaction with the E-Book was significantly above the 80% criterion (p < .05). These findings suggest that the E-Book is an effective supplementary learning resource in, suitable for both classroom instruction and self-directed learning.

The effects of a knowledge management program of practice in discharge planning’s perception for patients with acute myocardial infarction in a community Hospital, Narathiwat province

Nayanee Maha — 2025-12-21

This two-group (pretest and posttest) quasi-experimental study aimed to compare the impact of a knowledge management program of practice in discharge planning for patients with acute myocardial infarction in a community hospital, Narathiwat province. The sample consisted of 30 registered nurses divided into two groups: 15 in an experimental group and 15 in a control group. The study employed a two-part instrument. The knowledge management process was applied from the knowledge management concept, and a perception measurement for discharge planning practices. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and the Mann-Whitney U test.

The study found that after the experiment, the experimental group’s perception of practice in discharge planning was high (Mean = 4.50, SD = 0.32), while that of the control group was moderate (Mean = 3.31, SD = 0.33). A comparison of the means after receiving the knowledge management program revealed that the experimental group’s perception of practice in discharge planning for patients with acute myocardial infarction was higher than that of the control group, with a statistical significance of .05 (p < .05). This study can apply the knowledge management process concept to discharge planning for acute myocardial infarction patients to enhance an effective discharge planning system and to prepare patients to take care of themselves upon discharge from the hospital.

The effects of an effective breathing training program on cooperation and oxygen saturation in elderly with ophthalmic surgery under general anesthesia

Jutamas Markum — 2025-12-22

This research is a randomized controlled trial with a two-group pretest-posttest design. Its purpose was to study the effects of an effective breathing training Program on cooperation and oxygen saturation in the elderly with ophthalmic surgery under general anesthesia. The sample comprised 66 elderly individuals undergoing ophthalmic surgery under general anesthesia at Metta Pracharak Hospital (Wat Rai Khing). They were assigned to the experimental and the control group, with each group consisting of 33 participants. Research instruments were 1) tools for screening samples, 2) the cooperation assessment tool, 3) tools for conducting experiments, and 4) tools for directing experiments. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and Repeated Measures ANOVA.

The result revealed that after receiving the program, the experimental group had significantly more cooperation than the control group at every stage (p <.05). The results of the comparison of oxygen saturation between the control group and the experimental group in each period at preoperative anesthesia, 60 minutes before discharged to ward and 1-8 hours after general anesthesia there was a statistically significant difference (p < .05) but the initial period first receive at recovery room was not different (p > .05). The study suggests that an effective breathing exercise program can be used in nursing to create cooperation among clients and lead to normal levels of oxygen saturation values.

Development and implementation of practice guidelines to prevent retained surgical items and surgical items count sheet in Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery

Pimnada Pichaiphanupatt — 2026-01-02

This developmental and evaluative research aimed to: 1) develop implementation guidelines for the prevention of retained surgical items for minimally invasive cardiothoracic surgery (MICS) and design comprehensive surgical items count sheet suitable for the specific context of MICS; and 2) evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented guidelines and the newly developed count sheet. The sample group consisted of 30 registered nurses working at the Cardiothoracic Surgery Operating Theater, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital. Research instruments included an audit checklist for evaluating compliance with the guidelines and a satisfaction assessment form regarding the surgical items count sheet used in MICS. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including percentage, mean, and standard deviation.

The results demonstrated that compliance with implementation guidelines for preventing retained surgical items for MICS was at a very high level across all components: (1) the counting process, (2) management of swabs, (3) handling of sharp objects, (4) management of surgical instruments, and (5) procedures in the event of an incomplete count. Notably, compliance in the instrument management category was rated at the highest level. In addition, nurse satisfaction with the surgical items count sheet was very high across all dimensions: (1) content clarity, (2) formatting, and (3) perceived benefits and practical application. Among these, the “benefits and application” dimension received the highest satisfaction score (Mean = 4.84, SD = 0.243). The findings from this research can be further applied and used as a standard practice in minimally invasive cardiothoracic surgery. It is recommended to include an analysis of the problems and obstacles that lead to discrepancies in the counting of retained surgical items. Additionally, the development of innovations or devices to reduce risks in the counting process should be encouraged. Continuous monitoring and evaluation should be conducted to enhance the effectiveness of these guidelines.

Predicting factors of delirium in a medical intensive care unit

Onsuda Sopaporm — 2026-01-17

This descriptive study aimed to investigate the associations and predictors of delirium in the medical intensive care unit. The selected factors included age, anemia, metabolic acidosis, endotracheal intubation, and hypoalbuminemia. A retrospective study was conducted using data from all patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit of Ramathibodi Hospital between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021. The research instruments included a personal data record form, which consisted of personal data, health data, and information on factors related to delirium development, as well as the clinical outcomes of delirium using the Confusional Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU) assessment form. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including the point-biserial correlation and Cramer's V coefficient, according to the characteristics of the variables. Binomial logistic regression analysis was then used to predict the occurrence of delirium.

The results of the study found that patients with older age, acidosis, hypoalbuminemia, and intubation were significantly associated with the development of delirium. However, there was no statistically significant association with anemia. Acidosis is most related to the onset of a delirium episode. Using binomial logistic regression, it was determined that the combined variables could predict the probability of exhibiting delirium by 27.9% (Nagelkerke R²=.279, p <.001). Acidosis was the most common predictive factor associated with the occurrence of delirium, followed by patients with intubation. The findings of this study highlight the significance of implementing appropriate approaches to prevent delirium in this patient group. Furthermore, in the intensive care unit, delirium, particularly hypoactive delirium, should be evaluated and monitored because this patient is asymptomatic and challenging to diagnose and treat.

Predictors of health promotion behaviors among older adults with non-communicable diseases

Kornwika Phromjuang — 2026-01-17

This predictive correlational research aimed to examine health promotion behaviors and identify the predictors of health promotion behaviors among older adults with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Subjects were older adults (n = 200) with the NCDs visiting the Primary Care Unit in Phitsanulok Province. Participants were selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected by using a Demographic Information Questionnaire, a Self-Care Behavior Scale, a Social Support Scale, and a Health Promotion Behavior Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Hierarchical Multiple Regression analysis.

Findings showed that most young-old adults had an average age of 68.71 years (SD = 9.74). The hierarchical regression analysis revealed that social support and self-care behavior were significant predictors of health promotion behaviors. Together, these factors accounted for 65% of the total variance (Adjusted R² = 0.650, p < 0.001). Overall, health promotion behaviors were at a moderate level. Sub-scale analysis indicated that stress management scored the highest, while physical exercise received the lowest score. Community nurses should develop health promotion programs that strengthen social support networks. Furthermore, interventions should specifically target physical activity modifications tailored to the context of older adults to enhance quality of life and the efficiency of NCD management.

Research and development of a mental healthcare platform for high school students in the Bangkok metropolis, Thailand

Chatchai Thanachoksawang — 2026-01-17

This research and development project aimed to develop a mental healthcare platform for upper secondary school students in Bangkok through a mental health promotion learning module on the Moodle Learning Management System (LMS). The platform was designed to promote mental well-being, screen for early signs of psychological problems, and support self-managed stress reduction. The study consisted of three phases: Phase 1, an assessment of students’ mental health status using an adapted stress assessment tool based on the SPST-20; Phase 2, the design and development of the platform; and Phase 3, the evaluation of the platform’s effectiveness.

The results revealed that, in Phase 1, the screening of mental health status in 897 students, 52.50% had normal stress levels, and 47.50% experienced moderate to high stress levels, indicating a clear need to strengthen students’ mental health competencies. In Phase 2, the platform was designed and developed based on information obtained from a focus group discussion with five experts. The resulting Moodle-based learning module consisted of a stress assessment and four thematic lessons on hope, optimism, self-efficacy, and resilience after critical events. The platform also provided guidelines for mental self-care and career-inspiration content from exemplary role models. In Phase 3, the platform was tested with 30 students, with the findings indicating that post-intervention stress levels significantly decreased. The findings demonstrate that the developed digital platform is effective in promoting mental health and reducing stress among upper secondary school students. Furthermore, the developed program supports the advancement of sustainable, accessible mental healthcare systems in educational settings and enhances the effectiveness of mental health screening among adolescents.