Orientadores: Desanka Dragosavac, Luciana Castilho de Figueiredo / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-27T10:18:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rodrigues_CristianeDelgadoAlves_D.pdf: 6776527 bytes, checksum: 911dcad00f3a4026901b992e7babcae5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Resumo: OBJETIVO: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo realizado com o objetivo de verificar a presença de Disfunção Transitória da Troca Gasosa (DTTG) no pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca e determinar se esse transtorno está relacionado a eventos cardiorrespiratórios. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos 942 pacientes consecutivos submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca e procedimentos cardíacos, encaminhados para a UTI, entre junho de 2007 e novembro de 2011. RESULTADOS: A Síndrome do Desconforto Respiratório Agudo (SDRA) foi observada em 15 pacientes (2%), apresentaram Disfunção Transitória da Troca Gasosa (DTTG) leve 199 (27.75%) pacientes, DTTG moderada em 402 (56.1%) pacientes e DTTG grave em 39 (5.4%) pacientes. A presença de hipertensão arterial e choque cardiogênico foram associadas ao surgimento de DTTG moderada no período pós-operatório (p=0.02 e p=0.019, respectivamente) e foram considerados fatores de risco para esta disfunção (p=0.0023 e p=0.0017, respectivamente). A presença de diabetes mellitus também foi considerada um fator de risco para DTTG (p=0.03). Houve correlação entre a presença de pneumonia e a presença de DTTG moderada em 8.9% dos casos (p = 0.001). A presença de DTTG grave foi associada a pacientes que necessitaram de terapia de substituição renal (p=0.0005), hemoterapia (p=0.0001), nutrição enteral (p=0.0012), ou arritmia cardíaca (0.0451). CONCLUSÕES: A presença de hipertensão pré-operatória e choque cardiogênico foram associados com a ocorrência de DTTG pós-operatória. Os fatores de risco pré-operatórios foram hipertensão, choque cardiogênico e diabetes. No pós-operatório, a pneumonia, pneumonia associada à ventilação (PAV), terapia de substituição renal, hemoterapia e arritmia cardíaca foram associados com o aparecimento de certo grau de DTTG, que foi fator de risco para reintubação, pneumonia, PAV e terapia de substituição renal no pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca e procedimentos cardíacos / Abstract: OBJECTIVE: A retrospective cohort study was preformed aiming to verify the presence of transient dysfunction of gas exchange (TDGE) in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery and determine if this disorder is linked to cardiorespiratory events. METHODS: We included 942 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac surgery and cardiac procedures who were referred to the ICU between June 2007 and November 2011. RESULTS: Fifteen patients had acute respiratory distress syndrome (2%), 199 (27.75%) had mild TDGE, 402 (56.1%) had moderate TDGE, and 39 (5.4%) had severe TDGE. Hypertension and cardiogenic shock were associated with the emergence of moderate TDGE postoperatively (p = 0.02 and p = 0.019, respectively) and were risk factors for this dysfunction (p = 0.0023 and p = 0.0017, respectively). Diabetes mellitus was also a risk factor for TDGE (p = 0.03). Pneumonia was present in 8.9% of cases and correlated with the presence of moderate TDGE (p = 0.001). Severe TDGE was associated with patients who had had renal replacement therapy (p = 0.0005), hemotherapy (p = 0.0001), enteral nutrition (p = 0.0012), or cardiac arrhythmia (0.0451). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative hypertension and cardiogenic shock were associated with the occurrence of postoperative TDGE. The preoperative risk factors included hypertension, cardiogenic shock, and diabetes. Postoperatively, pneumonia, VAP, renal replacement therapy, hemotherapy, and cardiac arrhythmia were associated with the appearance of some degree of TDGE, which was a risk factor for reintubation, pneumonia, VAP, and renal replacement therapy in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery and cardiac procedures / Doutorado / Fisiopatologia Cirúrgica / Doutora em Ciências

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston University / Anxiety is a common reponse in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The source of this anxiety is attributed to a multitude of factors. Research findings support the relationship between preoperative preparation and a reduction in anxiety. However, a lack of information exists as to the role of critical care nurses in this process. This purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a structured preoperative education/orientation visit by the critical care nurse on the level of patient anxiety. A sample of 21 patients were drawn from the population of cardiac surgical patients and randomly assigned to the experimental or control group. Subjects in the experimental group received a structured preoperative education/orientation visit by a critical care nurse the evening prior to surgery. Subjects in the control group did not receive the visit. Subjects in both groups completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory preoperatively and the A-State Scale plus an additional questionaire postoperatively. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance on repeated measures and a t-test comparison of mean anxiety scores. Findings revealed no significant differences in postoperative state anxiety scores between the experimental and control group. Results from the second questionaire indicated that subjects in the experimental group felt the preoperative visit was helpful. Furthennore, those patients who had the continuity of the same nurse conducting the preoperative visit and assuming primary care postoperatively in the intensive care unit responded more favorably on the questionaires. There were however, significant pre-existing differences in age and trait anxiety scores between the groups. This fact, in addition to the small sample size limit the ability to evaluate the effectiveness of the experimental intervention. Thus, further research is warranted to determine the effect of a preoperative education/orientation visit by critical care nurses utilizing a larger sample size.

ABSTRACT Atrial fibrillation (AF) is frequently detected in the setting of an acute physiologic stressor, such as medical illness or surgery. It is uncertain if AF detected in these settings (AFOTS: AF occurring transiently with stress) is secondary to a reversible trigger or is simply paroxysmal AF. This distinction is critical for clinicians and patients, as they must decide if AFOTS can be dismissed as a reversible phenomenon, or if it justifies the need for chronic therapy; in particular, anticoagulation to reduce the risk of disabling stroke. The uncertainty in the management of AFOTS is exacerbated by a poor understanding of its epidemiology. How frequently does AFOTS occur? Are there higher risk groups? What is the natural history of this condition? Across 8 chapters, this thesis systematically assesses previously published literature on this topic, focusing on patients who have an acute medical illness or have undergone noncardiac surgery, and addresses knowledge gaps therein. Chapter 1 is an introduction that outlines the justification of each of the studies in the thesis. Chapter 2 is a narrative review that defines AFOTS conceptually and outlines research priorities. Chapter 3 is a systematic review that explores the incidence and recurrence of AFOTS associated with acute medical illness. Chapter 4 is a systematic review and meta-analysis that explores the incidence and recurrence of AFOTS associated with acute noncardiac surgery. iii Chapter 5 examines the profiles of pacemaker-detected “subclinical” AF occurring before and after a hospitalization for medical illness or noncardiac surgery Chapter 6 reports the design, rationale and final results of a prospective study that aimed to provide a precise and accurate estimate of the incidence of AFOTS in critically ill patients. Chapter 7 reports the design and rationale of a matched prospective cohort study designed to estimate the rate of recurrence of AF following hospitalization with AFOTS and to compare it to similar patients who did not have AFOTS. Finally, Chapter 8 outlines the conclusions, discusses the limitations, and presents the implications of the research in this PhD thesis. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common abnormal heart rhythm. AF is often diagnosed when a patient is hospitalized for an illness or after surgery. When AF is first found in this setting, it is unclear whether it has the same prognosis as other forms of the disease or is reversible. This thesis examines this problem and designs and executes studies to address it.

Critical illness can be iatrogenic, arising from the lifesaving measures undertaken during admission to critical care. Early mobilization (EM) of patients receiving intensive care unit (ICU)-level care may reduce the possible iatrogenic effects of critical care following cardiac surgery. While evidence supports the safety and efficacy of physiotherapy in the medical-surgical ICU, few studies have included critically ill patients with complicated, prolonged post-operative recoveries despite the worldwide frequency of cardiac surgery. This has resulted in a lack of clinical practice guidelines or systematic reviews to help guide critical care physiotherapy practice in post-operative cardiac surgery. In-bed cycling is a modality to initiate EM. However, its safety and feasibility have yet to be established in the critically ill cardiac surgery population. There is also a paucity of qualitative research investigating clinicians’ attitudes and beliefs about in-bed cycling as an acceptable rehabilitation modality. Purposes: (1) To describe current physiotherapy practice for critically ill adult patients requiring prolonged admissions to ICU post cardiac surgery in Ontario via an electronic, self-administered survey; (2) To investigate the feasibility of in-bed cycling in a pilot study in a sample of critically ill cardiac surgery patients in Hamilton, Ontario; (3) To explore primary frontline clinicians’ experiences and impressions of their involvement with in-bed cycling in the cardiac surgical ICU via an interpretive description qualitative interview study. With adequate physiotherapy staffing, in-bed cycling was found to be safe and feasible with few adverse events occurring during cycling. With an 80% response rate, our survey results suggest that Ontario critical care physiotherapists provide a variety of interventions ranging from chest physiotherapy to functional mobility. Clinicians supported the use of in-bed cycling. Concerns included how to identify appropriate patients and timing of the intervention. This thesis built upon the current critical care research by increasing the presence of the cardiac surgery population in the rehabilitation literature. / Thesis / Doctor of Rehabilitation (RhD) / Early exercise can help patients rehabilitate after a critical illness. No current research exists examining the role of in-bed cycling with patients who become critically ill after heart surgery (so called “off-track”). The thesis goals were: (1) to conduct a survey of Ontario ICU physiotherapists to understand their role treating off-track patients with a complicated post-operative recovery; (2) to determine if cycling is safe and feasible with sick patients after heart surgery in the intensive care unit (ICU); and (3) to interview staff in the Hamilton heart surgery ICU to understand their experiences with in-bed cycling. Ontario physiotherapists provide a multitude of interventions in the heart surgery ICU. Cycling was found to be safe and feasible with adequate physiotherapy staffing. Intensive care unit staff supported in-bed cycling but were concerned about choosing the right patients and how best to time its introduction. With limited evidence around physiotherapy in the heart surgery ICU, larger studies are needed.

Almost half of patients recovering from open chest surgery experience atrial fibrillation (AF) that results principally from inflammation in the pericardial space surrounding the heart. Given that post-operative AF is associated with increased mortality, effective measures to prevent AF after open-chest surgery are highly desirable. In this study, we tested the concept that extracellular vesicles (EVs) isolated from human atrial explant-derived cells can prevent post-operative AF. Middle-aged female and male rats were randomized to undergo sham operation or induction of sterile pericarditis followed by trans-epicardial injection of human EVs or vehicle into the atrial tissue. Pericarditis increased the probability of inducing AF while EV treatment abrogated this effect in a sex independent manner. EV treatment reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Atrial fibrosis and hypertrophy seen after pericarditis was markedly attenuated by EV pre-treatment; an effect attributable to suppression of fibroblast proliferation by EVs. Our study demonstrates that injection of extracellular vesicles at the time of open-chest surgery shows prominent anti-inflammatory effects and prevents AF due to sterile pericarditis. Translation of this finding to patients might provide an effective new strategy to prevent post-operative AF by reducing atrial inflammation and fibrosis.

No description available.

The overall development of scientific and technical disciplines has enabled the introduction of minimally invasive surgical techniques in cardiac surgery practice. Implementation of minimally invasive cardiac surgery brings many positive effects for patients and healthcare. At the same time, however, it requires for the nurses to have appropriate knowledge, skills and experience to effectively provide comprehensive nursing care. The thesis is divided into theoretical and empirical parts. A total of four objectives were set. The first goal determines the specifics of nursing care of the patient before and after minimally invasive cardiac surgery. The second mapping the differences in nursing care in minimally invasive cardiac surgery from heart surgery classical approach. The third objective determines the role of nurses in patient awareness of minimally-invasive cardiac surgery. The fourth objective is focused on the needs and feelings of patients undergoing minimally invasive cardiac surgery. The results of qualitative research showed that preoperative and postoperative nursing care for minimally invasive cardiac surgery is similar to nursing care before and after cardiac surgery by standard median sternotomy approach. Nurses often wipe away differences associated with nursing care of standard and minimally invasive surgery, differences arose mainly after analysis of the data obtained. The differences include shorter hospital stay, shorter duration of mechanical ventilation, lower incidence of postoperative confusion, differences in invasive inputs, rehabilitation and awareness. For the majority of respondents from the ranks of the patients minimally invasive heart surgery technique had clearly positive impact on their mental condition.

Introdução: Estudos anteriores sugerem possível benefício do uso perioperatório das estatinas para redução de eventos cardiovasculares pósoperatórios. Metanálise previamente publicada demonstra que as estatinas reduzem mortalidade e infarto perioperatório em pacientes submetidos a cirurgia não-cardíaca. Entretanto, novas evidências em cirurgia cardíaca sugerem efeitos neutros ou mesmo deletérios das estatinas, sendo que metanálise recente demonstrou aumento da incidência de insuficiência renal aguda e tendência a maior mortalidade pós-operatória. Devido aos resultados conflitantes e escassez de evidências definitivas, foi realizada uma revisão sistemática e metanálise de estudos randomizados para avaliar os efeitos do uso perioperatório das estatinas em cirurgia cardíaca e nãocardíaca. Objetivo: Avaliar em pacientes adultos submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca e não-cardíaca a associação entre o uso perioperatório de estatinas e a incidência pós-operatória de infarto agudo do miocárdio, acidente vascular cerebral, insuficiência renal aguda e mortalidade. Metodologia: As bases de dados Pubmed, EMBASE e Cochrane foram avaliadas por 2 pesquisadores independentes até 1º de maio de 2018 para busca de artigos apropriados. Foram incluídos estudos randomizados que avaliaram o uso perioperatório de estatinas comparadas a placebo ou a nenhum tratamento em pacientes submetidos a cirurgia cardíaca e nãocardíaca. Foram calculados o risco relativo (RR) ou razão de chances (odds ratio, OR) e intervalo de confiança 95% (IC 95%) por meio de metanálise de efeitos fixos. Foi realizada a análise sequencial dos estudos (trial sequential analysis, TSA) para quantificar a confiabilidade estatística dos dados. A metodologia Cochrane foi utilizada. Os desfechos primários foram definidos como infarto agudo do miocárdio, acidente vascular cerebral, insuficiência renal aguda e mortalidade no período pós-operatório. Resultados: Foram incluídos 35 estudos randomizados totalizando 8200 pacientes. O uso de estatina comparado ao controle foi associado a menor incidência de infarto em pacientes submetidos a cirurgia não-cardíaca (OR=0,44 [IC 95%, 0,30 a 0,64], p < 0,0001), mas não em pacientes submetidos a cirurgia cardíaca (OR=0,93 [IC 95%, 0,70 a 1,24], p=0,61). O uso da estatina foi associado a maior incidência de insuficiência renal aguda em cirurgia cardíaca (RR=1,15 [IC 95%, 1,00 a 1,31], p=0,05), mas não em cirurgia não-cardíaca (RR=1,52 [IC 95%, 0,71 a 3,26], p=0,28). Não foi observado impacto do uso das estatinas na ocorrência de acidente vascular cerebral e mortalidade em ambos os grupos cirúrgicos. No entanto, a análise dos estudos com baixo risco de viés em cirurgia cardíaca demonstrou maior mortalidade com o uso de estatinas comparadas a placebo (OR=3,71 [IC 95%, 1,03 a 13,34], p=0,04). A análise sequencial dos estudos (TSA) não sugeriu conclusões definitivas sobre o assunto. Conclusão: As estatinas parecem ter efeito protetor contra infarto pós-operatório em cirurgia não-cardíaca, mas estão associadas a maior risco de insuficiência renal aguda em cirurgia cardíaca. Possíveis efeitos positivos ou negativos sobre a mortalidade não podem ser excluídos. Os dados dos estudos randomizados disponíveis até o momento ainda são insuficientes para conclusões definitivas sobre o uso perioperatório das estatinas. Estudos randomizados adicionais são necessários para avaliar o perfil de segurança e possíveis efeitos benéficos destas medicações nos desfechos pós-operatórios / Introduction: Previous studies supported potential beneficial effects of perioperative statin therapy to reduce postoperative complications. Accordingly, previous meta-analysis concluded that statin treatment decreases the perioperative incidence of mortality and myocardial infarction in non-cardiac surgery. In contrast, growing evidences on perioperative statins administration in cardiac surgery setting suggested neutral or even detrimental results. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis found that perioperative statin therapy in this population was associated with an increased incidence of postoperative acute kidney injury and a trend toward increased mortality. Due to the contrasting results and lack of definitive evidence, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to examine the effects of perioperative statin therapy on postoperative outcomes in adult cardiac and non-cardiac surgery patients. Objective: To assess the association between perioperative statin therapy and postoperative myocardial infarction, stroke, acute kidney injury and mortality in patients submitted to cardiac and non-cardiac surgery. Methods: Pubmed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched through May 1st, 2018 for appropriate articles. Articles were independently assessed by 2 reviewers. Randomized controlled trials evaluating adult cardiac and non-cardiac surgery patients comparing perioperative statin therapy versus placebo or no treatment were included. Risk ratio (RR) or odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were obtained using fixedeffects meta-analyses. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was performed to quantify the statistical reliability of data. The Cochrane methodology was used. Main outcomes were postoperative myocardial infarction, stroke, acute kidney injury, and mortality. Results: Data from 35 randomized controlled trials involving 8200 patients were included. Perioperative statin therapy was associated with lower incidence of postoperative myocardial infarction in noncardiac surgery compared to control (OR=0.44 [95% CI, 0.30 a 0.64], p < 0.0001), but not in cardiac surgery OR=0.93 [95% CI, 0.70 a 1.24], p=0.61). Higher incidence of acute kidney injury was evident in cardiac surgery patients receiving perioperative statins (RR=1.15 [95% CI, 1.00 a 1.31], p=0.05), but not in the non-cardiac surgery population (RR=1.52 [95% CI, 0.71 a 3.26], p=0.28). No difference in postoperative stroke and mortality was present in patients undergoing either cardiac or non-cardiac surgery. However, low risk of bias trials performed in cardiac surgery showed a higher mortality with statins versus placebo (OR=3.71 [95% CI, 1.03 a 13.34], p=0.04). Trial sequential analysis suggested no firm conclusions on the topic. Conclusions: Statins appear to be protective against postoperative myocardial infarction in non-cardiac surgery and associated with an increased risk of acute kidney injury in cardiac surgery. Possible positive or even negative effects on mortality could not be excluded. There is still insufficient randomized data for firm conclusions on perioperative statin therapy. Further randomized controlled trials should evaluate both the safety profile and possible effects on patients\' outcomes

Ce travail reprend les études d’évaluation d’une plateforme instrumentale dédiée à la chirurgie mitrale mini-invasive vidéo-assistée, et du télémanipulateur Da Vinci pour la réalisation d’anastomose mammaire interne / IVA à thorax fermé.) Evaluation du Portaclamp. Cette étude clinique a porté sur 20 patients opérés de chirurgie cardiaque sous CEC et a confirmé la simplicité d’utilisation du système, son efficacité et l’absence de morbidité ou complication induite. L’étude chez le porc des effets histologiques sur la paroi de l’aorte des trois clamps (l’endo-clamp, le clamp Chitwood et le Portaclamp) a révélé une atteinte majeure de l’endothélium aortique induite par l’endo-clamp . 2) Evaluation du Portapleg. Le Portapleg est un dispositif auto-suturant de cardioplégie antérograde constitué d’un clip en Nitinol restant implanté sur l’aorte. Une étude sur 20 patients a été rapportée avec comme critère principal le temps de saignement du site de ponction après injection de protamine. Le système a montré son efficacité hémostatique dans tous les cas sans événement secondaire. 3) Evaluation du Mitrax’s. C’est un cône en plastique polymère auto ajustable et auto expansible, qui repousse de façon symétrique et concentrique les parois de l’oreillette. Une étude prospective de son efficacité a été réalisée chez 62 patients opérés de chirurgie mitrale vidéo-assistée de façon consécutive. L’indice de satisfaction a été en moyenne 4.6, témoin d’une exposition optimale de la valve mitrale avec une vision endoscopique ou directe de la valve mitrale jugée excellente. 4) Analyse comparative des techniques mini-invasives de revascularisation de l’IVA par pontage mammaire (Port Access, MIDCAB, TECAB). Cette étude prospective a porté sur 160 patients ; à trois mois, le taux de réintervention sur l’IVA était : PA-CABG, 0% ; MIDCAB, 1.8% ; TECAB, 10% ; p<0.01. A trois ans, les taux actuariels de survie sans réintervention étaient : PA-CABG, 100% ; MIDCAB, 98±5 % ; TECAB, 88±8 % ; p<0.05. / This thesis is based on the evaluation studies of an instrumental platform dedicated to video assisted minimally invasive mitral valve surgery, and of the robotic Da Vinci system in LAD bypass with mammary artery in a closed chest approach. 1) Evaluation of Portaclamp. In 20 patients who underwent cardiac surgery with Portaclamp, a clinical study showed that the clamping system is safe, fast and easy and does not generate undue morbidity. In a pig model, severe lesions of the intima were observed on the clamping spot with the endoclamp, in comparison with Portaclamp and Chitwood clamp. 2) Evaluation of Portapleg. Portapleg is an auto-suturing system dedicated to antegrade cardioplegia delivery, and based on a Nitinol clip left implanted on the aorta. In 20 patients, the closure of the puncture aortic hole and the haemostasis after protamine were obtained in all cases. The procedure did not generate undue morbidity and there was no device-related adverse event. 3) Evaluation of Mitrax’s. The Mitrax’s retractor is a pattern cut polymer sheet, self-expanding and auto-adjusting. The effectiveness of Mitrax’s was evaluated in 62 patients who consecutively underwent a video-assisted mitral valve procedure. The global satisfaction index was 4.6±0.5, demonstrating the effectiveness of the device which provides optimal exposure and excellent direct vision. 4) Comparative analysis of minimally invasive techniques for LAD revascularization with mammary artery graft (Port Access, MIDCAB, TECAB). In a prospective study, 160 patients were included. At 3-month postoperatively, the end-point of LAD reintervention were PA-CABG, 0%; MIDCAB, 1.8%; TECAB, 10%; p=0.01. At 3-year, reintervention-free survival was significantly lower in the TECAB group: PA-CABG, 100% ; MIDCAB, 98±5 % ; TECAB, 88±8 % ; p<0.05.

Occupation of a general nurse belongs to demanding jobs in terms of professional preparation and performance. A nurse is expected to cope with professional activity, working with modern technology, administrative work, to bear the physical and mental load of her profession, to be able to influence and direct patients? feelings and behaviour and finally to be able to cope with professional as well as family problems she is faced to. All this is often dealt with in continuous operation on shift basis at various specialized workplaces. Questions how nurses working at a cardiac surgery department are satisfied or dissatisfied at their jobs, how the work experience length affects their satisfaction, whether possible discontent among nurses may affect quality of the nursing services provided by them and how the hospital management reduces the factors of discontent, became the subject of my thesis. The research was performed at the IKEM in Prague. Quantitative as well as qualitative research methods were used for data collection when mapping the problems in question. The quantitative part involved a questionnaire both, for general nurses working at the cardiac surgery department, aimed at investigation into the discontent factors involved in their occupation, and for the patients undertaking treatment at the cardiac surgery department, to examine their satisfaction with the nursing care. Analysis of the collected data was then performed. An interview with representatives of the hospital line, middle and top managements was the instrument of the qualitative research. It was focused on the question how they proceed in elimination or reduction the discontent factors. The following facts were found out by the quantitative research. Increased physical and mental load, non-cooperating patients and care about more patients at the same time, extensive administration related to patient care, insufficient remuneration, lack of communication from doctors and superiors, lack of auxiliary staff, projection of occupation to private life or the problem of sleeping after a night shift are the most frequent discontent factors. Despite the above negative factors nurses are satisfied with their jobs regardless the length of experience. The indentified factors of discontent do not affect quality of the care provided by the nurses. The qualitative research results show that personal talks, active interviews and direct communication from the staff are the most frequent methods the management uses to map staff satisfaction. The management representative is able to work herself on elimination or reduction of the discovered factors of discontent within her competences, which happens most often. She may also cooperate with the chief nurses or ward sisters. Unless she is able to solve a problem, it is passed to the authorized persons competent to deal with it (health care manager, social-legal department, HR department). The hospital director is also informed on the most serious cases. The management hardly ever cooperates with physicians on elimination or reduction of the discontent factors. The most important aspect of solving the problem of discontent factors is its subject, which affects the solution method, whether it is to be dealt with by an individual or the whole team. They inform the head physicians or the ward chief consultant on serious problems. The course of the problem solution is communicated to the employees by the ward sisters or chief nurses personally, orally.The goals of the thesis have been met, the set hypotheses have been refuted, and the research questions have been answered.