AACN advanced critical care
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The prolonged use of indwelling urinary catheters can lead to many complications, the most prevalent being urinary tract infections. These hospital-acquired infections can increase hospital costs, length of stay, and mortality rates. Evidence-based guidelines for the prevention of urinary tract infections are compared and discussed. ⋯ A multidisciplinary team was convened to create an evidence-based plan. Staff nurses were engaged in the development and implementation of the plan. Criteria-based foley catheter guidelines, a decision-making algorithm, and a daily checklist were implemented that led to a significant reduction in foley catheter device days and a decrease in catheter-associated urinary tract infections.
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Shock, or tissue hypoperfusion, is a frequent complication from traumatic injury. Despite the etiology of the shock state, there is always some component of hypovolemia. The body's innate ability to compensate for impaired perfusion may mask clinical signs, leading to delays in treatment. This article presents an overview of these compensatory mechanisms and resuscitation strategies from the vantage point of routine hemodynamic monitoring.
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Hemodynamic monitoring in the care of the critically ill neuroscience patient provides information that assists the clinician in minimizing secondary neuronal injury. Whereas no technology replaces the critical care nurse's physical assessment, hemodynamic and neurological monitoring provides additional data beyond what is possible with the clinical examination alone. ⋯ Although improved outcomes have not been scientifically substantiated, multimodality monitoring of intracranial dynamics and systemic hemodynamics and manipulation of these parameters during hypertensive hypervolemic hemodilution therapy may lessen the incidence of cerebral infarction secondary to vasospasm. Monitoring systemic hemodynamics and intracranial dynamics simultaneously assists in prevention, prompt recognition, and effective treatment of neurological deterioration.