Critical care nurse
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Critical care nurse · Feb 2012
ReviewIntra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome: a comprehensive overview.
Intra-abdominal hypertension has a prevalence of at least 50% in the critically ill population and has been identified as an independent risk factor for death. Yet, many of the members of the critical care team do not assess for intra-abdominal hypertension and are unaware of the consequences of untreated intra-abdominal hypertension. ⋯ This article provides an overview of the pathophysiology of intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome. In addition, the evidence-based definitions, guidelines, and recommendations of the World Society of the Abdominal Compartment Syndrome are presented.
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Critical care nurse · Feb 2012
ReviewStrategies for improving patient safety: linking task type to error type.
This article reviews the connection between task type (skill based, rule based and knowledge based) and human error. Using real-life examples, each task type and error type is described in detail. Understanding how task type contributes to medical error enhances the ability of nurses to make meaningful changes in health care systems. Through error wisdom, nurses and other health care providers can more successfully navigate health care delivery and ultimately provide safer care to patients.
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Critical care nurse · Feb 2012
ReviewDaily interruptions of sedation: a clinical approach to improve outcomes in critically ill patients.
The continuous infusion of sedative agents is often necessary for critically ill patients. However, it has been associated with several disadvantages. Numerous interventions to reduce these risks have been evaluated, including the practice of interrupting sedative infusions on a daily basis. ⋯ The implementation of daily sedation interruptions was suggested to minimize multiple complications associated with continuous sedative infusions and was not associated with intensive care-related complications or long-term psychological effects. Additional studies have revealed perceived barriers to the implementation of daily sedation interruptions. Further randomized controlled trials enrolling larger, more diverse samples are needed to provide more evidence regarding the safety and effectiveness of this intervention.
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Critical care nurse · Feb 2012
ReviewHospitalized infants who hurt: a sweet solution with oral sucrose.
Pain is harmful to newborn infants. Oral sucrose is safe, inexpensive, and effective at preventing and reducing pain in hospitalized babies who undergo invasive procedures. ⋯ Parents expect nurses to serve as pain advocates for the parents' newborns and to protect the babies from needless suffering. It is incumbent upon nurses to stay abreast of the current evidence and integrate use of oral sucrose into daily pain management practice in emergency, acute, and critical care units.
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Critical care nurse · Feb 2012
Patients and their families weigh in on evidence-based hospital design.
In 2 landmark publications, the Institute of Medicine reported on significant deficiencies in our current health care system. In response, an area of research examining the role of the physical environment in influencing outcomes for patients and staff gained momentum. The concept of evidence-based design has evolved, and the development of structural guidelines for new hospital construction was instituted by the American Institute of Architects in 2006. ⋯ Critical care nurses must be aware of the current need to recognize how much the physical environment influences care delivery and take steps to maximize patients' safety, satisfaction, and quality of care.