Critical care nurse
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Critical care nurse · Jun 2023
Use of Female External Urinary Catheters in a Burn Intensive Care Unit: Benefits and Challenges.
Burn patients have a relatively high rate of indwelling Foley catheter use because of their need for complex fluid management and wound care. However, Foley catheter use is associated with risks, including urinary tract infection. For female patients, an external urinary catheter is an alternative. ⋯ The use of female external urinary catheters may help reduce the risk of urinary tract infection in female burn patients. Further research is needed to refine the protocol for use of these devices and determine their safety profile.
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Critical care nurse · Jun 2023
Impact of Case Review Debriefings on Moral Distress of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Nurses.
Moral distress occurs when nurses know the ethically correct action to take but are restrained from taking it. Moral distress is prevalent in nurses who work in intense stress situations, as do extracorporeal membrane oxygenation nurses. ⋯ Developing strategies and providing opportunities to mitigate moral distress are crucial to a healthy future nursing workforce. Implications include the potential for improved patient care, decreased turnover rates and costs, and improved nurse satisfaction rates.
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Assessing functional cognition is a critical need for intensive care unit survivors transitioning to another level of care. ⋯ Assessing the patient’s functional cognition assessment and advocating for appropriate resources are needed to improve patient and clinical outcomes.