Critical care nurse
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Heart failure affects approximately 6.2 million adults in the United States and has an estimated national cost of $30.7 billion annually. Despite advances in treatment, heart failure is a leading cause of hospital readmissions. Nonadherence to treatment plans, lack of education, and lack of access to care contribute to poorer outcomes. ⋯ The evidence-based heart failure program improved knowledge, early symptom recognition, lifestyle modification, and adherence to medication, treatment plan, and follow-up appointments. The multidisciplinary team approach to the heart failure program reduced gaps in care and improved coordination and transition of care.
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Critical care nurse · Jun 2022
ReviewOral Microbes in Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia: Practice and Research Implications.
Hospital-acquired pneumonia accounts for 25% of all health care-associated infections and is classified as either ventilator-associated or non-ventilator-associated pneumonia. Hospital-acquired pneumonia most frequently results from aspiration of oropharyngeal secretions into the lungs. Although preventive measures for ventilator-associated pneumonia are well established, few preventive measures exist for the nonventilator type. ⋯ Findings reaffirm the importance of consistent oral care in hospitalized patients. In addition, practices should be different in patients receiving mechanical ventilation versus patients not receiving ventilation. Results may also provide knowledge to inform future preventive measures for pneumonia, particularly for nonventilator pneumonia.
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Critical care nurse · Jun 2022
ReviewRisk Stratification in Noninvasive Respiratory Support Failure: A Narrative Review.
The use of noninvasive respiratory support, including noninvasive ventilation and high-flow nasal cannula therapy, has increased over the years. Failure of noninvasive respiratory support, defined as the need for invasive mechanical ventilation, increases the mortality rate. ⋯ Future research opportunities include improving study design for risk stratification and implementing preventive strategies for patients requiring noninvasive respiratory support. Clinically, risk stratification can provide an opportunity to share knowledge and facilitate conversations with patients and families.