Critical care nurse
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Critical care nurse · Jun 2020
Aligning Organizational Culture and Infrastructure to Support Evidence-Based Practice.
Standardized nursing practice based on the foundations of evidence-based practice leads to high-quality patient care and optimal outcomes. Despite knowing the benefits of evidence-based practice, health care organizations do not consistently make it the standard of care; thus, implementation of evidence-based practice at the system level continues to be challenging. This article describes the process adopted by a facility in the Southwest that took on the challenge of changing the organizational culture to incorporate evidence-based practice. ⋯ The lack of standardized practice was addressed by developing a group of stakeholders including organizational leaders, clinical experts, and bedside providers. Changing the culture required a comprehensive process of document selection and development, education, and outcome evaluation. The ultimate aim was to implement an integrated system to develop practices and documents based on the best evidence to support patient outcomes.
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Critical care nurse · Jun 2020
Authorized Agent-Controlled Analgesia for Pain Management in Critically Ill Adult Patients.
Patient-controlled analgesia is commonly used for adult patients requiring parenteral opioid analgesia in the postoperative setting. However, many patients are unable to use patient-controlled analgesia because of physical or cognitive limitations. Authorized agent-controlled analgesia, in which a nurse or family member activates the patient-controlled analgesia device, has been studied in the pediatric population but has received little attention in adults. ⋯ Use of authorized agent-controlled analgesia is associated with a reduction in pain in critically ill patients. Larger studies are warranted to confirm these findings.
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Critical care nurse · Jun 2020
Use of Physical Restraints in Critical Care Units: Nurses' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices.
Various factors affect the use of physical restraints in the intensive care unit, with nurses' knowledge and attitudes being the strongest determinants. ⋯ This study revealed inadequate knowledge about physical restraints and some unsafe practices among participants. Evidence-based guidelines and laws regarding physical restraints are needed, as well as regular training programs for involved personnel.