Critical care nurse
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Critical care nurse · Apr 2024
Case ReportsNursing Care of a Child With Delirium Receiving Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Case Report.
Children receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation are prone to delirium. This case report describes the nursing care of a child with delirium who received venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Relevant interventions and precautions are also discussed. ⋯ Caring for a child with delirium receiving venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation required multidimensional nursing capabilities to prevent and reduce delirium while ensuring safe extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. This report may assist critical care nurses caring for children under similar circumstances.
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Critical care nurse · Apr 2024
Case ReportsProbable Non-Ventilator-Associated Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia: A Case Report.
Non-ventilator-associated hospital-acquired pneumonia is a preventable health care-associated infection accounting for 1 in 14 hospital deaths. Clinical factors influencing this condition include oral health and bacteria and oral care. This case report addresses diagnostics and clinical variables related to non-ventilator-associated hospital-acquired pneumonia and emphasizes the importance of prevention. ⋯ Consistent oral care, early and frequent physical activity, and measures aimed to reduce aspiration risk are key interventions for all hospitalized patients to prevent non-ventilator-associated hospital-acquired pneumonia. Further research is warranted to assess shifts in oral bacteria and general oral health during hospitalization, which could provide clinically meaningful data on risk for non-ventilator-associated hospital-acquired pneumonia.
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Critical care nurse · Apr 2024
Integrating Palliative Care Screening in the Intensive Care Unit: A Quality Improvement Project.
Patients admitted to the intensive care unit have complex medical problems and increased rates of mortality and recurrent hospitalization for the following 10 years compared with patients without a history of critical illness. Delayed access to palliative care can result in untreated symptoms, lack of understanding of care preferences, and preventable admissions. Despite studies supporting palliative care screening, there is no standardized method to assess palliative care needs of patients admitted to critical care units. ⋯ The screening process can maximize the benefit of palliative care services with early patient identification, improved consultation efficiency, decreased critical care resource use, and reduced readmission rates.