Dimensions of critical care nursing : DCCN
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Dimens Crit Care Nurs · Sep 2010
ReviewLife-support technology and the dying experience: implications for critical-care nursing practice.
The purpose of this article was to explore the historical, social, and philosophical factors related to life-support technology and its effects on patients dying in an intensive care unit environment. The article examines how technology has affected the right of individuals to experience a peaceful death. Implications for nursing practice in critical care are also addressed.
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Dimens Crit Care Nurs · Sep 2010
Nurturing nursing students during intensive care unit clinical practicum.
Approximately one-third of new graduates will quit their jobs in the first year. When nurses leave, vacant positions result in increased overtime for the remaining staff, which eventually results in burnout. ⋯ This article describes how the staff transformed a neurosurgical intensive care unit and nurture students through the application of Jean Watson's 10 Caritas processes. When nursing students complete their clinical practicum in the unit, learning is enhanced, the students seek to continue to work in the intensive care unit, recruitment and retention are encouraged, and burnout may be prevented.
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Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) therapy has become an accepted intervention for delivering pain management in a wide variety of patient populations. The principle of patient-controlled analgesia is to provide patient control over medication delivery. Unfortunately, PCA has come under great scrutiny since its introduction almost 40 years ago. This article focuses on the benefits and safety concerns of PCA and focuses on points that prescribers and nurses should keep in mind.
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Dimens Crit Care Nurs · May 2010
Case ReportsUsing the Synergy Model to guide the practice of rapid response teams.
The goals of Rapid Response Teams are to provide interventional care upon recognizing a clinical change in a patient's condition and to prevent further progression of declining health. There are many clinical situations in which the critical care nurse or advanced practice nurse can apply the Synergy Model to patient care. Understanding how the Synergy Model can guide the Rapid Response Team interventions and practice by identifying and matching patient and nurse characteristics can possibly achieve improved patient outcomes.
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Dimens Crit Care Nurs · Mar 2010
NNN language and evidence-based practice guidelines for acute cardiac care: retaining the essence of nursing.
Multidisciplinary management of the acute cardiac patient, for decades, has been driven by best practices, treatment algorithms, and research-based protocols. As nurses continue to develop and implement evidence-based care, they must ensure that the essence of nursing is not lost in the process. In this article, strategies for the development of evidence-based practice guidelines for acute cardiac patients using standardized nursing language are provided.