Heart & lung : the journal of critical care
-
By decreasing the time to defibrillation, automated external defibrillators (AEDs) provide an opportunity for lay people to improve survival in out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest. We examined how beliefs, expectations, and actual performance are related to intentions to use an AED during a future heart emergency among a group of seniors. ⋯ The likelihood that an elderly lay bystander will actually use an AED during a cardiac event may be closely tied to perceptions of his or her ability to operate an AED.
-
The aim of this study was to describe decisive situations experienced by spouses of patients with heart failure that could potentially affect their ability to provide social support to the patient. ⋯ By identifying spouses' experiences, health care professionals can assess which kind of specific interventions should be used to improve the life situation of the patient with heart failure and his or her spouse.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Effects of music therapy on anxiety in ventilator-dependent patients.
The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of music therapy in decreasing anxiety in ventilator-dependent patients. ⋯ Music therapy is an effective nursing intervention in decreasing anxiety in ventilator-dependent patients and its use should be incorporated into the care of mechanically ventilated patients. For the Chinese patients, culture and language were the predominant factors in their choice of music.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Effect of lateral positions on tissue oxygenation in the critically ill.
The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of lateral positions on tissue oxygenation in critically ill patients. ⋯ These findings suggest that lateral positioning of critically ill patients who are hypoxemic or have low cardiac output does not further endanger tissue oxygenation. Evaluation of individual patient responses to position changes in the clinical setting is encouraged until further studies using more heterogenous populations can provide more definitive guidance.
-
Comparative Study
Atypical presentation of acute myocardial infarction in 3 age groups.
The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical manifestations of first-time acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in 3 age groups of men and women who presented to the emergency departments of 3 acute tertiary care hospitals. ⋯ It is essential that nurses and physicians accurately assess patients with AMI, especially patients in the older age groups who may be presenting atypically. It is also important that professional and nonprofessional public health education initiatives include information regarding both typical and atypical presentation of AMI, particularly in the older patient.