Heart & lung : the journal of critical care
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Metabolic alkalosis is a common acid-base disturbance in critically ill patients. In many patients correction of fluid and electrolyte status does not fully correct the metabolic derangement. In this study we examined the effect of 500 mg of intravenous acetazolamide, after correcting for fluid and electrolyte abnormalities, on the acid-base status of 30 ventilated patients. ⋯ The effect of acetazolamide was still apparent at 48 hours. No adverse effects were noted. We conclude that in patients with metabolic alkalosis, once fluid and electrolyte abnormalities have been corrected, acetazolamide is an effective and safe form of therapy with a quick onset and long duration of action.
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For thrombolytic therapy to be effective in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction, the patient must enter the health care center delivery system in an efficient manner. Some entry delays are due to patient decisions and interactions with others. In the United States, prehospital care is delivered by a variety of different systems, varying from public service types such as fire-department based to private types of service. ⋯ Since dispatchers have little medical dispatch training, needed instructions are not given to the caller, which can reduce the patient's chance of survival. Trained dispatchers are needed to dispatch resources efficiently and to offer assistance until trained rescuers arrive. Ambulances are inefficiently located in some areas of the United States, slowing response to the patient.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Widespread application of thrombolytic therapy has increased the importance of rapid triage and intervention for the patient who seeks treatment in the emergency department (ED) for suspected acute myocardial infarction. It has been suggested that all patients with acute myocardial infarction who might benefit from thrombolytic therapy should receive treatment within the first "golden hour" of arrival at the hospital ED. Busy urban medical centers, particularly public hospitals serving a large proportion of indigent patients, face special challenges in attempting to meet this goal. ⋯ Hospital administrators must recognize the unique problems created in the ED when inpatient beds are unavailable. The hospital must also have efficient bed turnover and a community-wide plan for dealing with patients when the ED "closes" to incoming ambulance traffic. Governmental entities must recognize the consequences of their actions in curtailing health care benefits for those who cannot afford care in private hospitals.
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Power analysis provides one method for assessing the efficacy of alternative research designs. The purpose of this article is to simplify the methods for calculating power analysis to determine an adequate sample size. Although attention to type I errors (alpha error) is prevalent among nurse researchers, there is less appreciation for research problems resulting from a type II error. ⋯ Formulas for calculating effect size are provided for t tests, correlations, chi-square, analysis of variance, and regression. Examples of calculating the effect size by using four different statistical tests based on research studies are presented: t tests with unequal variance between groups, chi-square, an analysis of variance, and regression. Power analysis is an additional procedure to ensure that the sample size is adequate for the research project about to be undertaken.
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As an acute episode of respiratory failure resolves for the patient who is receiving mechanical ventilation, the sometimes difficult task of resuming spontaneous ventilation begins. The resumption of spontaneous ventilation, commonly referred to as weaning, is often difficult for the patient with preexisting lung disease. ⋯ Weaning is conceptualized as a process of three phases: preweaning, weaning, and extubation. Important considerations during each phase are examined.