The Journal of neuroscience nursing : journal of the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses
-
Comparative Study
Identifying the perception of needs of family members visiting and nurses working in the intensive care unit.
Recent initiatives encourage a family presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and invasive procedures and more open visitation policies in intensive care units (ICUs). This study investigated perceptions of needs of those visiting and working in six ICUs. The needs of family members visiting patients with critical illness and nurses working in ICUs were measured using the Critical Care Family Needs Inventory. ⋯ Hierarchical cluster analysis identified the themes of (a) emotional resources and support, (b) trust and facilitation of needs, (c) treatment information, and (d) feelings. Family members and nurses differed significantly on three of the four themes (p = .000). This is important information for neuroscience nurses and other healthcare professionals to consider in providing care, setting visiting policies in ICUs, and developing approaches such as family-centered care.
-
Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) research in traumatic brain injury (TBI) populations is beginning to emerge in the literature. Because rehabilitation and reintegration issues are complex with TBI, especially with new combat veterans, it is critical that future HRQOL research be designed to consider these issues. Utilizing explicit definitions and a conceptual model of HRQOL can provide researchers with a holistic base on which to build interventions for successful patient outcomes. ⋯ This review was organized utilizing the model of HRQOL of Ferrans et al. The objective of this review was to identify gaps in current knowledge of HRQOL and TBI. These findings were then used to develop recommendations for future research with combat veterans who have sustained a TBI.
-
Performance improvement measures in achieving glycemic control in the acute brain injury population.
Glycemic control is becoming a standard practice in the intensive care environment because it has been shown to produce positive patient outcomes and benefits. A 14-bed neurointensive care unit initiated a strict glycemic protocol and evaluated the results over a 1-year period through a performance improvement initiative. ⋯ The purpose of this article was to explain how a strict glycemic protocol was safely implemented. Further research is necessary to determine long-term benefits of glycemic control in the population with neurocritical illness.