Critical care nursing quarterly
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Direct oral anticoagulants are becoming increasingly popular in outpatient use. These medications have lacked specific reversal agents. ⋯ The Federal Food and Drug Administration approved idarucizumab for reversal of dabigatran in 2016, and another agent, andexanet alfa, is currently in clinical trials for reversal of rivaroxaban and apixaban. This article examines the efficacy and safety of these emerging reversal agents, as well as other historical agents for reversal of direct oral anticoagulants.
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A methodological study was conducted to test the validity and reliability of the patient safety (PS) scale developed by Rashid (2007) for evaluating nurses' perception of adult intensive care unit (ICU) design features related to patient safety. Data for the study were collected using a Web-based survey instrument. A link to the survey instrument was posted on the Web site of American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) for ICU nurses in different US states to participate. ⋯ The study shows that nurses' perception of ICU design features related to patient safety can be influenced by such factors as nurse characteristics and unit characteristics. When using the scales, therefore, the designers can be aware of the influence of these external factors on nurses' perception. It is hoped that the PS subscales evaluating nurses' perception of ICU physical environmental features related to patient safety would help designers and health care personnel make better ICU design choices.
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The tele-ICU is designed to leverage, not replace, the need for bedside clinical expertise in the diagnosis, treatment, and assessment of various critical illnesses. Tele-ICUs are primarily decentralized or centralized models with differing advantages and disadvantages. The centralized model has sufficiently powered published data to be associated with improved mortality and ICU length of stay in a cost-effective manner. ⋯ Although technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, technology alone will most likely not improve clinical outcomes. Technology will enable us to process real or near real-time data into complex and powerful predictive algorithms. However, the remote and bedside teams must work collaboratively to develop care processes to better monitor, prioritize, standardize, and expedite care to drive greater efficiencies and improve patient safety.
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Medication errors continue to be an issue for the critically ill and are costly to both patients and health care facilities. This article reviews published research about these errors and reports results of observational studies. ⋯ Medication errors are happening at an alarming rate in the critical care environment, and these errors are preventable. It is imperative that all personnel respect and follow established guidelines and procedural safeguards to ensure flawless drug delivery to patients.
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Fluid administration is one of the most universal interventions in the intensive care unit; however, there remains a lack of optimal fluid choice in clinical practice. With increasing evidence suggesting that the choice and dose of fluid may influence patient outcomes, it is important to have an understanding of the differences between the various fluid products and these potential effects in order for nurses to navigate the critically ill patient. This article reviews properties, adverse effects, and monitoring of commonly used colloid and crystalloid fluids, providing information that may aid in fluid selection in the intensive care unit.