Gastroenterology nursing : the official journal of the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates
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The purpose of this Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates Fellowship project was to determine whether capnography is more accurate than oximetry in identifying symptoms of respiratory depression in patients undergoing moderate sedation. Capnography provides an early warning of respiratory depression and airway compromise, especially when the medications used for sedation include opiates and benzodiazepines. ⋯ During this project, the nursing staff were educated on the importance and usage of capnography. Evidence was gathered that helped show that by using capnography, nurses were able to identify signs of respiratory depression earlier and more frequently than with the use of oximetry and cardiac monitoring alone.
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Comparative Study
A Retrospective Study Comparing Polyethylene Glycol-Electrolyte Solution With Magnesium Citrate for Treatment of Fecal Disimpaction.
Fecal disimpaction in the hospital setting may be necessary for a constipated child's condition to improve. This study evaluated the efficiency of 2 disimpaction therapies: nasogastric GoLYTELY (polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution) compared with oral magnesium citrate. Retrospective chart review of 103 children was conducted to determine the time from the start of the clinic cleanout until abdominal radiograph verification of successful stool evacuation. ⋯ Vomiting was an adverse effect of both medications, and 7 (12%) children were unable to drink the entire magnesium citrate dose. Both methods of disimpaction take the same amount of time. Magnesium citrate can be difficult to drink; however, it is less invasive and less costly than nasogastric polyethylene glycol-electrolyte.
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Pediatric patients with intestinal failure often require central venous catheters for extended periods of time for parenteral nutrition, blood sampling, and medication administration, increasing morbidity, mortality, and costs. In 2007, we reported a central line-associated bloodstream infection rate of 7.0 per 1,000 catheter line-days in our pediatric patients with intestinal failure. On the basis of this high rate of catheter-associated infections, we developed and implemented a central line care curriculum for patients/family caregivers and home health nurses. ⋯ With the implementation of standardized care guidelines and a central venous catheter care curriculum, the community-acquired rate decreased from 4.8 to 2.9 per 1,000 catheter-days in 80 patients with intestinal failure between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2014 (p < .001). This was also a significant decrease compared with the initial central line-associated bloodstream infection rate of 7.0 per 1,000 central line days in 2007 (p < .001) prior to the development of the central venous catheter care curriculum. We have shown that the incidence of community-acquired central line-associated bloodstream infections in children with intestinal failure can be reduced through formal education of central venous catheter care to family members.
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Abdominal pain is a chronic condition experienced by approximately 20% of individuals in the United States. The purpose of the study was to assess the validity of the Gastrointestinal Pain Pointer as a measure of abdominal pain intensity. A prospective longitudinal time-series study design was utilized. ⋯ The results were compared with the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire. The Gastrointestinal Pain Pointer was found to be valid in the assessment of abdominal pain intensity. The tool is a novel and valid measure of abdominal pain intensity that enhances the ability for clinicians to better quantify, in real time, patient-related pain outcomes for both clinical care and research.