Intensive & critical care nursing : the official journal of the British Association of Critical Care Nurses
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Intensive Crit Care Nurs · Aug 2009
Randomized Controlled TrialPatients' perception of music versus ordinary sound in a postanaesthesia care unit: a randomised crossover trial.
We performed an experimental single-blind crossover design study in a postanaesthesia care unit (PACU): (i) to test the hypothesis that patients will experience a higher degree of wellbeing if they listen to music compared to ordinary PACU sounds during their early postoperative care, (ii) to determine if there is a difference over time, and (iii) to evaluate the importance of the acoustic environment and whether patients prefer listening to music during their stay. Two groups received a three-phase intervention: one group (n=23) experienced music-ordinary sound-music and the second group (n=21) experienced ordinary sound-music-ordinary sound. ⋯ The results also revealed that most participants (n=32) preferred listening to music versus listening to ordinary sound (n=3) while in the PACU (p<0.001). These findings promote use of listening to music to establish a healing environment for patients in a postanaesthesia care unit.
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Intensive Crit Care Nurs · Aug 2009
ReviewWhat factors influence suboptimal ward care in the acutely ill ward patient?
As technological developments continue to offer patients more health care choices patient acuity increases. Patients that traditionally would have been cared for in a critical care environment are increasingly located on general wards. This change impacts on the acute care sector in a number of ways. ⋯ Confidential inquiry into quality of care before admission to intensive care. BMJ 1998;316(7148):1853-8] in relation to suboptimal ward care in an attempt to develop a conceptual analysis of the factors that influence suboptimal ward care and acutely ill ward patients. Thus, it aims to develop and enhance practitioners' knowledge and understanding of this topic and therefore improve patient care outcomes.
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Intensive Crit Care Nurs · Aug 2009
Manual hyperinflation of intubated and mechanically ventilated patients in Dutch intensive care units--a survey into current practice and knowledge.
In the daily bedside routine of the intensive care, potentially hazardous interventions that lack evidence need critical consideration. Therefore we examined current practice and knowledge of basic principles of manual hyperinflation (MH) in intubated and mechanically ventilated patients among intensive care unit nurses in the Netherlands. ⋯ This survey indicates that MH is widely used as an important item of airway management. Importantly, there is no uniformity in the performance of the procedure. Before definitive research can be developed, standards for the MH procedure should be established.
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Intensive Crit Care Nurs · Aug 2009
The cardiovascular intensive care unit nurse's experience with end-of-life care: a qualitative descriptive study.
Nurses in the cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) informally expressed moral angst when caring for patients who are approaching the end of life. The purpose of this study was to better understand CVICU nurses' perceptions about their roles and responsibilities in the decision-making process about change in intensity of care and end-of-life care for patients within the CVICU setting. ⋯ This research adds to the limited body of knowledge concerning CVICU nurses' experiences with end-of-life care. Results of this study provide a basis for putting in place support systems for CVICU nurses.
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Intensive Crit Care Nurs · Aug 2009
The meaning of family members' presence during intensive care stay: a qualitative study.
The aim of this study was to investigate what the presence of family members meant to patients in intensive care units. The study employed a qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews and qualitative content analysis. Eleven intensive care patients were interviewed at a university hospital in Norway. ⋯ The study supports prior claims that flexible visiting routines are challenging for ICU nurses. A dialogue with the families is recommended in order to find a balance between the social support and the stress caused by visits. This puts the families in a better position to give support to the patients during recovery.