Intensive & critical care nursing : the official journal of the British Association of Critical Care Nurses
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Intensive Crit Care Nurs · Apr 2019
Brief training increases nurses' comfort using tele-ultrasound: A feasibility study.
Nurses and other non-physician providers have demonstrated proficiency at obtaining images in the tele-ultrasound system. However, use of this skill requires comfort with the procedure and willingness to incorporate it into practice. ⋯ After brief training, participants could comfortably perform tele-ultrasound and were more willing to incorporate it into tele-ICU-directed care. Results support conducting a larger-scale trial of tele-US to assess clinical utility.
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Intensive Crit Care Nurs · Apr 2019
Filling the gaps: A mixed-methods study exploring the use of patient diaries in the critical care unit.
Survivors of critical illness often take time to recovery physically and psychologically from their critical care experience. There is tentative evidence suggesting that the use of a patient or family led diary with entries by nurses, doctors and allied health professionals may help the patient 'fill in the gaps' by making sense of a time they have forgotten. Many have confused or frightening memories and a diary can aid patients and their families in the recovery after critical illness. ⋯ Diaries can offer a means of providing clarity for patients who struggle to come to terms with their critical care experience and subsequent recovery, but should be given to patients with forethought and support. It remains unclear which types of patients might benefit most from diaries.
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Intensive Crit Care Nurs · Apr 2019
Cervical spine clearance in the adult obtunded blunt trauma patient: A systematic review.
A missed cervical spinal injury could have devastating consequences. Patients with a suspected cervical spinal injury are kept in rigid collars for cervical immobilisation. Prolonged collar use has important clinical implications. A well-defined guideline related to the removal of cervical collars from adult obtunded blunt trauma patients has not been developed. ⋯ It is important for institutions to re-examine the latest evidence regarding cervical spinal clearance in order to update their guidelines.