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
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.
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Intensive Crit Care Nurs · Jun 2009
Close relatives' experiences of caring and of the physical environment when a loved one dies in an ICU.
The aim of this study was to explore close relatives' experiences of caring and the physical environment when a loved one dies in an intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ The participants showed forbearance with the ICU-environment. Their dying loved one's serious condition and his or her dependence on the medical-technical equipment were experienced as more frightening than the equipment as such. Returning for a follow-up-visit provided an opportunity for reconciliation and relief from guilt.
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Intensive Crit Care Nurs · Jun 2009
Perceptions of registered and enrolled nurses on thirst in mechanically ventilated adult patients in intensive care units-a phenomenographic study.
Thirst is a commonly experienced source of discomfort among patients receiving mechanical ventilation during intensive care. Dehydration, endotracheal tubes, electrolyte disturbances and the use of various medicines can contribute to the feeling of thirst. At present, the knowledge of nurses' perceptions of the feelings of thirst in mechanically ventilated patients are limited. ⋯ Registered and enrolled nurses wish to reduce sources of discomfort among their patients but they do not always realise that patients feel thirst and therefore relieving it has a low priority among staff. Relieving thirst is a human need that must be recognised in nursing education and on intensive care units.