Intensive & critical care nursing : the official journal of the British Association of Critical Care Nurses
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Intensive Crit Care Nurs · Aug 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialClosed versus partially ventilated endotracheal suction in extremely preterm neonates: physiologic consequences.
This randomized cross over study aimed to compare the severity and incidences of desaturation and bradycardia between the partially ventilated endotracheal suction method (PVETS) and closed tracheal suction system (CTSS) in extremely preterm neonates. Fifteen intubated and ventilated extremely low birth weight preterm infants (mean birth weight 689g) randomly underwent both suction techniques within a 12-h period to obtain a paired reading group. The process was repeated 24-48h apart until three pairs of reading groups were collected. ⋯ The closed tracheal suction system reported a significantly smaller degree of oxygen saturation fall (P<0.005) and significantly fewer incidences of desaturation. There was also a significantly smaller degree of heart rate reduction although episodes of bradycardia were not significantly different between the two methods. Oxygen saturation and heart rate were significantly more stable during the use of CTSS compared to PVETS in the extremely low birth weight preterm population.
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Intensive Crit Care Nurs · Aug 2005
Noise and sleep disturbance factors before and after implementation of a behavioural modification programme.
The purpose of this study was to examine sleep disturbance factors documented by the personnel and recorded noise level during two weeks before (measurement one M1) and after (measurement two M2) the implementation of a behavioural modification programme. The behavioural modification programme included non-disturbance periods on a neurointensive care unit (NICU) in a University hospital. Sleep disturbance factors were identified as general and specific nursing care, and medical treatment documented over fourteen 24-h periods. ⋯ At M2 minimum and maximum noise levels varied when compared to M1. Implementation of a behavioural modification programme and non-disturbance periods co-ordinated routines resulted in reduced sleep disturbance factors and partly reduced noise levels on the NICU. Changes of the physical care/working environment, preparations before non-disturbance periods, regular evaluations of routines and education are needed to improve sleep on NICUs.
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Intensive Crit Care Nurs · Aug 2005
What knowledge do ICU nurses have with regard to the effects of noise exposure in the Intensive Care Unit?
This small-scale study was undertaken to assess what knowledge nursing staff from a General Intensive Care Unit held with regard to noise exposure. To assess knowledge a self-administered multiple-choice questionnaire was used. Rigorous peer-review insured content validity. ⋯ Non-parametric testing, using Kruskal-Wallis found no significant difference between nursing grades, however, descriptive analysis demonstrated that the staff nurse grade (D and E) performed better overall. Whilst the results of this study may seem self-evident in some respects, it is the problems of exposure to excessive noise levels for both patients and hospital personnel, which are clearly not understood. The effects noise exposure has on individuals for example decreased wound healing; sleep deprivation and cardiovascular stimulation must be of concern especially in terms of patient care but more so for nursing staff especially the effects noise levels can have on cognitive task performance.
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Intensive Crit Care Nurs · Aug 2005
Organ and tissue donation: a survey of nurse's knowledge and educational needs in an adult ITU.
The aim of this paper is to present the results of a survey that was undertaken to assess nurses' knowledge and educational needs towards organ donation within one adult general intensive care unit. The survey consists of 31 registered nurses who completed a confidential questionnaire that aimed to assess their existing knowledge and deficits in organ and tissue donation. The survey highlights the sample lacked confidence in approaching relatives for donation consent, deficits in brain stem death testing and donor criteria. ⋯ Accident & emergency nursing 4:5-11; Roark D, 2000. Overhauling the organ donation system. Am J Nurs 6:44-9] who suggest that educational programmes covering donation issues should enhance nurses' knowledge and confidence in the organ donation process and ultimately increase the number of potential donors.
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Intensive Crit Care Nurs · Jun 2005
Comparative StudyDifferences in European critical care nursing practice: a pilot study.
The purpose of this pilot study was to determine if there are differences in nursing practice between critical care units across Europe, if these practices are related to the perceived level of incorporation of evidence into nursing practice and/or to regional differences. Nurses attending the nursing session of the bi-annual conference of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine were asked to fill out a two page questionnaire which addressed five areas of practice: physical care, pain management, monitoring, weaning and ethical issues. Some differences were found between regions although there were no differences in the perception of whether these protocols were evidence-based.