Intensive & critical care nursing : the official journal of the British Association of Critical Care Nurses
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Septic shock is a pathological process that is common to most intensive care units; however, despite major developments in intensive care and medicine, it continues to be one of the commonest causes of morbidity and mortality. This article describes the management of a patient admitted to intensive care with septic shock. Some of the principles regarding septic shock, including the pathophysiology, management and nursing care, are explored. Also included are some of the current theories and research into the sepsis syndrome.
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The ambulance service should offer good care signified by humane and individual treatment of the patients, based on love to our fellow man. The aim of this study was to find out how loving care was practised in one ambulance service. The method for the study was the critical incident technique. ⋯ In the main, subject solicitude loving care was shown through humbleness, consideration, closeness and being in rapport, and generally subject empathy, the paramedic's empathic capacity and his knowledge about man's behaviour in a crisis, became evident. From a clinical standpoint the study shows the importance of the paramedics possessing professional skill. As a contribution to science the study adds to continued research based upon descriptions made by other groups of personnel about the phenomenon to be studied; namely, loving care.
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Intensive Crit Care Nurs · Aug 1995
Preventing the ITU syndrome or how not to torture an ITU patient! Part 2.
Admission to an intensive therapy unit (ITU) has been described as a 'necessary evil' (Barrie-Shevlin 1987), and some of the 'tortures' described in Part I of this article (Dyer 1995) may be an inevitable result of ITU care. This does not mean that the development of the ITU syndrome should be regarded as inevitable. Many potential causes of the syndrome can be avoided or at least ameliorated. ⋯ The main emphasis should be placed on prevention, but early detection and treatment of problems should also be given high priority. If a patient exhibits symptoms of psychological disturbance physical causes should be considered, but at the same time the ITU syndrome should be suspected and attempts made to alleviate possible causes of this. Nurses play a vital role in any attempts to alleviate problems and in 'humanising' the technical ITU environment (Ashworth 1987, Mackellaig 1990).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Intensive Crit Care Nurs · Jun 1995
Clinical TrialA feasibility study of the use of non-heparinised 0.9% sodium chloride for transduced arterial and venous lines.
In intensive care units where heparinised arterial lines are used, frequently staff venepuncture their patients to ensure accuracy of clotting studies. The purpose of this study was to assess the practicality of using a non-heparinised continuous flush for arterial lines, which would enable blood for coagulation studies to be taken from the arterial line, thus avoiding further patient discomfort and invasion. The study has resulted in a change of unit policy.