American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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Review Multicenter Study
Impact of aborted sudden cardiac death on survivors and their spouses: the phenomenon of different reference points.
Although anecdotal data suggest that spouses of aborted sudden cardiac death survivors become enmeshed in the physical and emotional recovery of their mates, few longitudinal studies address the personal struggle of aborted sudden cardiac death survivors and their spouses during recovery. ⋯ Acknowledgment of different reference points is essential in planning interventions for aborted sudden cardiac death survivors and their spouses. This population must be encouraged to express their questions, concerns, and fears early. Differences in perspectives should be identified to avoid troubled communication and conflicts.
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Postoperative pulmonary complications frequently lead to increased patient morbidity and mortality, hospital length of stay, and resource utilization. Atelectasis and infectious complications account for the majority of reported pulmonary complications. Risk factors are thought to exaggerate pulmonary function deterioration, which occurs both during and after surgical procedures. ⋯ Key issues related to risk factor evaluation are also discussed. Identification of risk factors and prediction of postoperative pulmonary complications are important. Early identification of patients at risk for postoperative pulmonary complications can guide our respiratory care to prevent or minimize these complications.
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Comparative Study
Suburban geriatric trauma: the experiences of a level I trauma center.
As the mean age of the US population increases, so does the incidence of geriatric trauma. Investigators have shown that the elderly have high morbidity and mortality rates associated with traumatic injuries. ⋯ Although anatomic injury severity of elderly patients was similar to that of younger patients, the elderly demonstrated greater physiologic compromise and longer hospital stays. Mortality rates were lower for the elderly group, but this result might be because a larger proportion of elderly patients were hospitalized with minor or moderate injuries.
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Although it is well known that pressure ulcers are associated with negative patient outcomes and increased hospital cost, there is little research related to pressure ulcers in an intensive care unit population. ⋯ The results suggest that a cut-off score on the Braden Scale could be specific to an intensive care unit trauma population.