American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Patency of radial arterial catheters.
Data on the influence of flush methods, blood-sampling methods, and site location on the patency of radial arterial catheters used for pressure monitoring are sparse. ⋯ Insertion sites closest to the bend of the wrist increase chances of maintaining patency. Catheters can be maintained with as-needed flushes, and either waste or nonwaste blood sampling can be used.
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Patients in intensive care units are often sleep deprived, yet little research exists on the impact of nursing care on promoting sleep. ⋯ A concentrated effort by staff to reduce environmental stimuli at discrete preset intervals increases the likelihood of sleep during scheduled quiet time in the neurocritical care unit.