American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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Trait anger, hostility, and serum level of homocysteine are associated with recurrent cardiac events after percutaneous coronary interventions. However, whether trait anger or hostility influences the association between serum level of homocysteine and recurrent cardiac events is unknown. ⋯ Trait anger had a combined effect on the link between serum level of homocysteine and recurrent cardiac events. Interventions to reduce trait anger may improve health outcomes by influencing both trait anger and homocysteine level.
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Clinical Trial
Reducing use of indwelling urinary catheters and associated urinary tract infections.
Use of indwelling urinary catheters can lead to complications, most commonly catheter-associated urinary tract infections. Duration of catheterization is the major risk factor. These infections can result in sepsis, prolonged hospitalization, additional hospital costs, and mortality. ⋯ Implementation of an intervention to judge appropriateness of indwelling urinary catheters may result in significant reductions in duration of catheterization and occurrences of catheter-associated urinary tract infections.
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To review studies of anxiety in critically ill patients admitted to an intensive care unit to describe the level of anxiety and synthesize the psychometric properties of the instruments used to measure anxiety. ⋯ Midlength scales, such the anxiety subscale of the Brief Symptom Inventory or the shortened state version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory are best for measuring anxiety in critical care patients.
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Clinical Trial
Reducing ventilator-associated pneumonia through advanced oral-dental care: a 48-month study.
To determine the effect of implementing a comprehensive oral and dental care system and protocol on the rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia. ⋯ Our findings suggest that use of advanced tools, a comprehensive oral care protocol, and staff compliance with the protocol can significantly reduce rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia and associated costs.
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Catheter-related bloodstream infection remains an important health problem for hospitalized children. Although placement of a central venous catheter is a life-saving intervention for critically ill children, these same central catheters are a potential source of infection. ⋯ The results of this project suggest that infection control efforts may be most appropriately focused on processes rather than on products.