American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
-
Factors that affect the impact of caregiving on patients' family members who provide care to patients with heart failure have not been adequately addressed. In addition, social support and positive aspects of caregiving have received little attention. ⋯ Caregiving has both positive and negative effects on family caregivers of patients with heart failure. The findings suggest the need for interventions to increase caregivers' sense of control and social support. Family caregivers may need additional support immediately after patient hospitalizations to minimize the negative impact of caregiving.
-
Aspiration of secretions that accumulate above the cuff of the endotracheal tube is a risk factor for ventilator-associated pneumonia. Routine suctioning of oropharyngeal secretions may reduce this risk; the recommended frequency for suctioning is unknown. ⋯ A minimum frequency of oropharyngeal suctioning every 4 hours is recommended. However, more frequent suctioning may be needed in a subset of patients.
-
Comparative Study
Adverse drug events in intensive care units: a cross-sectional study of prevalence and risk factors.
Adverse drug events are considered determinants of patient safety and quality of care. ⋯ Adverse drug events were common in intensive care unit patients and were associated with illness severity and nursing workload.
-
Difficulties in communication in intensive care patients receiving mechanical ventilation are a source of stressful experiences and psychoemotional distress. ⋯ Patients treated with mechanical ventilation experience a moderate to extreme level of psychoemotional distress because they cannot speak and communicate their needs. Nurses should be aware of the patients' need to communicate. Decreasing stressful experiences associated with the endotracheal tube and implementing more appropriate communication methods may reduce patients' distress.