American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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Critical illness comprises a heterogeneous group of serious medical conditions that typically involve an initial proinflammatory process. A compensatory anti-inflammatory response may occur that, if severe and persistent, places the patient at high risk for adverse outcomes including secondary infection and death. ⋯ Intriguing data suggest that critical illness-induced immune suppression may be reversible with agents such as interferon-γ, granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interleukin 7, or anti-programmed death-1 therapy. Future approaches for characterization of patient-specific immune derangements and individualized treatment could revolutionize how we recognize and prevent complications in critically ill patients.
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Information on the impact of tele-intensive care on nursing and priority areas of nursing care is limited. ⋯ The findings can be used to further inform the development of competencies for tele-intensive care nursing, match the tele-intensive care nursing practice guidelines of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, and highlight concepts related to the association's standards for establishing and sustaining healthy work environments.
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Among nurses, skill retention after an electrocardiography blended-learning course is unknown. ⋯ Skill retention and competence in electrocardiographic interpretation were intermediate and correlated with baseline self-assessment. Electrocardiographic interpretation, measurement, and interventions should be reinforced at the bedside.