American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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Comparative Study
Patient and Family Experience: A Comparison of Intensive Care and Overall Hospitalization.
The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey is the most commonly used instrument for measuring patients' perceptions of the quality of inpatient care. ⋯ Scores on the hospital survey were at best modestly associated with scores on the critical care survey and did not reflect the specific experiences of patients and patients' families in the intensive care unit.
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Observational Study
Family Presence During Trauma Resuscitation: Family Members' Attitudes, Behaviors, and Experiences.
The paradigm is shifting from separating family members from their children during resuscitation to one of patient- and family-centered care. However, widespread acceptance is still lacking. ⋯ Study findings demonstrated compelling family benefits for presence during pediatric trauma care. This study is one of the first to report on family members who were not present. The practice of family presence should be made a priority at pediatric trauma centers.
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The preferred route for providing nutrition in the pediatric intensive care unit is enteral. Placement of postpyloric feeding tubes using an electromagnetic-tipped stylet that emits a signal detected by a device held over the patient's abdomen is effective in adult intensive care units, but has not been well studied in pediatric units. ⋯ Successful placement of postpyloric feeding tubes by nurse practitioners was safely enhanced using an electromagnetic device. Establishing users' expertise with the device before studying outcomes may improve effectiveness.