American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation on Myopathy in Intensive Care Patients.
Critical illness polyneuropathy or myopathy is a severe disorder that may adversely affect patients in the intensive care unit, resulting in reduced mobilization, decline in muscle mass, and prolonged recovery periods. ⋯ TENMS had no significant impact on myopathy in the critically ill patients in this study.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Long-Term Effects of Saline Instilled During Endotracheal Suction in Pediatric Intensive Care: A Randomized Trial.
Saline instillation is still used to assist in removal of secretions from endotracheal tubes in some pediatric intensive care units. ⋯ Using no saline was at least as effective as using either 0.225% or 0.9% saline in endotracheal suctioning. The optimal policy may be to routinely use no saline with endotracheal suctioning in children but allow the occasional use of 0.9% saline when secretions are thick.
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Factors affecting the timing of ventilator liberation among patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation (≥21 consecutive days) are poorly understood. After tracheostomy placement, ventilator liberation typically involves daily reductions in ventilator support as patients regain the capacity to breathe independently. ⋯ A score derived from ventilator settings may help clinicians predict the timing of ventilator liberation in patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation.
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Comment Letter
Blood Transfusion in Sepsis and Iatrogenic Hemodilution.
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Approximately half of hospital-acquired pressure injuries identified among critical care patients are stage 1. Although stage 1 injuries are common, outcomes associated with them among critical care patients have not been examined. ⋯ Stage 1 pressure injuries worsen in about one-third of patients (32.4%). Nurses should consider maximal treatment for patients who are older or who experience alterations in oxygen delivery or perfusion.