American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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Comparative Study Observational Study
Predicting Prolonged Intensive Care Unit Stay Among Patients With Sepsis-Induced Hypotension.
Sepsis risk stratification tools typically predict mortality, although stays in the intensive care unit (ICU) of 24 hours or longer may be more clinically relevant for emergency department disposition. ⋯ These exploratory results show that heart failure, bicarbonate level of less than 20 mEq/L, tachypnea, or creatinine level greater than 2.0 mg/dL increases the likelihood of an ICU stay of 24 hours or longer among infected, hypotensive emergency department patients.
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Comparative Study
Effects of Sepsis on Morbidity and Mortality in Critically Ill Patients 2 Years After Intensive Care Unit Discharge.
Morbidity and mortality after discharge from an intensive care unit appear to be higher in patients with sepsis than in patients without sepsis. ⋯ Compared with patients without sepsis, those with sepsis have higher mortality in the intensive care unit and have more pain, hospital readmissions, and functional decline within 2 years after discharge.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparative Evaluation of Chest Tube Insertion Site Dressings: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Little empirical evidence is available to guide decisions on what type of dressing to use and how often to change the dressing after placement of a thoracostomy tube. ⋯ Overall, the best type of dressing for promoting skin integrity and patient comfort was the silicone foam dressing. The results of this study may help identify best practices for dressing type and procedures among patients with chest tubes.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Stress Management Intervention to Prevent Post-Intensive Care Syndrome-Family in Patients' Spouses.
Post-intensive care syndrome-family (PICS-F) refers to acute and chronic psychological effects of critical care on family members of patients in intensive care units (ICUs). Evidence suggests that increased distress during the ICU stay increases risk of PICS-F. Sensation Awareness Focused Training (SĀF-T) is a new, promising stress management intervention, but the feasibility of such training during the ICU stay for family caregivers who are acting as the surrogate decision-maker for patients who are undergoing mechanical ventilation is unknown. ⋯ SĀF-T intervention during the ICU stay is feasible, acceptable, and may improve family caregivers' post-ICU outcomes. Larger clinical trial to assess the effectiveness of SĀF-T in preventing PICS-F seem warranted.