American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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Music can benefit the neurodevelopmental and clinical care of newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit. Newborns in the cardiac intensive care unit experience similar stressors to those in the neonatal intensive care unit, but music therapy has not been widely studied in the cardiac intensive care unit population. ⋯ Nurse-led music therapy was highly feasible for hemodynamically stable newborns recovering from cardiac surgery. Parents and nursing staff responded positively to the music therapy.
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Repositioning patients at regular intervals is the standard of care for pressure injury prevention, yet compliance with routine repositioning schedules can be hard to achieve in busy critical care environments. Cueing technology may help improve repositioning compliance. ⋯ Visual cueing about patients' mobility needs is associated with increased compliance with the facility repositioning protocol.
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Few studies have explored the utility of screening for cognitive impairment near hospital discharge in intensive care unit survivors. ⋯ Assessing for cognitive impairment at hospital discharge may help identify intensive care unit survivors at higher risk of severe physical disabilities after critical illness.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged health care professionals, especially those working in intensive care units (ICUs). ⋯ This thematic analysis identified several concerns of ICU nurses related to caring for patients in the initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ensuring adequate supplies, staffing, and administrative and emotional support are provided to frontline health care providers during the ongoing pandemic remains essential.
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Sepsis is a life-threatening illness that affects millions of people worldwide. Early recognition and timely treatment are essential for decreasing mortality from sepsis. The Surviving Sepsis Campaign: International Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2021, the fifth iteration of the guidelines, was released in October 2021 and includes 93 recommendations for the management of sepsis. ⋯ Interventions aimed at improving recovery across the continuum of care should include attention to long-term outcomes. Nurses are essential in identifying patients with sepsis, administering and assessing response to treatment, supporting the patient and family, and limiting sequelae from sepsis. This article highlights the 2021 recommendations that influence nursing care for patients with sepsis.