American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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Post-intensive care syndrome is defined as the long-term cognitive, physical, and psychological impairments due to critical illness. ⋯ The self-report version of the Healthy Aging Brain Care Monitor is a valid clinical tool for assessing symptoms of post-intensive care syndrome.
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Multicenter Study
Effect of a Scheduled Nurse Intervention on Thirst and Dry Mouth in Intensive Care Patients.
Thirst is a common, intense symptom reported by hospitalized patients. No studies indicate frequency of use of ice water and lip moisturizer with menthol to ameliorate thirst and dry mouth. In an audit of 30 intensive care unit patients at a 580-bed community teaching hospital, 66% reported dry mouth with higher thirst distress and intensity scores than in published studies. ⋯ Scheduled use of ice water oral swabs and lip moisturizer with menthol may lessen thirst intensity and dry mouth in critical care patients.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Post-Intensive Care Syndrome: Educational Interventions for Parents of Hospitalized Children.
Targeted education to help parents and caregivers recognize the signs and symptoms of post-intensive care syndrome may increase their awareness and willingness to seek support during their child's admission. The optimal strategy for this education has not been established. ⋯ Simple, low-cost education can improve caregivers' knowledge of post-intensive care syndrome and can be well supported by nursing staff. To ensure sustainable implementation, the characteristics of the unit should be considered when selecting an educational program.
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Readmission for ventilator support in tracheostomy patients with primary brain injury is often attributed to failure of airway protection and aspiration pneumonia. Data regarding the incidence of intensive care unit readmissions and associated factors in these patients are limited. ⋯ Tracheostomy patients with primary brain injury may have central nervous system-mediated respiratory compromise associated with reduced Glasgow Coma Scale score, increased atelectasis, and shorter duration of ventilator dependency.
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Acute respiratory distress syndrome is associated with long-term physical impairments. Although readmission is common, little is known about the impact of readmissions on the physical status of this population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between hospital readmission, with or without an intensive care unit stay, and physical status in survivors of acute respiratory distress syndrome. ⋯ Multivariable logistic regression models indicated that readmission without an intensive care unit stay versus no readmission was not significantly associated with decline. Readmission with an intensive care unit stay versus no readmission was associated with physical decline. Clinicians and researchers should consider the effect of a readmission to an intensive care unit, distinct from hospital readmission, on acute respiratory distress syndrome survivors' physical status.