American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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Nosocomial infections are frequent complications in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage. ⋯ Pneumonia was the most common infection among patients with intracerebral hemorrhage.
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The RightLevelpH indicator is a new device designed to measure the pH of gastric aspirate obtained via a nasogastric tube while minimizing exposure of the operator. ⋯ The RightLevelpH indicator provides accurate measurements of the pH of gastric aspirate in patients.
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To test an interventional patient skin integrity bundle, the InSPiRE protocol, for reducing pressure injuries in critically ill patients in an Australian adult intensive care unit. ⋯ The intervention group, receiving the InSPiRE protocol, had a lower cumulative incidence of pressure injuries, and fewer and less severe pressure injuries that developed over time. Systematic and ongoing assessment of the patient's skin and risk for pressure injuries as well as implementation of tailored prevention measures are central to preventing pressure injuries.
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Negotiating Transitions: Involvement of Critical Care Outreach Teams in End-of-Life Decision Making.
Little research has examined the involvement of critical care outreach teams in end-of-life decision making. ⋯ A considerable amount of time is being spent on these emergency referrals, and decisions to limit medical treatment are common. The appropriateness of escalation of levels of care is often not questioned until patients become critically or acutely unwell, and outreach teams subsequently intervene.
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Critically ill patients are at marked risk of hospital-acquired infections, which increase patients' morbidity and mortality. Registered nurses are the main health care providers of physical care, including hygiene to reduce and prevent hospital-acquired infections, for hospitalized critically ill patients. ⋯ A hand hygiene protocol for patients in the intensive care unit was associated with reductions in hospital-acquired infections and improvements in nurses' hand-washing compliance. Prevention of such infections requires continuous quality improvement efforts to monitor lasting effectiveness as well as investigation of strategies to eliminate these infections.