American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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Although there is widespread acceptance that hospital discharge planning should begin at hospital admission, early discharge planning is usually delayed for clinically unstable patients in intensive care units. ⋯ The results provide a preliminary indication that staff in intensive care units may contribute to the early identification of patients' postacute care needs. The results also help to identify methods to study the discharge planning process within intensive care units.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Impact of a nutritional formula enriched in fish oil and micronutrients on pressure ulcers in critical care patients.
Pressure ulcers are an important source of morbidity and suffering for patients and a formidable burden on caregivers. ⋯ Administration of a feeding formula enriched with fish oil was associated with decreased progression of pressure ulcers and a decrease in blood concentrations of C-reactive protein.
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Nursing and organizational characteristics influence patients' outcomes. Little is known about nursing structure and process supports in the intensive care units of children's hospitals. Objectives To describe and understand nursing and organizational characteristics of cardiovascular care in children's hospitals. ⋯ Cardiovascular intensive care varies widely across children's hospitals. Opportunities exist for support and retention of an intergenerational nursing workforce. These findings may serve as a contemporary benchmarking source and foundation to standardize models of care, support, and resource utilization in pediatric intensive care units.
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Regular pain assessment can lead to decreased incidence of pain and shorter durations of mechanical ventilation and stays in the intensive care unit. ⋯ A substantial proportion of intensive care unit nurses did not use pain assessment tools for patients unable to communicate and were unaware of pain management guidelines published by professional societies.