American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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Responsibilities of critical care nurses for management of mechanical ventilation may differ among countries. Organizational interventions, including weaning protocols, may have a variable impact in settings that differ in nursing autonomy and interdisciplinary collaboration. ⋯ In this unit, critical care nurses have high levels of responsibility for, and autonomy in, the management of mechanical ventilation and weaning. Revalidation of protocols for ventilation practices in other clinical contexts may be needed.
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The quality of nurses' work environments in hospitals is of great concern. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses has specified 6 standards essential to a healthy (ie, satisfying and productive) work environment. These standards are sufficiently aligned to the Essentials of Magnetism processes to make this tool suitable for measuring healthy work environments. ⋯ Intensive care unit structures supported care processes and relationships that resulted in job satisfaction among nurses and high-quality care for patients in this strategic sample. Systematic study of the structures and processes present in units reporting a healthy work environment can be used to assist other clinical units in improving work environments.