American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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Cardiovascular disease is more prevalent in some ethnic groups than in others, as are risk factors stemming from cultural practices and values. Data on the health status of Asians and Pacific Islanders are scarce and sporadic, and data on the 2 groups are usually combined for analysis. ⋯ Further study of ethnic variations in risk factors and surgical outcomes, especially variations in comorbidities, age at the onset of signs and symptoms, and postoperative complications, is needed. Combining data obtained from Japanese and Pacific Island subjects for data analysis most likely will result in a loss of important information.
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To test an alternative flexible approach to traditional fixed intermediate and intensive care to minimize transfers of patients. ⋯ In a community teaching hospital, flexible care policies decreased the number of in-hospital transfers of patients treated with mechanical ventilation.
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The most frequently recommended methods to assess for pulmonary aspiration of enteral formula in intubated, tube-fed patients are (1) adding dye to enteral formulas and observing for dye-stained tracheal secretions and (2) testing tracheal secretions with glucose oxidase reagent strips to detect the presence of glucose-rich formula. Reportedly, the glucose method is more sensitive than the dye method, and the dye method may have greater potential for harm. It is not known if this information has resulted in wider use of the glucose method in practice settings. ⋯ The dye method is used far more often than is the glucose method. Two probable reasons are that the dye method is easier to implement, and it is recommended in commonly used basic nursing textbooks.