American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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Critical care, as a specialty in both nursing and medicine, is well recognized and the number of people requiring hospitalization for critical illnesses continues to increase. The purpose of this paper is to examine the future and the changes that lie ahead in critical care. ⋯ A variety of changes in critical care are anticipated that reflect our increasing abilities in biotechnology, basic and clinical research, and data management. These changes are viewed for their obvious impact on cost, ethical controversies, and patient care and outcome.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Room-temperature thermodilution cardiac output: central venous vs right ventricular port.
To assess the accuracy of room-temperature thermodilution cardiac output measurements from the right ventricular port. In addition, waveform patterns were evaluated to determine the actual location of the right ventricular port. ⋯ Thermodilution cardiac output measurements using 10 mL normal saline at room temperature can be determined accurately using the right ventricular port if the central venous port becomes nonfunctional.
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This summary article discusses the status of the nursing shortage in the United States, with emphasis on successful strategies to address it. Liaisons between the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) and the Society for Critical Care Medicine, as well as with the American College of Cardiology, are highlighted, with primary emphasis on the strategy of nurse-physician collaboration.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
The effects of ocean sounds on sleep after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
To investigate the influence of ocean sounds (white noise) on the night sleep pattern of postoperative coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients after transfer from an intensive care unit. ⋯ The use of ocean sounds is a viable intervention to foster optimal sleep patterns in postoperative CABG patients after transfer from the ICU.
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Historical Article
New nurses, new spaces: a preview of the AACN History Study.
This article previews selected findings of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses History Project that is being conducted under the auspices of the Center for the Study of the History of Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania. Using methods of social history research, we reviewed pertinent literature, studied documents of institutions and organizations, and interviewed a broad array of participants. ⋯ We explored the effects of changing public and professional ideas about the nature of critical illness, the effects of technology, and the historical dimensions of critical care nursing. Special attention was given to the events and circumstances that led to the development of AACN and the reciprocal relationships between AACN and the care of critically ill people.