American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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Family members and close friends of patients undergoing mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU) often experience stress and a sense of helplessness. Participating in the care of their loved one may improve their adaptation to the ICU environment and better prepare them for caregiving after discharge. ⋯ Further testing of the FWCS is needed. After refinement, the FWCS could be used to evaluate factors contributing to caregiving willingness of family members of ICU patients and advance the science related to family engagement in the ICU. Additionally, it could be used as a practical tool to suggest family caregiving activities in the ICU.
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Intensive care unit (ICU) patients experience hypoglycemia at nearly 4 times the rate seen in non-ICU counterparts. Although inpatient hypoglycemia management relies on nurse-driven protocols, protocol adherence varies between institutions and units. ⋯ Adherence to nurse-driven hypoglycemia protocols can be equally effective in ICU and non-ICU patients. Further research is needed to determine protocol adherence barriers and patient characteristics that influence response to hypoglycemia interventions.