Enfermería intensiva
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Delirium has been documented as a common and serious problem in hospital settings, but its recognition in critically ill patients is made difficult by the inability to interview intubated patients and by the presence of drugs. The objectives of this study were to describe the incidence of delirium in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and to determine some of the risk factors. It is an analytical, observational and prospective study in an 8-bed general ICU. ⋯ APACHE II > or = 15, sedative drugs and mechanical ventilation were risk factors for delirium in ICU. The conclusions of this study have determined that delirium is a frequent complication in ICU and that severity of illness, sedative drugs and being intubated are risk factors. Moreover, screening for delirium in the ICU with a validated scale can be made by the staff nurses.
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Enfermería intensiva · Jul 2007
[What is important for the family of patients in the intensive care unit?].
The abundant bibliography shows us that the family plays a fundamental paper in the recovery of the hospitalized patients, and the patients in the intensive care units (ICU) are no exception. Several authors have demonstrated that a stress-free and calm setting helps in the care process. Thus, the family needs must be considered to improve their well-being. ⋯ In the results, some differences were observed depending according to age and studies of those surveyed and according to the diagnosis and the origin of the hospitalization. The collected data did not differ with the reviewed bibliography. All the study was very valuable for the health care professionals of the unit and was taken into account to improve the deficiencies of the ICU of the hospital of Girona.