Nursing in critical care
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Nursing in critical care · May 2003
ReviewNursing care of the acute head injury: a review of the evidence.
This article aims to review the current evidence in relation to acute head injury care. Head injuries are a frequent cause of death and disability in western society with the first 72 h being an important period for prevention of further brain damage. ⋯ The specialized nursing care and drug therapy management that is necessary for acute head injury patients will be highlighted. Recommendations for practice will be given.
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Nursing in critical care · May 2003
A bereavement after-care service for intensive care relatives and staff: the story so far.
The Intensive Care Society (1998) developed Guidelines for Bereavement Care in Intensive Care Units. In response to the guidelines, a group of nurses from the intensive care units at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester have developed a bereavement after-care service for relatives and staff. So far, the service has evaluated well from the feedback received from both relatives and staff, but evaluation is ongoing and the service is being continually developed.
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The effects of critical illness not only affect the patient and relative during the intensive care stay but often affect for a considerable time afterwards. A growing body of opinion and evidence suggests that many of the needs of those who have been critically ill can be met through critical care follow-up services. ⋯ This paper describes Bassetlaw hospital's critical care follow-up service, how it was established and what an elementary service evaluation project has shown. The findings and experiences are compared with others in published literature, and the paper may be of interest to those who are currently involved in follow-up or who plan to develop such services in the future.