Nursing in critical care
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Nursing in critical care · Jan 2008
Multicenter StudyWorkplace stressors, coping, demographics and job satisfaction in Chinese intensive care nurses.
Prior research has suggested that certain workplace stressors, coping strategies and demographic characteristics are related to job satisfaction in nurses. Most of the research in this area has been conducted within western culture countries, with little research being carried out in Asian culture countries, especially China. It remains unclear if the findings of the research conducted in western culture countries are applicable to Chinese nurses, especially intensive care nurses. ⋯ It is important for both hospital and nursing administrators to address factors contributing to job satisfaction, so that retention of qualified ICU nurses, within the workforce, will be facilitated.
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Nursing in critical care · Jan 2008
ReviewDiabetic ketoacidosis and hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar syndrome - clinical guidelines.
The aim of this study was to establish a standardized approach to the initial care of patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar syndrome (HHS). DKA and HHS are metabolic emergencies. Effective and efficient management is the responsibility of the multidisciplinary team. The admission of patients to the intensive care unit (ICU) with DKA and HHS is rare, and management of patients' diverse problems is prone to error because of a lack of familiarity. ⋯ Effective treatment requires a rapid initial assessment of the patient based on current medical history and clinical presentation. To this end, a quick reference algorithm and guide to management were also developed. Key criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of treatment are provided and complications of treatment are addressed. The formation of the practice development group that led to this innovation is outlined, and in conclusion, the success of the group is reflected upon.
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Nursing in critical care · Jan 2008
Multicenter StudyDevelopment of a new risk assessment scale for predicting pressure ulcers in an intensive care unit.
The study aimed to evaluate the predictive validity and accuracy of a new pressure ulcer risk assessment scale in two Indonesia intensive care units (ICUs). ⋯ The S.S. scale was found to be a valid risk assessment tool to identify the patients at risk of developing pressure ulcers in Indonesia ICU.
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Nursing in critical care · Jan 2008
ReviewVentilator-associated pneumonia: prevention is better than cure.
The prevention of ventilator Assisted Pneumonia (VAP), a hospital acquired infection, among intensive care patients is a major clinical challenge. It is a condition that is associated with high rates of morbidity, mortality, length of stay and hospital costs. ⋯ Targeted strategies aimed at preventing VAP, should be implemented to improve patient outcome and reduce length of intensive care unit stay and costs. Front-line critical care nurses need to understand the factors which place their patients at risk of developing VAP and, institute evidence-based interventions that will compromise the patients' survival and recovery.
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Nursing in critical care · Jan 2008
Comparative StudyPerception of night-time sleep by surgical patients in an intensive care unit.
The night-time sleep of patients hospitalized in intensive care is a very important feature within the health or disease process, as it has a direct repercussion on their adequate recovery. ⋯ Surgical patients' perceptions of their sleep in the ICU suggest that this is inadequate. Nurses' perceptions of patients' sleep partially coincides with the latter's perception, but we have also found that the former frequently overestimate patients' sleep.