Nursing in critical care
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Nursing in critical care · May 2009
ReviewTeaching anaesthetic nurses optimal force for effective cricoid pressure: a literature review.
This literature review explores the role of force and education in cricoid pressure, an essential aspect of practice for any nurse within a critical care environment. ⋯ The literature review demonstrated that the subject of cricoid pressure is relevant in critical care practice in order to ensure patient safety during RSI. Thus, all critical care nurses have a duty to gain a working knowledge on the subject if patient safety is to be maintained. This paper provides a source of information on cricoid pressure and realistic methods of maintaining best practice.
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Nursing in critical care · May 2009
An evaluation of the impact of a tracheostomy weaning protocol on extubation time.
To avoid the possible complications of prolonged intubation, it is necessary and advisable to attempt weaning from the tracheostomy tube at the earliest opportunity. However, while weaning protocols have proven successful in reducing ventilation time of critical care patients, there is little evidence of their use and impact on tracheostomy tube weaning time. ⋯ Although the findings from the study were not statistically significant, they can be seen as clinically significant in terms of patient comfort and reduced dependency in care by a reduction of time with a tracheostomy. It is recommended that a larger scale study be carried out to determine if a tracheostomy weaning protocol does make an impact on length of time to extubation in wider care settings.
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Nursing in critical care · May 2009
EfCCNa survey: European intensive care nurses' attitudes and beliefs towards end-of-life care.
Available literature suggests that critical care nurses have varied experiences in relation to end-of-life (EOL) care. Few studies have examined the involvement of European intensive care nurses' involvement in EOL care decisions and the extent to which their nursing practice is based on shared beliefs, experiences and attitudes. ⋯ Use of formal guidelines and education may increase nurses' involvement and confidence with EOL decisions.