Nursing in critical care
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Nursing in critical care · Jan 2010
Use and practice of patient diaries in Swedish intensive care units: a national survey.
To describe and compare the extent and application of patients' diaries in Sweden. ⋯ The uses of diaries in post ICU follow up were found to be common in Sweden. A majority used defined goals and content structure. However, there were differences in practice and patient recruitment among the levels of ICUs. These discrepancies seemed not to be based on evidence-based data nor on ongoing research or evaluation but merely on professional judgement. As ICU follow-up is resource intense and time consuming, it is paramount that solid criteria for patient selection and guidelines for the structure and use of diaries in post-ICU follow-up are defined.
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The aim of this paper is to provide an introduction to electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring. The objectives are to: define an ECG; describe how the ECG relates to cardiac contraction, with specific reference to the conduction system of the heart; recognize sinus rhythm; list the indications for ECG monitoring; discuss the important features of a modern bedside cardiac monitor; describe where to position ECG electrodes; outline a suggested procedure for ECG monitoring; discuss the infection control issues related to ECG monitoring.