Nursing in critical care
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Nursing in critical care · Jul 2017
Nurses' perceptions of working with families in the paediatric intensive care unit.
Research exploring nurses' experiences working with families in paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) is limited. No studies have been undertaken in a mixed adult-paediatric ICU. ⋯ The results highlighted a need for education for both nurses and medical staff who work with families of critically ill children. Additionally, the need for each PICU to have a written policy on family presence and participation is crucial to guide practice and maintain continuity of care.
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Nursing in critical care · Jul 2017
Nursing patients with chronic critical illness and their families: a qualitative study.
chronic critical illness (CCI) is a complex syndrome with a high risk of dying in hospital. Intensive care unit nurses are well-positioned to lead conversations integrating palliative and end-of-life care, yet have reported limited involvement. ⋯ Internal tension, as experienced by participants reflects the challenges of transition from acute to palliation and end-of-life care, made more complex in CCI, because of its poorly defined terminal stage. Nurses' ability to manage the complex process of supporting hope while gradually providing information to build family understanding of CCI highlights their central role in facilitating what and how prognostic information is given, while managing the emotional implications and family response. To better support nurses do this, we advocate for formal structures enabling nurses to participate in decision-making regarding timing of transitions using palliation and end-of-life care.
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Nursing in critical care · May 2017
Multicenter Study Comparative Study Observational StudyKnowledge level of nurses in Jordan on ventilator-associated pneumonia and preventive measures.
Ventilator-associated pneumonia is the most prevalent infection in Intensive Care Units, with the highest mortality rate; crude mortality rates may be as high as 20-75%. Many practices such as prevention measures (e.g. hand washing, wearing gloves, suctioning, elevated head of bed between 30° and 45°) have demonstrated an effect of reducing the incidence of this infection. ⋯ Hospital and nursing administrators should be actively involved in educational programmes and in assuring support for continuing education. Protocol for ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention should be developed based on current evidence-based guidelines.
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Nursing in critical care · May 2017
ReviewTherapeutic hypothermia in patients following traumatic brain injury: a systematic review.
The efficacy of therapeutic hypothermia in adult patients with traumatic brain injury is not fully understood. The historical use of therapeutic hypothermia at extreme temperatures was associated with severe complications and led to it being discredited. Positive results from animal studies using milder temperatures led to renewed interest. However, recent studies have not convincingly demonstrated the beneficial effects of therapeutic hypothermia in practice. ⋯ Therapeutic hypothermia can have a positive impact on patient outcome, but more research is required.
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Nursing in critical care · May 2017
Comparative StudySedation scoring and managing abilities of intensive care nurses post educational intervention.
Inappropriate sedation assessment can jeopardize patient comfort and safety. Therefore, nurses' abilities in assessing and managing sedation are vital for effective care of mechanically ventilated patients. ⋯ Educational initiatives are necessary to improve ICU practice, particularly in ICUs with inexperienced nurses.