Nursing in critical care
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Nursing in critical care · Sep 2015
Transferring critically ill patients home to die: developing a clinical guidance document.
With preferred place of care at the time of death a key consideration in end of life care, it is important that transfer home be considered for critically ill patients who want this as part of their end of life care. However, there is limited guidance available to inform the transfer of critically ill patients home to die. ⋯ Transferring critically ill patients home to die is a complex, multifactorial process involving health care agencies across the primary and secondary care interface. The guidance developed from this consensus event will enable staff to actively consider the practice of transferring home to die in appropriate patients.
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Nursing in critical care · Sep 2015
Jordanian nurses' knowledge and responsibility for enteral nutrition in the critically ill.
Poor nursing adherence to evidence-based guidelines has negative consequences leading to higher mortality rates, delayed recovery and longer length of stay. Evidence-based practice has the potential to minimize complications and discrepancies between nurses. ⋯ This article provides insight into the current practice of Jordanian intensive care nurses in different health care sectors. The study can contribute to redirect the perception of nurses towards nutrition in the critically ill in addition to enhance positive adherence to evidence base.
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Nursing in critical care · Jul 2015
Introduction of a new ward round approach in a cardiothoracic critical care unit.
Francis (2013) described inconsistent ward rounds and failures to conduct ward rounds properly as contributing factors to the poor care seen at the Mid Staffordshire Foundation Trust. He suggested that the absence of a nurse at the bedside had clear consequences for communication, ward round efficiency and patient safety. He recommended that nurses should be actively involved in ward rounds and linked this to high quality patient care. ⋯ Nurses' full participation in ward rounds is essential to ensure effective communication and enhance patient safety.
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Nursing in critical care · Jul 2015
A shared language regarding sedation and delirium in critically ill patients.
Patients in intensive care units who develop delirium, experience longer stay in intensive care as well as increased morbidity and mortality. A questionnaire in 2009 showed that there was no consensus in Denmark regarding the tools to be used to assess sedation or delirium, the patient groups they should be used in, or the frequency of assessment. ⋯ A systematic use of a shared language according to sedation and delirium in intensive care units can minimize mistakes in transfer of patients and minimize the risk of doubly traumatising patients.
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Nursing in critical care · May 2015
Multicenter StudyExtent and application of ICU diaries in Germany in 2014.
Diaries written for patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) have been used in many European countries since the early 1990s to support patients and their relatives in their understanding of the ICU experience. ICU diaries have been introduced in Germany since 2008 via the internet, newsletters, newspapers, lectures and publications in German nursing journals. ⋯ Implementation of ICU diaries is feasible after adjusting for cultural and legal issues.