Nursing in critical care
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Nursing in critical care · May 2013
ReviewA review of oral preventative strategies to reduce ventilator-associated pneumonia.
This article evaluates the evidence for and efficacy of the use of mechanical hygiene and chlorhexidine in the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). ⋯ While there have been a number of studies conducted evaluating the efficacy of both approaches, there is limited evidence to support their use. The frequency of oral decontamination and mechanical hygiene interventions have not been established and chlorhexidine 2% seems to be more effective compared to weaker concentrations, but data is mainly confined to patients following cardiothoracic surgery.
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Nursing in critical care · May 2013
ReviewUnplanned extubation in critically ill adults: clinical review.
To investigate and synthesize the evidence on the incidence and consequences of unplanned extubation (UE) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, and on risk factors for UE. ⋯ Identifying risk factors for UE and minimizing UE incidence through appropriate preventive strategies are prerequisites for improving nursing care quality and patient safety in the ICU.
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Nursing in critical care · Mar 2013
Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist: assessing the comfort and feasibility of use in neonates and children.
To evaluate the practical feasibility for nurses working with neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) and assess patient comfort and safety when NAVA is initiated. ⋯ NAVA is a promising new mode of ventilation. This article contributes to an increasing body of evidence that NAVA is feasible in neonates and children. There are practical considerations when NAVA is applied in these patient-groups.