Nursing in critical care
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Nursing in critical care · Nov 2012
Assessment of a training programme for the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia.
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most frequent nosocomial infection in intensive care units (ICUs). Most published studies have analysed nurses' theoretical knowledge about a specific procedure; however, the transfer of this knowledge to the practice has received little attention. ⋯ The programme improved both knowledge of and compliance with VAP preventive measures, although improved knowledge did not always result in improved compliance.
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Nursing in critical care · Nov 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialEffect of feedback on ventilator care bundle compliance: before and after study.
Care bundles cluster together several evidence-based practices and, in the intensive care setting, the ventilator care bundle (VCB) has been applied widely. ⋯ Further research is needed to determine the effects of audit and feedback, and which strategies are most effective.
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Nursing in critical care · Nov 2012
Exploration of Iranian intensive care nurses' experience of end-of-life care: a qualitative study.
A challenge for intensive care nurses is providing the best possible care to patients in an end-of-life stage. The fact that some patients will die despite the efforts of the health care team can affect the psychological state of the nurses and families. Lack of attention to such an issue can bring about unpleasant consequences for both patients and nurses. ⋯ Managers ought to provide specialized units for providing care to end-of-life patients. Nurses working on these units will require emotional support.
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Nursing in critical care · Sep 2012
Partners' ambivalence towards cardiac arrest and hypothermia treatment: a qualitative study.
The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of partners of patients who had cardiac arrest and subsequent hypothermia treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ Nurses play a pivotal role in providing partners with information and in nurturing hope and feelings of security. Partners need to fully understand the reason for hypothermia treatment to enable them to accept the cold body as part of a life-saving process. We recommend follow-up after discharge. This may increase the partners' sense of security and control.
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Critical care patients experience deranged sleep for a number of reasons including noise, environment, severity of illness and care activities. This service evaluation was prompted by the concern that patients were not getting enough sleep because of excessive noise levels in our unit. ⋯ Earplugs and eye masks are a useful adjunct to strategies promoting sleep in critical care areas.