Nursing in critical care
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Nursing in critical care · Nov 2010
An evaluation of enteral feeding practices in critically ill children.
Establishing and sustaining enteral feeding in critically ill children is challenging and has met with many problems. ⋯ This paper highlights the dearth of research related to enteral feeding in critically ill children. We found that the use of feeding guidelines improved calorie delivery and so units should be encouraged to develop their own guidelines based on the best evidence available.
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Nursing in critical care · Sep 2010
Case ReportsExtracorporeal membrane oxygenation in a Scottish intensive care unit.
I reflected on the training I had on an extraordinary treatment for profound respiratory failure. The result of training enabled us to successfully treat a young female with the influenza A virus with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). I report the positive outcome that occurred, while continuing to run a busy general intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ We were able to successfully treat a young lady, while providing the care for all other patients. This was a complex treatment, one that uses many resources including time and finance. Now that we have all the equipment, the necessary training and the knowledge, we can continue to deliver this service to the public in our locality.
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Nursing in critical care · Jul 2010
ReviewPotential effects of stress in critical illness through the role of stress neuropeptides.
To critically review evidence on the hypothesis that the multitude of cognitive and psychological stressors perceived by critically ill individuals may contribute to the development of pathophysiologic sequlae through modulation of the levels of stress neuropeptides. ⋯ If this hypothesis is corroborated, bedside quantification of selected neuropeptides may contribute to the assessment of stress and of the effectiveness of psychological support interventions in the future. Moreover, psychosocial and, probably, pharmacological support interventions may be effective adjuncts to the care of the critically ill.