Nursing in critical care
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Nursing in critical care · May 2009
EfCCNa survey: European intensive care nurses' attitudes and beliefs towards end-of-life care.
Available literature suggests that critical care nurses have varied experiences in relation to end-of-life (EOL) care. Few studies have examined the involvement of European intensive care nurses' involvement in EOL care decisions and the extent to which their nursing practice is based on shared beliefs, experiences and attitudes. ⋯ Use of formal guidelines and education may increase nurses' involvement and confidence with EOL decisions.
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The aim of this paper was to review the current discourse in relation to intensive care unit (ICU) delirium. In particular, it will discuss the predisposing and contributory factors associated with delirium's development as well as effects of delirium on patients, staff and family members. ⋯ Routine screening of all patients in the ICU for the presence of delirium is crucial to its successful management. Nurses are on the front line to detect, manage and even prevent delirium.
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Nursing in critical care · May 2009
The COMFORT behavioural scale and the modified FLACC scale in paediatric intensive care.
To evaluate the concurrent validity and reliability of the behavioural COMFORT and a modified version of the FLACC scale for assessment of pain and sedation in intubated and ventilated children and to evaluate the construct validity of the FLACC scale for assessment of pain. ⋯ The use of validated scales may improve the assessment and management of pain and sedation in intubated children.
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Nursing in critical care · Mar 2009
Multicenter StudyExploring the quality of dying of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the intensive care unit: a mixed methods study.
Improving the quality of end-of-life (EOL) care in critical care settings is a high priority. Patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are frequently admitted to and die in critical care units. To date, there has been little research examining the quality of EOL care for this unique subpopulation of critical care patients. ⋯ Attention to the management of dyspnoea, anxiety and treatment decision-making are priority concerns when providing EOL care in the ICU to patients with COPD.