Resp Care
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Evaluation of a peer-led asthma self-management program and benefits of the program for adolescent peer leaders.
Asthma is the leading chronic condition in adolescents. Nonetheless, research efforts to address adolescent asthma morbidity by applying a developmentally appropriate self-management intervention have been limited. Recently a peer-led asthma self-management program has been developed and implemented for adolescents. The purpose of the study was to assess the acceptability of a peer-led asthma program for adolescents based on participant feedback and to examine the program's impact on asthma outcomes in peer leaders. ⋯ A peer-led asthma self-management program was successfully implemented and well received by adolescent learners. Asthma outcomes in peer leaders appear to have improved as a result of the program, although caution should be exercised in determining clinical meaningfulness, given the modest changes in mean scores. ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT01161225.
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Multicenter Study
Accidental decannulation following placement of a tracheostomy tube.
Accidental decannulation is a cause of substantial morbidity and mortality in patients in long-term acute care hospitals who require a tracheostomy tube. ⋯ Targeted interventions can significantly reduce both the incidence of AD following tracheostomy and associated morbidity. Best practice guidelines to help minimize AD in patients with tracheostomy tubes are proposed.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Volume-time curve: an alternative for endotracheal tube cuff management.
Despite numerous studies on endotracheal tube cuff pressure (CP) management, the literature has yet to establish a technique capable of adequately filling the cuff with an appropriate volume of air while generating low CP in a less subjective way. The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate and compare the CP levels and air volume required to fill the endotracheal tubes cuff using 2 different techniques (volume-time curve versus minimal occlusive volume) in the immediate postoperative period after coronary artery bypass grafting. ⋯ The volume-time curve technique was associated with a lower CP and a lower volume of air injected into the cuff, when compared to the minimal occlusive volume technique in the immediate postoperative period after coronary artery bypass grafting. Therefore, the volume-time curve may be a more reliable alternative for endotracheal tube cuff management.