Aust Crit Care
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Multicenter Study
Predictors of ICU patients' pain management satisfaction: A descriptive cross-sectional survey.
(1) To assess Jordanian ICU patients' pain characteristics (intensity and interference) and levels of pain management satisfaction; and (2) to determine potential predictors of pain management satisfaction among ICU patients. ⋯ Jordanian ICU patients reported high pain levels, which supports the need for applying a caring attitude in managing patients' pain reports. Also, such a study is among the first pain management studies in Jordan aiming at setting the stage for future research studies. Finally, results can be included in planning pain management strategies and protocols within hospitals.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Novel technologies can provide effective dressing and securement for peripheral arterial catheters: A pilot randomised controlled trial in the operating theatre and the intensive care unit.
Peripheral arterial catheters are widely used in the care of intensive care patients for continuous blood pressure monitoring and blood sampling, yet failure - from dislodgement, accidental removal, and complications of phlebitis, pain, occlusion and infection - is common. While appropriate methods of dressing and securement are required to reduce these complications that cause failure, few studies have been conducted in this area. ⋯ The pilot trial showed that the novel technologies were at least as effective as the present method of a polyurethane dressing for dressing and securement of arterial catheters, and may be cost effective. The trial also provided evidence that a larger, multicentre trial would be feasible.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of an interactive CD-based and traditional instructor-led Basic Life Support skills training for nurses.
Basic Life Support (BLS) is a life-saving and fundamental skill in resuscitation. However, studies have reported limitations in BLS training outcomes for both health professional and lay populations, and noted the resource and time-intensive nature of traditional training approaches. ⋯ The failure to find a difference between the CD-based BLS programme with unsupervised manikin practice and a resource-intensive traditional instructor-led BLS training programme may indicate equivalence of the programmes or, even study design limitations. It is concerning that competence displayed by trainees from both groups was less than optimal and suggests the need for renewed efforts to develop and evaluate BLS training programmes which can achieve high rates of competence with acceptable skill retention over time.
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Cardiovascular dysfunction has been reported as an important mechanism of weaning failure. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a sensitive and specific marker for cardiovascular dysfunction. ⋯ Measuring the percentage change in the BNP level during a SBT may be a good predictor of weaning success from mechanical ventilation in respiratory patients.