Aust Crit Care
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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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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.
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Multicenter Study
Certainty and uncertainty about end of life care nursing practices in New Zealand Intensive Care Units: a mixed methods study.
With end-of-life (EOL) central to the nursing role in intensive care, few studies have been undertaken to explore EOL care in the context of New Zealand (NZ) intensive care nursing. ⋯ Whilst results from this NZ study broadly align with European studies, uncertainty about specific areas of EOL practices highlight that further guidance for nurses is required.