Collegian
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At the Austin & Repatriation Medical Centre (A&RMC) an innovative approach was taken to improve the reliability of ICU bed availability for elective cardiac surgery patients. A cardiac surgery recovery unit (CSRU), a dedicated three bed area, was established within the Post Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU) so as to deliver care to a group of patients that had previously been provided in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Derived benefits arising from this initiative include a reduction in the number of cardiac surgery cancellations for want of ICU beds, reduced length of stay of patients in the CSRU and in the Medical Centre, and an improvement in the level of knowledge and skills of PACU nurses in relation to caring for the specific needs of acutely ill patients.
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This paper defines evidence-based practice, gives a brief history of EBP, addresses nurses' current usage of research, briefly examines the need for evidence-based practice, then addresses what evidence-based practice will mean to the profession. It is concluded that at present Australian nursing is in a stage of pre-evidence-based practice in which most Australian nurses neither read research nor apply research findings to practice. However, a demand for evidence-based practice will likely encourage nurses to use research in practice. Finally, professional strategies will be developed to encourage the introduction and evaluation of evidence-based nursing practice.
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Cardiac [corrected] arrest outcome studies have identified early defibrillation (among other variables) as a strong predictor of survival--with the emphasis placed on minimal delay between arrest and 'shock'. Nurses play a key role in the management of in-hospital cardiac arrest. Often they are first on the scene of an arrest--initiating cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as well as summoning assistance from the 'advanced life support'/'arrest' team. ⋯ There is obviously a mismatch between community expectations and reality, which nursing needs to address. Nurses can contribute to the prevention of cardiac arrest in the community by promoting the importance of seeking medical care in the event of chest pain. Furthermore, skilled clinical assessment and recognition of the prodromes of cardiorespiratory collapse may reduce the incidence of in-hospital cardiac arrests.