Articles: intensive-care-units.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Oct 2022
Sedative polypharmacy mediates the effect of mechanical ventilation on delirium in critically ill COVID-19 patients: A retrospective cohort study.
Polypharmacy of sedatives (PP) is a potentially modifiable, iatrogenic risk factor for ICU delirium. The extent to which sedative PP influenced development of high rates of delirium among critically ill COVID-19 patients is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that PP, defined as the use of four or more classes of intravenous agents, is a mediator in the causal pathway of mechanical ventilation and delirium. ⋯ PP of sedatives (defined as use of four or more intravenous agents) mediates approximately 39% of the effect of mechanical ventilation on development of ICU delirium. Avoidance of sedative PP may represent a viable strategy for reduction of ICU delirium.
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2022
Palliative and end-of-life care in intensive care units in low- and middle-income countries: A systematically constructed scoping review.
Death is common in intensive care units, and integrating palliative care enhances outcomes. Most research has been conducted in high-income countries. The aim is to understand what is known about the type and topics of research on the provision of palliative care within intensive care units in low- and middle-income countries MATERIALS AND METHODS: Scoping review with nine databases systematically searched for literature published in English on palliative care in intensive care units in low- and middle- income settings (01/01/1990 to 31/05/2021). Two reviewers independently checked search results and extracted textual data, which were analyzed and represented as themes. ⋯ Palliative care in intensive care units in low-and middle-income countries is understudied. Research focused on the specific needs of intensive care in low- and middle-income countries is required to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
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During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, restricted visitation policies were enacted at acute care facilities to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and conserve personal protective equipment. In this study, we aimed to describe the impact of restricted visitation policies on critically ill patients, families, critical care clinicians, and decision-makers; highlight the challenges faced in translating these policies into practice; and delineate strategies to mitigate their effects. ⋯ Restricted visitation policies across ICUs during the COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected critically ill patients and their families, critical care clinicians, and decision-makers.
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Critical care nurse · Oct 2022
Observational StudyTime Spent by Intensive Care Unit Nurses on the Electronic Health Record.
The amount of time spent on the electronic health record is often cited as a contributing factor to burnout and work-related stress in nurses. Increased electronic health record use also reduces the time nurses have for direct contact with patients and families. There has been minimal investigation into the amount of time intensive care unit nurses spend on the electronic health record. ⋯ Intensive care unit nurses spend at least 17% of their shift on the electronic health record, primarily on documentation. Future interventions are necessary to reduce time spent on the electronic health record and to improve nurse and patient satisfaction.