Articles: intensive-care-units.
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Intensive Crit Care Nurs · Oct 1998
Historical ArticleThe evolution and nursing history of a general intensive care unit (1962-1983).
In this paper we have reviewed the origin and evolution of Whiston Hospital's General Intensive Care Unit (ICU) from its humble beginnings as an offshoot of a general ward in the early 1960s. The length of service of the senior nursing staff over a period of 21 years was also calculated. ⋯ In addition, we have outlined the development of nurse training in intensive care as well as the role of the nurses in research in the ICU. The question as to whether later college-based training was superior to the previous hospital-based course remained unanswered.
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Clin Perform Qual Health Care · Oct 1998
Utilizing national nosocomial infection surveillance system data to improve urinary tract infection rates in three intensive-care units.
To reduce catheter-related urinary tract infection rates in three intensive-care units to at or below the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System pooled mean for similar units. ⋯ A multidisciplinary approach assisted in reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infections in three intensive-care units, although not to the extent desired. The teams are investigating preconnected and antimicrobial-coated catheters further.
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The objective of this study is to determine if grade of liver injury predicts outcome after blunt hepatic trauma in children and to initiate analysis of current management practices to optimize resource utilization without compromising patient care. ⋯ Mortality and morbidity rates in pediatric liver injuries, grades I to IV, correlate with associated injuries not the degree of hepatic damage. ALT, AST, and transfusion requirements are significantly related to degree of liver injury. Low-grade and isolated high-grade liver injuries seldom require transfusion. Blunt liver trauma rarely requires surgical intervention. In retrospect, the need for expensive ICU observation for low-grade and isolated high-grade hepatic injuries is questionably warranted.
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To provide quality care with limited staff and create a safer environment, managers created a new "crisis nurse" position.
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Health Care Strateg Manage · Oct 1998
Hospital intensive care units have to face the market realities of managed care.
The ICU is one of the last hospital bastions to face the market realities of managed care. Ellen Beck examines the situation and outlines what some hospitals and health systems are doing to improve outcomes, administrative issues and the experiences of patients and their families.