Articles: intensive-care-units.
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We have discussed the ethical principles of beneficence, nonmaleficence, fidelity, and justice as they relate to a case involving what to do when there are too many sick neonates in an NICU. The use of ethical principles clarified the issues surrounding the shift in power and the decision making. This clarification led to the various short-term and long-term strategies that were designed to resolve the ethical dilemma. ⋯ Providing for individuals in a fair manner reduces the potential for harm. Focusing on ethical principles may serve to deemphasize and diffuse the control and territorial issues that may arise in similar cases. This refocusing will then enable all parties to address their common concern--how to provide due care to sick neonates and their families.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Dec 1992
Comparative Study[National survey on the action taken at the intensive care units to control hospital infections].
In 1990, a survey of recommended infection control practices in ICUs was carried out in 11 European countries. At the European level, 1005 ICUs returned the questionnaire (response rate = 61.2%), while in Italy only 129 ICUs out of 289 answered (response rate = 45%). The survey showed that the diffusion of recommended infection control practices in Italian ICUs was similar to other European countries, even if infection control resources at the hospital level were scarce: a hospital infection control program was launched ad necessary resources were available in only 14% of the responding Italian ICUs.