American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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This literature review was done to explore the use of master's-prepared nurse practitioners to manage critically ill patients. Data-based, anecdotal, clinical, analytic, and position papers published over the past 10 years in the medical and nursing literature were reviewed. This article synthesizes findings on the use of nurse practitioners in clinical settings including primary and specialty care settings, describes favorable outcomes of advanced practice nurses, and identifies factors that must be addressed as these roles increase in use in critical care settings. ⋯ Additional federal support to ensure the preparation of these practitioners in adequate numbers is needed. Attention to issues of direct reimbursement, salaries, impact of changing role boundaries, malpractice coverage, and prescription privileges must be addressed. Research programs to examine the effect of nurse practitioners in specialized care should continue.
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Research in human coronary heart disease has been conducted primarily on males; however, investigators have begun to focus research efforts on female subjects as well. A literature review that identified studies on women and coronary heart disease was done to describe modifiable risk factors for coronary heart disease in women. Several modifiable risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, and disorders of lipid metabolism previously identified for men are also risk factors for women. ⋯ Moreover, women have additional risk factors related to menopause and, in some cases, the use of oral contraceptives. Significant initial information has been gained concerning women and coronary heart disease risk factors. However, gaps persist in information regarding the individual and synergistic effects of risk factors for CHD in women.