American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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Multicenter Study
Semirecumbent positioning in ventilator-dependent patients: a multicenter, observational study.
Positioning of patients is a modifiable risk factor for ventilator-associated pneumonia. Current guidelines for prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia recommend semirecumbency at 30º, with 45º preferable unless contraindicated. ⋯ The findings of this multicenter, observational study suggest that backrest elevation was less than recommended and was influenced by clinical practices and patient condition.
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Multicenter Study
Cleaned, ready-to-use, reusable electrocardiographic lead wires as a source of pathogenic microorganisms.
Cleaned electrocardiographic lead wires are a potential source of microorganisms capable of causing nosocomial infection. ⋯ Bacteria are common on reusable, cleaned lead wires and differ by hospital and clinical area.