American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
-
Comment Letter
"Getting Used to It," Helps Prevent Burnout and Distress.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Five-Layered Soft Silicone Foam Dressing to Prevent Pressure Ulcers in the Intensive Care Unit.
In critically ill patients, prevention of pressure ulcers is a challenge because of the high risk for multiple comorbid conditions, immobility, hemodynamic instability, and increased use of medical devices. ⋯ Use of a soft silicone foam dressing combined with preventive care yielded a statistically and clinically significant benefit in reducing the incidence rate and severity of HAPUs in intensive care patients. This novel, cost-effective method can reduce HAPU incidence in critically ill patients.
-
Clinical nurses attend family conferences in the intensive care unit, but their role during these meetings is not yet fully understood. ⋯ The clinical nurse is often absent or silent during family conferences in the intensive care unit, despite the important roles they want to play in these settings. Strategies to improve both the physical and verbal participation of clinical nurses during the family conference are suggested, especially in the context of previous research demonstrating the need for more attention in family conferences to social-emotional support and patient advocacy.
-
Observational Study
Prognostic Importance of Sleep Quality in Patients With Heart Failure.
Poor sleep quality is common and is associated with poor quality of life and health status in patients with heart failure. However, few investigators have focused on the impact of impaired sleep quality on survival in heart failure. ⋯ Impaired sleep quality was prevalent in patients with heart failure and was associated with poor cardiac event-free survival. Clinicians should assess and manage sleep quality in patients with heart failure to improve outcomes.