American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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Accurate height measurement is critical for accurate dosing of medications, mechanical ventilation, and nutritional calculations. Prior research has identified inaccuracies with self-reported height, and height is notably important to measure accurately in critically ill patients. In this study, conducted in a large tertiary academic medical center, medical records rarely indicated the method of height measurement, and there were statistically significant variations in measured height across admissions.
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Symptoms of anxiety and depression are common in adolescents with a loved one in an intensive care unit (ICU) and are known precursors of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). ⋯ A cautiously prepared open visiting policy should be maintained for adolescents with a relative in the ICU, because it could prevent feelings of regret and subsequent PTSD. Adolescents with risk factors should be screened and followed up.
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Iliopsoas hematoma occasionally occurs in patients receiving anticoagulation therapy. It may be a life-threatening complication and can cause disseminated intravascular coagulation, which could develop into abdominal compartment syndrome. The incidence of and factors associated with iliopsoas hematoma during venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) have not been well studied. ⋯ Our findings emphasize that recognizing factors associated with iliopsoas hematoma and detecting them early are crucial during venovenous ECMO in order to treat patients with iliopsoas hematoma appropriately.