American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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Multicenter Study
Association of Lack of Fear of Dying With New Organ Failure: Results of a Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study.
Patients' anxiety on intensive care unit (ICU) admission is associated with subsequent deterioration. ⋯ Absence of fear of dying is associated with new organ failure within the first 7 days after ICU admission. Fear of dying may protect against subsequent deterioration by mobilizing patients' homeostatic resources. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02355626.
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Improving retention of nurses working in critical care is an urgent priority. Ideas on how to do this abound, but actual data are inconclusive. One common theory is that simply increasing nurse resiliency will minimize turnover. ⋯ The study findings are consistent with current literature indicating that prevention of compassion fatigue and burnout cannot be achieved by the efforts of individuals alone but requires collaboration between professionals and their institutions, with special attention to 3 elements: (1) a healthy work environment, (2) organizational support, and (3) nurse resiliency.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Fasting Versus a Heart-Healthy Diet Before Cardiac Catheterization: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Patients undergoing cardiac catheterization are ordered to take nothing by mouth after midnight before their procedure with no evidence to support this practice. ⋯ Allowing patients to eat before elective cardiac catheterization posed no safety risk and benefited patient satisfaction and overall care. The results of this study may help identify best practice for allowing patients to eat before elective procedures using conscious sedation.
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Parents of newborns with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at risk for anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress. Few studies have examined whether modifiable factors that influence parents' mental health after discharge are present during postoperative care in the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (PCICU). ⋯ Parental role alteration perceived by parents during the PCICU stay is a modifiable stressor contributing to adverse mental health symptoms 3 months after discharge. Interventions targeting parental role alteration in the PCICU are critically needed.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has been distressing to health care professionals, causing significant burnout. Burnout has resulted in notable rates of mental health symptoms and job turnover. Hospitals have incorporated programming to meet the needs of health care professionals. ⋯ In addition to educational seminars, programs that address lasting distress should be offered to health care professionals. Targeting job-related burnout at organizational and systemic levels may ameliorate distress. This article discusses methods of integrating organizational programs into clinics.