American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Speed of blood withdrawal and accurate measurement of oxygen content in mixed venous blood.
Measurement of mixed venous oxygen saturation helps determine whether cardiac output and oxygen delivery are sufficient for metabolic needs. As recommended by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses guideline, blood samples for determining mixed venous oxygen saturation are obtained by slowly, in 1 to 2 minutes, withdrawing 1.5 mL of blood from the distal port of the pulmonary artery catheter. In theory, the negative force of rapid withdrawal could pull oxygenated blood from the pulmonary capillary bed, causing falsely elevated saturation values. ⋯ Rapid blood sampling does not falsely elevate measurements of mixed venous oxygen saturation.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Observational Study
Early Mobility in the Intensive Care Unit: Standard Equipment vs a Mobility Platform.
Despite the general belief that mobility and exercise play an important role in the recovery of functional status, mobility is difficult to implement in patients in intensive care units. ⋯ Early mobility can be implemented in intensive care units. Standard equipment can be used to mobilize such patients safely; however, for patients who ambulate, a platform may increase efficiency and effectiveness.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Feasibility and acceptability of a resilience training program for intensive care unit nurses.
The critical nursing shortage is particularly apparent in specialty areas such as intensive care units (ICUs). Some nurses develop resilient coping strategies and adapt to stressful work experiences, mitigating the development of common maladaptive psychological symptoms. ⋯ A multifaceted resilience training program for ICU nurses was both feasible and acceptable. A sufficiently powered, randomized clinical trial is needed to assess the effect of the intervention on improving individuals' level of resilience and improving psychological outcomes such as symptoms of anxiety, depression, burnout syndrome, and PTSD.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Infection Rates in Intensive Care Units by Electrocardiographic Lead Wire Type: Disposable vs Reusable.
It is unknown if disposable electrocardiographic lead wires (ECG-LWs) reduce infection rates compared with cleaned, reusable lead wires. ⋯ No difference was observed in infection rates of ICU patients receiving disposable versus reusable ECG-LWs.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Clinicians' perceptions of the usefulness of a communication facilitator in the intensive care unit.
Despite its documented importance, communication between clinicians and patients' families in the intensive care unit often fails to meet families' needs, and interventions to improve communication are needed. Use of a communication facilitator-an additional staff member-to improve communication between clinicians and patients' families is the focus of an ongoing randomized trial. The clinical team's acceptance of the communication facilitator as an integral part of the team is important. ⋯ Clinicians in the intensive care unit saw the facilitator intervention as enhancing communication and supporting both patients' families and clinicians. They also identified the importance of the facilitator within the interdisciplinary team. Negative perceptions about the use of a facilitator should be addressed before the intervention is implemented, in order to ensure its effectiveness.