American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Long-Term Effects of Saline Instilled During Endotracheal Suction in Pediatric Intensive Care: A Randomized Trial.
Saline instillation is still used to assist in removal of secretions from endotracheal tubes in some pediatric intensive care units. ⋯ Using no saline was at least as effective as using either 0.225% or 0.9% saline in endotracheal suctioning. The optimal policy may be to routinely use no saline with endotracheal suctioning in children but allow the occasional use of 0.9% saline when secretions are thick.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Collecting Nursing Research Data 24 Hours a Day: Challenges, Lessons, and Recommendations.
Research on many routine nursing interventions requires data collection around the clock each day (24/7). Strategies for implementing and coordinating a study 24/7 are not discussed in the literature, and best practices are needed. ⋯ A nursing clinical trial that requires interventions on a 24/7 basis can be done with thorough planning, staffing, and continuous quality improvement activities.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of an Integrative Nursing Intervention on Pain in Critically Ill Patients: A Pilot Clinical Trial.
Pain, a persistent problem in critically ill patients, adversely affects outcomes. Despite recommendations, no evidence-based nonpharmacological approaches for pain treatment in critically ill patients have been developed. ⋯ A multimodal integrative intervention may be effective in decreasing pain and improving pain-related outcomes in critically ill patients.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of Dynamic Light Application on Cognitive Performance and Well-being of Intensive Care Nurses.
Exposure to bright light has alerting effects. In nurses, alertness may be decreased because of shift work and high work pressure, potentially reducing work performance and increasing the risk for medical errors. ⋯ Daytime lighting conditions did not affect intensive care unit nurses' cognitive performance, perceived depressive signs and symptoms, or fatigue. Perceived quality of life, predominantly in the psychological and environmental domains, was lower for nurses working in dynamic light.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Rectal and Bladder Temperatures vs Forehead Core Temperatures Measured With SpotOn Monitoring System.
Methods and frequency of temperature monitoring in intensive care unit patients vary widely. The recently available SpotOn system uses zero-heat-flux technology and offers a noninvasive method for continuous monitoring of core temperature of critical care patients at risk for alterations in body temperature. ⋯ The SpotOn thermometry system has excellent agreement and good precision and is a potential alternative for noninvasive continuous monitoring of core temperature in critical care patients, especially when alternative methods are contraindicated or not available.