Hu li za zhi The journal of nursing
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An extensive body of literature advocating a "patient-centered" approach to medical care has emerged over the past three decades. This approach is now a mainstream trend in healthcare. Despite its popularity, there remains little consensus regarding the content or definition of patient-centered care. ⋯ Heterogeneities exist between reviewed studies and the lack of related research in Taiwan. We thus integrated outcome indicators related to "patient-centered care". This study may be referenced by nursing research and clinical care professionals responsible to improve and integrate medical care quality.
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Catheter-related bloodstream infections are associated with significantly increased morbidity, mortality, and expenditures. Such infections are a serious threat to patient safety in the intensive care unit. This review describes the latest protocols related to preventing and treating central venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections in critically ill patients. ⋯ These are important and effective infection prevention measures. Guidelines and care bundles also recommend organizing care modules based on unit characteristics; integrating resources and empirical measures; education and training to promote comprehensive implementation; and auditing and monitoring to ensure staff continue to follow procedures. Effectively preventing central venous catheter-related bloodstream infections can enhance care quality and move healthcare closer to achieving the goal of zero tolerance.
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The Taiwan Join Commission on Hospital Accreditation identified pressure ulcers as an important clinical care indicator in 2011. Pressure ulcers are a particularly critical medical care issue in hospital intensive care units. Pressure ulcers can influence patient physiology in terms of greater perceived pain, elevated infection and sepsis incidence, increased unplanned surgical treatments, and reduced activities of daily living (ADL). ⋯ They can also increase patient and societal costs and prolong hospital stay length. This article explores the prevention and management of pressure ulcer in serious illness patients and introduces effective assessment and management techniques. We hope this article raises clinical nurse awareness of this critical issue and helps decrease the incidence of pressure ulcer-related complications in order to enhance overall quality of care.
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Cardiac surgery for critical pediatric patients places significant demands on hospital equipment and facilities. Parents of these patients are often under enormous stress due to insufficient knowledge regarding cardiac surgery and postoperative care procedures. This project used appropriate preoperative consultation given by nursing staffs to decrease stress and anxiety in parents of pediatric cardiac surgery patients. ⋯ This intervention effectively increased the completion rate of preoperative instructions for pediatric patients scheduled for cardiac surgery and improved clinical pediatric nursing care practicability and efficiency.
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Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a hospital-acquired pneumonia that occurs in patients usually 48 hours or more after mechanical ventilator intubation. VAP is the most common nosocomial infection in critically ill patients. ⋯ VAP not only results in higher mortality, longer hospital stays, and higher medical costs, but also negatively affects patient outcomes and medical care quality. The purpose of this article was to provide reference information on VAP risk factors and prevention measures.