Articles: cations.
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Anasthesiol Intensivmed Notfallmed Schmerzther · Feb 2021
Review[Diabetes mellitus in Anaesthesia - Optimal Blood Sugar Control in the Perioperative Phase].
Uncontrolled high blood sugar can be dangerous for diabetics throughout the perioperative period - in particular, when blood glucose levels exceed a threshold of 250 mg/dl or HbA1c levels are higher than 8.5 - 9%. In such cases, all elective surgery should be withheld to minimize the risk of severe complications. ⋯ Current literature suggests that non-critically ill diabetics should be treated with rapid-acting insulin analogues subcutaneously in operating theatres, whereas critically ill patients should receive continuous intravenous insulin infusions using a standardized protocol. In summary, this review can give a hand in dealing with diabetics during the perioperative period and offers guidance in controlling blood sugar levels with the help of oral antidiabetic drugs and insulin.
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J Hosp Palliat Nurs · Feb 2021
A Survey of Hospice and Palliative Care Nurses' and Holistic Nurses' Perceptions of Spirituality and Spiritual Care.
The provision of spiritual care is referred to in professional practice guidelines and mandated in nurses' ethical codes. Still, a gap exists regarding essential training in spiritual conversation and assessment, leaving some health care providers feeling uncomfortable when assessing spiritual support needs. The purpose of this study was to assess hospice and palliative nurses' and holistic nurses' perceptions of spirituality and spiritual care. ⋯ Content analysis of open-ended survey questions was used to identify themes until saturation. This study found that given adequate resources and education, nurses can be positioned to address the spiritual needs of patients and provide appropriate care. This study adds to an emerging body of evidence suggesting that training in spiritual care should be an important component of the foundational nursing curriculum.
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Anasthesiol Intensivmed Notfallmed Schmerzther · Feb 2021
[Acute Kidney Injury: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, Repair Mechanisms].
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major complication in critically ill patients and affects up to 50% of those admitted to intensive care units. Causes of AKI include patient specific factors (susceptibility: e.g. age, pre-existing chronic kidney disease, chronic heart failure, diabetes) and patient unspecific factors (exposure: e.g. sepsis, hypovolemia, cardiac surgery, nephrotoxin application). Mortality of severe AKI is in the range of 40 - 50%. ⋯ Therefore, the prevention of AKI is of an utmost importance. The recommended preventive measures include optimization of hemodynamics and volume status, close monitoring of creatinine levels and urine output, avoidance or discontinuation of nephrotoxic drugs, normoglycemia and the application of alternatives to radiocontrast agents if possible. As the long term prognosis of AKI highly depends on renal recovery, the 2 major goals for the future will be 1) the early identification of patients at AKI risk and 2) the support of renal recovery of AKI patients.
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J Hosp Palliat Nurs · Feb 2021
Supporting Interprofessional Engagement in Serious Illness Conversations: An Adapted Resource.
Communication is vital to quality palliative care nursing particularly when caring for someone with a chronic life-limiting illness and their family. Conversations about future decline and preferred care are considered challenging and difficult and are often avoided, resulting in missed opportunities for improving care. To support more, earlier, better conversations, health care organizations in British Columbia, Canada, adopted the Serious Illness Care Program inclusive of the Serious Illness Conversation Guide developed by Ariadne Labs. ⋯ Specifically challenging has been prognosis communication that falls within the scope of practice for each profession. Informed by workshop feedback, an expert team of nurse clinicians and educators tailored an interprofessional clinician reference guide to optimize the guide's use across health care settings. In this article, we present the adaptations focusing on (1) the role of nurses and allied health in serious illness communication, (2) prognosis communication, and (3) a range of role-play scenarios specific to nonphysician practice for serious illness conversations that may arise within the process of care.
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Anasthesiol Intensivmed Notfallmed Schmerzther · Feb 2021
[Perthes Syndrome after Roll-Over Trauma].
Roll-over trauma and associated traumatic entrapments frequently result in serious polytraumatisation. In rare cases, severe extrathoracic compressions and a protracted entrapment period can lead to Perthes syndrome, also known as traumatic asphyxia. The Perthes syndrome manifests itself by a triad of craniocervical cyanosis, facial petechiae and subconjunctival haemorrhages, enabling a rapid diagnosis based on these typical clinical features. ⋯ An early identification of this condition, the elevation of the upper body to allow adequate venous drainage in addition to ensuring sufficient oxygenation are essential for optimal therapy. In general, no long-term complications are to be expected for Perthes syndrome. The stasis usually disappears completely within a few months.