Revised treatment guidelines issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Stroke Association emphasize early and aggressive care for emergency room patients diagnosed with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Five hospital strategies identified to significantly lower 30-day risk-standardized mortality rates for patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Four factors identified as having an impact on dissatisfaction with ICU care include “living in the same city as the hospital, disagreement within the family regarding care, having a cardiac comorbidity but being hospitalized in a noncardiac-care intensive care unit, and living in a different household than the patient."

Effects of a Standard Versus Comprehensive Oral Care Protocol Among Intubated Neuroscience ICU Patients: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, June 2012

The effects of manual toothbrushing were compared with those of tongue scraping, electric toothbrushing, and moisturizing in intubated patients in a neuroscience ICU in this 2-year randomized clinical trial.

Understanding Goals of Care Statements and Preferences among Patients and Their Surrogates in the Medical ICU
Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, March/April 2012

The purpose of this study is to improve our understanding about how patients' and surrogates' goals of care are communicated and interpreted in a medical intensive care unit (MICU).

Acute Chest Syndrome of Sickle Cell Disease
Critical Care Nursing Quarterly, April/June 2012

In this article, the pathophysiology and management of sickle cell anemia, vaso-occlusive crisis, and pulmonary and neurologic complications of the disease are discussed using a case study approach.

Simple Interventions for Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia
Nursing2012 Critical Care, May 2012

Risk factors for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) are related to the invasive nature of an endotracheal (ET) tube and the fact that it bypasses the body's natural defense mechanisms. Read this article to learn more about VAP and the bundle of interventions one facility uses to reduce VAP rates.

Intensive Care Nurses’ Perspectives of Family-Centered Care and Their Attitudes toward Family Presence during Resuscitation
Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, May/June 2012

Family-centered care (FCC) has been cited as important to patient care and family presence during resuscitation (FPDR) is an example of the implementation of family-centered care. The objective of this study was to determine the attitudes of nurses toward FCC and FPDR and whether there is an association between the two.

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In Our Next Issue:

• Acute Kidney Injury and the Critically Ill Patient
• Ethics in Critical Care: Preventive Ethics in the Intensive Care Unit