Predictive Power of the Braden Scale for Pressure Sore Risk in Adult Critical Care Patients: A Comprehensive Review
Journal of Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing, November/December 2012Multiple factors associated with an increased likelihood of pressure ulcer development have been investigated in the critical care population. Nevertheless, there is a lack of consensus regarding which of these factors poses the greatest risk for pressure ulceration.
Pharmacotherapy of Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Toxicological Emergencies
AACN Advanced Critical Care, December 2012Several important differences have been observed between adult advanced cardiac life support and pediatric advanced life support that must be recognized when children require resuscitation, such as the cause of the arrest, age-specific monitoring parameters, weight-based medication dosing, and obstacles in obtaining venous access.
Drug Update: Pharmacology of Procedural Sedation
AACN Advanced Critical Care, December 2012To facilitate the initiation of a procedure and timely recovery from procedural sedation, clinicians want to choose agents that have a fast onset of action and a short duration of action, in addition to minimal adverse effects. Commonly used agents include propofol, benzodiazepines, ketamine, opioids, and etomidate.
A Complex Systems View of Sepsis: Implications for Nursing
Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing, February 2013Systems or tools that aid the bedside nurse in prompt identification of sepsis and facilitate standardized evidence-based interventions are proving to be a valuable means in the care of the septic patient.
Building a Protocol to Guide Mobility in the ICU
Critical Care Nursing Quarterly, March 2013Early, routine mobilization of critically ill patients is safe and reduces hospital length of stay, shortens the duration of mechanical ventilation, improves muscle strength, and functional independence. At the University of Michigan, the tides have been turned by creating a structured process to get patients moving through the use of a standardized mobility protocol.