Authors

  1. Gould, Kathleen Ahern PhD, RN

Article Content

COMPACT GUIDE TO MECHANICAL VENTILATION: FOUNDATIONS OF PRACTICE FOR CRITICAL CARE NURSES

Goldsworthy S, & Graham L. Springer Publishing, New York; 2014.

 

This book is a wonderful resource for critical care nurses. It is easy to read in one sitting or may be used every day to find information that is pertinent to individual patients or situations. The paperback is convenient to use in any clinical setting. This book would be a great resource for the new nurse as it provides straightforward information in a quick review format. It would also be a wonderful tool for the preceptor to use as an adjunct to bedside explanation of various modes of ventilation.

  
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The text uses a stepwise approach to understanding mechanical ventilation. The book not only covers the most common modes of ventilation but also introduces alternative and various perspectives on ventilator use internationally. Comprehensive discussions of ventilator bundles are included in the discussion of the nurses' role in prevention of complications and ongoing management of the ventilated patient. Each section is supported with evidence-based guidelines.

 

Important features of this book include its compact size, allowing the user to carry it in a laboratory coat pocket or use at the bedside without difficulty. It is clearly written and easy to read and interpret tables, including ones on alarm management. Throughout the book, the authors offer questions and case studies that encourage the reader to search for advanced patient-focused solutions.

 

Chapters and specific sections include the following: arterial blood gas interpretation, pharmacology, weaning, prolonged ventilation, and management of the patient with pain, agitation, and delirium. Within the pharmacology chapter, an impressive section induces a comprehensive discussion on the use of neuromuscular blockade. The text ties it all together with a section that provides answers and insights into the questions poised in each chapter.

 

DOCPHIN

https://www.docphin.com/

 

Evidenced-based practice requires knowledge from research-based science, expert opinion, and the needs of patients and families. Even in a technological era, it is a daunting task to keep up with medical literature.

  
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An array of blogs, apps, and Web sites are emerging that will help with this challenge. One such site that I have been impressed with is Docphin. Docphin is available as a free app and is an application that makes it easier to manage medical literature and new updates.

 

Mitesh Patel cofounded Docphin, a Web-based service that helps physicians and students and other health care providers stay connected to medical literature. His goal was to help others stay up to date in medicine. The name Docphin is designed to represent its utility; Doctors Personalized Health Information.

 

Users can set up a profile to choose areas of interest, specific journals, and criteria for alerts. One feature I like is the ability to set up a proxy site through your institution, which allows you to view the full PDF version of articles. I was able to select my institution from a drop-down menu. Now, when I request to view the full article, I am directed to enter my user name and password for my library page. I have also linked my account to my drop-box account, where I may save and share articles!

 

The user-friendly format allows the reader multiple viewing options. In my Medstream view, I can see abstracts and complete articles and keep up to date as new material arrives. In the Alerts view, I see updates from my area of interest. And, in my Journals view, I can select from a list of preselected journals, which open in the current issue.

 

To view an entire article, I simply click on the title, and I am linked to my institutional sign-in page to access the complete article. If this link is not available, I may select view in PubMed as an option. DCCN is one of my preselected journals and may be viewed using both methods! I enjoy maintaining a PDF library within the app where I can save articles. Often I enjoy the Landmark Article view, where I can select topic areas such as atrial fibrillation to see what is new and exciting in this area.

 

Docphin has been selected by Apple as Best New iOS App for Medical Professionals in 2014 and rated by iMedicalapps.com as one of the most innovative medical apps. Docphin can be used with an iPad, iPhone, Android, and Web. There are many features and options in the standard version; however, users may upgrade to a premium version for a quarterly or annual fee. Also, you may earn monthly access to the premium by referring new users to the site!

 

RADIO ROUNDS

Radio Rounds, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit company, is a weekly medical talk show that is freely accessible to anyone and everyone.

  
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This program was created by Avash Kalra, currently a physician in Denver, Colorado. Kalra founded Radio Rounds with Shamie Das and Lakshman Swamy-all medical students at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio, in 2008. Radio Rounds, now in its ninth season, was the first weekly medical talk show in the United States that is hosted and produced entirely by medical students.1

 

The broadcast are free and may be accessed directly on http://radiorounds.org or can be found on iTunes. To date, the service has hosted 100 episodes over 9 seasons and addressed topics such as "The Affordable Care Act: Where Do We Stand?"

 

In a recent special report, Radio Rounds host Lakshman Swamy traveled to Boston to interview third-year medical students Kristin Schwarz of Boston University and Shaan Gandhi of Harvard University. Kristin was at Boston University Medical Center, and Shaan was on duty at Massachusetts General Hospital during the Boston Marathon bombing on April 15, 2013. Kristin and Shaan share their experiences and describe how the incident impacted their growth as physicians. The podcast had the feel of live grand rounds, as the physicians share details of the patient injuries and reflect upon the actions and responses of the team. The sessions are directed to professionals and not geared toward entertainment or for use by the lay public. This unique format is a wonderful learning option for today's busy professionals. Each program may be accessed again and again and used for teaching and/or reflection. It is an important addition to health care education!

 

Radio Rounds encourages others to get involved by offering opportunities such as

 

* cohosting the show and speaking with physicians, patients, and health care leaders from all over the world;

 

* writing articles about medicine that will be posted here on our site, as Radio Rounds expands to include online literary pieces;

 

* research opportunities;

 

* helping the Radio Rounds crew with finances, grant writing, and weekly logistics of the show;

 

* helping to create short video documentary pieces; and

 

* audio editing/technical assistance.

 

 

Reference

 

1. About.http://radiorounds.org/about/. Accessed May 27, 2014. [Context Link]