Editorials:

Kathleen Dracup and Christopher W. Bryan-Brown

Reflections on Making Decisions
Am J Crit Care 2003 12(2): 91-93. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Guest Editorials:

Peter E. Morris

Meeting Unmet Needs in Patients With Sepsis: the Role of Drotrecogin Alfa (Activated)
Am J Crit Care 2003 12(2): 94-97. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Letters to the Editor:

Constance Roy

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS
Am J Crit Care 2003 12(2): 99. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Kelly McLeay

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS
Am J Crit Care 2003 12(2): 99-100. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Respiratory Critical Care:

Renee Twibell, Debra Siela, and Mahnaz Mahmoodi

Subjective Perceptions and Physiological Variables During Weaning From Mechanical Ventilation
Despite many research studies on strategies for effective weaning, there is little consensus on the key factors of patients' readiness for weaning. These authors collected data on 68 patients being weaned from mechanical ventilation and explored the subjective perceptions of dyspnea, fatigue, and self-efficacy.
Am J Crit Care 2003 12(2): 101-112. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Techniques in Critical Care:

Mary Jo Grap, Cindy L. Munro, Brooke Ashtiani, and Sandra Bryant

Oral Care Interventions in Critical Care: Frequency and Documentation
For this study, nurses in several ICUs in a large medical center filled out surveys that asked them to estimate how frequently they provided oral care to intubated and nonintubated patients. Respondents also rated the priority of oral care interventions. The authors of the study discuss the different types of oral care products and why some are more optimal than others.
Am J Crit Care 2003 12(2): 113-118. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [CE Test]  

Curriculum Review:

E. Wesley Ely, Ruth M. Kleinpell, and Richert E. Goyette

Advances in the Understanding of Clinical Manifestations and Therapy of Severe Sepsis: An Update for Critical Care Nurses
Severe sepsis is a major health concern and a burden on the healthcare system. A member of a new class of drugs called "cogins" has been shown to be effective in reducing organ injury associated with severe sepsis. This article provides an overview of severe sepsis, highlighting recent advances in the treatment of the disease and the role of critical care nurses.
Am J Crit Care 2003 12(2): 120-133. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [CE Test]  

Theoretical Perspectives:

Jocelyn Reimer-Kent

From Theory to Practice: Preventing Pain After Cardiac Surgery
A pain management guideline, predicated on the WHO's analgesic ladder, was developed at the Royal Columbian Hospital in British Columbia to prevent pain after cardiac surgery. In an evaluation of the guideline, records from 133 cardiac surgery patients were retrospectively reviewed. The type and dose of analgesics administered for the first 6 days after surgery, the effectiveness of the pain management plan, the occurrence of adverse effects, time to extubation, and postoperative lengths of stay were determined.
Am J Crit Care 2003 12(2): 136-143. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [CE Test]  

Case Study in Critical Care:

Liza A. Prudente

Phantom Shock in a Patient With an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator: Case Report
ICDs are now routinely used as prophylaxis and as a rescue treatment for patients prone to malignant ventricular arrhythmias. This case study describes a patient who experienced a phenomenon known as "phantom shock," a term which implies that the patient perceives an ICD shock, even though the memory of the ICD indicates that no therapy (shock) was delivered. In cases such as these, the author believes it is imperative that nurses support the patients and not minimize their perceptions and review the device's history.
Am J Crit Care 2003 12(2): 144-146. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Occupational Health Issues:

Mohammed A. Qureshi, Nipurn J. Shah, Carol W. Hemmen, Mary C. Thill, and James A. Kruse

Exposure of Intensive Care Unit Nurses to Nitric Oxide and Nitrogen Dioxide During Therapeutic Use of Inhaled Nitric Oxide in Adults With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Because of toxicity of No and No2, questions have been raised about exposure of healthcare workers to these gases. These authors sampled air from the breathing zone of ICU nurses to evaluate their exposure to these gases during NO treatment of adult patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Am J Crit Care 2003 12(2): 147-153. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

White Paper:

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses and AACN Certification Corporation

Safeguarding the Patient and the Profession: The Value of Critical Care Nurse Certification
As skilled and responsible health professionals, the 403 000 critical care nurses in the United States must acquire the specialized knowledge and skills needed to provide care and demonstrate their competence to the public, their employers, and their profession. The White Paper from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses and AACN Certification Corporation puts forth a call for all who can influence and will benefit from certified nurses' contribution to patient care.
Am J Crit Care 2003 12(2): 154-164. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Current Controversies in Critical Care:

Patricia Benner

Reflecting on What We Care About
Am J Crit Care 2003 12(2): 165-166. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Cardiology Casebook:

Kathryn Buchanan Keller and Louis Lemberg

Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome
Am J Crit Care 2003 12(2): 167-170. [Full Text] [PDF]  

ECG Puzzler:

Michele M. Pelter and Mary G. Adams-Hamoda

Low Amplitude QRS
Am J Crit Care 2003 12(2): 171-172. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Acknowledgment of Reviewers:

Acknowledgment of Reviewers
Am J Crit Care 2003 12(2): 173. [Full Text] [PDF]  

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