Editorials:

Kathleen Dracup and Christopher W. Bryan-Brown

First, Do No Harm
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(2): 99-101. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Guest Editorials:

Philip Lebowitz

Methemoglobinemia in Critically Ill Burned Patients
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(2): 102-103. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Mary Helen Barletti

The Lived Experience of Spouses of Patients With a Left Ventricular Assist Device Before Heart Transplantation
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(2): 143-144. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Clinical Issues in Critical Care:

Eric Wolak, Faera L. Byerly, Tim Mason, and Bruce A. Cairns

Methemoglobinemia in Critically Ill Burned Patients
Although rare, methemoglobinemia is a life-threatening condition and can be caused by a variety of oxidizing reagents that are commonly used in healthcare settings. The authors present a case of methemoglobinemia involving a patient with anemia who had mafenide acetate burn dressings and who underwent transesophageal echocardiography.
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(2): 104-108. [Full Text] [PDF] [CE Test]  

Dana M. Kyles and Jane Baltimore

Adjunctive Use of Plasmapheresis and Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy in Sepsis: A Case Report
Plasmapheresis has been used to treat sepsis associated with necrotizing soft tissue infections. Supplemental use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) also has been beneficial in patients with sepsis who are immunocompromised. This case report describes the adjunctive use of plasmapheresis and IVIg therapy in the treatment of a woman who had a fluid-filled sac in both lower quadrants of the abdomen, indicating infection and bowel perforation.
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(2): 109-112. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Elizabeth A. Ferguson, Carey Roth Bayer, Susan Fronzeo, Cheryl Tuckerman, Larissa Hutchins, Kathryn Roberts, Judy Verger, Vinay Nadkarni, and Richard Lin

Time Out! Is Timepiece Variability a Factor in Critical Care?
Accurate documentation of time is essential in the dynamic critical care setting. The authors assessed use of timepieces in critical care and determined practical methods for improving their accuracy. Providers were surveyed to identify timepieces used during routine and emergency care. Times displayed on standard unit and personal timepieces were compared with coordinated universal time.
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(2): 113-120. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [CE Test]  

Policy Outcomes in Critical Care:

Leslie A. Hoffman, Frederick J. Tasota, Thomas G. Zullo, Carmella Scharfenberg, and Michael P. Donahoe

Outcomes of Care Managed by an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner/Attending Physician Team in a Subacute Medical Intensive Care Unit
Previous studies suggest that ACNPs can provide safe, cost-effective care as part of a collaborative medical management team in acute care settings. In this study, the authors tested the hypothesis that the outcomes of critically ill patients whose conditions are stable enough to allow admission to a subacute MICU will be equivalent when medical management is provided by an ACNP/attending physician team or a team of critical care/pulmonary fellows and an attending physician.
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(2): 121-130. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [CE Test]  

Beth Martin and Lars Mathisen

Use of Physical Restraints in Adult Critical Care: A Bicultural Study
Although controversial, physical restraints are commonly used in adult critical care units in the United States to prevent treatment interference and self-inflicted harm, whereas the use of physical restraints in Norwegian hospitals is very limited. In this study, observations of patients and chart data were collected from 2 ICUs in Norway and in the United States. The authors describe the relationship between patients' characteristics, environment, and use of physical restraints in both countries.
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(2): 133-142. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Family Issues in Care:

Jessie Casida

The Lived Experience of Spouses of Patients With a Left Ventricular Assist Device Before Heart Transplantation
The author explores what life is like for 3 spouses serving as caregivers of patients with a left ventricular assist device before transplantation and assesses the meaning of such experience to them. The spouses who served as caregivers had strong emotions as they entered each stage of this life experience. Heightened awareness of this phenomenon will guide nurses in individualizing plans of care, educating patients and patients' families, and evaluating outcomes of care.
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(2): 145-151. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Current Controversies in Critical Care:

Patricia Benner

Honoring the Good Behind Rights and Justice in Healthcare When More Than Justice Is Needed
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(2): 152-156. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Cardiology Casebook:

Kathryn Buchanan Keller and Louis Lemberg

Estrogen Plus Progestin, Benefits and Risks: The "Women’s Health Initiative" Trials
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(2): 157-160. [Full Text] [PDF]  

ECG Puzzler:

Stephanie S. DeBoor, Michele M. Pelter, and Mary G. Adams

Nonrespiratory Sinus Arrhythmia
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(2): 161-162. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Acknowledgment of Reviewers:

Acknowledgment of Reviewers
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(2): 163. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Education Directory:

Education Directory
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(2): 166. [Full Text] [PDF]  

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