Editorials:

Kathleen Dracup and Christopher W. Bryan-Brown

Doctor of Nursing Practice—MRI or Total Body Scan?
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(4): 278-281. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Guest Editorials:

Minnie Wood

A Student’s Reflections: Lessons Learned From Pediatric and Psychiatric Nursing
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(4): 282. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Brief Communications:

Isaac I. Bogoch, Sanjeev Sockalingam, Natasha Bollegala, Andrew Baker, and Shree Bhalerao

Family Types in the Neurotrauma Intensive Care Unit
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(4): 283-284. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Psychosocial Aspects of Critical Care:

Anne G. Rosenfeld, Allison Lindauer, and Blair G. Darney

Understanding Treatment-Seeking Delay in Women with Acute Myocardial Infarction: Descriptions of Decision-Making Patterns
Women delay seeking treatment for symptoms of acute myocardial infarction longer than men delay. In this qualitative study, 52 women were asked in semistructured interviews to describe the symptoms and related thoughts, decisions, and actions from the onset of symptoms of myocardial infarction to arrival at the hospital. Narrative analysis was used to examine the stories and to identify patterns of decision-making behavior.
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(4): 285-293. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [CE Test]  

AACN 2005 Distinguished Research Lecture:

Sandra B. Dunbar

Psychosocial Issues of Patients With Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators
Use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators has become standard therapy for patients at high risk for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Although acceptance of the device is generally high among patients and their families, quality of life and psychosocial issues associated with use of defibrillators deserve greater attention to improve outcomes. The author describes the psychosocial issues, their ramifications, and theory- and evidence-based approaches to improving outcomes.
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(4): 294-303. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Research for Practice:

Elaine L. Larson, Sandra Albrecht, and Mary O’Keefe

Hand Hygiene Behavior in a Pediatric Emergency Department and a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: Comparison of Use of 2 Dispenser Systems
Approaches and systems to improve hand hygiene practices warrant testing. To compare the frequency of use of manually operated and touch-free dispensers of sanitizer for hand hygiene, these authors placed manual and touch-free dispensers of alcohol sanitizer in the emergency department and an ICU of a large pediatric hospital for two 2-month periods for each type of dispenser.
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(4): 304-311. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [CE Test]  

Cardiac Aspects of Critical Care:

Linda K. Cook

An Acute Myocardial Infarction?
Severe metabolic abnormalities can sometimes create confusing and grossly abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings. In this case study, a man who had diabetic ketoacidosis and acute renal failure with severe hyperkalemia had an unusual cardiac rhythm strip recording. A subsequent 12-lead ECG showed findings compatible with an acute myocardial infarction of the anterior wall. An ECG obtained after aggressive treatment of the metabolic disorders had a more normal pattern.
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(4): 313-315. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Lynn V. Doering, Debra K. Moser, Walter Lemankiewicz, Cristina Luper, and Steven Khan

Depression, Healing, and Recovery From Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
The relationship between (1) emotional states and clinical affective disorders and (2) outcomes in cardiac patients has been the subject of scrutiny by researchers and clinicians. Depression has been associated with increased mortality and morbidity after acute myocardial infarction. These authors evaluate emotional and physical recovery in 72 bypass surgery patients and investigate associations between depressive symptoms and infections and impaired wound healing in patients with depressive symptoms.
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(4): 316-324. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Pulmonary Aspects of Critical Care:

Mary Jo Grap, Cindy L. Munro, Russell S. Hummel, III, R.K. Elswick, Jr, Jessica L. McKinney, and Curtis N. Sessler

Effect of Backrest Elevation on the Development of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common complication of mechanical ventilation. Patients' body position is a key component of nursing care and can significantly affect the development of VAP, as well as the morbidity and mortality associated with VAP. In this nonexperimental, longitudinal, descriptive pilot study of 66 patients, the authors describe the relationship between backrest elevation and development of VAP.
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(4): 325-332. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [CE Test]  

Current Controversies in Critical Care:

Lisa Day

Boundaries of Double Effect
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(4): 334-337. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Cardiology Casebook:

Kathryn Buchanan Keller and Louis Lemberg

Statin Therapy in Congestive Heart Failure
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(4): 338-340. [Full Text] [PDF]  

ECG Puzzler:

Michele M. Pelter and Mary G. Adams

ST Segment Changes in Right Bundle Branch Block
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(4): 341-342. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Education Directory:

Education Directory
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(4): 351-352. [Full Text] [PDF]  

To see an article, click its [Full Text] link. To review many abstracts, check the boxes to the left of the titles you want, and click the 'Get All Checked Abstract(s)' button. To see one abstract at a time, click its [Abstract] link.