Editorials:

Christopher W. Bryan-Brown and Kathleen Dracup

The Ridiculous Mouse
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(5): 360-362. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Critical Care Resuscitation:

Natalie Bridges and Adrian A. Jarquin-Valdivia

Use of the Trendelenburg Position as the Resuscitation Position: To T or Not to T?
Healthcare workers use the Trendelenburg position on the assumption that it will divert blood from patients' lower extremities; the diversion of blood augments cardiac filling, central blood volume, and cardiac stroke volume, thus providing rapid and temporary management of shock. These authors reviewed and summarized the published literature on the use of the Trendelenburg position for resuscitation of patients who have hypotension or shock.
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(5): 364-368. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Blood Glucose Control in Critical Care:

David Kelvin Bland, Yvonne Fankhanel, Eileen Langford, Martha Lee, Scott W. Lee, Colleen Maloney, Mark Rogers, and Grenith Zimmerman

Intensive Versus Modified Conventional Control of Blood Glucose Level in Medical Intensive Care Patients: A Pilot Study
In this collaborative pilot study, critically ill patients in the MICU were randomized to receive intensive control of glucose levels or a modification of conventional blood glucose control. The goals of the study were to compare intensive glucose control with modified conventional control in the medical intensive care unit and to assess compliance with glucose targets, incidence of hypoglycemia, and staffing adequacy.
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(5): 370-376. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Preventing Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia:

Sandra K. Hanneman and Gary Michael Gusick

Frequency of Oral Care and Positioning of Patients in Critical Care: A Replication Study
Oral care and head-of-bed elevation are interventions to decrease risk of aspiration pneumonia in hospitalized patients. In a previous study, nurses' self-reports of how often they performed oral care did not match documented provision of such care. The authors replicated the original study and estimated instrument reliability and describe oral care and practices for positioning the head of the bed as self-reported by nursing personnel in adult ICUs.
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(5): 378-386. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [CE Test]  

Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Prophylaxis:

Constance J. Cutler and Nancy Davis

Improving Oral Care in Patients Receiving Mechanical Ventilation
These authors observed current practice of oral care in 253 patients receiving mechanical ventilation, defined best practices, and measured compliance with an intervention of standardized oral care. An additional objective was to improve oral care tasks and frequency via an educational intervention, which included oral care kits.
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(5): 389-394. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Critical Care at the End of Life:

Renea L. Beckstrand and Karin T. Kirchhoff

Providing End-of-Life Care to Patients: Critical Care Nurses’ Perceived Obstacles and Supportive Behaviors
These authors measured 864 critical care nurses' perceptions of the intensity and frequency of occurrence of (1) obstacles to providing end-of-life care and (2) supportive behaviors that help in providing end-of-life care in the ICU. The biggest obstacles to appropriate end-of-life care in the ICU are discussed.
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(5): 395-403. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [CE Test]  

Alternative Therapy:

Mary Fran Tracy, Ruth Lindquist, Kay Savik, Shigeaki Watanuki, Sue Sendelbach, Mary Jo Kreitzer, and Brian Berman

Use of Complementary and Alternative Therapies: A National Survey of Critical Care Nurses
Demand for complementary and alternative therapies is increasing and affecting all healthcare settings. In this study, a random sample of critical care nurses was surveyed to determine their attitudes, knowledge, perspectives, and use of complementary and alternative therapies. Most of the 726 respondents were using one or more complementary and alternative therapies in practice.
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(5): 404-415. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [CE Test]  

Cardiac Failure in Critical Care:

Tone Rustøen, Jill Howie, Ingrid Eidsmo, and Torbjørn Moum

Hope in Patients Hospitalized With Heart Failure
The authors evaluated influences of demographic and health-related variables on hope and describe satisfaction with life and future perspectives in patients hospitalized wuth heart failure to better understand the relationship between hope, a patient's sex, and demographic and/or disease-related variables, which may provide insight into methods of support and treatment for these patients.
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(5): 417-425. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Patricia Davidson, Glenn Paull, David Rees, John Daly, and Jill Cockburn

Activities of Home-Based Heart Failure Nurse Specialists: A Modified Narrative Analysis
The authors used case notes of home-based heart failure nurse specialists to describe the practice involved in the relationship between heart failure nurse specialists and their patients, the patients' family members, and other care-givers. Data analysis revealed 7 key activities of these nurse specialists.
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(5): 426-433. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Current Controversies in Critical Care:

Lisa Day

Nursing Practice and Civic Professionalism
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(5): 434-437. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Cardiology Casebook:

Laurie G. Futterman and Louis Lemberg

Atrial Fibrillation
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(5): 438-440. [Full Text] [PDF]  

ECG Puzzler:

Mary G. (Adams) Carey and Michele M. Pelter

Rhythmic Premature Ventricular Contractions
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(5): 441-442. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Education Directory:

Education Directory
Am J Crit Care 2005 14(5): 446-447. [Full Text] [PDF]  

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