Temporal Scanner Thermometry: A New Method of Core Temperature Estimation in ICU Patients

2005 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Myny ◽  
J De Waele ◽  
T Defloor ◽  
S Blot ◽  
F Colardyn
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Artery ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
Vasopressor Therapy ◽  
Good Reliability ◽  
Temperature Estimation ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Icu Patients ◽  
Vasoactive Medication ◽  
Pulmonary Artery Catheters

Background and Aims: Temperature measurement is a routine task of patient care, with considerable clinical impact, especially in the ICU. This study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy and variability of the Temporal Artery Thermometer (TAT) in ICU-patients. Therefore, a convenience sample of 57 adult patients, with indwelling pulmonary artery catheters (PAC) in a 40-bed intensive care unit in a university teaching hospital was used. Methods: The study design was a prospective, descriptive comparative analysis. Body temperature was thereby measured simultaneously with the TAT and the Axillary Thermometer (AT), and was compared with the temperature recording of the PAC. The use of vasoactive medication was recorded. Results and conclusions: Mean temperature of all measurements was: PAC: 37.1°C (SD: 0.87), TAT: 37.0°C (SD: 0.68) and axillary thermometer: 36.6°C (SD: 0.94). The measurements of the TAT and the PAC were not significantly different (mean difference: 0.14°C; SD: 0.51; p= 0.33); whereas the measurements of the PAC and the AT differed significantly (mean difference: 0.46°C; SD: 0.39; p< 0.001). Mean difference in PAC versus TAT analyses, between patients with vasopressor therapy (0.12°C; SD: 0.55), and without vasopressor therapy (0.19°C; SD: 0.48) was not statistically significant (p= 0.47). Conclusion: We can conclude that the temporal scanner has a relatively good reliability with an acceptable accuracy and variability in patients with normothermia. The results are comparable to those of the AT, but they do not seem to be sufficient to prove any substantial benefit compared to rectal, oral or bladder thermometry.

Accuracy of infrared ear thermometry and other temperature methods in adults

1994 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
RS Erickson ◽  
LT Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Pulmonary Artery ◽  
Temperature Measurement ◽  
High Variability ◽  
External Factors ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Critical Care Units ◽  
Bladder Temperature ◽  
Pulmonary Artery Catheters

OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracy of infrared ear-based temperature measurement in relation to thermometer, ear position, and other temperature methods, with pulmonary artery temperature as the reference. METHODS: Ear-based temperature measurements were made with four infrared thermometers, three in the core mode and two in the unadjusted mode, each with tug and no-tug techniques. Pulmonary artery, bladder (n = 21), and axillary temperatures were read after each ear-based measurement and oral temperature was measured once when possible (n = 32). Subjects consisted of a convenience sample of 50 patients with pulmonary artery catheters who were in adult critical care units of a university teaching hospital. RESULTS: Ear-based measurements correlated well with pulmonary artery temperature (r = .87 to .91), although closeness of agreement differed among thermometer-mode combinations (mean offsets = -0.7 to 0.5 degree C) and had moderately high variability between subjects (SD = +/- 0.5 degree C) with all instruments. Use of an ear tug either made no difference or resulted in slightly lower readings. Bladder temperature was nearly identical to pulmonary artery temperature values (r = .99, offset = 0.0 +/- 0.2 degree C). Oral readings were slightly lower (r = .78, offset = -0.2 degree C) and axillary readings much more so (r = .80 to .82, offset = -0.7 degree C); both were highly variable (SD = +/- 0.6 degree C) and affected by external factors. CONCLUSIONS: Infrared ear thermometry is useful for clinical temperature measurement as long as moderately high variability between patients is acceptable. Readings differ among thermometers, although several instruments provide values close to pulmonary artery temperature in adults. Readings are not higher with an ear tug. Bladder temperature substitutes well for pulmonary artery temperature, whereas oral and axillary values may be influenced by external factors in the critical care setting.

scholarly journals A short-term evaluation of a prototype disposable Oscillating Positive Expiratory Pressure (OPEP) device in a cohort of children with cystic fibrosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin J. O’Sullivan ◽  
Valerie Power ◽  
Barry Linnane ◽  
Deirdre McGrath ◽  
Magdalena Mulligan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Lung Function ◽  
Clinical Investigation ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Intervention Participant ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Disposable Device ◽  
Positive Expiratory Pressure

Abstract Background Oscillating Positive Expiratory Pressure (OPEP) devices are important adjuncts to airway clearance therapy in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Current devices are typically reusable and require daily, or often more frequent, cleaning to prevent risk of infection by acting as reservoirs of potentially pathogenic organisms. In response, a daily disposable OPEP device, the UL-OPEP, was developed to mitigate the risk of contamination and eliminate the burdensome need for cleaning devices. Methods A convenience sample of 36 participants, all current OPEP device users, was recruited from a paediatric CF service. For one month, participants replaced their current OPEP device with a novel daily disposable device. Assessment included pre- and post-intervention lung function by spirometry, as well as Lung Clearance Index. Quality of life was assessed using the Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire – Revised, while user experience was evaluated with a post-study survey. Results 31 participants completed the study: 18 males; median age 10 years, range 4–16 years. Lung function (mean difference ± SD, %FEV1 = 1.69 ± 11.93; %FVC = 0.58 ± 10.04; FEV1: FVC = 0.01 ± 0.09), LCI (mean difference ± SD, 0.08 ± 1.13), six-minute walk test, and CFQ-R were unchanged post-intervention. Participant-reported experiences of the device were predominantly positive. Conclusions The disposable OPEP device maintained patients’ lung function during short term use (≤ 1 month), and was the subject of positive feedback regarding functionality while reducing the risk of airway contamination associated with ineffective cleaning. Registration The study was approved as a Clinical Investigation by the Irish Health Products Regulatory Authority (CRN-2209025-CI0085).

scholarly journals Stigmatising attitudes towards the mentally ill: A survey in a Nigerian university teaching hospital

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominic Ignatius Ukpong ◽  
Festus Abasiubong
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Teaching Hospital ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Educational Programme ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Nigerian University

<p><strong>Background.</strong> The burden of mental illness is particularly severe for people living in low-income countries. Negative attitudes towards the mentally ill, stigma experiences and discrimination constitute part of this disease burden.</p><p><strong>Objective.</strong> The aim of this study was to investigate knowledge of possible causes of mental illness and attitudes towards the mentally ill in a Nigerian university teaching hospital population.</p><p><strong>Method.</strong> A cross-sectional descriptive study of a convenience sample of 208 participants from the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Nigeria, using the Community Attitudes towards the Mentally Ill (CAMI) scale. Information was also obtained on beliefs about possible causes of mental illness. <strong></strong></p><p><strong>Results.</strong> The respondents held strongly negative views about the mentally ill, mostly being authoritarian and restrictive in their attitudes and placing emphasis on custodial care. Even though the respondents appeared to be knowledgeable about the possible role of psychosocial and genetic factors in the causation of mental illness, 52.0% of them believed that witches could be responsible, 44.2% thought mental illness could be due to possession by demons, and close to one-third (30%) felt that it could be a consequence of divine punishment.</p><p><strong>Conclusions.</strong> Stigma and discrimination against the mentally ill are widespread even in a population that is expected to be enlightened. The widespread belief in supernatural causation is likely to add to the difficulties of designing an effective anti-stigma psycho-educational programme. There is a need in Nigeria to develop strategies to change stigma attached to mental illness at both institutional and community levels.</p>

Development and validation of Nurses’ Moral Courage Scale

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 2438-2455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivia Numminen ◽  
Jouko Katajisto ◽  
Helena Leino-Kilpi
Keyword(s):  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Moral Courage ◽  
Face Validity ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Moral Competence ◽  
Good Reliability ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample

Background: Moral courage is required at all levels of nursing. However, there is a need for development of instruments to measure nurses’ moral courage. Objectives: The objective of this study is to develop a scale to measure nurses’ self-assessed moral courage, to evaluate the scale’s psychometric properties, and to briefly describe the current level of nurses’ self-assessed moral courage and associated socio-demographic factors. Research design: In this methodological study, non-experimental, cross-sectional exploratory design was applied. The data were collected using Nurses’ Moral Courage Scale and analysed statistically. Participants and research context: The data were collected from a convenience sample of 482 nurses from four different clinical fields in a major university hospital in Finland for the final testing of the scale. The pilot comprised a convenience sample of 129 nurses. Ethical considerations: The study followed good scientific inquiry guidelines. Ethical approval was obtained from the university ethics committee and permission to conduct the study from the participating hospital. Findings: Psychometric evaluation showed that the 4-sub-scale, 21-item Nurses’ Moral Courage Scale demonstrates good reliability and validity at its current state of development showing a good level of internal consistency for a new scale, the internal consistency values ranging from 0.73 to 0.82 for sub-scales and 0.93 for the total scale, thus well exceeding the recommended Cronbach’s alpha value of >0.7. Principal component analysis and confirmatory factor analysis supported the theoretical construct of Nurses’ Moral Courage Scale. Face validity and expert panel assessments markedly contributed to the relevance of items in establishing content validity. Discussion and conclusion: Nurses’ Moral Courage Scale provides a new generic instrument intended for measuring nurses’ self-assessed moral courage. Recognizing the importance of moral courage as a part of nurses’ moral competence and its assessment offers possibilities to develop interventions and educational programs for enhancement of moral courage. Research should focus on further validation measures of Nurses’ Moral Courage Scale in international contexts.

scholarly journals Use of Cesarean Birth among Robson Groups 2 and 4 at Mizan-Tepi University Hospital, Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margo S. Harrison ◽  
Tewodros Liyew ◽  
Ephrem Kirub ◽  
Biruk Teshome ◽  
Andrea Jimenez-Zambrano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Study Cohort ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Cesarean Birth ◽  
Group 4 ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Failed Induction

Background. Primary cesarean birth rates were high among women who were either nulliparous (Group 2) or multiparous (Group 4) with a single, cephalic, term fetus who were induced, augmented, or underwent cesarean birth before labor in our study cohort. Objectives. The objective of this analysis was to determine what risk factors were associated with cesarean birth among Robson Groups 2 and 4. Methods. This study was a prospective hospital-based cross-sectional analysis of a convenience sample of 1,000 women who delivered at Mizan-Tepi University Teaching Hospital in the summer and fall of 2019. Results. Women in Robson Groups 2 and 4 comprised 11.4% (n = 113) of the total population (n = 993). The cesarean birth rate in Robson Group 2 (n = 56) was 37.5% and in Robson Group 4 (n = 57) was 24.6%. In Robson Group 2, of all prelabor cesareans (n = 5), one birth was elective cesarean by maternal request; the intrapartum cesarean births (n = 16) mostly had a maternal or fetal indication (93.8%), with one birth (6.2%) indicated by “failed induction or augmentation,” which was a combined indication. In Robson Group 4, all 4 women delivered by prelabor cesarean had a maternal indication (one was missing data), and 3 of the intrapartum cesareans were indicated by “failed induction or augmentation.” In multivariable modeling of Robson Group 2, having a labor duration of “not applicable” increased the risk of cesarean delivery (RR 2.9, CI (1.5, 5.4)). The odds of requiring maternal antibiotics was the only notable outcome with increased risk (RR 11.1, CI (1.9, 64.9)). In multivariable modeling of Robson Group 4, having a labor longer than 24 hours trended towards a significant association with cesarean (RR 3.6, CI (0.9, 14.3)), and women had a more dilated cervix on admission trended toward having a lower odds of cesarean (RR 0.8, CI (0.6, 1.0)). Conclusion. Though rates of primary cesarean birth among women who have a term, single, cephalic fetus and are induced, augmented, or undergone prelabor cesarean birth are high, those that occur intrapartum seem to be associated with appropriate risk factors and indications, though we cannot say this definitely as we did not perform an audit. More research is needed on the prelabor subgroup as a separate entity.

scholarly journals Copeptin and Arginine Vasopressin Concentrations in Critically Ill Patients

2006 ◽  
Vol 91 (11) ◽  
pp. 4381-4386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Jochberger ◽  
Nils G. Morgenthaler ◽  
Viktoria D. Mayr ◽  
Günter Luckner ◽  
Volker Wenzel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Surgery ◽  
Healthy Volunteers ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Arginine Vasopressin ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
Surgical Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Surgical Intensive Care ◽  
Icu Patients

Abstract Context: Determination of arginine vasopressin (AVP) concentrations may be helpful to guide therapy in critically ill patients. A new assay analyzing copeptin, a stable peptide derived from the AVP precursor, has been introduced. Objective: Our objective was to determine plasma copeptin concentrations. Design: We conducted a post hoc analysis of plasma samples and data from a prospective study. Setting: The setting was a 12-bed general and surgical intensive care unit (ICU) in a tertiary university teaching hospital. Patients: Our subjects were 70 healthy volunteers and 157 ICU patients with sepsis, with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and after cardiac surgery. Interventions: There were no interventions. Main Outcome Measures: Copeptin plasma concentrations, demographic data, AVP plasma concentrations, and a multiple organ dysfunction syndrome score were documented 24 h after ICU admission. Results: AVP (P &lt; 0.001) and copeptin (P &lt; 0.001) concentrations were significantly higher in ICU patients than in controls. Patients after cardiac surgery had higher AVP (P = 0.003) and copeptin (P = 0.003) concentrations than patients with sepsis or SIRS. Independent of critical illness, copeptin and AVP correlated highly significantly with each other. Critically ill patients with sepsis and SIRS exhibited a significantly higher ratio of copeptin/AVP plasma concentrations than patients after cardiac surgery (P = 0.012). The American Society of Anesthesiologists’ classification (P = 0.046) and C-reactive protein concentrations (P = 0.006) were significantly correlated with the copeptin/AVP ratio. Conclusions: Plasma concentrations of copeptin and AVP in healthy volunteers and critically ill patients correlate significantly with each other. The ratio of copeptin/AVP plasma concentrations is increased in patients with sepsis and SIRS, suggesting that copeptin may overestimate AVP plasma concentrations in these patients.

Exploration of Nurse/Social Worker ICU Family Support Group Intervention Satisfying Family Members’ Needs

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Benbenishty ◽  
◽  
Dvora Kirshbaum Moriah ◽  
Chaya Harel ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family Support ◽  
Support Group ◽  
Social Worker ◽  
Nursing Care ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Family Needs ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Icu Patients ◽  
Care Family

Background: Family members of intensive care unit (ICU) patients are legitimate recipients of nursing care. There is a lack of interventional nursing strategies providing family support while in ICU. Objective: To demonstrate that a nurse led family support group is tool to fulfill family members’ needs. Methods: A prospective convenience sample of family members volunteering participation in nurse/social worker led support group. To validate the intervention on family members’ needs, The Critical Care Family needs Inventory was distributed to participants in support group. Results: 100 relatives participated in the study; Out of the 45 family needs, 21 needs were statistically significantly fulfilled by participation family support group intervention. The findings demonstrated that support group most significantly affected Support and Assurance categories.

scholarly journals Hypotension in ICU Patients Receiving Vasopressor Therapy

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryce Yapps ◽  
Sungtae Shin ◽  
Ramin Bighamian ◽  
Jill Thorsen ◽  
Colleen Arsenault ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vasopressor Therapy ◽  
Icu Patients

Outcome expectations and self-regulation in cancer patients: Reliability, initial factor structure, and relationships with benefit finding

2005 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 209-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
KRISTI D. GRAVES ◽  
CINDY L. CARTER
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Factor Structure ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Outcome Expectations ◽  
Benefit Finding ◽  
Outcome Expectation ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Good Reliability ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Cancer Experience

Objective:The purpose of this research was to investigate outcome expectation and self-regulation measures within a sample of cancer patients and to explore relationships of these variables with benefit finding. The outcome expectation and self-regulation measures were evaluated for reliability and initial factor structure.Method:A convenience sample of 141 cancer patients completed study measures while waiting for appointments at a cancer center.Results:The measures demonstrated good reliability (alphas = .88 and .92, for outcome expectation and self-regulation respectively). Initial factor structure suggested six outcome expectation factors (managing symptoms, expressing emotions, talking about cancer, learning about cancer, managing self-image, and managing needs) and one self-regulation factor. Gender and treatment status were related to outcome expectations but not self-regulation. Outcome expectations and self-regulation were significant predictors of benefit-finding,F(8, 80) = 3.1,p= .005.Significance of the research:Measures of outcome expectations and self-regulation are reliable, are related to gender and clinical variables, and may be useful as predictors of cancer patients' ability to find benefits in their cancer experience.

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