scholarly journals Essential Nursing Competencies for Genetics and Genomics: Implications for Critical Care

2011 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. e1-e7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynnette Howington ◽  
Kristina Riddlesperger ◽  
Dennis J. Cheek
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Critical Care Nurses ◽  
Chronic Illnesses ◽  
Genetic Knowledge ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Nursing Organizations ◽  
Genetics And Genomics

The implications of genetics and genomics for critical care nurses are becoming more evident, not only in the care provided but also in the numerous medications administered. Genetic causes are being discovered for an increasing number of chronic illnesses and diseases, such as Huntington disease. Because of the scientific and pharmacological advances, leading nursing organizations, such as the American Nurses Association, have established competencies in genetic knowledge for nurses. Such competencies help ensure quality care. Recent advances in the pharmacogenomics of therapy for human immunodeficiency virus disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and malignant hyperthermia have indicated a genetic linkage; therefore treatments are targeted toward the genetic aspect of the abnormality. Critical care nurses need knowledge of these genetic conditions and of medications affected by genetic factors.

Novel Spanish Translators for Acute Care Nurses and Physicians: Usefulness and Effect on Practitioners’ Stress

2005 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 545-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew C. Bernard ◽  
Audra Summers ◽  
Jennifer Thomas ◽  
Myrna Ray ◽  
Anna Rockich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Critical Care Nurses ◽  
Survey Period ◽  
Acute Care Nurses ◽  
Quality Healthcare ◽  
Stress Levels ◽  
Nurses And Physicians

• Background Language barriers are significant impediments to providing quality healthcare, and increased stress levels among nurses and physicians are associated with these barriers. However, little evidence supports the usefulness of a translation tool specific to healthcare. • Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of a novel English-Spanish translator designed specifically for nurses and physicians. The hypothesis was that the translator would be useful and that use of the translator would decrease stress levels among nurses and physicians caring for Spanish-speaking patients. • Methods Novel English-Spanish translators were developed entirely on the basis of input from critical care nurses and physicians. After 7 months of use, users completed surveys. Usefulness of the translator and stress levels among users were reported. • Results A total of 60% of nurses (n = 32) and 71% (n = 25) of physicians responded to the survey. A total of 96% of physicians and 97% of nurses considered the language barrier an impediment to delivering quality care. Nurses reported significantly more stress reduction than did physicians (P = .01). Most nurses and physicians had used the translator during the survey period. Overall, 91% of nurses and 72% of physicians found that the translator met their needs at the bedside some, most, or all of the time. All nurses thought that they most likely would use the translator in the future. • Conclusions The translator was useful for most critical care nurses and physicians surveyed. Healthcare providers, especially nurses, experienced decreased stress levels when they used the translator.

Promoting Certification

2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-82
Author(s):  
LuAnn Staul
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Continuing Education ◽  
American Association ◽  
Expert Knowledge ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Critical Care Nurses ◽  
Developmental Needs ◽  
Professional Careers

The mission of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses focuses on providing nurses with expert knowledge to promote delivery of excellent, safe, quality care to acutely and critically ill patients and their families. Chapters consist of professional leaders in a community who carry on the mission work of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses at the local level. Chapters can emphasize the value of certification and continuing education, because they offer a wide spectrum of opportunities to meet the learning and developmental needs of nurses as they advance in their professional careers. This article will highlight strategies that can be implemented by local chapters to facilitate and promote certification.

Seeing the Patient and Family Through: Nurses and Physicians Experiences With Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Therapy in the ICU

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debra L. Wiegand ◽  
Jooyoung Cheon ◽  
Giora Netzer
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Critical Care Nurses ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Therapy Decision ◽  
Nurses And Physicians

Withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy at the end of life is a complex phenomenon. Intensive care nurses and physicians are faced with caring for patients and supporting families, as these difficult decisions are made. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the experience of critical care nurses and physicians participating in the process of withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy. A hermeneutic phenomenological approach was used to guide this qualitative investigation. Interviews were conducted with critical care nurses and physicians from 2 medical centers. An inductive approach to data analysis was used to understand similarities between the nurses and the physicians’ experiences. Methodological rigor was established, and data saturation was achieved. The main categories that were inductively derived from the data analysis included from novice to expert, ensuring ethical care, uncertainty to certainty, facilitating the process, and preparing and supporting families. The categories aided in understanding the experiences of nurses and physicians, as they worked individually and together to see patients and families through the entire illness experience, withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy decision-making process and dying process. Understanding the perspectives of health-care providers involved in the withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy process will help other health-care providers who are striving to provide quality care to the dying and to their families.

Assessment of professional development of critical care nurses: a descriptive study

2001 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Heath ◽  
J Andrews ◽  
J Graham-Garcia
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Personal Growth ◽  
Critical Care Nurses ◽  
Influential Factor ◽  
Specialty Area ◽  
Level Of Involvement ◽  
Professional Nursing ◽  
Nursing Organizations ◽  
High Level

BACKGROUND: With much attention focused on nurses and the nursing profession, self-evaluation of nurses' contributions to their personal growth and the profession as a whole is needed. OBJECTIVE: To describe professional development characteristics of critical care nurses. METHODS: A descriptive, exploratory approach was used to assess the professional development characteristics of a select population of critical care nurses. A 20-item self-administered questionnaire was given to 169 participants at a regional conference of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. The survey was designed to determine the level of involvement in professional opportunities and the perception of factors that influence professional development. RESULTS: Mean age of the respondents was 39 years; 72% had at least a bachelor's degree, and 82% were certified in at least one specialty area. Seventy-three percent were members of at least one professional nursing organization; but only 31% reported active participation with meetings and activities. Fifty-two percent considered themselves mentors, yet only 14% participated in scholarly activities at a high level, and 58% had not recognized a peer for nursing contributions. Seventy-six percent reported a high level of "passion about nursing and promoting the profession." Self-motivation was the leading influential factor (72%) for fostering individual professional development. CONCLUSIONS: Critical care nurses have high levels of motivation for professional development in the areas of education, certification, and membership in professional nursing organizations. However, the level of involvement with professional nursing organizations, promotion of nursing peers, and participation in scholarly activities is less than expected.

Bridging the Gap Between Clinical Practice and the AACN Practice Alert on Pulmonary Artery/Central Venous Pressure Monitoring in Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-40
Author(s):  
Kathryn T. Von Rueden
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Pulmonary Artery ◽  
Central Venous Pressure ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Venous Pressure ◽  
Critical Care Nurses ◽  
Pressure Monitoring ◽  
Central Venous ◽  
Central Venous Pressure Monitoring

Measuring and documenting accurate data from pulmonary artery and central venous pressure catheters is an important responsibility of critical care nurses. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Practice Alert titled Pulmonary Artery/Central Venous Pressure Monitoring in Adults provides evidence-based standards against which nurses can compare their practice related to obtaining valid hemodynamic data. Identifying and acting on improvement opportunities is also a nursing responsibility and helps to ensure that patients with pulmonary artery or central venous pressure catheters receive high-quality care. This article reviews various strategies to compare nursing practice to the Pulmonary Artery/Central Venous Pressure Monitoring in Adults Practice Alert and to close identified gaps in clinical practice.

scholarly journals Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation as a Bridge to Lung Transplant: Considerations for Critical Care Nursing Practice

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 49-57
Author(s):  
Brittany Koons ◽  
Jennifer Siebert
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ◽  
Lung Transplant ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Critical Care Nurses ◽  
Critical Care Nursing ◽  
Membrane Oxygenation ◽  
Transplant Patients ◽  
High Acuity

Topic Candidates waiting for lung transplant are sicker now than ever before. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation has become useful as a bridge to lung transplant for these critically ill patients. Clinical Relevance Critical care nurses must be prepared to care for the increasing number of lung transplant patients who require this advanced support method. Purpose of Paper To provide critical care nurses with the foundational knowledge essential for delivering quality care to this high-acuity transplant patient population. Content Covered This review describes the types of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (venovenous and venoarterial), provides an overview of the indications and contraindications for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and discusses the role of clinical bedside nurses in the treatment of patients requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a bridge to lung transplant.

Adverse Events Reporting System as Experienced by Critical-Care Nurses in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thusile Mabel Gqaleni ◽  
Busisiwe Rosemary Bhengu
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Family Involvement ◽  
Reporting System ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Critical Care Nurses ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Life Threatening

Critically ill patients admitted to critical-care units (CCUs) might have life-threatening or potentially life-threatening problems. Adverse events (AEs) occur frequently in CCUs, resulting in compromised quality of patient care. This study explores the experiences of critical-care nurses (CCNs) in relation to how the reported AEs were analysed and handled in CCUs. The study was conducted in the CCUs of five purposively selected hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A descriptive qualitative design was used to obtain data through in-depth interviews from a purposive sample of five unit managers working in the CCUs to provide a deeper meaning of their experiences. This study was a part of a bigger study using a mixed-methods approach. The recorded qualitative data were analysed using Tesch’s content analysis. The main categories of information that emerged during the data analysis were (i) the existence of an AE reporting system, (ii) the occurrence of AEs, (iii) the promotion of and barriers to AE reporting, and (iv) the handling of AEs. The findings demonstrated that there were major gaps that affected the maximum utilisation of the reporting system. In addition, even though the system existed in other institutions, it was not utilised at all, hence affecting quality patient care. The following are recommended: (1) a non-punitive and non-confrontational system should be promoted, and (2) an organisational culture should be encouraged where support structures are formed within institutions, which consist of a legal framework, patient and family involvement, effective AE feedback, and education and training of staff.

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