The Meaning of Our Work

2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 397-407
Author(s):  
Clareen A. Wiencek ◽  
Betty R. Ferrell ◽  
Molly Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Moral Distress ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Critically Ill Patient ◽  
Current Profile ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
A Current

The prevalence and survival rates of critically ill patients with cancer in the intensive care unit have increased considerably in the past 2 decades; yet, the meaning of caring for cancer patients in this setting may fall along a continuum. This article addresses the nurse’s experience in caring for the critically ill patient with cancer by presenting a current profile of these patient in the intensive care unit in the context of the historical development and mission of critical care and the evolution of cancer as a chronic disease. The moral distress that can result when these 2 “cultures” or “realities” collide and the meaning of the nurse’s work will be examined. Strategies and resources for critical care nurses to incorporate into their practice when caring for the critically ill patient with cancer, and themselves, will be addressed.

scholarly journals Critical care staffing ratio and outcome of COVID-19 patients requiring intensive care unit admission during the first pandemic wave: a retrospective analysis across Switzerland from the RISC-19-ICU observational cohort

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Madlen Jeitziner ◽  
André Moser ◽  
Pedro D Wendel-Garcia ◽  
Matthias Thomas Exl ◽  
Stefanie Keiser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patient ◽  
Icu Mortality ◽  
Swiss Health ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Staffing Ratio ◽  
Secondary Study

Abstract Background The modifications to the standard intensive care unit (ICU) organization that had to be urgently implemented worldwide to overcome the surge of ICU admissions due to patients with a severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have resulted in increased workload and patients-to-nurse ratio. The aim of this study was to investigate whether level of critical care staffing could be associated with an increased risk of ICU mortality (primary endpoint), length of stay, mechanical ventilation and the evolution of disease (secondary study endpoints) in critically ill patients with COVID-19. Methods Retrospective multicenter analysis of the international Risk Stratification in COVID-19 patients in the Intensive Care Unit (RISC-19-ICU) registry that prospectively enrolls patients developing critical illness due to COVID-19 in several countries worldwide. The analysis was limited to the period between March 1st, 2020 and May 31st, 2020, to ICUs in Switzerland that have collected additional data on nurse and physician staffing. Hierarchical regression models were used to investigate crude and adjusted effects of critical care staffing ratio on study endpoints. We adjusted for diseases severity and weekly caseload. Results Among the 38 Swiss participating ICUs, 17 recorded critical care staffing information. The study population included 437 patients and 2342 daily assessments of patient-to-nurse/physician ratio. Median of daily patient-to-nurse ratio started at 1.0 ([IQR] 0.5–1.5; calendar week 9) and peaked at 2.4 (IQR 0.4-2.0; calendar week 16), while the median of daily patient-to-physician ratio started at 4.0 (IQR 2.1-5.0; calendar week 9) and peaked at 6.8 (IQR 6.3–7.3; calendar week 19). Neither the patient-to-nurse ratio [adjusted Odds Ratio (OR) 1.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.85–1.94; doubling of ratio] nor the patient-to-physician ratio [adjusted OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.87–1.32; doubling of ratio] was associated with ICU mortality. We found no association of critical care staffing on the investigated secondary study endpoints in adjusted models. COnclusion The Swiss health care system successfully overcame the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic with regards to the unprecedented demand for ICU treatments. The reduced availability of critical care staffing resources per critically ill patient in Swiss ICUs did not translate in an overall increased risk of mortality.

Pleural Disease in the Intensive Care Unit

2000 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-89
Author(s):  
Michael A. Jantz ◽  
Steven A. Sahn
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Pleural Effusion ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Bronchopleural Fistula ◽  
Tension Pneumothorax ◽  
Respiratory Physiology ◽  
Critically Ill Patient ◽  
Pleural Disease ◽  
The Impact

Pleural disease itself is an unusual cause for admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Pleural complications of diseases and procedures in the ICU are common, however, and the impact on respiratory physiology is additive to that of the underlying cardiopulmonary disease. Pleural effusion and pneumothorax may be overlooked in the critically ill patient due to alterations in radiologic appearance in the supine patient. The development of a pneumothorax in a patient in the ICU represents a potentially life-threatening situation. This article reviews the etiologies, pathophysiology, and management of pleural effusion, pneumothorax, tension pneumothorax, and bronchopleural fistula in the critically ill patient. In addition, we review the potential complications of thoracentesis and chest tube thoracostomy, including re-expansion pulmonary edema.

Survey of Physiotherapy Practice in Ontario Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Units

2021 ◽  
pp. e20200069
Author(s):  
Anastasia N.L. Newman ◽  
Michelle E. Kho ◽  
Jocelyn E. Harris ◽  
Alison Fox-Robichaud ◽  
Patricia Solomon
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Cardiac Surgery ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Median Number ◽  
Surgical Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Surgical Intensive Care ◽  
Physiotherapy Practice

Purpose: This article describes current physiotherapy practice for critically ill adult patients requiring prolonged stays in critical care (> 3 d) after complicated cardiac surgery in Ontario. Method: We distributed an electronic, self-administered 52-item survey to 35 critical care physiotherapists who treat adult cardiac surgery patients at 11 cardiac surgical sites. Pilot testing and clinical sensibility testing were conducted beforehand. Participants were sent four email reminders. Results: The response rate was 80% (28/35). The median (inter-quartile range) reported number of cardiac surgeries performed per week was 30 (10), with a median number of 14.5 (4) cardiac surgery beds per site. Typical reported caseloads ranged from 6 to 10 patients per day pe therapist, and 93% reported that they had initiated physiotherapy with patients once they were clinically stable in the intensive care unit. Of 28 treatments, range of motion exercises (27; 96.4%), airway clearance techniques (26; 92.9%), and sitting at the edge of the bed (25; 89.3%) were the most common. Intra-aortic balloon pump and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation appeared to limit physiotherapy practice. Use of outcome measures was limited. Conclusions: Physiotherapists provide a variety of interventions with critically ill cardiac surgery patients. Further evaluation of the limited use of outcome measures in the cardiac surgical intensive care unit is warranted.

Postoperative Delirium: A Literature Review of Management in Intensive Care Unit

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 44-48
Author(s):  
Cendy Legowo
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Postoperative Delirium ◽  
Mechanistic Explanation ◽  
Clinical Results ◽  
Care Plan ◽  
Prevention And Treatment

Perioperative delirium is a wide-ranging problem that directly affects primary clinical results. The anesthesiologist must understand how to define and diagnose delirium, identify patients at high risk of delirium, identify predisposing factors to adjust the care plan appropriately, and manage delirium in the acute postoperative period. Delirium is an organ dysfunction in critically ill patients, independently associated with improved morbidity. Research on delirium in hospitalized patients (including critically ill patients) has increased exponentially in the last decade. This study emphasizes the need for a mechanistic explanation of delirium to help advance the research that ultimately leads to its prevention and treatment. In this study, multinational and multidisciplinary clinicians, and researchers from the fields of critical care medicine, psychiatry, anesthesiology, neurology, and pharmacy sought to collaborate in the management of delirium in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Moral Distress of Staff Nurses in a Medical Intensive Care Unit

2005 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 523-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen H. Elpern ◽  
Barbara Covert ◽  
Ruth Kleinpell
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Moral Distress ◽  
Medical Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Medical Intensive Care ◽  
Distress Scale

• Background Moral distress is caused by situations in which the ethically appropriate course of action is known but cannot be taken. Moral distress is thought to be a serious problem among nurses, particularly those who practice in critical care. It has been associated with job dissatisfaction and loss of nurses from the workplace and the profession.• Objectives To assess the level of moral distress of nurses in a medical intensive care unit, identify situations that result in high levels of moral distress, explore implications of moral distress, and evaluate associations among moral distress and individual characteristics of nurses.• Methods A descriptive, questionnaire study was used. A total of 28 nurses working in a medical intensive care unit anonymously completed a 38-item moral distress scale and described implications of experiences of moral distress.• Results Nurses reported a moderate level of moral distress overall. Highest levels of distress were associated with the provision of aggressive care to patients not expected to benefit from that care. Moral distress was significantly correlated with years of nursing experience. Nurses reported that moral distress adversely affected job satisfaction, retention, psychological and physical well-being, self-image, and spirituality. Experience of moral distress also influenced attitudes toward advance directives and participation in blood donation and organ donation.• Conclusions Critical care nurses commonly encounter situations that are associated with high levels of moral distress. Experiences of moral distress have implications that extend well beyond job satisfaction and retention. Strategies to mitigate moral distress should be developed and tested.

Bedside Thoracic Ultrasonography for the Critically Ill Patient: From the Emergency Department to the Intensive Care Unit

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 215-228
Author(s):  
María C. Arango-Granados ◽  
Luis A. Bustamante Cristancho ◽  
Virginia Zarama Córdoba
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patient

scholarly journals The psychological aspects of intensive care units

Curationis ◽  
1982 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Dannenfeldt
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Intensive Care Units ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Nursing Care ◽  
Psychological Problems ◽  
Psychological Aspects ◽  
Critically Ill Patient ◽  
Physical Care

The technical and physical care of the critically ill patient has been perfected, but the psychological aspects of intensive nursing care have to a greater or lesser extent been neglected. The objective of this article is to highlight the causes of psychological problems in an intensive care unit, how to recognise these problems and above all how to prevent or correct them.

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