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UrduNew research from UPMC points to the potential for patient-specific checklists as a valid way to effectively translate the latest evidence into clinical practice. The study published in American Journal of Critical Care measured performance on the ABCDEF bundle during rounds.
Tag: ICU
Initiative Prevents Tracheostomy-Related Pressure Injuries
A New York hospital ICU was able to reduce the incidence of medical device-related pressure injuries following a tracheostomy to zero for four years, according to a study published in AACN Advanced Critical Care. A key part of the new clinical process was a revised procedural kit and documentation, with a foam dressing placed under the tracheostomy flange during insertion.
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Recognizes 185 Hospital Units With Beacon Award for Excellence in 2022
A total of 185 units from 134 hospitals earned the AACN Beacon Award for Excellence in 2022. Of note, Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, had five units recognized with gold-level awards, the program’s highest distinction. A hospital in Colombia was the only international hospital recognized last year, with four units earning Beacon awards.
The American Thoracic Society Wants to Improve Patient Safety and Equity at the Time of ICU Discharge
The American Thoracic Society, together with six sites across the U.S., is launching the ATS ICU Pause Initiative to educate health care providers about patient safety and equity in diagnosis at the time of ICU discharge.
Decision Guide Clarifies Indicators for Swallowing Consults
ECU Health Medical Center in North Carolina developed a decision guide to provide healthcare teams with specific guidelines to determine which recently extubated patients required further swallowing assessment by an appropriate professional.
American Assn of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) President Comments on Nurses Topping Gallup Poll as Most Trusted Profession for 21st Year
For 21 consecutive years, the American public has ranked nurses as the number one profession with the highest honesty and ethics values, according to the latest Gallup poll released Jan. 10, 2023. Amanda Bettencourt, PhD, APRN, CCRN-K, ACCNS-P, president of the American Association…
UCHealth Initiative Reduces Off-Label Pulse Oximeter Placement
A short-term quality improvement initiative at UCHealth in Colorado helped change the culture of pulse oximetry use, reducing the off-label placement of sensors from 15% to less than 1% and reinforcing that different types of pulse oximeters are not interchangeable.
Early Mobility Improved Survival Rates for COVID-19 Patients Receiving ECMO
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital, Plano, Texas, changed its treatment paradigm for its COVID-19 patients receiving ECMO during the pandemic, finding that progressive mobility and a more aggressive application of rehabilitation therapies contributed to significantly higher survival rates.
Registration Opens for Premier Critical Care Nursing Conference
Registration is now open for AACN’s National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition (NTI), to be held in Philadelphia, May 22-24, 2023. The NTI experience will address nearly 50 clinical and professional development topics and include the largest and most comprehensive trade show expressly for progressive and critical care nurses.
In Their Own Words: Patients, Families Describe Major Medical Treatments
Researchers with University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing analyzed the comments in open-ended responses from a survey about making decisions on major medical treatments to gain insight into the words used by patients and families and how they conceptualize the various treatments.
AACN Research Grants Influence Nursing Practice
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses announces the newest recipients of its annual research grants and invites clinicians and researchers to submit projects online by Oct. 28, 2022, for the next application cycle. AACN will award up to three $50,000 Impact Research Grants in 2023, as well as co-sponsoring the AACN-Sigma Critical Care Grant, with up to $10,000 in funding.
Certain antibiotics are associated with an increased risk of mortality in critically ill patients
Michigan Medicine research suggests that administration of antibiotics with activity against anaerobic bacteria has a profound effect on the gut microbiome and, ultimately, an adverse impact on critically ill patients.
Initiative Reduces Pressure Injuries From Noninvasive Oxygen Delivery Devices
A short-term quality improvement initiative at Nebraska Medicine quickly reduced the incidence of facial pressure injuries and led to institution-wide adoption of different types of noninvasive oxygen delivery devices.
AACN Consensus Statement Addresses Evolving Tele-critical Care Nursing Practice
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses has published an update to its landmark standards for tele-critical care nursing practice, offering specific recommendations for the development and enhancement of tele-critical care programs.
Preventing Pressure Injuries Among ICU Patients With COVID-19 Requires Extra Vigilance
Patients who are critically ill with COVID-19 are at exceptionally high risk for developing healthcare-associated pressure injuries, especially those related to medical devices, and clinicians must consider additional factors beyond those assessed with common classification tools.
Nurse-led Initiatives Improve Cardiac Care in Underserved Communities
Nurses at nine hospitals developed initiatives to address diverse healthcare challenges in their cardiac surgery critical care or progressive care units, with noteworthy clinical and operational results.
AACN Study Underscores Pandemic Damage and the Benefits of Healthy Work Environments
Results from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses’ national survey of 9,000-plus nurses underscore the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nurses and the benefits of creating healthy work environments to support nurse staffing, retention and optimal patient care.
Assessing Cognitive Function at Hospital Discharge Helps Identify Post-ICU Needs
Researchers at Montefiore Medical Center found that about 30% of ICU survivors could not complete a simple screening assessment for cognitive impairment at hospital discharge. About 47% of those who were able to complete the assessment scored at a level consistent with severe cognitive impairment.
SBAR Tool Adds Structure to ICU Communication
Duke University Medical Center improved communication and collaboration between nurses and advanced practice providers in an ICU, with a standardized template to guide conversations. The effort also contributed to an improved sense of teamwork and other unexpected positive outcomes.
Transition to ENFit Connectors Presents Opportunity to Review Feeding Tube Protocols
Variations in practice and outdated protocols related to nasogastric feeding tubes can impact patient safety and lead to complications. U.S. healthcare organizations are currently transitioning to a new type of connectors, which provides an opportune time to review feeding tube insertion and care processes.
AACN Critical Care Conference Brings Together Thousands of Nurses for Education, Inspiration
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) brings together thousands of progressive and critical care nurses and other healthcare professionals who care for acutely and critically ill patients and their families during its National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition (NTI, #NTI2022), with the theme “Rooted in Strength.”
Study Helps Determine Light Sedation Levels Among ICU Patients
A pilot study at Maine Medical Center found that scores on the RAS and SASS sedation scales that were best associated with a patient’s ability to follow at least three commands are higher than the commonly recommended thresholds for each assessment tool.
Community Health Pioneer McNeal Receives AACN Award
Gloria McNeal, of National University, will receive the 2022 AACN Pioneering Spirit Award in recognition of her efforts to bring healthcare directly to those most in need and introduce telehealth and remote monitoring to critical care.
Critical Care Nurses Develop Toolkit for COVID-19 Conversations
With conversations about COVID-19 vaccinations a likely centerpiece this holiday season, resources from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses can help individuals prepare for potentially challenging discussions with family and friends who are hesitant about the vaccine.
Physical and Cognitive Training to Enhance Intensive Care Unit Survivors’ Cognition
Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to examine current literature regarding effects of physical or cognitive training and simultaneous (dual-task) physical and cognitive training on cognition in adults surviving an intensive care unit (ICU) stay. Design Systematic mapping.…
Nurse, Heal Thyself – Spiritual Practices in the Midst of a Pandemic
For nurses on the frontline, the COVID-19 pandemic has been especially disparaging, challenging and even life altering. Nurses have worked extremely long hours faced not only with the excessive, increased number of deaths of their patients, who were dying alone, but also grieved the loss of coworkers. Researchers explored the use of spirituality and religion in nurses on the frontline as a way to find purpose and meaning in life, especially during times of heightened stress and uncertainty.
COVID-19 Pulmonary, ARDS and Ventilator Resources Now Available in Spanish
A joint effort between the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses and projects funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development has made AACN’s free “COVID-19 Pulmonary, ARDS and Ventilator Resources” online course available in Spanish.
Recursos sobre COVID-19, SDRA y Ventilación Ahora disponible en español
Un esfuerzo conjunto entre la Asociación Americana de Enfermeras de Cuidados Críticos (AACN) y los proyectos financiados por la Agencia de los Estados Unidos para el Desarrollo Internacional (USAID) ha hecho posible que el curso en línea gratuito de la AACN “Recursos sobre COVID-19, SDRA y Ventilación” esté disponible en español.
AACN Offers Scholarships for CCRN, PCCN Certification Applicants
Contributions from PBATS and MLBTPA fund special scholarships for nurses ready to pursue CCRN or PCCN certification. This is the first time AACN professional development scholarships have been available to support its nursing certification programs.
Growing Use of Mechanical Circulatory Support Affects Clinician Well-Being, Moral Distress
The growing use of mechanical circulatory support may contribute to high levels of moral distress for clinicians who regularly care for ICU patients receiving the aggressive but life-sustaining therapy, according to a study by researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
Monitoring Burn ICU Patients Requires Alarm Adjustments
The burn ICU at UNC Medical Center refined its alarm management strategy, reducing nonactionable and false alarms from baseline mean of 100+ per bed per day and developing new skin preparation practices to improve monitoring for ICU patients with injured skin.
Proning Team Became Key Part of Massachusetts General’s COVID-19 Care
A designated proning team — composed of about 70 OR nurses, OR assistants and outpatient physical therapists — became a key part of the COVID-19 care provided by Massachusetts General Hospital, responding around-the-clock to patients who needed turning and allowing critical care clinicians to focus on other aspects of care.
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Announces Board of Directors for Fiscal Year 2022
Colorado pediatric nurse Beth Wathen is the new president of the board of directors for the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), the world’s largest specialty nursing organization.
Unit Culture, Safety Concerns Among Barriers to Patient Mobility
Research published in American Journal of Critical Care explores the barriers to out-of-bed patient mobility practices as identified by nurses in a medical ICU at Yale New Haven Hospital. In the study, all 105 patients met early mobility criteria, but none were mobilized for out-of-bed activities.
Fast-track Extubation Protocol Reduces Ventilation Time
High rates of variability in extubation times among cardiac surgery patients in Duke University Hospital’s cardiothoracic intensive care unit led to a new fast-track extubation protocol and redesigned care processes. As a result, more patients were extubated within six hours after being admitted to the ICU after surgery.
Fauci: Nurses Are the Heroes of the Pandemic
Dr. Anthony Fauci spoke to nurses and other healthcare professionals during the National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition (NTI), the annual conference of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).
New AACN CSI Academy Cohort at 10 Hospitals Focuses on Underserved Patient Populations
Thanks to a grant from Edwards Lifesciences Foundation, nurses caring for underserved critically ill cardiac patients at 10 U.S. hospitals will participate in a cardiac-focused cohort of AACN Clinical Scene Investigator (CSI) Academy, a nurse leadership and innovation program from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.
Disaster Response Planning Requires Critical Care Readiness
Journal article details staffing, space and supply considerations to integrate critical care-specific needs into disaster response planning. The article is part of a symposium in AACN Advanced Critical Care on trauma patient care.
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses selects OSU’s Happ as 2021 Distinguished Research Lecturer
Mary Beth Happ, from The Ohio State University College of Nursing, is the 40th recipient of AACN’s Distinguished Research Lecture award. Her research focuses on improving care and communication with communication-impaired patients, families and clinicians in high acuity and critical care settings.
Nurse-Driven Initiative Cuts CAUTI Rates in the ICU
An initiative at UPMC Williamsport used education and practice-related interventions to quickly reduce CAUTI rates and lay the groundwork for hospital-wide implementation with long-term impact. The bundle included a daily checklist and nurse-driven removal protocol for discontinuing indwelling catheter use.
Study: Race Made No Difference in ICU Outcomes of COVID-19 Patients
In a study that looked at racial differences in outcomes of COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit, researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit found that patients of color had a lower 28-day mortality than white patients.
Race, however, was not a factor in overall hospital mortality, length of stay in the ICU or in the rate of patients placed on mechanical ventilation, researchers said.
The findings, published in Critical Care Medicine, are believed to be one of the first in the United States to study racial differences and outcomes specific to patients hospitalized in the ICU with COVID-19.
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Announces Recipients of 2021 Circle of Excellence Awards
The 18 nurses who receive the Circle of Excellence award from AACN this year demonstrate an exceptional commitment to achieving excellent outcomes in the care of acutely and critically ill patients and their families, with solution-oriented approaches to challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mealer, Moss Receive AACN Award for Efforts to Reduce Burnout Among Critical Care Clinicians
Meredith Mealer, PhD, RN, and Marc Moss, MD, from the University of Colorado School of Medicine, receive the 2021 AACN Pioneering Spirit Award in recognition of their collaborative work over the past 20 years to improve the mental health of healthcare workers, especially nurses.
Critical Care Nursing Conference Offers Education, Inspiration, With Online Flexibility
AACN’s National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition will offer a fully immersive, interactive conference experience May 24-27, delivering the education and inspiration critical care nurses deserve and the flexibility they need.
Hospitalized COVID-19 patients with obesity are significantly more likely to need ICU care
People with obesity who are hospitalized with COVID-19 have a significantly higher rate of ICU admissions and longer duration of ICU stay compared to people with a normal body mass index (BMI), according to a study presented virtually at ENDO 2021, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting.
Certified Nurses Demonstrate Commitment to Evidence-Based Care
Certified Nurses Day is March 19, providing an opportunity to recognize certified nurses for their professionalism, leadership and commitment to excellence in the care of patients and families.
In-Person Reviews of ICU Patient Deaths Led to Care Improvements
Data from five years of in-person rapid mortality reviews of 500+ ICU patient deaths at a Los Angeles hospital not only identified immediate concerns related to patient care but also yielded valuable insights on potentially preventable patient deaths and areas for hospital improvement initiatives.
How Reducing Body Temperature Could Help a Tenth of All ICU Patients
ROCKVILLE, MD – A tenth of all intensive care unit patients worldwide, and many critical patients with COVID-19, have acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses recognizes 208 hospital units with Beacon Award for Excellence
More than 200 units from 149 U.S. hospitals earned the AACN Beacon Award for Excellence between Jan. 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2020.
Vanderbilt, Zambia Researchers Find Delirium in Hospitalized Patients Linked to Mortality, Disability in Sub-Saharan Africa
Delirium, a form of acute brain dysfunction, is widespread in critically ill patients in lower resourced hospitals, and the duration of delirium predicted both mortality and disability at six months after discharge, according to a study published in PLOS ONE.