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UrduThe 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.
Tag: ICU
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Variations in practice and outdated protocols related to nasogastric feeding tubes can impact patient safety and lead to complications.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.
Pauses During CPR, Compression Quality Impact Survival Rates
An analysis of CPR interventions after in-hospital cardiac arrests found that the number of pauses in chest compressions greater than 10 seconds consistently impacted survival rates. The study appears to be the first to assess participants at four milestones during their hospital stay.
Convalescent Plasma Improved Survival in COVID-19 Patients with Blood Cancers
Treatment with convalescent plasma vastly improved the survival rate of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 who also had hematologic malignances that compromise the immune system, according to new data released by the COVID-19 and Cancer Consortium (CCC19).
Nurses Key to Reducing Stress for Families of ICU Patients
Nurses play a crucial role in helping to reduce the stress experienced by family members of critically ill patients, according to an article in Critical Care Nurse. A review of relevant research studies (2007-2019) found that, regardless of the patient’s age, family members’ stress fell into four main categories.
Post-ICU Interviews Reveal Outcomes Important to Patients, Families
A Penn Medicine study in American Journal of Critical Care offers insights into patients’ and families’ priorities for quality metrics during the ICU stay and postdischarge outcomes. Researchers conducted interviews with individual ICU survivors, as well as family caregivers of patients who survived and of patients who died.
COVID-19 Vaccines: Nurses Continue to Lead
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses has released a statement strongly recommending that nurses be vaccinated against COVID-19. In the statement, the organization addresses the nuanced sense of pride and anxiety felt by nurses and other healthcare professionals who have been given top priority to receive the first COVID-19 vaccines.
AACN CSI Academy Expands to Support Underserved Populations With Grant From Edwards Lifesciences Foundation
A $200,000 grants from Edwards Lifesciences Foundation will support the expansion of the AACN CSI Academy nurse leadership and innovation program to 10 cardiac surgery critical care and/or progressive care units that provide care to a significant proportion of patients from underserved populations, with an emphasis on Black communities.
COVID-19 Pandemic Amplifies Need to Integrate Palliative Care Into ICUs
Critical care nurses are ideally positioned to drive full integration of palliative care into the care of all patients who are seriously ill, including patients with COVID-19.
Informatics Approach Helps Reveal Risk Factors for Pressure Injuries
Researchers used informatics to examine 5,000+ patient records and five years of data related to nursing skin assessments and hospital-acquired pressure injuries. The results underscore the importance of treating and monitoring irritated skin early and eliminating the cause as an important step to prevent pressure injuries.
AACN-funded Research Influences Nursing Practice
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses invites clinicians and nurse scientists to submit research projects by Oct. 30, 2020, for the next application cycle, with total available funding of $160,000. The most recent recipients and their projects exemplify AACN’s commitment to nurse-driven research and evidence-based practice.
Commitment to Clinical Inquiry Guides Rapid Innovation During COVID-19
An article in AACN Advanced Critical Care describes how Duke Heart Center did not sacrifice its commitment to clinical inquiry and providing high quality care for patients and their families, as it quickly adjusted to sudden pandemic-related visitor restrictions.
AACN Launches Micro-Credential for COVID-19 Patient Care
New micro-credential for nurses and other healthcare professionals who provide direct care for critically ill patients with COVID-19 is among the first for clinical care. AACN is the first professional nursing organization to offer a micro-credential.
Massachusetts Study Examines Relationships Between Staffing, Sepsis Rates
Sepsis rates at a sample of Massachusetts hospitals were significantly lower with increased nurse staffing and intensivist hours, according to new research published in the October issue of Critical Care Nurse.
Statement: Science Must Drive Clinical Practice, Public Health Policy
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) has released a position statement calling for all healthcare decision-making to be anchored in the best scientific evidence available. The statement reinforces nursing professionals’ commitment to following the best evidence possible to provide care for patients and families.