Low caloric intake is associated with nosocomial bloodstream infections in patients in the medical intensive care unit

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether caloric intake is associated with risk of nosocomial bloodstream infection in critically ill medical patients. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Urban, academic medical intensive care unit. PATIENTS: Patients were 138 adult patients who did not take food by mouth for > or =96 hrs after medical intensive care unit admission. MEASUREMENTS: Daily caloric intake was recorded for each patient. Participants subsequently were grouped into one of four categories of caloric intake: <25%, 25-49%, 50-74%, and > or =75% of average daily recommended calories based on the American College of Chest Physicians guidelines. Simplified Acute Physiology Score II and serum albumin were measured on medical intensive care unit admission. Serum glucose (average value and maximum value each day) and route of feeding (enteral, parenteral, or both) were collected daily. Nosocomial bloodstream infections were identified by infection control surveillance methods. MAIN RESULTS: The overall mean (+/-sd) daily caloric intake for all study participants was 49.4 +/- 29.3% of American College of Chest Physicians guidelines. Nosocomial bloodstream infection occurred in 31 (22.4%) participants. Bivariate Cox analysis revealed that receiving > or =25% of recommended calories compared with <25% was associated with significantly lower risk of bloodstream infection (relative hazard, 0.24; 95% confidence interval, 0.10-0.60). Simplified Acute Physiology Score II also was associated with risk of nosocomial bloodstream infection (relative hazard, 1.27; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.60). Average daily serum glucose, admission serum albumin, time to initiating nutritional support, and route of nutrition did not affect risk of bloodstream infection. After adjustment for Simplified Acute Physiology Score II in a multivariable analysis, receiving > or =25% of recommended calories was associated with a significantly lower risk of bloodstream infection (relative hazard, 0.27; 95% confidence interval, 0.11-0.68). CONCLUSIONS: In the context of reducing risk of nosocomial bloodstream infections, failing to provide > or =25% of the recommended calories may be harmful. Higher caloric goals may be necessary to achieve other clinically important outcomes.     

Head injuries

In summary, the broad term "head injury" represents a large variety of more specific injuries. In order to anticipate and plan appropriate patient care, nurses need information regarding the cause of injury, the impact site, and the patient's clinical course in addition to current assessment findings. The nurse must also anticipate sequelae from secondary brain injury due to hypoxia, edema, increased intracranial pressure, changes in regional blood flows, or hypovolemic shock due to internal bleeding in another body system or cavity. The head-injured patient is a complex patient requiring intensive nursing care, observation, and assessment. By incorporating knowledge of the mechanisms of injury into nursing observations and assessments, nurses can provide more effective nursing interventions.     

A theoretical protocol for nutritional maintenance in head-injured patients

Multiple trauma increases the nutritional needs of patients. Although head-injury victims present special problems, the modality of enteral nutritional offers specific advantages which avoid the complications of malnutrition. The success of enteral nutritional therapy is dependent on knowledgeable nursing assessment and intervention. Certainly, it is a therapeutic maneuver that should be considered in the care of the head-injured, multi-trauma patient.     

重症药疹合并糖尿病酮症患者的护理

报告1例重症多形红斑至中毒性表皮坏死松解症合并糖尿病酮症患者的护理.护理要点包括:严密监测病情及血糖变化,纠正酮症及糖代谢紊乱,维护水、电解质平衡,针对皮损的程度实施皮肤创面综合护理,防止院内感染,制订营养计划,给予情感支持,做好药物治疗护理等.患者住院29d治愈出院.     

Written and computerized care plans. Organizational processes and effect on patient outcomes

The purpose of this study was to determine how use of a standardized nomenclature for nursing diagnosis and intervention statements on the computerized nursing care plan in a long-term care (LTC) facility would affect patient outcomes, as well as organizational processes and outcomes. An experimental design was used to compare the effects of two methods of documentation: Computer care plan and paper care plan. Twenty participants (10 in each group) were randomly assigned to either group. No statistically significant differences were found by group for demographic data. Repeated measures ANOVA was computed for each of the study variables with type of care plan, written or computerized, as the independent variable. There were no statistically significant differences between participants, group (care plan), within subjects (across time), or interaction (group and time) effects for the dependent variables: Level of care, activities of daily living, perception of pain, cognitive abilities, number of medications, number of bowel medications, number of constipation episodes, weight, percent of meals eaten, and incidence of alteration in skin integrity. There were significantly more nursing interventions and activities on the computerized care plan, although this care plan took longer to develop at each of the three time periods. Results from this study suggest that use of a computerized plan of care increases the number of documented nursing activities and interventions, but further research is warranted to determine if this potential advantage can be translated into improved patient and organizational outcomes in the long-term care setting.     

Introducing a new skin-care regimen for the incontinent patient

Maintaining skin integrity and preventing skin breakdown and moisture lesions in the incontinent patient is an everyday challenge for nurses in the acute setting. The management of incontinence is often a socially or culturally prohibited topic Fletcher (2008); it is frequently attributed to ill health, the aging process or hospitalization, and often overlooked. The concept of cleansing should be commonplace, but it is complicated by the ritualism that underpins this ordinary yet fundamental aspect of patient care (Voegeli, 2010). The use of traditional methods of cleansing with soap and water in the management of skin integrity consumes significant amounts of nursing time. However, this procedure conflicts with infection control measures and predisposes the patient to further skin breakdown. This article looks at the use of an evaluation of a skin-cleansing emollient product in an elderly-care setting to provide evidence enabling an innovation that would lead to a change in practice. It highlights the importance of the implementation of a skin-care regimen as part of basic nursing care for the incontinent patient within the acute setting, and challenges ritualistic practice with evidence-based care.     

一例帕博利珠单抗联合化疗致剥脱性皮炎患者的护理体会

总结1例帕博利珠单抗联合化疗后出现剥脱性皮炎的护理体会,主要包括控制感染、皮肤护理、管道护理、饮食护理(或营养支持)、心理护理,医护联合制定个性化的治疗护理方案。发病两周后,最初的皮疹开始消失,随后发展为严重的剥脱性皮炎,随后出现弥漫性皮肤色素沉着,经过精心的治疗和护理,患者顺利康复出院。文章旨在分析综合护理干预措施的应用价值,总结肿瘤免疫治疗联合化疗出现严重皮肤不良反应的治疗处置与护理干预经验,以确保肿瘤患者免疫用药的安全性。     

29例中毒性表皮坏死松解症患者的护理

总结了29例中毒性表皮坏死松解症(TEN)患者的护理体会.本组TEN患者采用了大剂量糖皮质激素联合大剂量静脉注射人免疫丙种球蛋白冲击治疗,并积极保护创面,合理营养,预防和控制感染,严密观察病情变化,加强皮肤黏膜护理、基础护理、生活护理、心理护理,28例治愈出院,1例死亡.     

RN staffing time and outcomes of long-stay nursing home residents: pressure ulcers and other adverse outcomes are less likely as RNs spend more time on direct patient care

OBJECTIVE: A clear link has been demonstrated between lower nurse staffing levels in hospitals and adverse patient outcomes, but the results of studies of such relationships in long-term care facilities haven't been as clear. This study explored the time nurses spent in direct care and how it affected outcomes in long-stay (two weeks or longer) nursing home residents. METHODS: In a retrospective study of data collected as part of the National Pressure Ulcer Long-Term Study (NPULS), we analyzed data on 1,376 residents of 82 long-term care facilities whose lengths of stay were 14 days or longer, who were at risk of developing pressure ulcers but had none at study entry, and who had a Braden Scale score of 17 or less. Primary data came from residents' medical records during 12-week periods in 1996 and 1997. Dependent variables included development of pressure ulcer or urinary tract infection (UTI), weight loss, deterioration in the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), and hospitalization. Independent variables included resident demographics, severity of illness, nutritional and incontinence interventions, medications, and nurse staffing time. RESULTS: More RN direct care time per resident per day (examined in 10-minute increments up to 30 to 40 minutes per resident per day) was associated with fewer pressure ulcers, hospitalizations, and UTIs; less weight loss, catheterization, and deterioration in the ability to perform ADLs; and greater use of oral standard medical nutritional supplements. More certified nursing assistant and licensed practical nurse time was associated with fewer pressure ulcers but did not improve other outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The researchers controlled for important variables in long-stay nursing home residents at risk for pressure ulcers and found that more RN direct care time per resident per day was strongly associated with better outcomes. There's an urgent need for further research to confirm these findings and, if confirmed, for improving RN staffing in nursing homes to decrease avoidable adverse outcomes and suffering.     

The effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on nasal skin breakdown

This literature review explores current evidence that is available, regarding the effects of nasal CPAP on skin breakdown of the nose. Findings show that nursing interventions such as the use of a nasal mask and alternating from nasal prongs to the mask can relieve pressure on the septum, and the use of septum protectors and padding can improve patient care by reducing the incidence of pressure which causes the nasal injury. However, time scales for skin assessments varied widely within the papers, presenting a gap in research. Therefore, recommendations for further research has been advised. This should involve quantitative study, to find out if more frequent and vigilant skin assessments would improve patient care and outcomes by reducing nasal injury.     

Nutrition in acute spinal cord injury

Nutrition in acute spinal cord injury is complicated. Not every aspect of nutrition as it relates to the acutely injured spinal cord patient is known. The stress response to injury, fever, infection, sepsis, and surgery alter nutritional needs, as does the spinal cord injury itself. The sequelae of spinal cord injury, including denervation atrophy and paralysis, glucose intolerance, skin and wound breakdown, poikilothermy, anemia, respiratory paralysis, pneumonia, paralytic ileus, gastrointestinal ulcers and hemorrhage, neurogenic bowel and bladder, and depression, all affect the nutritional needs of the patient. Orthopedic appliances, pharmacologic agents, and other injuries can also alter nutritional requirements. Nutritional assessment in acute spinal cord injury is also complex. It should include medical and diet history, physical examination, intake and output measurements, prediction of energy expenditure and protein requirements, or--even better--measurements of energy expenditure with indirect methodology, using the metabolic cart or pulmonary artery catheter. Application of computerized tomography and radioisotope studies may prove valuable in the future. Finally, the direct relationship between nutrition and physiologic alterations of acute spinal cord injury necessitates that the critical care nurse incorporate nutrition-focused thinking into many aspects of the acute spinal cord--injured patient's care.     

Complications of the myeloproliferative system: Infection and sepsis

Living with cancer has become a more realistic hope for many patients as a result of newer combination-treatment modalities. However, impairment of the immune and inflammatory responses is a serious consequence of both aggressive disease and treatment.

Comprehensive nursing care during periods of granulocytopenia is critical to the survival of myelosuppressed patients. The primary nursing goals for these patients include (1) prevention of infection through promotion of the patient's optimal health status and reduction of environmental factors contributing to infection; and (2) early detection of infection through diligent assessment of the patient's health status, with prompt initiation of medical and nursing interventions.

Sepsis in the compromised cancer patient poses a major challenge in oncology nursing care. The importance of thorough nursing assessment and interventions to minimize exposure of the patient to potential pathogens during granulocytopenic periods cannot be overstated. The patient's life may well depend on it.     

A practice-based evaluation of a liquid barrier film

In palliative care it is often the little things such as being comfortable that help to improve a patient's quality of life. When the opportunity arose in our hospice to take part in a practice-based evaluation of a product that promised to make patients more comfortable, we were pleased to take part. Our small-scale evaluation was part of a wider study of SuperSkin, a liquid barrier film designed to protect skin at risk of damage. Information was collected from the patient, patient's medical notes and the nursing staff - a patient daily diary record was used in addition to normal information recordings. We evaluated the efficacy of the product and found this liquid barrier film to have a positive effect in several ways. It appeared to assist in the healing of skin damaged by friction and shearing forces, and from excoriation from wound exudates, urine and faeces. In addition, it appeared to protect healthy, 'at risk' skin from the same problems.     

Geriatric assessment

A comprehensive geriatric assessment involves the evaluation of the physical, psychosocial, and environmental factors affecting the health of an elderly person. In the office setting a geriatric assessment is best accomplished by the use of screening questions, which are incorporated into the patient's medical questionnaire; the use of validated, brief screening tests that measure the patient's performance of daily living activities, cognition, nutritional status, and risk of falls; and a review of the patient's personal values and social support network. The screening assessment can be completed in an average of ten minutes by using self-administered questionnaires and brief performance-based measures of physical functioning. The comprehensive assessment performed on the initial visit with an elderly patient will help to (1) improve diagnostic accuracy, (2) guide the selection of interventions to restore or preserve health, (3) recommend an optimal environment for care, (4) predict health outcomes, and (5) monitor clinical change over time. The effectiveness of geriatric assessment has been demonstrated in clinical trials and is likely to be most effective when conducted by the patient's primary care physician.     

Fluid resuscitation following multiple trauma

The initial minutes and hours of nursing care of the trauma victim make a critical difference in the patient's chance for recovery. The critical care and ED nurse's ability to provide fluid resuscitation rapidly to augment the patient's flagging vascular volume is critical to the maintenance of circulation. By administering the most appropriate solution to meet the trauma patient's physiologic requirements, the nurse ensures that the patient will have an adequate circulating volume to meet the oxygenation and nutritional requirements of body tissues. Early, rapid fluid resuscitation is essential to stave off noncompensatory, irreversible shock. By implementing specific nursing care strategies to increase the flow of IV solutions to the patient, the nurse combats the nursing diagnosis appropriate for almost every multiple trauma victim: Fluid Volume Deficit.     

一例垂体瘤术后并发颅内感染合并中毒性表皮坏死松解症患者的护理

总结1例垂体瘤术后并发颅内感染合并中毒性表皮坏死松解症患者的护理.颅内感染需多种抗生素联合治疗,复杂的药物治疗容易引起药物不良反应,增加治疗及护理的难度,责任护士针对患者的主要护理问题,从病房消毒隔离管理、气道管理、皮肤护理、体液管理、营养支持等5个方面,经过55 d的精心护理,患者意识清楚,痰液及脑脊液培养均转为阴性...     

The patient's daily activities in acute psychiatric care

The patient's daily activities in acute psychiatric care
This study is part of a research project entitled:'Towards patient-focused nursing on an acute psychiatric ward'. The aim of the project is to describe the changes taking place in nursing activities during a research project. This paper is a qualitative analysis of the patient's daily activities in acute psychiatric care. The data were collected by observing, selectively, seven patients for 61 h. The constant comparative method was used in data analysis. On the basis of the data analysis, the categories listed below were identified.
1 The core category of the patient's daily activities was'being a patient'.
2 Being a patient mainly consisted of being alone without meaningful activities.
3 Participating in the daily routines of the ward consisted of being alone while being together with others.
4 Being together was initiated by either the patient or the nurse. The aim of being together was to satisfy the acute basic needs of the patients.
5 Being together on the initiative of the nurse meant participating in the daily routines of the ward.
Because the data were collected by observation, no insight into the patients'desires, expectations and thoughts could be presented. The findings challenged the nursing staff to develop a more therapeutic daily routine in acute psychiatric care. It was also of importance to change the patients'meaningless existence into a meaningful participation in the daily activities on the ward.