Developing user-centred critical care discharge information

Developing user-centred critical care discharge information to support early critical illness rehabilitation using the Medical Research Council's complex interventions framework. Intensive and critical care nursing, April 2012, Vol. 28(2), p.123-131.

Bench, S.D., et al.

http://www.intensivecriticalcarenursing.com/article/S0964-3397(12)00013-4/fulltext

This paper reports on an intervention designed during an ongoing two phase project aimed at improving early critical illness rehabilitation. It focuses specifically on the justification for a newly developed critical care discharge information pack: ‘User Centred Critical Care Discharge Information Pack’ (UCCDIP). The intervention is described in detail and the chosen research methods are discussed.

Re-building life after ICU

Re-building life after ICU: A qualitative study of the patients' perspective. Intensive and critical care nursing, April 2012, Vol. 28(2), p.114-122.

Deacon, K.S.

http://www.intensivecriticalcarenursing.com/article/S0964-3397(11)00127-3/fulltext

Healthcare professionals in ICU, acute ward and community settings need to be aware of the broad array of physical and psychological challenges faced by patients who have been critically ill. Healthcare professionals need to ensure a holistic approach is implemented to coordinate and facilitate rehabilitation, to address identified patients’ needs.

Integrating a multidisciplinary mobility programme into intensive care practice

Integrating a multidisciplinary mobility programme into intensive care practice: A multicentre collaborative. Intensive and critical care nursing, April, 2012, Vol. 28(2), p.88-97.

Bassett, R.D., et al.

http://www.intensivecriticalcarenursing.com/article/PIIS0964339711001303/abstract?rss=yes

This multi-centre, ICU collaborative has shown that improvements in team culture, communication and resources can improve adoption of early mobility in ICU patients.

Move it or lose it?

Move it or lose it? A survey of the aims of treatment when using passive movements in intensive care. Intensive and critical care nursing, April 2012, Vol. 28(2), p.82-87.

Stockley, R.C., et al.

http://www.intensivecriticalcarenursing.com/article/S0964-3397(11)00117-0/fulltext

In ICU early mobilisation and rehabilitation are considered vital to restore function and may reduce the duration of ICU and inpatient stay. However, for patients to participate in mobility practice or bed exercises, they must be conscious. Passive movements could be considered as a very early form of mobilisation for intensive care patients who are sedated and ventilated and are widely used by United Kingdom physiotherapists.

Critical care rehabilitation and early mobilisation

Critical care rehabilitation and early mobilisation: An emerging standard of care. Intensive and critical care nursing, April 2012, Vol. 28(2), p. 55-57.

Grapp, M.J. & McFetridge, B.

http://www.intensivecriticalcarenursing.com/article/S0964-3397(12)00015-8/fulltext

Critical care rehabilitation across the trajectory of recovery, beginning in the critical care unit and ending with recovery to an optimal level of health is presently a major focus of health care and research. After discharge from the critical care unit, rehabilitation is often begun in earnest. Although the focus of critical care is appropriately on stabilisation and survival, rehabilitation must also be a major part of the plan of care during these initial stages of care.

Volume-limited versus pressure-limited hemodynamic management in septic and nonseptic shock

Volume-limited versus pressure-limited hemodynamic management in septic and nonseptic shock. Critical care medicine, April, 2012, Vol. 40(4), p.1177-1185.

Trof, R.J., et al.

Hemodynamic management guided by transpulmonary thermodilution vs. pulmonary artery catheter in shock did not affect ventilator-free days, lengths of stay, organ failures, and mortality of critically ill patients.

Lest we forget the endothelial glycocalyx in sepsis

Lest we forget the endothelial glycocalyx in sepsis. Critical Care 2012, 16, 121.

Burke-Gaffney, A.

http://ccforum.com/content/16/2/121/abstract

Sepsis is the third largest cause of death in industrialised countries, but treatment remains largely supportive and effective therapeutic interventions are urgently needed. Disruption and dysfunction of the microvascular endothelium leading directly or indirectly to multiple organ failure are now recognised to underpin the pathophysiology of sepsis.

Noninvasive monitoring of blood pressure in the critically ill

Noninvasive monitoring of blood pressure in the critically ill: Reliability according to the cuff site (arm, thigh or ankle). Critical care medicine, april 2012, Vol. 40(4), p.1207-1213.

Lakhal, K., et al.

http://journals.lww.com/ccmjournal/Abstract/2012/04000/Noninvasive_monitoring_of_blood_pressure_in_the.22.aspx

In the critically ill, blood pressure measurements mostly rely on automated oscillometric devices pending the intra-arterial catheter insertion or after its removal. If the arms are inaccessible, the cuff is placed at the ankle or the thigh, but this common practice has never been assessed.