Caregivers' Loss of the Dyadic Experience after Their Care Partners' Death.

Little is known about the experience of family caregivers when their care partner dies and their dyadic relationship comes to an end. This study qualitatively examined and characterized the loss of the dyadic experience for the caregiver after the death of their care partner. Data was accrued as part of a randomized clinical trial in 29 older hospice caregivers. Iterative thematic analysis focused on dyadic processes before, during and post death. Using two relational parameters from Relational Turbulence Theory resulted in a preliminary characterization of a new concept-dyadic dissolution as a cognitive and affective process whereby a remaining member of a dyad experiences relational uncertainty and partner interference while adapting (or not) to the death of their care partner. Findings suggest that asking several open-ended questions about the dyadic relationship will enable assessment for any continuing impact of relational uncertainty and partner interference on bereaved caregivers.

Evaluation of an Automated Digital Scoring System of Dental Plaque.

Purpose: Measurement of dental plaque is frequently used as an indicator of overall oral health. The purpose of this study was to compare a manual (visual) plaque scoring system (University of Mississippi Oral Hygiene Index, UM-OHI) with an innovative automated digital scoring system.Methods: Mechanically ventilated, intensive care unit (ICU) patients (n=79) were the study population. Informed consent was given by the subject's legally authorized representative. Digital images of dental plaque were taken using an intraoral camera; and the quantity of dental plaque was scored using the UM-OHI and with a digitized automated scoring system. Distributions of dental plaque scores from both methods were plotted. Pearson correlation coefficients and intra-class coefficients were calculated between the two methods.Results: Participant mean age was 57.3 years; respiratory failure was the most prevalent admission diagnosis (55.7%). The mean percentage of dental plaque calculated by the manual method was found to be remarkably higher (67.3% ± 18.7%) than the percentage of dental plaque calculated by the automated scoring method (23.7% ± 15.2%) (p<0.0001). Despite remarkably different distributions of plaque scores, both the automated and manual scoring systems demostrated relatively high correlation (r=0.62) and good reliability (ICC=0.63).Conclusion: The automated digital scoring system resulted in a significantly lower overall percentage of total dental plaque as compared to the UM-OHI manual scoring system. While the automated digital scoring system may be more precise than a manual (visual) scoring system, its use should be weighed against the added effort, cost, and expertise required for the method. Further study is needed to determine whether an automated digital scoring system can be commercialized and is warranted for use outside of research settings.

Accelerated Resolution Therapy: Randomized Controlled Trial of a Complicated Grief Intervention.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Complicated grief (CG) is severe, prolonged (>12 months) grieving. Complicated grief disproportionately affects older adults and is associated with negative physical/psychological effects. Although treatment options exist, those which do are time-intensive. We report on a randomized clinical trial (RCT) which examined whether accelerated resolution therapy (ART), a novel mind-body therapy, is effective in treating CG, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression among hospice informal caregivers. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Prospective 2 group, wait-listed RCT. All participants were scheduled to receive 4 ART sessions. INCLUSION: ≥60 years, inventory of CG >25, and PTSD checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition >33 or Psychiatric Diagnostic Screen Questionnaire PTSD subscale >5. EXCLUSION: Major psychiatric disorder, other current psychotherapy treatment. Depression was measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression. RESULTS: Mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 54 participants was 68.7 (7.2) years, 85% female, and 93% white. Participants assigned to ART reported significantly greater mean (SD) CG reduction (-22.8 [10.3]) versus Wait-list participants (-4.3 [6.0]). Within-participant effect sizes (ESs) for change from baseline to 8-week post-treatment were CG (ES = 1.96 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.45-2.47; P < .0001), PTSD (ES = 2.40 [95% CI: 1.79-3.00]; P < .0001), depression (ES = 1.63 [95% CI: 1.18-2.08; P < .0001). Treatment effects did not substantially differ by baseline symptom levels. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Results suggests that ART presents an effective and less time-intensive intervention for CG in older adults. However, it should undergo further effectiveness testing in a larger, more diverse clinical trial with a focus on determining physiological or behavioral mechanisms of action.

Stress Management Intervention to Prevent Post-Intensive Care Syndrome-Family in Patients' Spouses.

BACKGROUND: Post-intensive care syndrome-family (PICS-F) refers to acute and chronic psychological effects of critical care on family members of patients in intensive care units (ICUs). Evidence suggests that increased distress during the ICU stay increases risk of PICS-F. Sensation Awareness Focused Training (SAF-T) is a new, promising stress management intervention, but the feasibility of such training during the ICU stay for family caregivers who are acting as the surrogate decision-maker for patients who are undergoing mechanical ventilation is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To assess feasibility and acceptability of SAF-T to inform a future larger randomized controlled trial. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial of SAF-T (n = 5) versus a control (n = 5) group was conducted at a level 1 trauma center. Participants assigned to SAF-T completed 1 session daily for 3 days. Measures included enrollment rate, data completion rate, acceptability of SAF-T, and symptoms of PICS-F. Scales used included Perceived Stress, Hospital Anxiety and Depression, Impact of Event, and National Institutes of Health Toolbox Emotion Battery. RESULTS: Mean age was 58 (SD, 12) years; 70% of participants were female. Predetermined feasibility criteria were met in enrollment rate (67%), outcome measures completion rate (> 90%), and SAF-T acceptability (100% of doses completed during the ICU stay) without adverse events. Stress scores after SAF-T were significantly lower than scores before SAF-T (z = -3.5, P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: SAF-T intervention during the ICU stay is feasible, acceptable, and may improve family caregivers' post-ICU outcomes. Larger clinical trial to assess the effectiveness of SAF-T in preventing PICS-F seem warranted.

Challenges of Caregivers of Cancer Patients who are on Oral Oncolytic Therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the major challenges faced by caregivers of patients receiving oral oncolytic therapy (OOT). DATA SOURCES: Published literature, national clinical practice guidelines, standards of care. CONCLUSION: Caregivers of patients receiving OOT have unmet needs. Caregivers need standardized OOT education and coping support to improve patient outcomes through enhanced drug safety practices, better management of complex treatment regimens and adherence, patient symptoms, treatment side effects, care decision-making, and financial assistance for costly OOT. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses are well-positioned to take leadership roles in facilitating optimal utilization of multidisciplinary health care resources necessary to support caregivers and improve outcomes in patients receiving OOT.

Optimal frequency of tooth brushing in mechanically ventilated adults: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

The optimal frequency of tooth brushing in the critically ill has not been experimentally determined. For mechanically ventilated patients, optimal frequency of tooth brushing is an important unresolved issue as there is little evidence to judge the benefits or associated risks of tooth brushing. Given this knowledge gap, the project's overall goal is to determine the optimal frequency of tooth brushing (once, twice, or three times daily) for mechanically ventilated adults. A prospective, randomized, experimental design is used. Specifically, 345 subjects, with 207 expected to complete the study, are randomly assigned within 36 hr of intubation to one of three groups (once, twice, or three times tooth brushing daily). Tooth brushing with a soft compact-head toothbrush takes approximately 2 min. Dental plaque assessment, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) determination for IL-1ß, and data regarding healthcare-acquired infection (HAI) and clinical status are collected at baseline and daily in-hospital. The clinical impact of daily frequency of tooth brushing in relation to extent of dental plaque and inflammation reflected by GCF analysis will be compared by the three treatment arms. In addition, evaluation of safety for HAIs will be compared based on calculation of the number needed to harm. The trial will empirically determine the optimal frequency of tooth brushing in mechanically ventilated adults, balancing benefits and risks. This contribution is significant because it will have immediate impact on bedside nursing practice, and is a final component necessary for specific evidence-based guidelines for the common nursing intervention of oral care in mechanically ventilated adults.

Delirium prevention in critically ill adults through an automated reorientation intervention - A pilot randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Explore the effect of an automated reorientation intervention on ICU delirium in a prospective randomized controlled trial. BACKGROUND: Delirium is common in ICU patients, and negatively affects outcomes. Few prevention strategies have been tested. METHODS: Thirty ICU patients were randomized to 3 groups. Ten received hourly recorded messages in a family member's voice during waking hours over 3 ICU days, 10 received the same messages in a non-family voice, and 10 (control) did not receive any automated reorientation messages. The primary outcome was delirium free days during the intervention period (evaluated by CAM-ICU). Groups were compared by Fisher's Exact Test. RESULTS: The family voice group had more delirium free days than the non-family voice group, and significantly more delirium free days (p = 0.0437) than the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Reorientation through automated, scripted messages reduced incidence of delirium. Using identical scripted messages, family voice was more effective than non-family voice.

Enhancing the Communication of Suddenly Speechless Critical Care Patients.

BACKGROUND: Sudden speechlessness is common in critically ill patients who are intubated or have had surgery for head and neck cancer. Sudden inability to speak poses challenges for hospitalized patients because strategies to facilitate communication are often limited and unreliable. OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of a technology-based communication intervention on patients' perception of communication difficulty, satisfaction with communication methods, and frustration with communication. METHODS: A quasi-experimental, 4-cohort (control and intervention) repeated-measures design was used. Data were collected daily for up to 10 days. Patients in adult critical care units were followed up as they were transferred to other units within the institutions selected for the study. The impact of a technology-based communication system (intervention) was compared with usual care (control). Patients' communication outcomes pertinent to communication with nursing staff that were evaluated included perception of communication ease, satisfaction with methods used for communication, and frustration with communication. RESULTS: Compared with participants in the control group, participants in the intervention group reported lower mean frustration levels (-2.68; SE, 0.17; 95% CI, -3.02 to -2.34; P < .001) and higher mean satisfaction levels (0.59; SE, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.91; P < .001) with use of the communication intervention. Participants in the intervention group reported a consistent increase in perception of communication ease during the hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: The results facilitated evaluation of a bedside technology-based communication intervention tailored to the needs of suddenly speechless critically ill patients.

Preintubation application of oral chlorhexidine does not provide additional benefit in prevention of early-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Daily application of oral chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) following intubation to reduce the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is now the standard of care in many ICUs. This randomized clinical trial evaluated the benefit of adding a preintubation CHX dose to the known benefit of postintubation CHX to reduce the risk of early-onset VAP. A secondary aim was to test the effect of a preintubation oral application of CHX on early endotracheal tube (ETT) colonization. METHODS: Subjects (N = 314) were recruited from two teaching hospitals and were randomly assigned to oral application of 5 mL CHX 0.12% solution before intubation (intervention group, n = 157), or to a control group (n = 157) who received no CHX before intubation. All subjects received CHX bid after intubation. Groups were compared using a repeated-measures model with Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score (CPIS) as the response variable. In a planned subset of subjects, ETTs were cultured at extubation. RESULTS: Application of a preintubation dose of CHX did not provide benefit over the intervention period beyond that afforded by daily oral CHX following intubation. ETT colonization at extubation was < 20% in both groups (no statistically significant difference). Mean CPIS remained below 6 (VAP threshold score) in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although it is feasible to deliver CHX prior to intubation (including emergent or urgent intubation), the results suggest that preintubation CHX may be inconsequential when the ventilator bundle, including daily oral CHX, is in place. During the preintubation period, providers should focus their attention on other critical activities. TRIAL REGISTRY: ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT00893763; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov.