Nursing Challenges in Interactions With Patients Receiving Mechanical Circulatory and Respiratory Support.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical circulatory and respiratory support (MCRS) systems provide short- to long-term life support for patients with severe cardiac or respiratory failure. Whereas the challenges of patients with these lifesaving systems are well understood, the challenges faced by nurses of patients receiving MCRS remain relatively unidentified. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we investigated the challenges and experiences of MCRS nurses, with the aim of informing the design of future interventions. DESIGN: A qualitative approach was taken to develop an in-depth understanding of the emotional issues nurses experience in their daily interactions with patients. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Nine MCRS nurses ranging in clinical experience were recruited from Australian hospitals. METHODS: Participants were divided into 3 focus groups, with design prompts being used in the focus groups to facilitate discussion. Data from these focus groups were analyzed through a thematic analysis protocol. RESULTS: The nurses' accounts were clustered around 2 themes, including (1) patient connection and (2) compassion vitality and fatigue. Each theme elicits a conflicting compromise that MCRS nurses face daily. CONCLUSION: The challenges of nurses who support patients with MCRS are complex, multifaceted, emotionally stimulating, and exhausting. We therefore contributes a set of design criteria to support such nurses, setting a direction for future research.

An international survey: the role of specialist nurses in adult respiratory extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: The last decade has seen an increase in the number of centres able to provide venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) internationally across different health care systems. To support this growth, a variety of staffing arrangements have been adopted depending on local need and availability of resources, both in terms of manpower and finances to safely meet the complex needs of the patient and circuit management. AIM: The aim of the survey was to describe current staffing arrangements of care provision for adult patients on VV-ECMO, with a focus on understanding the professional roles and responsibilities of staff managing the circuit in order to inform further discussion around different approaches to staffing. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional international survey using an electronic questionnaire emailed to 177 worldwide ECMO centres treating adult patients with acute respiratory failure. The survey questions were generated through an internal and external iterative process and assessed for clarity, content and face validity. RESULTS: The response rate was 82%. Respondents managed extracorporeal oxygenation for adult respiratory alone (75%) or in combination with adult cardiac (67%), paediatric respiratory (62%) and paediatric cardiac (58%). The specialist nurse to patient ratio was 1:1 in 59% of centres, with 24-h/day presence in 74%. Overall, the specialist nurse provided the 24-h/day management of the circuit, including interventions. Perfusionists were responsible for the technical aspects of circuit management. CONCLUSIONS: A specialist nurse with perfusion backup is the staffing arrangement implemented by most centres and likely reflects the most efficient use of the professional competences available. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Staffing for adult respiratory extracorporeal support has important implications for the planning of workforce, training and education, quality of service and the number of ECMO beds available.

Severe hypoxemia: which strategy to choose.

BACKGROUND: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by a noncardiogenic pulmonary edema with bilateral chest X-ray opacities and reduction in lung compliance, and the hallmark of the syndrome is hypoxemia refractory to oxygen therapy. Severe hypoxemia (PaO2/FiO2 < 100 mmHg), which defines severe ARDS, can be found in 20-30 % of the patients and is associated with the highest mortality rate. Although the standard supportive treatment remains mechanical ventilation (noninvasive and invasive), possible adjuvant therapies can be considered. We performed an up-to-date clinical review of the possible available strategies for ARDS patients with severe hypoxemia. MAIN RESULTS: In summary, in moderate-to-severe ARDS or in the presence of other organ failure, noninvasive ventilatory support presents a high risk of failure: in those cases the risk/benefit of delayed mechanical ventilation should be evaluated carefully. Tailoring mechanical ventilation to the individual patient is fundamental to reduce the risk of ventilation-induced lung injury (VILI): it is mandatory to apply a low tidal volume, while the optimal level of positive end-expiratory pressure should be selected after a stratification of the severity of the disease, also taking into account lung recruitability; monitoring transpulmonary pressure or airway driving pressure can help to avoid lung overstress. Targeting oxygenation of 88-92 % and tolerating a moderate level of hypercapnia are a safe choice. Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) are useful to maintain patient-ventilation synchrony in the first hours; prone positioning improves oxygenation in most cases and promotes a more homogeneous distribution of ventilation, reducing the risk of VILI; both treatments, also in combination, are associated with an improvement in outcome if applied in the acute phase in the most severe cases. The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in severe ARDS is increasing worldwide, but because of a lack of randomized trials is still considered a rescue therapy. CONCLUSION: Severe ARDS patients should receive a holistic framework of respiratory and hemodynamic support aimed to ensure adequate gas exchange while minimizing the risk of VILI, by promoting lung recruitment and setting protective mechanical ventilation. In the most severe cases, NMBAs, prone positioning, and ECMO should be considered.

Daily nursing care on patients undergoing venous-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: a challenging procedure!

Daily nursing in critical care patients may alter vital parameters, especially in the most critically ill patients. The aim of our study was to evaluate feasibility and safety of daily nursing on patients undergoing venous-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vv-ECMO) for severe respiratory failure. Daily nursing was performed following defined phases (sponge bath, elevation with scooping stretcher, change position of endotracheal tube, dressing replacement). We recorded physiological and ECMO parameters before and during daily nursing in 5 patients for several days (total: 25 daily nursing) and adverse events: desaturation, hypertension, reduction of mixed venous oxygen saturation, arterial oxygen saturation or ECMO blood flow and elevation in minute ventilation. Sedative drug dosage and additional bolus were recorded. Daily nursing was performed in 92 % of cases (23/25), with a minimum of two adverse events per daily nursing. Hypertension and tachycardia were mostly recorded at the beginning, while desaturation, reduction in mixed venous oxygen saturation and blood flow were recorded during elevation with scooping stretcher. Increase in minute ventilation was frequent in spontaneous breathing patients. Additional bolus of sedation was required before and/or during nursing. Daily nursing significantly alters physiologic parameters; thus, it should be performed only when physicians are readily available to treat adverse events.

Predicting survival after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for severe acute respiratory failure. The Respiratory Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Survival Prediction (RESP) score.

RATIONALE: Increasing use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for acute respiratory failure may increase resource requirements and hospital costs. Better prediction of survival in these patients may improve resource use, allow risk-adjusted comparison of center-specific outcomes, and help clinicians to target patients most likely to benefit from ECMO. OBJECTIVES: To create a model for predicting hospital survival at initiation of ECMO for respiratory failure. METHODS: Adult patients with severe acute respiratory failure treated by ECMO from 2000 to 2012 were extracted from the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) international registry. Multivariable logistic regression was used to create the Respiratory ECMO Survival Prediction (RESP) score using bootstrapping methodology with internal and external validation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of the 2,355 patients included in the study, 1,338 patients (57%) were discharged alive from hospital. The RESP score was developed using pre-ECMO variables independently associated with hospital survival on logistic regression, which included age, immunocompromised status, duration of mechanical ventilation before ECMO, diagnosis, central nervous system dysfunction, acute associated nonpulmonary infection, neuromuscular blockade agents or nitric oxide use, bicarbonate infusion, cardiac arrest, PaCO2, and peak inspiratory pressure. The receiver operating characteristics curve analysis of the RESP score was c = 0.74 (95% confidence interval, 0.72-0.76). External validation, performed on 140 patients, exhibited excellent discrimination (c = 0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.89-0.97). CONCLUSIONS: The RESP score is a relevant and validated tool to predict survival for patients receiving ECMO for respiratory failure.

Post-partum spontaneous coronary artery dissection and the use of veno-arterial extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation.

AIMS: To present a rare case of a post-partum spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), a rarely seen condition which does not yet have a universally agreed treatment method and the role of the intensive care unit (ICU) nurse when caring for the adult ECMO patient. BACKGROUND: The use of extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for the adult patient has increased slowly since the first reported successful treatment in 1972 (Hill et al., 1972) and is seen increasingly as a successful therapy when conventional medical treatment has failed. In this case, a young lady 2 weeks post-partum presented with acute coronary syndrome secondary to a SCAD. ECMO was used successfully as a bridge to myocardial recovery following coronary artery bypass grafts and cardiogenic shock. DESIGN AND METHOD: A case study underpinned by a review of existing literature relating to spontaneous coronary artery dissection and extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: ECMO is still a relatively new and invasive technology but continues to improve survival rates in critically ill patients where conventional medical treatment has failed. This article highlights requirement for further research into several aspects of care for the adult ECMO patient. Questions to be answered raised in this case study include recommendations for the weaning of inotropes and vasoconstrictors, frequency of blood gas sampling and whether it remains essential to have two nurses caring for the ECMO patient. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: As medical treatment progresses, there is an increasing demand for therapies such as ECMO to become more readily available for the care of the critically ill adult patient. This article highlights challenges that may be faced and what changes could be made to further improve standards of care and survival rates for ECMO patients.

Medical and nursing care of the child on mechanical circulatory support.

OBJECTIVES: To review the medical and nursing care of children receiving mechanical circulatory support as part of the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society/Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Joint Statement on Mechanical Circulatory Support. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SELECTION/DATA EXTRACTION/DATA SYNTHESIS: This is a general review of current issues of medical and nursing care of children on mechanical circulatory support. It consists of knowledge gained from practical experience combined with supporting evidence and/or discussion of controversies for which evidence exists or is inconclusive. The scope of this review includes assessment and monitoring, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and renal and fluid management, as well as infection prevention and treatment, neurological, and nutritional considerations. Physical and psychological care is discussed, as well as ethical and practical issues regarding termination of support. CONCLUSIONS: There are unique aspects to the medical and nursing care of a patient requiring mechanical circulatory support. Preserving the possibility for cardiac recovery when possible and preventing damage to noncardiac organs are essential to maximizing the probability that patients will have quality survival following support with a mechanical circulatory support device.

Expanded resources through utilization of a primary care giver extracorporeal membrane oxygenation model.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a long-term extracorporeal support for critically ill patients with life-threatening compromises in cardiac and/or respiratory function. The unpredictability of ECMO resources for a large pediatric and adult population prompted a need for the ability to respond to significant fluctuations in the volume of patients on ECMO. Through multidisciplinary collaboration, the Primary Care Giver (PCG) ECMO Staffing Model was developed to accommodate unpredictable fluctuations in ECMO activity and to maintain flexibility and fiscal responsibility in turbulent economic times. Advancements in extracorporeal technology supported the opportunity to develop a safe and extended staffing model for ECMO. Combining the use of a centrifugal pump system with specialized and experienced cardiovascular intensive care nurses and the ECMO specialist team provided a milieu for education and training to support the new staffing model. The PCG ECMO model provides a safe, flexible, and fiscally responsible staffing model for variable ECMO activity.

[Nursing approaches to improve extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) care in a pediatric intensive care unit].

BACKGROUND: Medical technology advances have led to the increasingly frequent use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in intensive care unit applications. Four of the 26 patients treated using ECMO in 2009 at our hospital were under 18 years of age. Limited nurse experience with ECMO and resultant nursing staff nervousness / pressure when using this technique encouraged us to establish an ad hoc group to explore ECMO care and related issues. PURPOSE: Improvement measures were implemented to (1) raise the pre- ECMO placement integrity of order sheets to 98%; (2) reduce materials preparation time to below 60 minutes; and (3) enhance nursing care ECMO cognitive accuracy to 99%. RESOLUTION: We implemented the following intervention measures: (1) A dedicated ECMO vehicle was deployed to enhance clinical work convenience and safety; (2) a ECMO technique preparation checklist was developed to improve tubing placement and reduce preparation time; (3) an ECMO care in-service education program was developed to enhance nurses' ECMO care awareness and skills; (4) an ECMO trainee system was established to increase nurses ECMO care experience and reduce negligence-related errors. RESULTS: Project results included: material preparation order sheet accuracy rose from 25% to 100%; average materials preparation time fell from 90 to 40 minutes, and nursing staff ECMO cognitive accuracy increased from 51.2% to 99.2%. The program achieved all stated objectives. CONCLUSIONS: This program enhanced the quality of ECMO care for pediatric patients, reduced materials preparation times, and improved the nursing approach to ECMO care.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome--a case study.

This case study explores the management of an unusually complicated case of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) extending over 52 days of hospitalization. Despite the utilization of conventional medical treatments and optimum respiratory support modalities, the patient's condition worsened and death was imminent without salvage therapy. After cardiovascular surgery consultation and spousal affirmation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy was initiated for 6 days. The patient recovered and was able to return to regular employment. The collaborative roles of the acute care nurse and intensivist will be discussed in association with clinical evaluation and management.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation as a Bridge to Lung Transplant: Considerations for Critical Care Nursing Practice.

TOPIC: Candidates waiting for lung transplant are sicker now than ever before. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation has become useful as a bridge to lung transplant for these critically ill patients. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Critical care nurses must be prepared to care for the increasing number of lung transplant patients who require this advanced support method. PURPOSE OF PAPER: To provide critical care nurses with the foundational knowledge essential for delivering quality care to this high-acuity transplant patient population. CONTENT COVERED: This review describes the types of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (venovenous and venoarterial), provides an overview of the indications and contraindications for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and discusses the role of clinical bedside nurses in the treatment of patients requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a bridge to lung transplant.

On high alert.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is used to treat patients with severe respiratory failure, including some who have swine flu. A specialist unit is ready for a second wave of the pandemic.

Extracorporeal Life Support in Adult Patients: A Global Perspective of the Last Decade.

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is an external medical device to treat critically ill patients with cardiovascular and respiratory failure. In a nutshell, ECLS is only a "bridging" mechanism that provides life support while the heart and/or the lungs is recovering either by therapeutic medical interventions, transplantation, or spontaneously. Extracorporeal life support has been developed since 1950s, and many studies were conducted to improve ECLS techniques, but unfortunately, the survival rate was not improved. Because of Dr Bartlett's success in using ECLS to treat neonates with severe respiratory distress in 1975, ECLS is made as a standard lifesaving therapy for neonates with severe respiratory distress. However, its use for adult patients remains debatable. The objectives of this study are to outline and provide a general overview of the use of ECLS especially for adult patients for the past 10 years and to elaborate on the challenges encountered by each stakeholder involved in ECLS. The data used for this study were extracted from the ELSO Registry Report of January 2018. Results of this study revealed that the number of ECLS centers and the use of ECLS are increasing over the year for the past decade. There was also a shift of the patient's age category from neonatal to adult patients. However, the survival rates for adult patients are relatively low especially for cardiac and extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation cases. To date, the complications are still the major challenge of ECLS. Other challenges encountered by the stakeholders in ECLS are the limited amount of well-trained and experienced ECLS teams and centers, the limited government expenditure on health, and the lack of improvement and development of ECLS techniques and devices. Further studies are needed to evaluate the value of ECLS for adult patients.

Management of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Obstetric Patients: Concerns for Critical Care Nurses.

Critical care nurses are faced with many challenges, and one that is particularly stressful is caring for obstetric patients. This care can become more complex when the obstetric patient requires extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. It is imperative that critical care nurses have knowledge about this unique population, the expected physical changes of pregnancy, and the management of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Obstetric patients present unique challenges, and care is focused on the woman and her family. The purpose of this paper is to provide information for critical care nurses regarding care of obstetric patients who receive extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Ações de cuidado e diagnósticos de enfermagem ao paciente com oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea: translação do conhecimento / Acciones de cuidado y diagnósticos de enfermería para pacientes con oxigenación por membrana extracorpórea: traslación del conocimiento / Care actions and nursing diagnoses for patients with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: knowledge translation

Resumo Objetivo mapear diagnósticos e ações de enfermagem para o cuidado ao paciente adulto com oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea, considerando um protocolo e um sistema informatizado de prescrição e a inclusão de novas ações de cuidados, em um processo de translação do conhecimento à prática clínica. Métodos estudo descritivo e exploratório, com mapeamento cruzado entre um protocolo assistencial e sistema informatizado de um hospital universitário, no período de 2014 a 2018. Foram realizados dois encontros com a chefia de enfermagem e membros do time de oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea para validar as ações. Resultados diagnósticos mais comuns utilizados nos 45 prontuários dos pacientes com oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea foram: Risco de infecção (100%); Ventilação espontânea prejudicada (93,33%); Síndrome do déficit de autocuidado (93,33%). Conclusão e implicações para a prática o mapeamento incluiu 25 novas ações associadas a 14 diagnósticos de enfermagem no sistema informatizado, visando a disseminação do conhecimento e sua aplicação em cuidados reais a pacientes com oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea.

Resumen Objetivo mapear diagnósticos y acciones de enfermería para el cuidado de pacientes adultos con oxigenación por membrana extracorpórea, considerando un protocolo y un sistema de prescripción computarizado y la inclusión de nuevas acciones de cuidado, en un proceso de traslación del conocimiento a la práctica clínica. Métodos estudio descriptivo, exploratorio, con mapeo cruzado entre un protocolo de atención y un sistema informatizado en un hospital universitario, de 2014 a 2018. Posteriormente se realizaron dos reuniones con la gerente de enfermería y miembros del equipo de oxigenación por membrana extracorpórea para validar acciones. Resultados los diagnósticos más frecuentes utilizados en los 45 prontuarios de pacientes con oxigenación por membrana extracorpórea fueron: Riesgo de infección (100%); Deterioro de la ventilación espontánea (93,33%); Síndrome de déficit de autocuidado (93,33%). Conclusión e implicaciones para la práctica el mapeo incluyó 25 nuevas acciones asociadas a 14 diagnósticos de enfermería en el sistema informatizado, con el objetivo de difundir el conocimiento y su aplicación en la atención real al paciente con oxigenación por membrana extracorpórea.

Abstract Objective to map diagnoses and nursing actions for the care of adult patients with extracorporeal oxygenation membrane, considering a protocol and a computerized prescription system and the inclusion of new care actions, in a process of translating knowledge to clinical practice. Methods descriptive and exploratory study, with cross-mapping between a care protocol and a computerized system of at a university hospital, from 2014 to 2018. Two meetings were held with the nursing manager and members of the extracorporeal oxygenation membrane team to validate the actions. Results most common diagnoses used in the 45 medical records of patients with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were: Risk of infection (100%); Impaired spontaneous ventilation (93.33%); Self-care deficit syndrome (93.33%). Conclusion and implications for practice The mapping included 25 new actions, associated with 14 nursing diagnoses in the computerized system, aiming to disseminate knowledge and its application in real care for patients with extracorporeal oxygenation membrane.