Association between Manchester Triage System discriminators and nursing diagnoses. / Associações entre discriminadores do Sistema de Triagem de Manchester e diagnósticos de enfermagem.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between Manchester Triage System flowchart discriminators and nursing diagnoses in adult patients classified as clinical priority I (emergency) and II (very urgent). METHOD: Cross-sectional study conducted in an emergency department in southern Brazil between April and August 2014. The sample included 219 patients. Data were collected from online patient medical records and data analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test or the chi-square test. RESULTS: 16 discriminators and 14 nursing diagnoses were identified. Associations were found between seven discriminators and five problem-focused nursing diagnoses, including the discriminator Cardiac pain and the diagnosis Acute pain. Three discriminators were associated with four risk nursing diagnoses, among these Acute neurological deficit with the diagnosis Risk of ineffective cerebral tissue perfusion. CONCLUSION: Significant associations were found between Manchester Triage System discriminators and the nursing diagnoses most frequently established in the emergency department.

Assessment and management of the septic patient: part 2.

Sepsis has gained increasing publicity in recent years, and there is now a strong focus of clinical education and training following the Surviving Sepsis Campaign. The assessment and management of a septic patients is far from simple and requires a systematic approach in both identifying and managing the condition. This second part explores sepsis care bundles and the research that underpins each of the interventions. These discussions will enable nurses to understand why each component of the sepsis care bundle is important and thus enable them to rapidly prioritise care, as early effective interventions have been shown to optimise patient outcomes.

Evidence-Based Practice: Use of STOP-BANG Questionnaire to Identify Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) provide care for patients with undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This evidence-based practice project demonstrated that the STOP-BANG Questionnaire (SB) identified patients with OSA preoperatively and reduced hypoxemia in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). Evidence from the literature is described; based on this evidence, a change in clinical anesthesia practice was made. Four literature databases were searched using keywords from the following PICOT (patient, intervention, comparison, outcome, time) question: Do patients (P) who have high SB scores (I) compared with patients who do not have high SB scores (C) have a higher incidence of pulmonary complications (O) postoperatively (T)? Five observational cohort studies were critically appraised. The results consistently found that patients with an SB score of 3 or greater had significantly greater postoperative pulmonary complications, including lower oxyhemoglobin saturation (SpO2) in the PACU. At the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, the SB was implemented during the preanesthesia assessment. A query of the electronic medical record identified patients with undiagnosed OSA and patients with hypoxemia (SpO2 < 94%) in the PACU. Implementation of the SB increased identification of undiagnosed OSA by 78% preoperatively and reduced the incidence of hypoxemia in the PACU.

Patients' and nurses' perspectives on oxygen therapy: a qualitative study.

AIM: This paper is a report of a study to describe patients' and nurses' perspectives on oxygen therapy. BACKGROUND: Failure to correct significant hypoxaemia may result in cardiac arrest, need for mechanical ventilation or death. Nurses frequently make clinical decisions about the selection and management of low-flow oxygen therapy devices. Better understanding of patients' and nurses' experiences of oxygen therapy could inform clinical decisions about oxygen administration using low-flow devices. METHODS: Face-to-face interviews with a convenience sample of 37 adult patients (17 cardio-thoracic: 20 medical surgical) and 25 intensive care unit nurses were conducted from February 2007 to September 2007. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim and then analysed using a thematic analysis approach. FINDINGS: The patients identified three key factors that underpinned their compliance with oxygen therapy: (i) device comfort; (ii) ability to maintain activities of daily living; and (iii) therapeutic effect. The nurses identified factors, such as: (i) therapeutic effect, (ii) issues associated with compliance, (iii) strategies to optimize compliance, (iv) familiarity with device, (v) triggers for changing oxygen therapy devices, as being key to the effective management of oxygen therapy. CONCLUSION: Differences between the patients' and nurses' perspective of oxygen therapy illustrate the variety of factors that impact on effective oxygen administration. Further research should seek to provide a further in-depth understanding of the current oxygen administration practices of nurses and the patient factors that enhance or hinder effectiveness of oxygen therapy. Detailed information about nurse and patient factors that influence oxygen therapy will inform a sound evidence base for nurses' oxygen administration decisions.

Retinopathy of prematurity: an eye toward better outcomes.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) results from the abnormal growth of blood vessels in the vascular bed supporting the developing retina. Estimated to cause up to 500 new cases of blindness in the U.S. each year, ROP affects primarily infants born at less than 1,500 g. Although its etiology is not well understood, ROP is thought to occur as a result of a complex interaction between oxygen and vascular growth factors. This article briefly reviews the history of ROP, discusses its pathophysiology, and addresses the risk factors and strategies for prevention.

The Oxygen Supply and Demand Framework: a tool to support integrative learning.

Critically ill patients are at high risk for inadequate oxygen supply, increased oxygen demand and inadequate cellular oxygenation. Understanding and managing the physiological consequences of critical illness requires nurses to integrate knowledge of patient assessment, physiology and pathophysiology, and critical care interventions into their clinical decision-making. The Oxygen Supply and Demand Framework incorporates interrelated physiological concepts that influence balance between oxygen supply and demand and, consequently, supports an integrated understanding of critically ill patient situations. In this article, we present the Oxygen Supply and Demand Framework as an integrative tool for use by educators, students and critical care nurses to guide the process of patient assessment, interpret data, inform selection of appropriate interventions, and understand the rationale for all aspects of patient management.

Application of prone position in hypoxaemic patients supported by veno-venous ECMO.

INTRODUCTION: Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (VV-ECMO) is an advanced respiratory care therapy allowing replacement of pulmonary gas exchange. Despite VV-ECMO support, some patients may remain hypoxaemic. A possible therapeutic procedure for these patients is the application of prone positioning. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of the present study was to investigate modification of the PaO2/FiO2 ratio, in VV-ECMO patients with refractory hypoxaemia. The secondary aim was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of prone positioning for patients with severe Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome supported by ECMO. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the electronic records and charts of all patients supported by VV-ECMO who experienced at least one pronation. Complications related with prone positioning were also recorded. First PaO2/FiO2 ratio was analysed during four different time steps: before pronation, one hour after pronation, at the end of pronation and one hour after returning to supine. RESULTS: A total of 45 prone positioning manoeuvers were performed in 14 VV-ECMO patients from November 2009 to November 2014. The median duration of prone positioning cycles was 8 hours (IQR 6-10). No accidental dislodgement of intravascular lines, endotracheal tubes, chest tubes or a decrease in ECMO blood flow was observed. During the first prone positioning for each patient, the median PaO2/FiO2 ratio recorded was 123 (IQR 82-135), 152 (93-185), 149 (90-186) and 113 (74-182), during PRE-supine step, 1 h-prone positioning step, END-prone positioning step, and POST-supine step respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The application of prone positioning during VV-ECMO has shown to be a safe and reliable technique when performed in a recognised ECMO centre with the appropriately trained staff and standard procedures.

Respiratory assessment in adults.

Respiratory disorders are among the most common reasons for admission to critical care units in the U.K. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that nursing assessment of patients' respiratory function is not performed well because it is not considered a priority and the implications of respiratory dysfunction are underestimated. It is essential that nurses are able to recognise and assess symptoms. of respiratory dysfunction to provide early, effective and appropriate interventions, thus improving patient outcomes. This article highlights the role of the nurse in respiratory assessment and discusses the implications of clinical findings.

Conducting respiratory assessments in acute care.

Conducting comprehensive respiratory assessments involves extensive data collection and analysis and requires skill and knowledge. Terry Ferns and Irena Chojnacka examine how to approach these assessments systematically and professionally.

Patient care simulations: role playing to enhance clinical understanding.

Role-play techniques can serve as an effective substitute for, and supplement to, simulation technology when teaching clinical nursing skills. They provide risk-free opportunities to practice clinical skills and develop clinical judgment. A two-phase patient care simulation, performed in real time, is described. Students are presented with a scenario and work cooperatively in role-playing appropriate care, with one student using a prepared script to assume the role of patient. The class functions as a resource for four students who assume the nursing role. Students reported increased understanding of course material as a result of participation in the clinical simulation scenario. Faculty observed a decreased failure rate on the corresponding course examination.

The reliability of clinical indicators of oxygenation: a literature review.

Espite oxygen being one of the most frequently administered substances in the hospital environment, there is little empirical data regarding its use. Review of the literature regarding the clinical assessment of hypoxia and hypoxaemia reveals inconsistency in the definition of terms and raises questions as to the reliability of the clinical indicators currently used to assess the need for supplemental oxygen. Assessment of the need for supplemental oxygen and continued re-evaluation of the patient's oxygen requirements is a nursing responsibility. Physical assessment, in combination with pulse oximetry, is the most common method used by nurses to assess oxygenation status. This paper critically appraises the literature to examine the reliability of clinical indicators of oxygenation used by nurses in acute care settings.

Preventing hypoxemia and hemodynamic compromise related to endotracheal suctioning.

OBJECTIVE: To help the clinician bridge the gap between research and practice in determining ways to minimize side effects of endotracheal suctioning. DATA SOURCES: This article summarizes four previous reviews of research and studies published between 1984 and 1991 related to oxygenation techniques before, during and after endotracheal suctioning, and hemodynamic consequences of the suctioning procedure. STUDY SELECTION: Studies were reviewed by type of subject: animals, human subjects with normal lung function, and human subjects with abnormal lung function. Research of pediatric and head-injured populations was excluded from this review. DATA EXTRACTION: Oxygenation protocol, endotracheal suction characteristics, outcomes and measurement times, sample and setting, and findings were presented. CONCLUSIONS: Conclusions relate to the effectiveness of various endotracheal suction protocols on prevention of hypoxemia and hemodynamic compromise in intubated patients. DATA SYNTHESIS: An algorithm to guide clinical decision making is presented based on the conclusions of this review of the research.

Changing perspectives in the assessment of oxygenation.

Changing the perspective of clinical assessment to cellular oxygenation assessment will be a trend in the 1990s, particularly with the development of new technologies. New technologies such as MRI and PET scanning will increase clinicians' ability to assess cellular dysfunction and oxygenation disturbances. Because of improved technology, the focus in assessing oxygenation of the critically ill also will change. Critical care clinicians must accurately identify whether arterial or cellular oxygenation is being assessed. Arterial oxygenation problems are usually a reflection of a loss of hemoglobin or deteriorating lung function (through increased intrapulmonary shunting). Cellular oxygenation problems are more related to the relationship between oxygen delivery and cellular utilization of oxygen. In most critical care situations, cellular oxygenation is the aspect of oxygenation that is of most interest. The more familiar the clinician is with the role oxygen plays in cellular metabolism, the more meaningful the oxygenation assessment becomes. Common nursing techniques for the assessment of oxygenation (eg, physical assessment, blood gases and pulse oximetry) still have a place, but their limited accuracy must be kept in perspective when assessing cellular oxygenation.

Oxygen transport in the blood.

Knowledge of how oxygen is dissolved in the blood, transmitted through the bloodstream, and factors that affect oxygen delivery to body cells, is essential to the nursing management of the critically ill patient whose inherent physiologic mechanisms have been compromised by life-threatening illness. This article begins with a simplified review of respiration, progresses through a discussion of oxygen tension in the blood and hemoglobin transport of oxygen, and ends with a discussion of factors that affect the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve.

Interpreting your patient's oxygenation status.

Interpretation and comparison of arterial blood gases and oximetry readings provide data quickly about a patient's oxygenation status. Factors that alter normal values or interfere with accuracy of readings must be considered. The nurse can use this information to assess the patient's respiratory needs and make appropriate changes in the plan of care.

Clinical application. Using oxygenation profiles to manage patients.

Cellular oxygenation is dependent on both tissue oxygenation and pulmonary oxygenation. The use of profiles can help to make the assessment of tissue and pulmonary oxygenation more thorough. Although oxygenation profiles have limitations, an understanding of them can provide useful information to the critical care nurse. Oxygenation profiles enable the nurse to trend a patient's progress and response to nursing and medical interventions. A sophisticated assessment relies not merely on physical assessment alone but incorporates continuous mixed venous oxygenation and oxygenation profiles to assess a patient's tissue and pulmonary oxygenation status.

Assessment and maintenance of adequate respiration.

In order to make an adequate assessment of and to maintain respiratory function in patients in the intensive care unit, the nursing responsibilities include: (1) Recognition of physiologic and psychologic changes related to respiratory disease. (2) Appreciation of individual reactions to respiratory stressful situations, particularly during periods of hypoxemia and hypercapnia. (3) Awareness that behavioral changes related to changes in respiratory physiology are reversible with corrective respiratory therapy. (4) Skill in implementing the prescribed medical therapy quickly and efficiently and ability to evaluate the patient's response. (5) Assessment and appropriate involvement of the family as an essential factor in the plan for care.