A focused intervention primarily directed at the ICU nursing staff can lead to a dramatic decrease in the incidence of primary bloodstream infections. Educational programs may lead to a substantial decrease in cost, morbidity, and mortality attributable to central venous catheterization.

The implementation of a simple, low-cost oral care protocol in the surgical intensive care unit led to a significantly decreased risk of acquiring ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Background Critically ill patients have a variety of unique risk factors for pressure injury. Identification of these risk factors is essential to prevent pressure injury in this population. Objective To identify factors predicting the development of pressure injury in critical care patients using a large data set from the PhysioNet MIMIC-III (Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care) clinical database. Methods Data for 1460 patients were extracted from the database. Variables that were significant in bivariate analyses were used in a final logistic regression model. A final set of significant variables from the logistic regression was used to develop a decision tree model. Results In regression analysis, cardiovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, pneumonia or influenza, cardiovascular surgery, hemodialysis, norepinephrine administration, hypotension, septic shock, moderate to severe malnutrition, sex, age, and Braden Scale score on admission to the intensive care unit were all predictive of pressure injury. Decision tree analysis revealed that patients who received norepinephrine, were older than 65 years, had a length of stay of 10 days or less, and had a Braden Scale score of 15 or less had a 63.6% risk of pressure injury. Conclusion Determining pressure injury risk in critically ill patients is complex and challenging. One common pathophysiological factor is impaired tissue oxygenation and perfusion, which may be nonmodifiable. Improved risk quantification is needed and may be realized in the near future by leveraging the clinical information available in the electronic medical record through the power of predictive analytics.

This article has been designated for CE contact hour(s). The evaluation tests your knowledge of the following objectives: Background Although most intensive care patients are at risk for pressure ulcers, not all experience such ulcers.Objective To examine a model of variables related to extrinsic and intrinsic pressure on skin and underlying tissues, oxygenation, perfusion, and baseline comorbid conditions to identify risk factors associated with pressure ulcers in critically ill adults. Method A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients identified by weekly rounds from January 2010 through October 2010 to determine the prevalence of pressure ulcers. Variables were analyzed via bivariate analysis and logistic regression for unit-acquired pressure ulcers. Results Data on 345 patients with 436 intensive care admissions were reviewed. Variables were significant in each model category at P < .05. In the regression analysis of first admission only (n = 306), the model was significant (P < .001) and yielded correct classification of 86.3% of patients. For all intensive care admissions (n = 391), the model was significant (P < .001) and yielded correct classification of 83.9% of patients. In both models, 4 of the same variables were significant: any transport off the unit, number of days to bed change, systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg, and use of more than 1 vasopressor. History of pulmonary disease and presence of a feeding tube were also significant in regression analyses. Conclusions Several variables within the model of pressure, oxygenation, and perfusion were significantly associated with development of pressure ulcers.

A closed-book, multiple-choice examination following this article tests your under standing of the following objectives:1. Explain the importance of checking for pressure ulcers. 2. Identify areas of high risk for skin breakdown. 3. Enumerate advantages of wearing a full-face mask.To read this article and take the CE test online, visit www.ajcconline.org and click "CE Articles in This Issue. " No CE test fee for AACN members.Background Device-related pressure ulcers from noninvasive ventilation masks alter skin integrity and cause patients discomfort. Objective To examine the incidence, location, and stage of pressure ulcers and patients' comfort with a nasal-oral mask compared with a full-face mask. Methods A before-after study of a convenience sample of patients with noninvasive ventilation orders in 5 intensive care units was conducted. Two groups of 100 patients each received either the nasal-oral mask or the full-face mask. Skin was assessed before the mask was applied and every 12 hours after that or upon mask removal. Comfort levels were assessed every 12 hours on a Likert scale of 1 to 5 (1, most comfortable). Results A pressure ulcer developed in 20% of patients in the nasal-oral mask group and 2% of patients in the full-face mask group (P < .001). Comfort scores were significantly lower (more comfortable) with the full-face mask (mean [SD], 1.9 [1.1]) than with the nasal-oral mask (mean [SD], 2.7 [1.2], P < .001). Neither mean hours worn nor percentage adherence differed significantly: 28.9 (SD, 27.2) hours and 92% for full-face mask and 25 (SD, 20.7) and 92% for nasal-oral mask. No patients who had a pressure ulcer develop with the nasal-oral mask had a pressure ulcer develop with the full-face mask. Conclusion The full-face mask resulted in significantly fewer pressure ulcers and was more comfortable for patients. The full-face mask is a reasonable alternative to traditional nasal-oral masks for patients receiving noninvasive ventilation. (American Journal of Critical Care. 2015;24:349-357) 1 The goal of noninvasive ventilation is to relieve symptoms associated with hypoventilation, exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or impending respiratory failure; enhance gas exchange; maximize patients' comfort; and avoid intubation and invasive ventilation.1,2 Use of noninvasive ventilation is associated with device-related development of pressure ulcers under the mask. Published rates for the incidence of facial pressure ulcers associated with noninvasive ventilation masks range from 10% to 31%.3-5 Identification of device-related pressure ulcers, such as those associated with noninvasive ventilation masks, is becoming more common. [6][7][8] No research related to interventions to reduce the incidence or severity of pressure ulcers associated with noninvasive ventilation was found. However, several non-research-based recommendations were found in the literature. The Minnesota Hospital Association and recently the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) recommended consideration o...

0.9% sodium chloride and heparin flushing solutions have similar rates of lumen nonpatency. Given potential safety concerns with the use of heparin, 0.9% sodium chloride may be the preferred flushing solution for short-term use central venous catheter maintenance.

A mandatory verbal review of a checklist covering a wide range of objectives and goals at each patient's bedside is an effective method to improve both consideration and implementation of intensive care unit best practices. A bedside checklist is a simple, cost-effective method to prevent errors of omission in basic domains of intensive care unit management that might otherwise be forgotten in the setting of more urgent care requirements.

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