The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of 0.12% chlorhexidine rinses and an oral care protocol on ventilator-associated pneumonia rates. A quasi-experimental preintervention-postintervention design was used. The sample included all patients admitted to critical care and on mechanical ventilation at any time during the study period. Data were collected 6 months before and 12 months after intervention. Ventilator-associated pneumonia rates were reduced from 4.3 to 1.86 per 1000 ventilator-days during the study period, with an estimated cost avoidance of $700,000 to $798,000.
he Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) is a transformational leader that facilitates change by improving patient outcomes. The CNL is the first master's-prepared nursing role introduced since the NP in 1965. 1 This role evolved as a collaborative effort between nursing practice and nursing education, in response to the growing realization of the critical issues facing our complex system of care. Our dynamic healthcare system serves as a catalyst for multiple preventable medical errors each year. 2 The CNL role evolved as an effort to provide the crucial link in minimizing fragmentation of care at the microsystem (unit) level by impacting patient management at the point of care.The CNL functions within a unit microsystem, using a generalist approach to assume accountability for patient outcomes for a specific population. He or she places a high priority on patient satisfaction and can T
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