scholarly journals Bundled Consent in US Intensive Care Units

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. e44-e51
Author(s):  
Maria L. Espinosa ◽  
Aaron M. Tannenbaum ◽  
Megha Kilaru ◽  
Jennifer Stevens ◽  
Mark Siegler ◽  
...  

Background Bundled consent, the practice of obtaining anticipatory consent for a predefined set of intensive care unit procedures, increases the rate of informed consent conversations and incorporation of patients’ wishes into medical decision-making without sacrificing patients’ or surrogates’ understanding. However, the adoption rate for this practice in academic and nonacademic centers in the United States is unknown. Objective To determine the national prevalence of use of bundled consent in adult intensive care units and opinions related to bundled consent. Methods A random sample of US hospitals with medical/surgical intensive care units was selected from the AHA [American Hospital Association] Guide. One intensive care unit provider (bedside nurse, nurse manager, or physician) from each hospital was asked to self-reportuse of per-procedure consent versus bundled consent, consent rate for intensive care unit procedures, and opinions about bundled consent. Results Of the 238 hospitals contacted, respondents from 100 (42%) completed the survey; 94% of respondents were nurses. The prevalence of bundled consent use was 15% (95% CI, 9%–24%). Respondents using per-procedure consent were more likely than those using bundled consent to self-report performing invasive procedures without consent. Users of bundled consent unanimously recommended the practice, and 49% of respondents using per-procedure consent reported interest in implementing bundled consent. Results Bundled consent use is uncommon in academic and nonacademic intensive care units, most likely because of conflicting evidence about the effect on patients and surrogate decision makers. Future work is needed to determine if patients, family members, and providers prefer bundled consent over per-procedure consent.

2020 ◽  
pp. 201010582096329
Author(s):  
Semra Bulbuloglu ◽  
Gurkan Kapikiran ◽  
Serdar Saritas

Aim: The study aimed to determine sources of stress and stress levels of nurses working in surgical intensive care units in addition to understanding the stress level in nurses, drawing attention and raising awareness. Material and methods: The study was conducted using a descriptive design with the participation of nurses ( n=132) working in surgical intensive care units of a university hospital. The data were collected through the source of stress identification form and perceived stress scale. The data obtained in the study were transferred to a computer environment, and for statistical analyses, the package for social sciences for Windows 25 software was used. In the analyses of the data, descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance and regression analysis, and the Bonferroni test were employed. Results: It was also determined that 28.8% of the surgical nurses were working in an organ transplant intensive care unit and 25% worked in an anaesthesia intensive care unit, that 49.3% had professional experience of between 6 and 11 years and that 92.4% worked on both day and night shifts. In the study, the rate of nurses who perceived a high level of stress was found to be 45.5%, and it was identified that 78.8% needed training in stress management. Conclusion: Imperative funding and human resources should be provided in order to give nurses problem-solving abilities and a stress management course. The financial support of the managers and spiritual support of health professionals and organising regular meetings with nurses can help nurses to experience less stress.


2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 479-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stacy Hevener ◽  
Barbara Rickabaugh ◽  
Toby Marsh

Background Little information is available on the use of tools in intensive care units to help nurses determine when to restrain a patient. Patients in medical-surgical intensive care units are often restrained for their safety to prevent them from removing therapeutic devices. Research indicates that restraints do not necessarily prevent injuries or removal of devices by patients. Objectives To decrease use of restraints in a medical-surgical intensive care unit and to determine if a decision support tool is useful in helping bedside nurses determine whether or not to restrain a patient. Methods A quasi-experimental study design was used for this pilot study. Data were collected for each patient each shift indicating if therapeutic devices were removed and if restraints were used. An online educational activity supplemented by 1-on-1 discussion about proper use of restraints, alternatives, and use of a restraint decision tool was provided. Frequency of restraint use was determined. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to examine nurses’ perceptions of the decision support tool. Results Use of restraints was reduced 32%. No unplanned extubations or disruption of life-threatening therapeutic devices by unrestrained patients occurred. Conclusions With implementation of the decision support tool, nurses decreased their use of restraints yet maintained patients’ safety. A decision support tool may help nurses who are undecided or who need reassurance on their decision to restrain or not restrain a patient.


2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. e1-e16
Author(s):  
Mary Kay Bader ◽  
Annabelle Braun ◽  
Cherie Fox ◽  
Lauren Dwinell ◽  
Jennifer Cord ◽  
...  

Background The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rippled across the world from Wuhan, China, to the shores of the United States within a few months. Hospitals and intensive care units were suddenly faced with a “tsunami” warning requiring instantaneous implementation and escalation of disaster plans. Evidence Review An evidence-based question was developed and an extensive review of the literature was completed, resulting in a structured plan for the intensive care units to manage a surge of patients critically ill with COVID-19 in March 2020. Twenty-five sources of evidence focusing on pandemic intensive care unit and COVID-19 management laid the foundation for the team to navigate the crisis. Implementation The Critical Care Services task force adopted recommendations from the CHEST consensus statement on surge capacity principles and other sources, which served as the framework for the organized response. The 4 S’s became the focus: space, staff, supplies, and systems. Development of algorithms, workflows, and new processes related to treating patients, staffing shortages, and limited supplies. New intensive care unit staffing solutions were adopted. Evaluation Using a framework based on the literature reviewed, the Critical Care Services task force controlled the surge of patients with COVID-19 in March through May 2020. Patients received excellent care, and the mortality rate was 0.008%. The intensive care unit team had the needed respiratory and general supplies but had to continually adapt to shortages of personal protective equipment, cleaning products, and some medications. Sustainability The intensive care unit pandemic response plan has been established and the team is prepared for the next wave of COVID-19.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerry A. Milner ◽  
Susan Goncalves ◽  
Suzanne Marmo ◽  
Sheri Cosme

Background Evidence indicates that open visitation in adult intensive care units is a best practice for patient- and family-centered care, and nurses substantially influence such visitation patterns. However, it is unclear whether intensive care units in Magnet and Pathway to Excellence (MPE) facilities nationwide implement this in practice. Objective To describe current national visitation practices in adult intensive care units and determine whether they have changed since the last national study, which used data from 2008 to 2009. Methods From February through April 2018, websites of MPE hospitals were reviewed in order to identify their adult intensive care unit visitation policy. If this information was unavailable online, the hospital was telephoned to obtain the policy. From May through August 2018, follow-up telephone calls were made to hospitals that reported open visitation, during which intensive care unit nurses at the hospitals were asked to verify that the policy did not restrict visiting hours or the number, type, or age of visitors. Results Among the 536 MPE hospitals contacted, 51% (n = 274) indicated that they allowed open visitation. Further examination, however, revealed that 64% (n = 175) restricted the number (68.2%), age (59.5%), or type (4.4%) of visitors, or visiting hours (19.8%). Only 18.5% of MPE hospitals (n = 99) allowed unrestricted visitation. Conclusion This study suggests a lack of progress toward implementing open visitation in adult intensive care units nationwide. Research on MPE hospitals that have adopted truly open visitation policies is needed to identify successful methods for implementing and sustaining open visitation.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Menger ◽  
Ian Valerio

Abstract BackgroundCOVID-19 resulted in a worldwide pandemic that at the time of this writing resulted in over 200,000 deaths within the United States. During the pandemic surge in New York City, NY, a number of military Medical Corps (MC) and Nurse Corps (NC) providers were mobilized in direct support of critical care capabilities through expansion intensive care units. In the course of the deployment, high rates of neurological-related manifestations associated with COVID-19 infection were directly observed by our military provider teams which will be described and supporting literature highlighted.Case ReportExperiences of a group of mobilized providers including anesthesiologists, neurosurgeons, and other physician specialists were integrated as attending intensive care unit providers as part of the Navy Medicine Support Team (NMST) during the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Department of Defense (DoD) collective response – i.e. Operation Gotham. Various neurological manifestations diagnosed in patients suffering from COVID-19 infection were identified and are reported to illustrate some of the unique considerations in the care of these critically ill patients. The neurological manifestations of COVID-19 varied in presentation and severity. Cerebral vascular injuries documented included strokes, iatrogenic intraparenchymal hemorrhage, hypoxic-related changes and sequalae, as well as acquired diseases secondary to delayed treatment of other primary neurologic disease states. Hypercoagulable and inflammatory markers (d-dimer, CRP, etc) were commonly elevated, and anticoagulation became a key factor in disease treatment and to help mitigate the downstream neurologic sequalae associated with this disease.ConclusionPatients suffering from COVID-19 infection may suffer severe end organ neurologic compromise that should be directly acknowledged and addressed in both the initial and long-term intensive care unit setting. Familiarity and integration of the latest stroke intervention criteria combined with best possible neurologic examination is critical in the medical management and treatment of these patients. Further investigation is warranted with additional studies delving into the pathophysiologic, radiographic, and clinical levels of COVID-19 infection and manifestations.


2001 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 168-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Minnick ◽  
RM Leipzig ◽  
ME Johnson

BACKGROUND: Use of physical restraints has undesirable sequelae. As they weigh the risks and benefits of protocols for reducing the use of restraints, staff members in intensive care units, where restraints are most used in hospitals, need to know how well elderly patients remember being restrained and how patients perceive the use of restraints. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the proportion of patients who remember being restrained, describe the experience from the patients' perspectives, and describe any distress caused by use of restraints within the overall experience of being in the intensive care unit. METHODS: Transcripts of semistructured, audiotaped interviews of patients who had been in the medical or surgical intensive care unit in any of 3 eastern and midwestern medical centers were analyzed by question and for overall themes. RESULTS: Six patients (40%) remembered some aspect of being restrained but did not report great distress. Patients accepted restraints as needed because of the lack of alternatives. Patients reported remembering that they should not perform certain behaviors but being unable to stop themselves. Patients cited hallucinations and intubation as major stressors in the intensive care unit. Patients' continuing health problems after discharge from the intensive care unit severely limited recruitment of subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Patients do not remember great distress specifically related to the use of restraints, but the overall situation leading to use of restraints is disturbing if remembered. The discovery of methods to reduce the distress of intubation and hallucinations could decrease use of restraints.


2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 451-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Roberts ◽  
Laura Adele Johnson ◽  
Trent L. Lalonde

Background Despite the general belief that mobility and exercise play an important role in the recovery of functional status, mobility is difficult to implement in patients in intensive care units. Objectives To compare a mobility platform with standard equipment, assessing efficiency (decreased time and staff required to prepare patient), effectiveness (increased activity time), and safety (no falls, unplanned tube removals, or emergency situations) for intensive care patients. Methods This observational study was approved by the institutional review board, and informed consent was obtained from the patient or the medical decision maker. Intensive care patients were assigned to a room in the usual manner, with platforms in odd-numbered rooms and standard equipment in even-numbered rooms. Standardized data collection tools were designed to collect data for 24 hours for each patient. The nurses caring for the patients completed the data collection tools in real time during the activity. The stages of activity and the physiological states that would preclude mobility were very specifically defined for the research study. Results Data were collected for a total of 71 patients and 238 activities. Important (although not significant) descriptive statistics regarding early mobility in the intensive care unit were discovered. The unintended result of the research study was a change in the culture and practice regarding early mobility in the intensive care unit. Conclusions Early mobility can be implemented in intensive care units. Standard equipment can be used to mobilize such patients safely; however, for patients who ambulate, a platform may increase efficiency and effectiveness.


2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beth A. Steinberg ◽  
Maryanna Klatt ◽  
Anne-Marie Duchemin

Background Surgical intensive care unit personnel are exposed to catastrophic situations as they care for seriously injured or ill patients. Few interventions have been developed to reduce the negative effects of work stress in this environment. Objective This pilot study evaluated the feasibility of a workplace intervention for increasing resilience to stress. The intervention was implemented within the unique constraints characteristic of surgical intensive care units. Methods Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention or control group. The mindfulness-based intervention included meditation, mild yoga movement, and music and was conducted in a group format 1 hour a week for 8 weeks in a surgical intensive care unit during work hours. Assessments were performed 1 week before and 1 week after the intervention. Results The intervention was well received, with a 97% overall retention rate and 100% retention in the intervention group. Work satisfaction, measured with the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, increased significantly in the intervention group with no change in the control group. Negative correlations were found between the vigor subscale scores of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale and scores for emotional exhaustion on the Maslach Burnout Inventory and scores for burnout on the Professional Quality of Life scale. Participants rated recognizing their stress response as a main benefit of the intervention. Conclusion Workplace group interventions aimed at decreasing the negative effects of stress can be applied within hospital intensive care units. Despite many constraints, attendance at weekly sessions was high. Institutional support was critical for implementation of this program.


Critical Care ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. R162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Stelfox ◽  
Sofia B Ahmed ◽  
Farah Khandwala ◽  
David Zygun ◽  
Reza Shahpori ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 47-56
Author(s):  
Julie Rogan ◽  
Megan Zielke ◽  
Kelly Drumright ◽  
Leanne M. Boehm

Background Although diaries are an evidence-based practice that improves the quality of life of patients in an intensive care unit and their loved ones, centers in the United States are struggling to successfully implement diary programs in intensive care units. Currently, few published recommendations address how to facilitate implementation of a diary program, and how to effectively sustain it, in an intensive care unit. Objectives To discuss challenges with implementing diary programs in intensive care units at 2 institutions in the United States, and to identify solutions that were operationalized to overcome these perceived difficulties. Methods The teams from the 2 institutions identified local barriers to implementing diaries in their intensive care units. Both groups developed standard operating procedures that outlined the execution and evaluation phases of their implementation projects. Results Barriers to implementation include liability and patient privacy, diary program development, and implementation and sustainability concerns. Various strategies can help maintain clinical and family member engagement. Conclusion Through a team’s sustained dedication and a diligent assessment of perceived obstacles, a diary program can indeed be implemented within an intensive care unit.


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