Changes in nursing team composition and risk of device-associated infection in intensive care units.

The relationship between nursing staffing levels and healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) has been explored previously with conflicting results. This study uses daily shift records from 2 intensive care units (ICUs) to evaluate whether nuanced changes in nursing team composition impacts subsequent risk for device associated HAIs. Staffing deficiencies may be associated with periods of risk prior to central line-associated bloodstream infection in the ICU.

Influence of muscle strength on early mobility in critically ill adult patients: Systematic literature review.

Background: Muscle strength may be one indicator of readiness to mobilize that can be used to guide decisions regarding early mobility efforts and to progressively advance mobilization.

Objectives: To provide a synthesis of current measures of muscle strength in the assessment of early mobilization in critically ill adult patients who are receiving MV therapy.

Methods: Research studies conducted between 2000-2015 were identified using PubMed, CINHAL, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews databases using the search terms "muscle strength", "intensive care", "mechanical ventilation" and "muscle weakness".