A Conceptual Framework for Sustainable Evidence-Based Design for Aligning Therapeutic and Sustainability Outcomes in Healthcare Facilities: A Systematic Literature Review.

The aim of this systematic review was to identify which aspects of evidence-based design (EBD) and sustainable design principles overlap based on evidence in the peer reviewed academic literature. By doing so, the study enables hospital infrastructure design decisions that prioritize both sustainability outcomes (sustainable hospital infrastructure design) and therapeutic (EBD) outcomes. Healthcare facilities need to adapt to the future demands from a changing climate, demographic shifts, and economic restraints.

Art, Objects, and Beautiful Stories: A "New" Approach to Spiritual Care.

The use of story, and the use of art or various arts-based techniques have become popular in a number of helping professions, including spiritual care. There remains a gap in the literature, however, in which an approach comprised of both story and art or objects is explored. This paper addresses this gap by discussing the experience, theory, benefits, and technique of combining story and art or object-based techniques for the provision of spiritual care.

Visitation policies and practices in US ICUs.

Introduction: Prior reports suggest that restrictive ICU visitation policies can negatively impact patients and their loved ones. However, visitation practices in US ICUs, and the hospital factors associated with them, are not well described.

Methods: A telephone survey was made of ICUs, stratified by US region and hospital type (community, federal, or university), between 2008 and 2009.

Intensive insulin therapy for acute hyperglycemia.

There is growing evidence that control of hyperglycemia in the critically ill patient improves outcome. Normalizing blood glucose levels decreases the risk of developing sepsis, end-organ damage, and hospital mortality. Critical care clinicians must be familiar with current and benchmark research supporting control of hyperglycemia and use this knowledge to ensure appropriate application of evidence-based practice for decreasing or preventing complications in the critically ill patient.