Optimizing seating in the intensive care unit for patients with impaired mobility.

Background: Having intensive care patients sit out of bed improves their respiration and psyche and reduces complications of immobilization.

Objectives: To compare seating interface pressures to determine a preferred seating surface for patients sitting out of bed.

Method: The study was conducted in 2 phases among intensive care patients with impaired mobility who could sit out of bed.

A qualitative exploration of nurse's perception of Critical Outreach Service: a before and after study.

Background: Critical Care Outreach Services (CCOS) have been reported to streamline the transfer of patients from the intensive care unit (ICU) to the wards and provide a follow-up service supporting ward staff to provide optimum care for patients discharged from ICU.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of nursing staff before and after the introduction of a CCOS at three adult teaching hospitals in Perth, Western Australia.

Methods: Exploratory focus groups were conducted with registered nurses (RNs) at each of the participating hospitals prior to and 6 months after the introduction of a CCOS.

Clinical effectiveness of a critical care nursing outreach service in facilitating discharge from the intensive care unit.

Background: Improved discharge planning and extension of care to the general care unit for patients transferring from intensive care may prevent readmission to the intensive care unit and prolonged hospital stays. Morbidity, mortality, and costs increase in readmitted intensive care patients.

Objectives: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of a critical care nursing outreach service in facilitating discharge from the intensive care unit and providing follow-up in general care areas.

Discharge delay, room for improvement?

Aim: Patients treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) and identified as suitable for discharge to the ward should have their discharge planned and expedited to improve patient outcomes and manage resources efficiently. We examined the hypothesis that the introduction of a critical care outreach role would decrease the frequency of discharge delay from ICU.

Methods: Discharge delay was compared for two 6-month periods: (1) after introduction of the outreach role in 2008 and (2) in 2000/2001 (from an earlier study).

Introduction of discharge plan to reduce adverse events within 72 hours of discharge from the ICU.

We examined the effect of introducing a discharge plan on the occurrence of adverse events within 72 hours of intensive care unit discharge. The study excluded discharges to home or to another institution and "not-for-resuscitation" patients. The adverse events rate was 23%, of which 37% were considered to be preventable.