A survey of nurses' beliefs about the medical emergency team system in a canadian tertiary hospital.

Background: Nurses are the primary activators of the medical emergency team (MET). Although the MET system can empower nurses to seek help in managing acutely ill patients, few data on nurses' beliefs about the system are available.

Objective: To evaluate nurses' beliefs and behaviors about the MET system.

Accuracy of glycemic measurements in the critically ill.

Background: Recent evidence emphasizes the importance of maintaining normoglycemia in critically ill patients to reduce morbidity and mortality. Different analytical methods of varying accuracy exist for obtaining and measuring blood glucose in critically ill patients. The purpose of this study was to determine if there were differences in blood glucose values measured by whole blood capillary and arterial samples using three different bedside blood glucose meters and a blood gas analyzer as compared to a reference blood glucose analyzer.

Knowledge and skill acquisition for critical care nursing practice.

In many critical care units, extended orientation or education programs have been offered to prepare the registered nurse to work in this specialty area. Current shortages of nurses and less experienced nurses applying for critical care positions have augmented the need for educational programs. In the Edmonton region, a partnership between two public institutions led to the development and implementation of an innovative educational program.