Clinical epidemiology and outcomes of ventilator-associated pneumonia in critically ill adult patients: protocol for a large-scale systematic review and planned meta-analysis.

Background: An increasing number of studies have investigated the clinical epidemiology and outcomes of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in intensive care units. However, these findings have not been clearly defined in broad subgroups of mechanically ventilated adults. Hence, this protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis is designed to better understand the clinical and epidemiological features of VAP in these patient populations by establishing its overall prognosis of and risk factors for morbidity and mortality and to determine the differences in clinical and economic outcomes between VAP and non-VAP patients.

Evidence for Therapeutic Patient Education Interventions to Promote Cardiovascular Patient Self-Management: A Scientific Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association.

Background: The burden of cardiovascular disease as a chronic illness increasingly requires patients to assume more responsibility for their self-management. Patient education is believed to be an essential component of cardiovascular care; however, there is limited evidence about specific therapeutic patient education approaches used and the impact on patient self-management outcomes.

Methods And Results: An integrative review of the literature was conducted to critically analyze published research studies of therapeutic patient education for self-management in selected cardiovascular conditions.

Transitional care models: preventing readmissions for high-risk patient populations.

Transition from hospital to home is a vulnerable period for older adults with multiple chronic conditions. A pilot of the Transitional Care Model at a community hospital reduced readmission rates for patients with heart failure by 48%. This article shares the experience of a large metropolitan health care system in expanding transitional care across facilities to decrease readmission rates.

Disparities in cardiac care for patients with complex cardiovascular care needs.

The United States continues to have a prevailing public health problem related to disparities in healthcare. Factors contributing to disparities include ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, educational level, geographic location, and hospital characteristics. In cardiovascular care, gaps in care have been associated with lack of conformity to evidence-based therapies known to improve clinical outcomes, including survival, quality of life, and freedom from rehospitalization.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension.

PAH is a chronic disease requiring lifelong therapy, regardless of chosen treatment options. Nurses and other providers must allow for open, honest discussion on the risks and benefits of each therapy. Determining the best treatment option for patients requires consideration of the patient's overall function and social support.