Clinical Nurse Specialist: A Critical Member of the ICU Team.

Objectives: To describe the role of the clinical nurse specialist, an advanced practice registered nurse in the intensive care setting. The value and impact of the clinical nurse specialist role as a member of the ICU is presented along with a review of clinical nurse specialist education, licensure, and certification requirements as well as a description of the clinical nurse specialist role, scope of practice, and competencies. In addition, a selected review of clinical nurse specialist-led quality improvement and research that resulted in improved patient outcomes is provided.

Reducing central line-associated bloodstream infection in contaminated central venous catheters: case studies of a pediatric contamination guideline.

Healthcare organizations have prioritized patient safety and quality improvement efforts to reduce central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). Implementation of central venous catheter (CVC) insertion and maintenance bundles have significantly reduced infection rates. Nevertheless, CLABSIs continue to be a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in hospitals, and further efforts are necessary to improve CVC care practices.

A Prospective Study of Family Engagement for Prevention of Central Line-associated Blood Stream Infections.

Introduction: We sought to determine if a family-centered care (FCC) handout intervention designed to encourage family engagement (FE) in the prevention of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) would alter parental perceptions of FCC and improve staff compliance with CLABSI bundle components.

Methods: A prospective quasiexperimental study of 121 legal guardians of children with a central venous catheter (CVC) admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Baseline (n = 59) and intervention (n = 62) groups of parents completed an 18-question online survey assessing basic CLABSI care practices and FCC principles.

Clinical Nurse Specialist: A Critical Member of the ICU Team.

Objectives: To describe the role of the clinical nurse specialist, an advanced practice registered nurse in the intensive care setting. The value and impact of the clinical nurse specialist role as a member of the ICU is presented along with a review of clinical nurse specialist education, licensure, and certification requirements as well as a description of the clinical nurse specialist role, scope of practice, and competencies. In addition, a selected review of clinical nurse specialist-led quality improvement and research that resulted in improved patient outcomes is provided.

Clinical Nurse Specialist: A Critical Member of the ICU Team.

Objectives: To describe the role of the clinical nurse specialist, an advanced practice registered nurse in the intensive care setting. The value and impact of the clinical nurse specialist role as a member of the ICU is presented along with a review of clinical nurse specialist education, licensure, and certification requirements as well as a description of the clinical nurse specialist role, scope of practice, and competencies. In addition, a selected review of clinical nurse specialist-led quality improvement and research that resulted in improved patient outcomes is provided.