Hello world!
Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!
Archive for date: January 28th, 2015
Hello world!
Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!
Hello world!
Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!
Hello world!
Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!
Hello world!
Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!
Hello world!
Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!
Hello world!
Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!
Hello world!
Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!
Week 4 – ICU sedation
Many mechanically ventilated patients in the ICU receive sedative drugs to decrease anxiety, provide comfort, and ease treatments. The exact level of sedation varies depending on the medical condition of the patient and their specific treatment needs. The level of sedation is measured by nurses or physicians according to the Ramsay scale or the Richmond agitation sedation scale (RASS). Jackson, Proudfoot, Cann, and Walsh investigated the impact of sedation practices on both patient safety and economic outcomes through a systematic review of literature. The review indicated a strong association between duration of ICU stay and ventilation times. There was also evidence of reduction in ICU-acquired pneumonia and short-term mortality in many cases. Daily sedation breaks deemed beneficial to patients as well. The quality and nature of standard care, and patient case are important determinants on the impact of changes within individual ICUs. Sedation practice is likely to influence health care costs and the improvement of sedation practice benefits not only the patient, but also reduces costs.
I agree with the article that there is a strong association between duration of ICU stay and ventilation times because the longer that patients are on a ventilator, the longer their stay in the hospital becomes. I’ve had a patient who was on a ventilator for numerous weeks and ended up being in the hospital for over 2 months. The next step is to find other alternatives for ventilated patients besides sedation in order to shorten their hospital stay.
References:
Jackson, D. L., Proudfood, C.W., Cann, K.F., & Walsh, T. (2010). A systematic review of the impact of sedation practice in the ICU on resource use, costs and patient safety. Critical Care, 14(2). doi:10.1186/cc8956
Models Do Not Just Grace the Cover of Vogue…
I believe a role model is an individual that you look up to and try to emulate. It is someone who has a positive influence on you and pushes you to be better. It is someone you look at and think, “If they can do it, so can I!”
To me, a role model is an individual that is approachable, understanding, positive, helpful, knowledgeable, and open-minded. It is a person that will give you their undivided attention and will help you in anyway they can (or direct you to individuals who can assist you when they are at a loss).
Some of the differences between the behaviors I listed above and my own are that at times, I feel that I am not completely as understanding as I should be. I know individuals have the right to their own opinions and actions, but when I see that someone is doing something that will end up affecting them or others in a negative way, it is hard for me to understand their particular view. It is something I need to work at.
Actions that I can take to become a better role model are to practice my listening skills. I feel that this will slowly teach me to not immediately judge a person’s view or action that I particularly do not agree with. Instead, I will learn to step into their shoes and see why they feel the way they do. People have the right to their opinion and I have to learn to respect and understand them.
