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Aust Crit Care 2022 Jun 19. Epub 2022 Jun 19.

School of Nursing and Midwifery, Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong, 3220, Australia; Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research in the Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong, 3220, Australia; Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research in the Institute for Health Transformation - Monash Health Partnership, Monash Health, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia. Electronic address:

Background: Education guidelines and professional practice standards inform the design of postgraduate critical care nursing curricula to develop safety and quality competencies for high-quality care in complex environments. Alignment between nurses' motivations for undertaking postgraduate critical care education, and intended course learning outcomes, may impact students' success and satisfaction with programs.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to explore nurses' motivations and desired learning outcomes on commencement of a postgraduate critical care course and determine how these align with safety and quality professional attributes. Read More

Aust Crit Care 2022 Jun 16. Epub 2022 Jun 16.

Surgery Intensive Care Unit, Kosin University Gospel Hospital, Busan, South Korea.

Objective: Sleep disturbance and delirium are common problems experienced by critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). These interrelated issues increase the length of stay in the ICU but might also negatively affect long-term health outcomes. The objective of this study was to identify the nonpharmacological interventions provided to improve sleep or prevent delirium in ICU patients or both and integrate their effect sizes. Read More

Aust Crit Care 2022 Jun 16. Epub 2022 Jun 16.

Toxicology Department, Hospital Universitario Rio Hortega, Valladolid. School of Medicine, Universidad de Valladolid, Avda. Ramón y Cajal, 7, 47005, Valladolid, Spain. Electronic address:

Aust Crit Care 2022 Jul;35(4):332-333

Department of Intensive Care, Haga Teaching Hospital, Den Haag, the Netherlands; Section General Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Location VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Aust Crit Care 2022 Jul;35(4):331

Curtin University and Perth Children's Hospital, Editor Australian Critical Care, Australia.

Aust Crit Care 2022 Jun 7. Epub 2022 Jun 7.

Physiotherapy Department, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address:

Background And Purpose: Lung ultrasound (LUS) is an emerging tool for acute respiratory physiotherapists. In Australia, there are a select few LUS training courses run for physiotherapists. Research to date has evaluated LUS training courses for physiotherapists in terms of knowledge and skill acquisition. Read More

Aust Crit Care 2022 May 23. Epub 2022 May 23.

Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia. Electronic address:

Objectives: The objective of this review was to methodologically identify, appraise, and synthesise the primary research reporting the effectiveness of interventions to reduce ventriculostomy-associated infections in adult and paediatric neurosurgical patients with an external ventricular drain (EVD).

Review Method Used: Systematic review DATA SOURCES: A systematic search of five databases was conducted: MEDLINE, CINAHL Plus, Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane Central.

Review Methods: Key search terms and their variations included external ventricular drain and ventriculostomy-associated infection. Read More

Aust Crit Care 2022 May 23. Epub 2022 May 23.

Nursing Care Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran. Electronic address:

Background: Admission to the coronary care units (CCUs) and the patient's reduced interaction with family are regarded as important sources of anxiety. Family participation in care programs is pivotal to patient outcomes.

Objectives: The present study was conducted to determine the effect of a care program based on family participation on anxiety in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Read More

Aust Crit Care 2022 May 22. Epub 2022 May 22.

Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia; Centre for Integrated Critical Care, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address:

Background: Clinical deterioration requiring rapid response team (RRT) review is associated with increased morbidity amongst hospitalised patients. The frequency of and association with RRT calls in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery is unknown. Understanding the epidemiology of RRT calls might identify areas for quality improvement in this cohort. Read More

Aust Crit Care 2022 May 21. Epub 2022 May 21.

Department of Intensive Care, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen O, Denmark. Electronic address:

Background: Intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired dysphagia has severe consequences for patients including increased morbidity and mortality. Standard operating procedures, however, including systematic evaluation of swallowing function and access to specialised assessment and training may be limited. Dysphagia management relies on multiprofessional collaboration, but practice is variable and nonstandardised. Read More

Aust Crit Care 2022 May 21. Epub 2022 May 21.

Department of PICU, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 40015, China.

Objective: The objectives of this study were to investigate paediatric nurses' knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding the use of physical restraints and to explore the factors related to the use of physical restraints. Findings will provide a reference to develop standard procedures and training.

Background: Nurses' KAP regarding the use of physical restraints affect the use of physical restraints in the paediatric intensive care unit and neonatal intensive care unit. Read More

Aust Crit Care 2022 May 17. Epub 2022 May 17.

Department of Critical and Invasive-Palliative Care Nursing, Graduate School of Health Care Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan. Electronic address:

Background: Delirium in patients in the intensive care unit is associated with adverse outcomes. Nurses experience many difficulties in caring for those with delirium, which can lead to nurse burnout, prevent effective care for patients, and negatively impact the patient. The identification of factors creating challenges for nurses is, therefore, important to enable intervention. Read More

Aust Crit Care 2022 May 14. Epub 2022 May 14.

Clinical Research in Intensive Care and Sepsis (CRICS) Group, France; CHRU de Tours - Hôpital Bretonneau Service de Réanimation Polyvalente, 2 bis, Boulevard Tonnelle, 37044, Tours, CEDEX 09, France.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the predictive performance of pulse oximetry (SpO) to rule out hypoxaemia and hyperoxia in critically ill patients.

Methods: SpO, arterial oxygenation (SaO), and arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO) were prospectively and simultaneously measured every 6 h during the first 24 h of intensive care unit admission in a multicentre cohort of critically ill patients suffering acute circulatory failure. Likelihood ratios associated with different cutoff values of SpO to rule out hypoxaemia (SaO < 90% or PaO < 60 mmHg) or hyperoxia (SaO > 95% or PaO > 100 mmHg) and post-test probabilities were calculated. Read More

Aust Crit Care 2022 May 4. Epub 2022 May 4.

Nursing, Midwifery Education and Research Unit, Gold Coast University Hospital, Queensland, Australia; Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, Australia.

Background: Up to 40% of patients with traumatic injury experience critical bleeding, many requiring transfusion of blood products. International transfusion guidelines recommend the use of viscoelastic testing to guide blood product replacement. We implemented a Point of Care ROTEM® blood test for trauma patients who present and initiate a trauma activation. Read More

Aust Crit Care 2022 Apr 29. Epub 2022 Apr 29.

Flinders University, Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Australia. Electronic address:

Background: Person-centred nonpharmacological strategies should be used whenever possible to reduce agitation in the intensive care unit due to issues related to an overreliance on physical restraints and psychoactive drugs. However, the effect of nonpharmacological interventions to reduce agitation is unclear.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to systematically review studies that evaluate the effectiveness of nonpharmacological interventions designed to prevent and minimise or manage patient agitation in the adult intensive care unit. Read More

Aust Crit Care 2022 Apr 1. Epub 2022 Apr 1.

Deakin University, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Centre for Quality and Patient Safety, Research, Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia; Alfred Health, 55 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia. Electronic address:

Introduction: In 2020, during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Melbourne, visitor access to acute hospitals including intensive care units (ICUs) was initially barred, followed by a limit of one person per patient for one hour per day. This study explores the care and communication experienced by family members of ICU patients during this time.

Methods: This qualitative descriptive study was conducted at an Australian quaternary hospital. Read More

Aust Crit Care 2022 05;35(3):217-218

Department of Physiotherapy, Western Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Critical Care, School of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.

Aust Crit Care 2022 Apr 27. Epub 2022 Apr 27.

Centre for Neuroscience of Speech, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Neurodegeneration, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brian Research, Tübingen, Germany; Redenlab, Mebourne, Australia.

Background: There is a paucity of literature in Australia on patient-focused tracheostomy outcomes and process outcomes. Exploration of processes of care enables teams to identify and address existing barriers that may prevent earlier therapeutic interventions that could improve patient outcomes following critical care survival.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to examine and provide baseline data and associations between tracheostomy clinical practices and patient outcomes across three large metropolitan hospitals. Read More

Aust Crit Care 2022 Apr 27. Epub 2022 Apr 27.

Northern New South Wales Local Health District, 89 Tamar St, Ballina, NSW, 2478, Australia; Southern Cross University School of Health & Human Sciences, Southern Cross Drive, Bilinga, QLD, 4225, Australia. Electronic address:

Background: Internationally, rapid response systems have been implemented to recognise and categorise hospital patients at risk of deterioration. Whilst rapid response systems have been implemented with a varying amount of success, there remains ongoing concern about the lack of improvement in the escalation, and management of the deteriorating patient. It also remains unclear why some clinicians fail to escalate concerns for the deteriorating patient. Read More

Aust Crit Care 2022 Apr 27. Epub 2022 Apr 27.

Grand Ouest Poison Control and Toxicovigilance Center, Angers University Hospital, 4 Rue Larrey, 49933, Angers, France; UNIV Angers, CHU Angers, Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), UMR_S1085, F-49000, Angers, France.

Background: Whole-bowel irrigation (WBI) is a strategy of gastrointestinal decontamination, recommended by several European and American learned societies, which may be used in the management of the poisoned patients.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to describe the feasibility and tolerability of this technique and to compare the clinical outcome of a group of poisoned patients treated with WBI versus that of an untreated group.

Methods: This was a retrospective and observational study of data recorded by the Angers Poison Control Centre (PCC) between 2012 and 2018. Read More

Aust Crit Care 2022 Apr 27. Epub 2022 Apr 27.

Department of Fundamental and Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing. University of Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; GRIN-IDIBELL, Institute of Biomedical Research, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; International Research Project for the Humanization of Health Care, Proyecto HU-CI. Collado Villalba, Madrid, Spain.

Background: Patient satisfaction with nursing care is an indicator of patient satisfaction with the hospital stay in general. The Nursing Intensive Care Satisfaction Scale is the only scale about patient satisfaction with nursing care received in an intensive care unit that incorporates the critically ill patient's perspective into its design and validation. We validated the scale nationally, incorporating intensive care units at public and private hospitals of different levels of complexity in Spain. Read More

Aust Crit Care 2022 Jul 25;35(4):335. Epub 2022 Mar 25.

Department of Emergency Medicine, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy.

Aust Crit Care 2022 Apr 26. Epub 2022 Apr 26.

Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.

Aust Crit Care 2022 Jul 18;35(4):334. Epub 2022 Mar 18.

Intensive Care Unit, Hospital Morales Mesenguer, Murcia, Spain. Electronic address:

Aust Crit Care 2022 Apr 25. Epub 2022 Apr 25.

Chonnam National University College of Nursing, 160 Baekseoro, Donggu, Gwangju, 61469, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:

Background: Pressure injuries (PIs) are a well-known complication of critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit with targeted temperature management (TTM) after cardiac arrest (CA). However, little is known about the factors that impact the occurrence of PIs among these patients.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine factors related to the occurrence of PIs among patients after CA treated with TTM. Read More

Aust Crit Care 2022 Apr 12. Epub 2022 Apr 12.

Critical Care Research Group, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Adult Intensive Care Services, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Physiotherapy Department, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Electronic address:

Background: Workplace violence comprises abuse, assaults, threats, and harassment. Reaching epidemic proportions in healthcare, workplace violence compromises staff and patient safety and service efficiency and effectiveness. Although workplace violence is a nontrivial problem in intensive care, little is known about circumstances in which violence occurs in this setting. Read More

Aust Crit Care 2022 Mar 31. Epub 2022 Mar 31.

Research Department Emergency and Critical Care, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Studies, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; IQ Healthcare, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Foundation Family and Patient Centered Intensive Care, Alkmaar, the Netherlands.

Background: Family participation in essential care activities may benefit both patients and relatives.

Objectives: In this integrative review, we aimed to identify needs, perceptions, preferences, and capacities regarding family participation in essential care in intensive care units (ICUs) from the patient's, relatives', and ICU healthcare providers' perspective.

Review Method Used: An integrative review method was used. Read More

Aust Crit Care 2022 Mar 28. Epub 2022 Mar 28.

School of Medicine and Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia; Intensive Care Unit, St George Hospital NSW, Australia.

Background: Sleep disturbance is common in intensive care patients. Understanding the accuracy of simple, feasible sleep measurement techniques is essential to informing their possible role in usual clinical care.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate whether sleep monitoring techniques such as actigraphy (ACTG), behavioural assessments, and patient surveys are comparable with polysomnography (PSG) in accurately reporting sleep quantity and quality among conscious, intensive care patients. Read More

Aust Crit Care 2022 Mar 24. Epub 2022 Mar 24.

School of Allied Health Sciences, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia.

Background: Critical care outreach teams support ward staff to manage patients who are seriously ill or after discharge from the intensive care unit (ICU). Respiratory deterioration is a common reason for (re)admission to the ICU. Physiotherapists are health professionals with skills to address acute respiratory concerns. Read More

Aust Crit Care 2022 Mar 24. Epub 2022 Mar 24.

The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, Australia; Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Research Centre, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Australia.

Objectives: Economic evaluations of intensive care unit (ICU) interventions have specific considerations, including how to cost ICU stays and accurately measure quality of life in survivors. The aim of this article was to develop best practice recommendations for economic evaluations alongside future ICU randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

Review Methods: We collated our experience based on expert consensus across several recent economic evaluations to provide best-practice, practical recommendations for researchers conducting economic evaluations alongside RCTs in the ICU. Read More