Pressure injuries (PIs) are a common problem associated with poor outcomes for patients such as increased hospital length of stay, higher mortality rates, decreased patient satisfaction, and significant health care costs. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have considered PIs a “never event” since 2008. Although various nursing interventions have been used to decrease PIs, many intensive care unit (ICU) patients continue to experience this condition.
Freeman and colleagues evaluated the effects of using specialty, silklike bed linens to reduce PI occurrence in adult cardiac and surgical ICU patients. They found the following:
In addition, the specialty linens were 3 times more durable than cotton linens. The authors recommend use of specialty linens along with standard PI prevention care.
See Article, pp 474–481
Compassion fatigue is often unrecognized in health care professionals who work with patients undergoing traumatic or extremely stressful events. It comprises a combination of psychological and...
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