Imagine working in an environment where all patients undergoing mechanical ventilation are alert, calm, and delirium free. Envision practicing in an environment where nonvocal patients can effectively express their need for better pain control, repositioning, or emotional reassurance. Picture an intensive care unit where a nurse-led, interprofessional team practices evidence-based, patient-centered care focused on preserving and/or restoring their clients’ physical, functional, and neurocognitive abilities. A recently proposed bundle of practices for the intensive care unit could advance the current practice environment toward this idealized environment. The Awakening and Breathing Coordination, Delirium Monitoring and Management, and Early Mobility (ABCDE) bundle incorporates the best available evidence related to delirium, immobility, sedation/analgesia, and ventilator management in the intensive care unit for adoption into everyday clinical practice.
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1 April 2012
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April 01 2012
Critical Care Nurses’ Role in Implementing the “ABCDE Bundle” Into Practice
Michele C. Balas, RN, PhD, APRN-NP, CCRN;
Michele C. Balas is an assistant professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Nursing in Omaha and a former John A. Hartford Foundation Building Academic Geriatric Nursing Capacity predoctoral scholar and postdoctoral fellow.
Corresponding author: Michele C. Balas, rn, phd, University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Nursing, 985330 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5330 (e-mail: [email protected]).
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Eduard E. Vasilevskis, MD;
Eduard E. Vasilevskis, MD
Eduard E. Vasilevskis is an assistant professor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and at the Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center of the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System in Nashville.
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William J. Burke, MD;
William J. Burke, MD
William J. Burke is a professor of psychiatry and vice-chair for research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
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Leanne Boehm, RN, MSN, ACNS-BC;
Leanne Boehm, RN, MSN, ACNS-BC
Leanne Boehm is a research nurse with the ICU Delirium and Cognitive Impairment Study Group at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.
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Brenda T. Pun, RN, MSN, ACNP;
Brenda T. Pun, RN, MSN, ACNP
Brenda T. Pun is a program clinical manager at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
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Keith M. Olsen, PharmD;
Keith M. Olsen, PharmD
Keith M. Olsen is professor in and chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
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Gregory J. Peitz, PharmD, BCPS;
Gregory J. Peitz, PharmD, BCPS
Gregory J. Peitz is a pharmacy coordinator and a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Nebraska Medical Center.
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E. Wesley Ely, MD, MPH
E. Wesley Ely, MD, MPH
E. Wesley Ely is a professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and associate director of aging research for the Tennessee Valley Veterans Administration Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center in Nashville.
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Crit Care Nurse (2012) 32 (2): 35–47.
Citation
Michele C. Balas, Eduard E. Vasilevskis, William J. Burke, Leanne Boehm, Brenda T. Pun, Keith M. Olsen, Gregory J. Peitz, E. Wesley Ely; Critical Care Nurses’ Role in Implementing the “ABCDE Bundle” Into Practice. Crit Care Nurse 1 April 2012; 32 (2): 35–47. doi: https://doi.org/10.4037/ccn2012229
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