Critical Care Nurse Fast Facts

Critical Care Nurse Vol 28, No. 2, April 2008

FACTS

According to estimates, 30% to 40% of patients do not receive care consistent with current scientific evidence.  That was in April 2008, with VCH's Mean Management's Best Practices it is most likely higher than that in 2014.

Do not instill normal saline (physiological salt solution) before endotracheal suctioning.  VCH is doing this and this process probably is causing infections. The salt causes colonized bacteria to dislodge. I opposed the use of this but still saw the pink saline bullets at Randy's bedside.

Turning critically ill patients every two hours may not be enough to preserve the oxygenating ability of the lungs or to prevent healthcare-acquired pneumonia.  I have never seen GPC turn Randy or any other patient and Randy had pneumonia often