Introduction to Acute and Critical Care Nursing pt1

Critical Care

• continuum

• one of the ways px cared for throughout their time in hospital

Critical care

medical care for people who have life threatening injuries or illness

Critical Care

function of a dedicated, specialist team of health professionals to support and care for ill person

Critical Care Nursing

multidisciplinary specialist cares for px with acute or life threatening diseases or injuries

• ICU

• private practices

• rehabilitation centers

• outpatient surgeries

• home health centers

Critical care nurses usually works in different healthcare settings such as;

Emergency Nursing

a specialty focusing on the care of patients who require prompt medical attention to avoid long-term disability and death

Emergency Care Nurses

Skilled professionals on the front lines of patient care often serve as the first point of contact for individuals experiencing acute medical conditions or traumatic injuries

1. Efficiency

2. Appropriate medical intervention

3. Professionalism

4. Safety and non maleficence

5. Respect and Care

6. Fair allocation

6 principles of Critical Care Nurses

Efficiency

help provide effective critical care reduces the length of px hospitalization and the cost of treatment

1. practical use of resources

2. complying with relevant code of ethics

Increase efficiency with 2 ways

1. effective interpersonal communication skills

2. basic knowledge of technology

this can also improve efficiency

Appropriate medical intervention

ensures that the medical intervention provided applies to px needs

Appropriate medical intervention

employer may expect the nuse to learn about resources, advanced machinery and medical equipment used to care for patients

Professionalism

providing high-quality care while upholding accountability, respect, and integrity

safety and non maleficence

necessary to adhere the protocols and stastandards of critical care

safety and non maleficence

emphasizes the importance of increased safety standards in the environment

Respect and Care

aims to promote quality of life rather than just surviving
can be achieved by helping patients gain control of their health

Fair Allocation

advocates treating everyone fairly when providing care regaardless of age, ethnicity, race, religious beliefs, seual orientation or economic status

Informed Consent

process in which a health care provider educates a patient about risk, benefits, and alternatives of given procedure or intervention

Informed Consent

a fundamentally accepted principle governing the relationship between professional nurses and all other healt care provider and patients

Emancipated minors

are individuals who are under age 18 and married, parents of their own children, or are self sufficently

interpreter

obtain this for patient if there is a reasonable chance that the patient will not understand eplanation in the english language

nurse

it is her his duty to verify that the doctor has explained each treatment well

Advanced Directives

legal documents that specify a patients wishes before hospitalization and provide vauable information that may assist in decision making

1. a living will

2. durable power of attorney for health care

example of advance directives

End of life care

1. pain control

2. DNR order

3. Life support

4. food and fluid

Patient Self Determination Act of 1990

• not discriminate against persons who have executed an advance directive

• ensure that advance directives and patient wishes are implemented

• provide educational programs on ethical issues concerning patient self-determination and advance directives

Quality and excellence in the care

goal of nursing practice

accurate documentation of actions and outcomes of care

hallmark of nursing accountability