Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale (COWS): Implementation and Outcomes The opioid crisis has shown evidence worldwide and locally. There was no protocol to detect opioid withdrawal at this organization. The purpose of this project was to develop a nursing-driven opioid withdrawal management tool using the validated Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale (COWS) to address an increase in opioid-addicted patients. Evidence-based practice change was executed using the San Diego 8A's method for adult trauma step-down patients experiencing opioid withdrawal with the COWS tool affecting frequency of nursing attempts at managing opioid withdrawal over an 8-week period. Training was provided to 45 nurses on COWS use in opioid-positive patients exhibiting withdrawal symptoms. Nurses were tested and retested to establish reliability. Nursing management included communication with MDs, safe opioid use education, social work consultation, use of nonopioid pain relief, or other symptomatic medication management. Nursing withdrawal management: pre-COWS = 25%; post-COWS = 96%. There was a statistically significant increase in the percentage of patients evaluated correctly following COWS initiation (n = 28, χ2 = 29, P < .0001, 95% CI, 47.71-83.74). Data were collected on a matched cohort of symptomatic toxicology-positive patients before and after change (n = 28 pre-COWS and n = 28 post-COWS). Use of the COWS tool with corresponding interventions by trauma nurses is feasible and results in improved withdrawal management.

Development and Pragmatic Evaluation of a Rapid Response Team In response to national and local drivers, a clinical emergency response system (CERS) incorporating an intensivist-led rapid response team (RRT) was implemented at a Sydney (Australia) hospital. The authors present a pragmatic evaluation of the 5 years since this major initiative was commenced. A “partner not conquer” philosophy was adopted. Implementation of the RRT was based on a collaborative pragmatic quality improvement approach. A team of intensive care specialist trained medical doctors (n = 2) and clinical nurse consultants (n = 2) set up the service with executive support and funding. Roles and responsibilities were clearly detailed, reinforcing a positive, partnership-driven culture. A constantly evolving education strategy was a critical element of implementation and maintenance. Ongoing evaluation includes process and patient outcome data. Serious patient deterioration-related incidents have decreased significantly (from 7 to 1 per year) and the RRT has been universally accepted by clinicians. Key lessons learned include the need for specific protected funding, a partnership approach ensuring hospital clinicians retain responsibility of patient treatment, ongoing education and reinforcement, and strong nursing leadership. However, generalizations cannot be made about the implementation of the CERS. It is important to consider context; “one size does not fit all.”

Patient Survival and Length of Stay Associated With Delayed Rapid Response System Activation The objective of this study was to investigate the difference in mortality and length of stay between patients who experienced a delay in rapid response system (RRS) activation and those who did not. A retrospective comparative cohort study investigated all adult inpatient cases that experienced an RRS activation from January 1, 2017, through January 1, 2018. Cases experiencing a delay in RRS activation were compared with cases without delay. During the study period a total of 3580 RRS activations that took place and 1086 RRS activations met inclusion criteria for analysis. Delayed RRS activations occurred in 325 cases (29.8%) and nondelayed RRS activations occurred in 766 cases (70.2%). The mean age was roughly the same for both groups (60 years old) and both groups consisted of approximately 60% males. Delay in activation was significantly associated with an increase in length of hospitalization (19.9 days vs 32.4 days; P < .001) and also a higher likelihood of not surviving hospitalization (hazard ratio = 2.70; 95% confidence interval, 1.96-3.71; P < .001). This study demonstrates that delayed RRS activation occurs frequently and exposes patients to higher mortality and longer length of hospitalization.

Social Support, Self-Efficacy, and Helplessness Following Myocardial Infarctions Numerous factors impact patient recovery following an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Negative emotional outcomes, such as learned helplessness, are predictors of mortality following AMI, though little is known about these relationships. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between social support and self-efficacy with learned helplessness in individuals post-AMI. Using a descriptive cross-sectional design, subjects with a diagnosed AMI within 12 months were recruited. Standardized instruments were used to evaluate social support and self-efficacy and their impact on learned helplessness. A statistically significant, direct relationship was found between social support and self-efficacy, and learned helplessness, suggesting that individuals with better social support and self-efficacy experience less learned helplessness within the first year following an AMI. In developing post-AMI treatment plans, health care staff need to consider encouraging a patient's supportive social network and self-efficacy as meaningful interventions against negative emotional outcomes.

Nurses' Use of Evidence-Based Practice at Point of Care: A Literature Review The article reports results of an interrogative literature review designed to study the acquisition of research-based knowledge among practicing nurses who provide direct patient care for decision making at the point of care. Findings reveal that despite the amount of research done on the use of evidence-based practice among nurses, gaps continue to exist between what is known and what is done in practice. Nurses often cite the lack of time and support and the lack of knowledge as predominant factors that keep them from using evidence-based practice at the point of care. The past research has primarily been completed using a retrospective approach. There is a paucity of research that evaluates specific nursing behaviors that support evidence-based practice in daily patient care.

Room Design—A Phenomenological-Hermeneutical Study: A Factor in Creating a Caring Environment Medical technology has progressed tremendously over the last few decades, but the same development cannot be seen in the design of these intensive care unit environments. Authors report results of a study of evidence-based room design, emphasizing the impact on conveying a caring attitude to patients. Ten nonparticipant observations were conducted in patient rooms with 2 different designs, followed by interviews. The data were analyzed using a phenomenological-hermeneutical approach. The results did not reveal that it was obvious that redesigned spaces resulted in a more caring attitude. The meanings of caring displayed during nursing activities were interpreted by interpreting gazes. Some of the nursing staff had an instrumental gaze, interpreted as caring with a task-orientated approach, while others communicated their caring with an attentive and attuned gaze, where the needs of the patients regulated the working shift. The study findings indicated that caring may not be perceived when nurses use a task-oriented approach. However, when nurses practice a person-centered approach, using an attentive and attuned gaze, caring is conveyed. Caring in intensive care contexts needs to be assisted by a supportive environment design that cultivates the caring approach.

Determining the Moral Sensitivities of Intensive Care Nurses This article reports results from a descriptive study involving nurses working in intensive care units of hospitals in the province of Erzurum, eastern Turkey. A total of 110 nurses agreed to participate in the study. The Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire and a personal information form, which was developed by researchers in accordance with the relevant literature, were used for data collection. The results indicated that intensive care nurses face frequent ethical problem and that moral sensitivity is required to assist in coping with the issues. Researchers report that nurses who were highly satisfied with their work possessed a heightened sensitivity about ethical issues when compared with those who were dissatisfied with their profession.

Confrontation: Survival Strategies The critical care environment is rife with stressors for patients, families, and health care providers, which can act as causative and contributing factors to miscommunication and conflict. This article reviews the adverse effect of the stress response on cognitive functioning, along with tools to mitigate the stress response and respond using appropriate communication tools. The author presents resources for self-care and techniques for resilience in assessing and responding to a challenging situation in a therapeutic manner.

Thiamine Use in Sepsis: B: 1: for Everyone? Every year, sepsis affects nearly 30 million people worldwide, with current annual estimates reporting as many as 6 million deaths. To combat the staggering number of patients who are affected by sepsis, clinicians continue to investigate novel treatment approaches. One treatment approach that has gained interest is the role that vitamins and nutrients play in the body's response to sepsis. Thiamine, in particular, has been studied because of its role in glucose metabolism and lactate production. This review provides a summary of the current literature surrounding the use of thiamine in the treatment of sepsis and describes the function of this essential nutrient in sepsis pathology. We also aim to provide clinicians with the necessary understanding to recognize the potential for thiamine deficiency, as well as detail the role of thiamine supplementation in the treatment of sepsis.