The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the lived experiences of neophyte professional nurses working in ICU during their first year post graduation with the aim to discover strategies to support the nurse in critical care unit. An explorative, descriptive, interpretative qualitative design was conducted to uncover the nurse’s experiences. A purposive sampling was used which is based on belief that the researcher’s knowledge about the population can be used to hand pick sample elements. Data was collected through in-depth unstructured interviews and written narratives. Collaizi’s method of data analysis was used. The study findings revealed that neophyte professional nurses experienced difficulties and challenges in adjusting to the unit because of lack of mentors emanating from the shortage of staff. Nurses experienced mixed feelings regarding the relationship with colleagues in terms of support received. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

In today’s world healthcare all over the world is profoundly challenged by rapid technological advancements, violence, terrorism, diverse cultures, proliferating chronic diseases, and the worst nursing shortage. In addition to these complex and daunting challenges healthcare continue to focus the attention on hospitals to review and modify the way care is delivered to patients. As key role players and consistent members of the multidisciplinary team critical care nurses are uniquely positioned to modify and review the quality of patient care through synergy between the patients’ needs, the nurses’ competencies, and the critical care environment. A collaborative approach towards enhancing synergy in a CCU was undertaken in a CCU in a private hospital in Gauteng. The study was guided by the American Association for Critical Care Nurses Synergy Model for Patient Care and conducted within the critical social theory paradigm. The nature of the research was descriptive, explorative and contextual and both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used. Action research cycles were followed to assess existing synergy between the patients’ needs, the nurses’ competencies and the characteristics of the environment in the CCU. An action plan was formulated and implemented towards enhancing synergy in the CCU. The implemented plan was adjusted based on observations and reflections following each of the five cycles of the project / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Introdução: A Síndrome do Desconforto Respiratório Agudo (SDRA) apresenta alta incidência e mortalidade em pacientes de terapia intensiva. A ventilação mecânica é o principal suporte para os pacientes que apresentam-se com SDRA, entretanto ainda existe muito debate sobre a melhor estratégia ventilatória a ser adotada, pois a ventilação mecânica pode ser lesiva aos pulmões e aumentar a mortalidade se mal ajustada. Um dos principais mecanismos de lesão pulmonar induzida pela ventilação é o uso de volumes correntes altos, havendo evidência na literatura que a utilização de volumes correntes menores fornece uma ventilação dita protetora, a qual aumenta a probabilidade de sobrevivência. Objetivo: Explorar se uma estratégia ventilatória de alta frequência com pressão positiva (HFPPV) realizada através de um ventilador mecânico convencional (Servo-300) é capaz de permitir uma maior redução do volume corrente e estabilização da PaCO2 em um modelo de SDRA severa, inicialmente ventilado com uma estratégia protetora. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo, experimental que utilizou oito porcos que foram submetidos a uma lesão pulmonar através de lavagem pulmonar com soro fisiológico e ventilação mecânica lesiva. Em seguida, os animais foram ventilados com um volume corrente de 6 mL/kg, seguido de uma randomização de sequências diferentes de frequências respiratórias (30, 60, 60 com pausa inspiratória de 10 e 30%, 90, 120, 150, 60 com manobra de recrutamento alveolar mais titulação da PEEP e HFOV com 5 Hertz), até obter estabilização da PaCO2 entre 57 63 mmHg por 30 minutos. O ventilador Servo-300 foi utilizado para HFPPV e o ventilador SensorMedics 3100B utilizado para fornecer a ventilação oscilatória de alta frequência (HFOV). Dados são apresentados como mediana [P25th,P75th]. Principais Resultados: O peso dos animais foi de 34 [29,36] kg. Após a lesão pulmonar, a relação P/F, o shunt pulmonar e a complacência estática dos animais ficaram em 92 [63,118] mmHg, 26 [17,31] % e 11 [8,14] mL/cmH2O respectivamente. O PEEP total usado foi de 14 [10,17] cmH2O durante o experimento. Da frequência respiratória de 35 (e com volume corrente de 6 mL/kg) até a frequência ventilatória de 150 rpm, a PaCO2 foi 81 [78,92] mmHg para 60 [58,63] mmHg (P=0.001), o volume corrente (VT) progressivamente caiu de 6.1 [5.9,6.2] para 3.8 [3.7,4.2] mL/kg (P<0.001), a pressão de platô de 29 [26,30] para 27 [25,29] cmH2O (P=0.306) respectivamente. Não houve nenhum comprometimento hemodinâmico ou da oxigenação, enquanto os animais utilizaram a FiO2 = 1. Conclusões: Utilizando-se de uma ventilação mecânica protetora, a estratégia de HFPPV realizada com um ventilador mecânico convencional em um modelo animal de SDRA severa permitiu maior redução do volume corrente, bem como da pressão de platô. Esta estratégia também permitiu a manutenção de PaCO2 em níveis clinicamente aceitáveis / Introduction: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has a high incidence and mortality between critical ill patients. The mechanical ventilation is the most important support for these patients with ARDS. However, until now there is an important debate about how is the best ventilatory strategy to use, because the mechanical ventilation if not well set can cause lung injury and increase mortality. The use of high tidal volume is one of the most important mechanics of ventilation induced lung injury and there is evidence in the literature that using low tidal volume is a protective ventilation with better survival. Objective: To explore if high frequency positive pressure ventilation (HFPPV) delivered by a conventional ventilator (Servo-300) is able to allow further tidal volume reductions and to stabilize PaCO2 in a severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) model initially ventilated with a protective ventilation. Methods: A prospective and experimental laboratory study where eight Agroceres pigs were instrumented and followed by induction of acute lung injury with sequential pulmonary lavages and injurious ventilation. Afterwards, the animals were ventilated with a tidal volume of 6 mL/kg, followed by a randomized sequence of respiratory rates (30, 60, 60 with pauses of 10 and 30% of the inspiratory time, 90, 120, 150, 60 with alveolar recruitment maneuver and PEEP titration and 5 Hertz of HFOV), until PaCO2 stabilization between 57 63 mmHg for 30 minutes. The Servo-300 ventilator was used for HFPPV and the ventilator SensorMedics 3100B was used for HFOV. Data are shown as median (P25th,P75th). Measurements and Main Results: Animals weight was 34 [29,36] kg. After lung injury, the P/F ratio, pulmonary shunt and static compliance of animals were 92 [63,118] mmHg, 26 [17,31] % and 11 [8,14] mL/cmH2O respectively. The total PEEP used was 14 [10,17] cmH2O throughout the experiment. From the respiratory rates of 35 (while ventilating with 6 mL/kg) to 150 breaths/ minute, the PaCO2 was 81 [78,92] mmHg and 60 [58,63] mmHg (P=0.001), the tidal volume progressively felt from 6.1 [5.9,6.2] to 3.8 [3.7,4.2] mL/kg (P<0.001), the plateau pressure was 29 [26,30] and 27[25,29] cmH2O (P=0.306) respectively. There were no detrimental effects in the hemodynamics and blood oxygenation, while the animals were using a FiO2 = 1. Conclusions: During protective mechanical ventilation, HFPPV delivered by a conventional ventilator in a severe ARDS swine model allows further tidal volume reductions. This strategy also allowed the maintenance of PaCO2 in clinically acceptable levels

Introdução: A Síndrome do Desconforto Respiratório Agudo (SDRA) apresenta alta incidência e mortalidade em pacientes de terapia intensiva. A ventilação mecânica é o principal suporte para os pacientes que apresentam-se com SDRA, entretanto ainda existe muito debate sobre a melhor estratégia ventilatória a ser adotada, pois a ventilação mecânica pode ser lesiva aos pulmões e aumentar a mortalidade se mal ajustada. Um dos principais mecanismos de lesão pulmonar induzida pela ventilação é o uso de volumes correntes altos, havendo evidência na literatura que a utilização de volumes correntes menores fornece uma ventilação dita protetora, a qual aumenta a probabilidade de sobrevivência. Objetivo: Explorar se uma estratégia ventilatória de alta frequência com pressão positiva (HFPPV) realizada através de um ventilador mecânico convencional (Servo-300) é capaz de permitir uma maior redução do volume corrente e estabilização da PaCO2 em um modelo de SDRA severa, inicialmente ventilado com uma estratégia protetora. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo, experimental que utilizou oito porcos que foram submetidos a uma lesão pulmonar através de lavagem pulmonar com soro fisiológico e ventilação mecânica lesiva. Em seguida, os animais foram ventilados com um volume corrente de 6 mL/kg, seguido de uma randomização de sequências diferentes de frequências respiratórias (30, 60, 60 com pausa inspiratória de 10 e 30%, 90, 120, 150, 60 com manobra de recrutamento alveolar mais titulação da PEEP e HFOV com 5 Hertz), até obter estabilização da PaCO2 entre 57 63 mmHg por 30 minutos. O ventilador Servo-300 foi utilizado para HFPPV e o ventilador SensorMedics 3100B utilizado para fornecer a ventilação oscilatória de alta frequência (HFOV). Dados são apresentados como mediana [P25th,P75th]. Principais Resultados: O peso dos animais foi de 34 [29,36] kg. Após a lesão pulmonar, a relação P/F, o shunt pulmonar e a complacência estática dos animais ficaram em 92 [63,118] mmHg, 26 [17,31] % e 11 [8,14] mL/cmH2O respectivamente. O PEEP total usado foi de 14 [10,17] cmH2O durante o experimento. Da frequência respiratória de 35 (e com volume corrente de 6 mL/kg) até a frequência ventilatória de 150 rpm, a PaCO2 foi 81 [78,92] mmHg para 60 [58,63] mmHg (P=0.001), o volume corrente (VT) progressivamente caiu de 6.1 [5.9,6.2] para 3.8 [3.7,4.2] mL/kg (P<0.001), a pressão de platô de 29 [26,30] para 27 [25,29] cmH2O (P=0.306) respectivamente. Não houve nenhum comprometimento hemodinâmico ou da oxigenação, enquanto os animais utilizaram a FiO2 = 1. Conclusões: Utilizando-se de uma ventilação mecânica protetora, a estratégia de HFPPV realizada com um ventilador mecânico convencional em um modelo animal de SDRA severa permitiu maior redução do volume corrente, bem como da pressão de platô. Esta estratégia também permitiu a manutenção de PaCO2 em níveis clinicamente aceitáveis / Introduction: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has a high incidence and mortality between critical ill patients. The mechanical ventilation is the most important support for these patients with ARDS. However, until now there is an important debate about how is the best ventilatory strategy to use, because the mechanical ventilation if not well set can cause lung injury and increase mortality. The use of high tidal volume is one of the most important mechanics of ventilation induced lung injury and there is evidence in the literature that using low tidal volume is a protective ventilation with better survival. Objective: To explore if high frequency positive pressure ventilation (HFPPV) delivered by a conventional ventilator (Servo-300) is able to allow further tidal volume reductions and to stabilize PaCO2 in a severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) model initially ventilated with a protective ventilation. Methods: A prospective and experimental laboratory study where eight Agroceres pigs were instrumented and followed by induction of acute lung injury with sequential pulmonary lavages and injurious ventilation. Afterwards, the animals were ventilated with a tidal volume of 6 mL/kg, followed by a randomized sequence of respiratory rates (30, 60, 60 with pauses of 10 and 30% of the inspiratory time, 90, 120, 150, 60 with alveolar recruitment maneuver and PEEP titration and 5 Hertz of HFOV), until PaCO2 stabilization between 57 63 mmHg for 30 minutes. The Servo-300 ventilator was used for HFPPV and the ventilator SensorMedics 3100B was used for HFOV. Data are shown as median (P25th,P75th). Measurements and Main Results: Animals weight was 34 [29,36] kg. After lung injury, the P/F ratio, pulmonary shunt and static compliance of animals were 92 [63,118] mmHg, 26 [17,31] % and 11 [8,14] mL/cmH2O respectively. The total PEEP used was 14 [10,17] cmH2O throughout the experiment. From the respiratory rates of 35 (while ventilating with 6 mL/kg) to 150 breaths/ minute, the PaCO2 was 81 [78,92] mmHg and 60 [58,63] mmHg (P=0.001), the tidal volume progressively felt from 6.1 [5.9,6.2] to 3.8 [3.7,4.2] mL/kg (P<0.001), the plateau pressure was 29 [26,30] and 27[25,29] cmH2O (P=0.306) respectively. There were no detrimental effects in the hemodynamics and blood oxygenation, while the animals were using a FiO2 = 1. Conclusions: During protective mechanical ventilation, HFPPV delivered by a conventional ventilator in a severe ARDS swine model allows further tidal volume reductions. This strategy also allowed the maintenance of PaCO2 in clinically acceptable levels

The aim of the study was to describe the perceptions of critical care nurses concerning family witnessed resuscitation, presenting arguments for or against the practice thereof. A quantitative, descriptive and exploratory approach was used. For the study, a non- probability convenience sample of 100 critical care nurses from five critical care units were used. A combined open-ended and closed-ended questionnaire was used. The majority of critical care nurses in the study disapproved of the idea of family witnessed resuscitation. They believed it to be traumatic for relatives, threatening to the resuscitation process and increasing litigation. Although the dominant feeling was one of disapproval, some critical care nurses felt that family witnessed resuscitation was beneficial to relatives. Recommendations for future practice included incorporation of educational programmes for critical care nurses concerning family witnessed resuscitation and providing training to deal with the stresses of family witnessed resuscitation. / Health Studies / M.A (Health Studies)

In today’s world healthcare all over the world is profoundly challenged by rapid technological advancements, violence, terrorism, diverse cultures, proliferating chronic diseases, and the worst nursing shortage. In addition to these complex and daunting challenges healthcare continue to focus the attention on hospitals to review and modify the way care is delivered to patients. As key role players and consistent members of the multidisciplinary team critical care nurses are uniquely positioned to modify and review the quality of patient care through synergy between the patients’ needs, the nurses’ competencies, and the critical care environment. A collaborative approach towards enhancing synergy in a CCU was undertaken in a CCU in a private hospital in Gauteng. The study was guided by the American Association for Critical Care Nurses Synergy Model for Patient Care and conducted within the critical social theory paradigm. The nature of the research was descriptive, explorative and contextual and both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used. Action research cycles were followed to assess existing synergy between the patients’ needs, the nurses’ competencies and the characteristics of the environment in the CCU. An action plan was formulated and implemented towards enhancing synergy in the CCU. The implemented plan was adjusted based on observations and reflections following each of the five cycles of the project / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the lived experiences of neophyte professional nurses working in ICU during their first year post graduation with the aim to discover strategies to support the nurse in critical care unit. An explorative, descriptive, interpretative qualitative design was conducted to uncover the nurse’s experiences. A purposive sampling was used which is based on belief that the researcher’s knowledge about the population can be used to hand pick sample elements. Data was collected through in-depth unstructured interviews and written narratives. Collaizi’s method of data analysis was used. The study findings revealed that neophyte professional nurses experienced difficulties and challenges in adjusting to the unit because of lack of mentors emanating from the shortage of staff. Nurses experienced mixed feelings regarding the relationship with colleagues in terms of support received. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

Le développement de la compétence à poser un jugement clinique est essentiel pour l’ensemble des infirmières de soins critiques afin qu’elles offrent des soins sécuritaires et de qualité. Pour ce faire, l’American Association of Critical Care Nurses (2019) recommande l’intégration d’activités d’apprentissage coopératif au sein des programmes de formation continue. Ces activités seraient bénéfiques pour les infirmières novices, mais les connaissances sur le processus d’apprentissage à l’occasion de ces activités et leur apport pour les infirmières expertes demeurent limitées. Présentée sous forme de manuscrit, cette étude qualitative descriptive avait pour but d’explorer, selon la perspective d’infirmières expertes en soins critiques, la contribution d’activités d’apprentissage coopératif à leur compétence à poser un jugement clinique. Elle visait à comprendre le processus et les caractéristiques de ces activités d’apprentissage. Le cadre de référence combinait le modèle du jugement clinique de Tanner (2006) et le modèle d’apprentissage coopératif de Slavin (2014). Des entrevues semi-dirigées ont été réalisées auprès de sept expertes en soins critiques ayant fait l’expérience d’activités d’apprentissage coopératif avec des infirmiers et des infirmières de différents niveaux de développement. L’analyse des données s’est inspirée de l’analyse thématique de Braun et Clarke (2006). L’analyse des données a révélé quatre thèmes. Les deux premiers correspondent aux caractéristiques des activités soit « l’établissement d’un environnement sécuritaire favorise la participation » et « l’hétérogénéité du groupe d’apprenants favorise les échanges ». Les deux autres correspondent aux mécanismes lors des activités : « comparer son raisonnement clinique afin de le remettre en question et prendre conscience de ses automatismes » et « expliquer son raisonnement clinique pour faire l’état de ses connaissances et les approfondir ». À la lumière de ces résultats, des recommandations ont été élaborées afin d’améliorer les programmes de formation continue offerts aux infirmières, dont les expertes, et du fait même, contribuer au développement de leur compétence à poser un jugement clinique. / The development of clinical judgment is essential for all critical care nurses to provide safe and quality care. To this end, the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (2019) recommends incorporating cooperative learning activities in continuing education programs. These activities would be beneficial for novice nurses, but evidence regarding the learning process in these activities and their benefits for expert nurses remains limited. Presented as a manuscript, the purpose of this descriptive qualitative study was to explore, from perspective of expert critical care nurses, the contribution of cooperative learning activities to their clinical judgment competency. Specifically, it aimed to understand the process and characteristics of these activities. The study was based on a framework combining Tanner’s (2006) clinical judgment model and Slavin’s (2014) model of cooperative learning. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven expert critical care nurses who had experienced cooperative learning activities with nurses of different levels of development. Data analysis was based on Braun and Clarke’s (2006) thematic analysis. Data analysis revealed four themes. The first two correspond to the characteristics of cooperative learning activities, namely « establishing a safe environment fosters participation » and « the heterogeneity of the group of learners fosters exchanges. » The other two reflect the mechanisms operating within the discussion during cooperative learning activities. These themes are « comparing one’s clinical reasoning to question it and become aware of one’s automatisms, » and « explaining one’s clinical reasoning to review and deepen one’s knowledge. » In the light of these results, recommendations are made to improve continuing education programs offered to nurses, including experts, and thereby contribute to the development of their clinical judgment.

Bakgrund: Donation efter primär hjärnskada (DBD) har utförts i Sverige sedan 1981 och ärden vanligaste formen av donation. Donation efter cirkulationsstillestånd (DCD) infördes iSverige 2020 och ökar i omfattning. I länder där DCD redan är etablerat beskrivskunskapsnivån som låg i förhållande till DBD vilket leder till en känsla av otrygghet hosvårdpersonalen.Syfte: Att kartlägga hur intensivvårdssjuksköterskans skattar sina kunskaper och erfarenheter ivården av potentiella donatorer över 18 år enligt DCD processen.Metod: Enkätundersökning med kvantitativ design genomfördes. Enkäten skickades ut till 11intensivvårdsavdelningar i Sverige.Resultat: Består av svar från 58 respondenter. Majoriteten av respondenterna har fått teoretiskoch praktisk utbildning i att vårda en potentiell donator i DCD processen. Över 50% svararockså att de fått utbildning i att stödja donatorns närstående. Samband finns mellan kunskapoch utbildning men även mellan utbildning och skattad trygghet.Konklusion: Tydliga samband ses i studien mellan utbildning och kunskap. Kunskapen i sintur visar tydliga samband med intensivvårdssjuksköterskans skattade erfarenhet av trygghet ivården av den potentiella donatorn men även erfarenheten av att stödja/bemöta och besvarafrågor från närstående. Utbildningen är en viktig faktor för att förberedaintensivvårdssjuksköterskan i vården av en DCD. / Background: Donation after brain death (DBD) has been performed in Sweden since 1981 andis the most common type of donation. Donation after circulatory death (DCD) was introducedin Sweden in 2020 and is increasing in scope. In countries where DCD already is establishedthe level of knowledge is described as low in relation to DBD which leads to a feeling ofinsecurity of healthcare professionals.Purpose: To map how intensive care nurses estimate their knowledge and experiences in thecare of potential donors over the age of 18 according to the DCD-process.Method: Survey study with a quantitative design. The Survey was sent to eleven intensive careunits in Sweden.Result: Consist of answers from 58 respondents. The majority of the respondents receivedtheoretical and practical education in the care of a potential donor in the DCD process. Morethan 50% also received education to support the donors’ relatives. Correlations were shownbetween knowledge and education but also between education and a feeling of security.Conclusion: A clear correlation is seen in the study between education and knowledge.Knowledge in turn shows correlation to the intensive care nurse ́s valued experience in the careof a potential donor but also to the experience of supporting and answering questions from itskin. Education is an important factor to prepare the intensive care nurses in the care of a DCD.