The unexpected admission of a child to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) creates feelings of uncertainty, distress, and fear and is a devastating experience for primary caregivers. Health care providers must address primary caregivers` concerns to enhance primary caregivers’ coping abilities. While a family-centred approach to care can assist in diminishing uneasy feelings experienced by primary caregivers, this philosophy of care is not consistently used in everyday practice. The PICU is a unique area of care that focuses on restoring the health of critically ill children with the use of machines and equipment. However, the use of technology for life sustaining measures creates additional responsibilities for health care providers, potentially compromising the quality of patient care. There is evidence to support that the involvement of the primary caregiver in the care of the critically child can address the gap that commonly exists between technology and holistic patient care. Furthermore, involvement in care increases primary caregivers’ satisfaction with the care their child receives and may also improve patient outcomes. Most importantly, the involvement of primary caregivers in the care of the critically ill child encompasses a family-centred approach to care. By increasing health care provider’s awareness of family-centred care within the PICU, primary caregiver’s needs may be more effectively addressed during this devastating and vulnerable time. Health care providers are key players in the promotion of family-centred care in the PICU; however, they are often faced with multiple challenges and barriers. Increasing health care providers’ awareness around the components of family-centred care can facilitate its implementation into practice by understanding how primary care givers define and experience ii family-centred care. Accordingly, a qualitative study guided by the philosophy of hermeneutic phenomenology was conducted to elicit a detailed description of the lived experience of family-centred care from the perspective of the primary caregiver. Participants in this study consisted of those primary caregivers who had previously had a child admitted to the PICU. Participants were recruited from a large mid-western hospital. In total nine primary caregivers ranging in age from 33 to 44 years with the mean age being 37 years participated in the study. Nine of the participants were mothers and two were fathers. All participants took part in semi-structured, open-ended interviews. A total of nine interviews were conducted with two of the interviews involving both parents. Demographic data and field notes were recorded. All field notes and interview data were transcribed. The transcripts were reviewed repeatedly for significant statements in an attempt to find meaning and understanding through themes. The data analysis revealed the essence of the lived experience of family-centred care to be being present. Three themes communicated the essence and included: (a) physical presence, (b) participation in care and, (c) advocating. Three themes from the data emerged around how primary caregivers defined family-centred care and included: (a) collaboration, (b) being updated and, (c) continuity of care. Finally, primary caregivers identified four conditions that needed to be in place to experience family-centred in the PICU which included: (a) being present for rounds, (b) caring behaviours, (c) feeling welcomed and, (d) support. The findings from this study may be used to guide policy around family-centred care and improve on, or bring new insights around interventions related to family-centred care. Future recommendation for nursing practice, education and research are presented.

Bakgrund: Sömn är ett mänskligt grundläggande behov och bör därför tillgodoses hos patienter som vårdas på sjukhus. Patienter som vårdas på intensivvårdsavdelningar upplever dock ofta upprepade avbrott på sömnen och sömnbrist vilket kan leda till både fysiska och psykiska negativa konsekvenser. Intensivvårdsmiljön med dess oljud, starka belysning och frekventa vårdrelaterade interaktioner leder ofta till oförmåga hos patienterna att få en adekvat sömn. Syfte: Att belysa olika interventioner sjuksköterskan kan tillämpa för att förbättra sovmiljön och sömnkvaliteten hos patienter som vårdas på en intensivvårdsavdelning. Metod: En litteraturöversikt med grund i analys av kvantitativ forskning. Resultat: I resultatet framkom sju interventioner som delades in i tre olika kategorier: skapa en bättre sovmiljö, avskärmning från ljud och ljus samt förbereda patienten för sömn. De sju interventionerna som identifierades var: tysta/störningsfria perioder, riktlinjer/ramverk innefattande aktiviteter för att kontrollera yttre störande faktorer, utbildning, öronproppar och ögonmask, adderat "white noise", musik samt akupressur. Slutsats: Genom att tillämpa en eller fler av de sju interventionerna kan sovmiljön och sömnkvalitet förbättras för patienter som vårdas på intensivvårdsavdelningar. Dock krävs ytterligare forskning inom området då vissa interventioner ger motstridiga resultat. Klinisk betydelse: Sömn är ett nödvändigt behov och har en stor betydelse för återhämtning från sjukdom och bör därför tillgodoses av sjuksköterskan. Resultatet i denna litteraturöversikt kan ge en ökad förståelse för vilka interventioner sjuksköterskan kan tillämpa i sitt omvårdnadsarbete för att förbättra sovmiljön och sömnkvalitet för patienter som vårdas på intensivvårdsavdelningar. / Background: Sleep is a basic human need and should be addressed in patients being treated in hospital. Patients cared for in intensive care units often experience repeated interruptions of sleep and sleep deprivation, which can lead to both physical and psychological adverse consequences. The intensive care environment with its noise, strong lighting and frequent care-related interaction often leads to the inability of patients to get adequate sleep. Aim: To illustrate the various interventions the nurse can implement to improve the sleep environment and quality of sleep in patients who are cared for in an intensive care unit. Methods: A literature review with its basis in an analysis of quantitative research. Results: The result emerged in seven interventions that were divided into three different categories: creating a better sleep environment, shielding from light and sound, and preparing the patient for sleep. The seven interventions identified were: quiet/non-disturbance periods, guidelines/framework including activities to control disturbing environmental factors, education, ear plugs and eye mask, added "white noise", music and acupressure. Conclusion: By applying one or more of the seven interventions the sleep environment and sleep quality for patients cared for in intensive care units may improve. However, as some interventions produced conflicting results, further research in the area is required. Clinical significance: Sleep is an essential requirement and has great importance in the recovery from illness and should therefore be carefully understood by the nurse. Findings from the literature review can provide a better understanding of which interventions nurses can apply in their work to improve the sleep environment and sleep quality for patients cared for in intensive care units.

The pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) has been described as a stressful place for parents of critically ill children. Research to date has examined parents’ needs and stressors with a child in PICU. There is a paucity of research examining the experience for parents of a child who is transferred from the PICU to the hospital ward. Open-ended interviews were conducted with 10 parents within 24-48 hours after transfer from a PICU to a hospital ward at a children’s hospital in Canada to understand this experience. Parents revealed that the experience involved a search for comfort through transitions as expressed through the themes of: ‘being a parent with a critically ill child is exhausting’, ‘being kept in the know’, ‘feeling supported by others’, and ‘being transferred’. The findings from this study can help nurses and other health professionals working with parents to support them through the transition from PICU. Recommendations are made for the inclusion of family-centered care practices to assist parents through transitions.

The unexpected admission of a child to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) creates feelings of uncertainty, distress, and fear and is a devastating experience for primary caregivers. Health care providers must address primary caregivers` concerns to enhance primary caregivers’ coping abilities. While a family-centred approach to care can assist in diminishing uneasy feelings experienced by primary caregivers, this philosophy of care is not consistently used in everyday practice. The PICU is a unique area of care that focuses on restoring the health of critically ill children with the use of machines and equipment. However, the use of technology for life sustaining measures creates additional responsibilities for health care providers, potentially compromising the quality of patient care. There is evidence to support that the involvement of the primary caregiver in the care of the critically child can address the gap that commonly exists between technology and holistic patient care. Furthermore, involvement in care increases primary caregivers’ satisfaction with the care their child receives and may also improve patient outcomes. Most importantly, the involvement of primary caregivers in the care of the critically ill child encompasses a family-centred approach to care. By increasing health care provider’s awareness of family-centred care within the PICU, primary caregiver’s needs may be more effectively addressed during this devastating and vulnerable time. Health care providers are key players in the promotion of family-centred care in the PICU; however, they are often faced with multiple challenges and barriers. Increasing health care providers’ awareness around the components of family-centred care can facilitate its implementation into practice by understanding how primary care givers define and experience ii family-centred care. Accordingly, a qualitative study guided by the philosophy of hermeneutic phenomenology was conducted to elicit a detailed description of the lived experience of family-centred care from the perspective of the primary caregiver. Participants in this study consisted of those primary caregivers who had previously had a child admitted to the PICU. Participants were recruited from a large mid-western hospital. In total nine primary caregivers ranging in age from 33 to 44 years with the mean age being 37 years participated in the study. Nine of the participants were mothers and two were fathers. All participants took part in semi-structured, open-ended interviews. A total of nine interviews were conducted with two of the interviews involving both parents. Demographic data and field notes were recorded. All field notes and interview data were transcribed. The transcripts were reviewed repeatedly for significant statements in an attempt to find meaning and understanding through themes. The data analysis revealed the essence of the lived experience of family-centred care to be being present. Three themes communicated the essence and included: (a) physical presence, (b) participation in care and, (c) advocating. Three themes from the data emerged around how primary caregivers defined family-centred care and included: (a) collaboration, (b) being updated and, (c) continuity of care. Finally, primary caregivers identified four conditions that needed to be in place to experience family-centred in the PICU which included: (a) being present for rounds, (b) caring behaviours, (c) feeling welcomed and, (d) support. The findings from this study may be used to guide policy around family-centred care and improve on, or bring new insights around interventions related to family-centred care. Future recommendation for nursing practice, education and research are presented.

Bakgrund Djup sedering är associerat med förlängd vårdtid och ett flertal komplikationer för intensivvårdspatienten. Även för ytlig sedering medför komplikationer, stress och lidande. Studier visar på vikten av adekvat sedering, samt att skalor och protokoll används. Syftet med denna studie var att beskriva sederingsnivå, andel optimalt, över- och undersederade patienter, vårdtid i ventilator och vårdtid inom intensivvården för patienter på en svensk intensivvårdsavdelning. Metod Studien, med deskriptiv design, inkluderade konsekutivt sederade, ventilatorbehandlade patienter, 18 år och äldre, på en svensk intensivvårdsavdelning under nio månader. Primära utfallsvariabler var sederingsnivå, utifrån Motor Activity Assessment Scale och andel optimalt, över- och undersederade patienter. Sekundära variabler var vårdtid i ventilator och vårdtid på intensivvårdsavdelningen. Resultat Studien omfattade 34 patienter. Under vårdtid i ventilator med endotrackealtub hade 28  patienterna optimal sedering mer än två tredjedelar av vårdtiden. Medianvärdet för sederingsnivå under vårdtid med endotrackealtub var MAAS 2 (kvartilavstånd 2-2,25) jämfört med medianvärdet för sederingsnivån med trackealkanyl som var MAAS 3 (kvartilavstånd 2-3) (P < 0,001). Trettio patienter (88,2 %) var optimalt sederade med ett MAAS-värde på 2-3 (md) sett till hela vårdtiden. Fyra patienter (11.8 %) var översederade med ett MAAS-värde på 0-1,5 (md). Ingen patient var undersederad sett till hela vårdtiden. Konklusion Studien visar att majoriteten av intensivvårdspatienterna var optimalt sederade under större delen av vårdtiden i ventilator. Endast ett fåtal patienter var översederade och ingen patient var undersederad större delen av vårdtiden. Patienter vårdade med trackealkanyl var ytligare sederade än de med endotrackealtub.

nÃo hà / InfecÃÃes relacionadas à assistÃncia à saÃde (IRAS), em neonatologia, contemplam as infecÃÃes relacionadas à assistÃncia, e as relacionadas à falha na assistÃncia, prevenÃÃo, diagnÃstico e tratamento, a exemplo das transplacentÃrias e precoce neonatal de origem materna. As IRAS afetam mais de 30% de neonatos e, comparados à populaÃÃo pediÃtrica, os Ãndices sÃo atà cinco vezes maiores. Estima-se que no Brasil, 60% da mortalidade infantil ocorram no perÃodo neonatal, sendo a sepse neonatal uma das principais causas. A pesquisa tem como objetivo caracterizar as infecÃÃes neonatais precoces relacionadas à assistÃncia à saÃde, de recÃm-nascidos em Unidades de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal da Maternidade Escola Assis Chateaubriand (MEAC). Trata-se de um estudo transversal, de natureza descritiva e exploratÃria com abordagem quantitativa. Os dados foram coletados no perÃodo de janeiro a marÃo de 2012, nos registros da ComissÃo de Controle de InfecÃÃo Hospitalar (CCIH). Participaram do estudo 545 recÃm-nascidos com infecÃÃo precoce admitidos no perÃodo de janeiro de 2010 a dezembro de 2011. Fez-se anÃlise bivariada e multivariada com desfechos: prematuridade, baixo peso ao nascer e Ãbito. Dos recÃm-nascidos pesquisados, a maioria à de baixo peso, e 81% prematuros. Na anÃlise com variÃvel dependente prematuridade, a variÃvel sexo mostra associaÃÃo estatÃstica significante com desfecho RC= 1,67. Ser do sexo feminino hà risco de quase duas vezes mais em nascer prematuro em comparaÃÃo ao sexo masculino. Utilizando como variÃvel dependente baixo peso < 2.500 g, a variÃvel sexo tem associaÃÃo estatÃstica significante com desfecho RC= 1,94. Ser do sexo feminino o risco à de quase duas vezes mais em nascidos com peso menor que 2.500 g. Outra associaÃÃo estatÃstica à a idade gestacional e baixo peso ao nascer com RC= 60,3. RecÃm-nascido prematuro apresenta quase 60 vezes mais chances de nascimento com baixo peso em comparaÃÃo aos nascidos a termo. Na anÃlise de regressÃo logÃstica bivariada, Ãbito e variÃveis independentes, para os nascidos com idade gestacional < 37 semanas mostra-se associaÃÃo estatÃstica significante com desfecho RC= 4,14 e baixo peso ao nascer RC= 3,94. Conclui-se que as infecÃÃes neonatais precoces tem alta incidÃncia em recÃm-nascidos. SÃo de difÃcil controle por estar na dependÃncia da qualidade dos cuidados durante a assistÃncia prÃ-natal, perinatal e neonatal. / Infections related to Health Care (IRAS), neonatology, include both the care-associated infections, and those related to failure to care, prevention, diagnosis and treatment, the example of transplacental and early neonatal of maternal origin. The IRAS affect more than 30% of neonates, and when compared to the pediatric population, their rates can be up to five times higher. It is estimated that in Brazil, 60% of infant mortality occur in the neonatal period, neonatal sepsis is a major cause. The research aimed to characterize the early neonatal infections related to health care occurred in newborns of Neonatal Intensive Care Units of Maternity School Assis Chateaubriand (MEAC). This is a cross-sectional study, descriptive and exploratory in nature with a quantitative approach. Data were collected in the period from January to March 2012, through the records of the Committee on Infection Control (HICC). The study identified 545 infants with early infection admitted to the units in the period January 2010 to December 2011. It was performed bivariate and multivariate outcomes (prematurity, low birth weight and death). Newborn surveyed, most were born underweight, and 81% were preterm. In the analysis using as dependent variable prematurity, the gender variable shows a statistically significant association with the outcome OR = 1.67. Being female is a risk almost twice as in preterm birth compared to males. Using as dependent variable low weight < 2.500 g, the gender variable was statistically significant association with outcome OR = 1.94. Being female is a risk almost twice as being born weighing less than 2.500 g. Another statistical association is low gestational age and low birth weight OR = 60.3 Premature infant has nearly 60 times more likely to be born underweight compared those born at term. In bivariate logistic regression analysis, death, and independent variables, for those born with a gestational age < 37 weeks showed statistically significant association with outcome OR = 4.14 and low birth weight OR = 3.94. We conclude that early neonatal infection has a high incidence in newborns. They are difficult to control because it is dependent on the quality of nursing during the prenatal, perinatal and neonatal care.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is a local in the hospital for receiving patients with injuries to life, whether clinical or surgical. During the time of admission of patients, their relatives have exalted feelings of anxiety, fears and doubts arising from separation and imminent risk of loss of their relative. Own rules and routines of the ICU, the restricted access of family in the unity and the unknowledge of the environment can exacerbate fear about functioning, care and interventions provided. This study aimed to: Develop a waiting room group to welcome family members of ICU patients as a strategy for humanization of assistance; Describe the stages of group process in the family host; analyze the group approach as a tool in the host of family of ICU patients. Qualitative research, descriptive and exploratory methodological, based in the âGroup process for nursesâ proposed by Maxine Looms (1979). The study was performed in the waiting room of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in a public hospital located in Fortaleza-CearÃ, Brazil. During the period from June to September 2011, the study respondents were family members who had relatives admitted into Intensive Care Unit. The inclusion of family members was conditional on signing the consent form. In the first stage, we made 37 individual interviews to know family needs about having a family member in the ICU. In the intervention phase with waiting room groups we had on average 20 visitors per day. The individual evaluation phase of these groups was performed with 26 relatives. The results showed that the family members need information of health status and diagnosis of their patient and this information should be clear and with less technical language. Professionals should be respectful and truthful when the information is provided. The groups were conducted following systematic guidelines and explaining the ICU routines. In the end we held orientations of questions of the group itself. In the evaluation of the groups found that the family felt welcomed and attended carefully to the proposed activities. The guidelines regarding handwashing and the possibility to talk / touch the patient were identified in speeches as relevant topics covered in the group. The information received on these activities generated change in the behavior of the family at the time of visit. The host is a strategy referenced successfully in serving families. The study showed that the performance of an educational group in the waiting room of the ICU, coordinated by nurses, can reduce unknownledge and anxiety of family members during the visit, not only to the patient, the nature and causes of disease, but also risks related to therapy. As well as encourage and motivate families to cope with the pain of hospitalization of their relative, thus helping to reduce the distress and suffering of all involved. Health promotion in the tertiary level, with the participation of the family becomes effective and concrete the Humanization of the hospital, with the expansion of its care and scientific knowledge, in addition to inpatient and techniques implemented them. / A Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) à a unidade hospitalar destinada a receber pacientes com agravos à vida, sejam clÃnico ou cirÃrgico. Durante o tempo de internamento dos pacientes, tambÃm seus familiares tem exaltados sentimentos de angÃstia, medos e dÃvidas decorrentes da separaÃÃo e do risco iminente da perda deste ente. As regras e rotinas prÃprias da UTI, o acesso restrito dos familiares a unidade e o desconhecimento do ambiente podem vir exacerbar o medo quanto ao funcionamento, cuidados e intervenÃÃes prestadas. Este estudo teve como objetivos: Desenvolver um grupo sala de espera de acolhimento aos familiares de pacientes em UTI como estratÃgia da polÃtica de humanizaÃÃo da assistÃncia; Descrever as etapas do processo grupal no acolhimento aos familiares; Analisar a abordagem grupal como instrumento no acolhimento ao familiar de pacientes internados na UTI. Pesquisa qualitativa, tipo descritivo exploratÃrio e como fundamentaÃÃo metodolÃgica o Group process for nurses proposta por Maxine Looms (1979). O local do estudo foi a sala de espera do Centro de Terapia Intensiva (CTI) em hospital pÃblico de referÃncia no Estado, situado em Fortaleza-CE, Brasil. Durante o perÃodo de junho a setembro de 2011, os participantes do estudo foram os familiares que possuÃam parentes internados no Centro de Terapia Intensiva. Na primeira etapa participaram de entrevistas individuais 37 familiares para conhecermos as necessidades que estes possuÃam por ter um familiar internado em UTI. Na fase de intervenÃÃo com os grupos de sala de espera participaram em mÃdia 20 visitantes por dia. A fase de avaliaÃÃo individuais destes grupos foi realizada com 26 familiares. A inclusÃo dos familiares esteve condicionada a assinatura do Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido. Os resultados mostraram que os familiares tÃm necessidade de informaÃÃes do estado de saÃde e do diagnÃstico de seus familiares e que estas, devem ser claras e com menos linguagem tÃcnica. Os profissionais devem ter respeito e sinceros quando as informaÃÃes forem dadas. Os grupos foram realizados seguindo roteiro sistematizado com orientaÃÃes das rotinas na UTI e no final realizÃvamos orientaÃÃes de perguntas do prÃprio grupo. Na avaliaÃÃo dos grupos verificou-se que os familiares sentiram-se acolhidos e que participavam com atenÃÃo as atividades propostas. As orientaÃÃes quanto a lavagem das mÃos e poder conversar/tocar com paciente foram apontadas nos discursos como temas relevantes abordados no grupo. E que as informaÃÃes recebidas sobre estas atividades geraram mudanÃa no comportamento dos familiares no momento da visita. O acolhimento à uma estratÃgia referenciada com Ãxito no atendimento aos familiares. O estudo evidenciou que a realizaÃÃo de um grupo educativo na sala de espera da UTI, coordenado por enfermeiros poderà reduzir inseguranÃa e a ansiedade dos familiares durante a visita, nÃo sà quanto ao paciente, à natureza e Ãs causas da doenÃa, mas tambÃm, aos riscos relacionados à terapÃutica. Assim como, incentivar e motivar os familiares no enfrentamento da dor da hospitalizaÃÃo do parente, ajudando assim a diminuir a angÃstia e o sofrimento de todos os envolvidos. A promoÃÃo de saÃde, em nÃvel terciÃrio, com a participaÃÃo da famÃlia torna-se efetiva e concreta a HumanizaÃÃo no ambiente hospitalar, com a ampliaÃÃo de seus cuidados e conhecimentos cientÃficos, para alÃm dos pacientes internados e das tÃcnicas a eles implementadas.

Class of 2014 Abstract / Specific Aims: To evaluate the association of weight-based insulin dose with hypoglycemia in critically ill patients receiving continuous intravenous insulin infuions. To determine whether higher weight-based doses of insulin were associated with a higher incidence of hypoglycemia Methods: This was a retrospective, case-control study conducted at a tertiary care, academic medical center. Adult (>18 years) patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) receiving intravenous (IV) regular insulin infusions for the management of hyperglycemia between 1 January 2008 and 30 March 2013 were included. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Each patient with hypoglycemia was matched with a non-hypoglycemic control subject, based on age range and sex. Laboratory data, patient demographics, hypoglycemic events, insulin infusion data, SOFA scores, length of hospital and ICU stay, and patient outcomes were collected and evaluated. Main Results: Sixty-one patients experienced a hypoglycemic event and were matched with 61 non-hypoglycemic control subjects for statistical analysis. With the exception of ethnicity (p = 0.041) as a demographic predictor of hypoglycemia; age, sex, weight, height, and BMI were not significant. The starting insulin infusion rate and the total number of insulin units per day administered were not found to be associated with hypoglycemia, p=0.107 and p=0.357, respectively. Conclusion: This study failed to show significance in the total units per day of insulin and the incidence of hypoglycemia. There was no statistical significance in BMI between case and control groups, thus no clear conclusion can be made associating hypoglycemia with weight-based insulin dosing.

Patienterna på en intensivvårdsavdelning ligger i riskzonen för oavsiktlig hypotermi. De tidigare identifierade riskgrupperna är bland annat förekomst av kontinuerlig hemodialys, vissa sederande läkemedel, stor mängd intravenös vätska samt kirurgiska ingrepp i generell anestesi. Hypotermi har negativa konsekvenser för patienterna som ökad blödningsrisk, försämrad sårläkning samt kardiologisk påverkan. Syftet med studien var att undersöka förekomsten av hypotermi hos intensivvårdade patienter. En retrospektiv deskriptiv studie på 583 vuxna patienter som vårdades på en intensivvårdsavdelning någon gång under 2009 genomfördes. Resultatet visade att 17 procent av patienterna hade drabbats av oavsiktlig hypotermi. Patienterna med intagningsorsakerna blödning och sepsis hade en ökad förekomst av hypotermi. Patienter med låg kroppsvikt samt äldre patienter hade en ökad förekomst av hypotermi vilket stämmer väl överens med tidigare studier. Däremot att yngre patienter samt kvinnliga patienter hade en högre förekomst av hypotermi är nya fynd. Det förefaller viktigt för intensivvårdssjuksköterskan att tidigt identifiera patienter i riskgrupper för oavsiktlig hypotermi och aktivt förhindra dess uppkomst. / The patients on an intensive care unit are often at risk for inadvertent hypothermia. Previously identified groups at risk include patients receiving continuous renal replacement therapy, some sedative drugs, large amounts of intravenous fluids and surgical procedures during general anesthesia. Hypothermia has negative consequences for patients such as increased risk for hemorrhaging, impaired wound healing and cardiological effects. The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of inadvertent hypothermia in patients receiving intensive care. We performed a retrospective descriptive study on 583 adult patients who had been admitted to an intensive care unit. The results showed that 17 percent of the patients had inadvertent hypothermia. The patients admitted under the categories bleeding or septicemia had an increased occurrence of hypothermia. Patients with lower bodyweight and elderly patients had a higher occurrence which concurs with previous research. We also found that younger patients and female patients had a higher occurrence of hypothermia which is new findings. It appears that it is important for the intensive care unit nurse to early identify those patients at risk and to actively prevent its occurrence.

The pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) has been described as a stressful place for parents of critically ill children. Research to date has examined parents’ needs and stressors with a child in PICU. There is a paucity of research examining the experience for parents of a child who is transferred from the PICU to the hospital ward. Open-ended interviews were conducted with 10 parents within 24-48 hours after transfer from a PICU to a hospital ward at a children’s hospital in Canada to understand this experience. Parents revealed that the experience involved a search for comfort through transitions as expressed through the themes of: ‘being a parent with a critically ill child is exhausting’, ‘being kept in the know’, ‘feeling supported by others’, and ‘being transferred’. The findings from this study can help nurses and other health professionals working with parents to support them through the transition from PICU. Recommendations are made for the inclusion of family-centered care practices to assist parents through transitions.