[The impact of visits on vital signs of the patients in surgical intensive care unit: a pilot study]. / Cerrahi yogun bakim hastalarinda ziyaretin yasam bulgulari üzerine etkisi: Pilot çalisma.

BACKGROUND: This research was conducted to analyze the impact of visiting patients in the intensive care unit on the vital signs of the patients. METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted at the emergency surgical intensive care unit of a university hospital in Istanbul. The sample consisted of 43 patients aged 18 and above, who stayed at the unit for more than 24 hours. Data collection included the demographic features of the patients as well as the information and evaluation form including the vital signs of patients before, during and after visits. Data were measured before, during and after visits. RESULTS: 39.5% (n=17) of the patients were female and 60.5% (n=26) were male. Values before and after visits, respectively, were as follows: Mean fever 36.7±0.81 and 36.8±.94; pulse 97.3±26.4 and 98.4±26.1; mean respiration 23.76±4.55 and 24.30±4.53; systolic pressure 113.4±25.86 and 120.4±21.15; and diastolic pressure 64.81±8 and 67.30±3. CONCLUSION: This study, carried out as a pilot study, found that visiting patients in intensive care units affects the patients; however, this effect does not cause a serious physiological change in the vital signs of the patient.

The relationship among pressure ulcers, oxygenation, and perfusion in mechanically ventilated patients in an intensive care unit.

PURPOSE: We examined the relationships among oxygenation, tissue perfusion, and other comorbid conditions not incorporated into the Norton Scale, and pressure ulcer (PU) development in subjects receiving mechanical ventilation. DESIGN: Descriptive, observational study. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: The setting was our university hospital's surgical/emergency intensive care unit in Istanbul province, Turkey. The sample comprised 30 patients who were older than 18 years, did not have a PU on admission, and had been mechanically ventilated for more than 24 hours when data collection began. METHODS: Skin integrity and a PU risk, using the Norton Scale, were administered twice daily. In addition, serum blood testing, vital signs, and data regarding ventilation and oxygenation status were obtained from the patient's electronic medical records. RESULTS: Slightly less than half of subjects were women (n = 14, 46.7%). Their mean age was 54.36 years (SD = 20.68). Pressure ulcers developed in 5 patients (16.7%); all PUs were located on the heel. All ulcers were initially observed as stage I lesions; 1 progressed to a stage II ulcer and 1 progressed to a stage III ulcer. Patients who developed pressure ulcers have higher serum glucose levels (z = -2.198; P = .028), higher serum pH levels (z = -2.031; P = .028), and lower diastolic blood pressures (z = 0.055; P = .057) than those who remained ulcer free. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that mechanically ventilated patients who develop PUs were more likely to have significantly higher blood glucose levels, significantly lower diastolic blood pressure values, and significantly higher serum pH values than were patients who remained free of PUs. Nurses who care for mechanically ventilated patients should recognize these factors and initiate preventive interventions as indicated.