ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Critical care nurses titrate continuous infusions of medications to achieve clinical end points. In 2017, The Joint Commission (TJC) placed restrictions on titration practice, decreasing nurses' autonomous decision-making. OBJECTIVES: To describe the practice and perceptions of nurses regarding the 2017 TJC accreditation/regulatory standards for titration of continuous medication infusions. METHODS: A survey of nurses' experiences titrating continuous medication infusions was developed, validated, and distributed electronically to members of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. RESULTS: The content validity index for the survey was 1.0 for relevance and 0.95 for clarity. A total of 781 nurses completed the survey; 625 (80%) perceived titration standards to cause delays in patient care, and 726 (93%) experienced moral distress (mean [SD], 4.97 [2.67]; scale, 0-10). Among respondents, 33% could not comply with titration orders, 68% reported suboptimal care resulting from pressure to comply with orders, 70% deviated from orders to meet patient needs, and 84% requested revised orders to ensure compliance. Suboptimal care and delays in care significantly and strongly (regression coefficients ≥0.69) predicted moral distress. CONCLUSIONS: Critical care nurses perceive TJC medication titration standards to adversely impact patient care and contribute to moral distress. The improved 2020 updates to the standards do not address delays and inability to comply with orders, leading to moral distress. Advocacy is indicated in order to mitigate unintended consequences of TJC medication management titration standards.
Subject(s)
Medication Therapy Management , Morals , Nurses , Critical Care , Humans , Medication Therapy Management/ethics , Nurses/psychology , Psychological Distress , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
A brain abscess is defined as a localized collection of pus within the parenchyma of the brain or meninges. Brain abscesses are a complication of ear, sinus, and/or dental infections. Although they may occur in many brain locations, the most common sites are frontal and temporal lobes. Modern neuroimaging and laboratory analysis have led to prompt diagnosis and have decreased the mortality rates from brain abscess. Critical care nurses have a vital role in performing accurate neurologic assessments, timely administration of antibiotics, and management of fever.
