Tag: stress
Music and Medicine: Something Important
Every week or 2 when I don’t have a daytime shift, I set up my iPad and play piano for an hour or so. Nothing depressing or too complicated—feel-good music from the 1930s to the latest by John Legend or Coldplay. The... read more
A tailored multicomponent program to reduce discomfort in critically ill patients
Critically ill patients are exposed to stressful conditions and experience several discomforts. The primary objective was to assess whether a tailored multicomponent program is effective for reducing self‑perceived discomfort.... read more
There are no wrong questions to ask in the ICU
A common confusion is differentiating between critical care and emergency medicine. Essentially, in emergency medicine, doctors and nurses stabilize patients and then transfer them to the appropriate area of the hospital,... read more
Taking Care of the Physician
There is increasing conversation about "physician wellness" these days, as we look at how young doctors are trained, and at the physical, emotional and spiritual pathways of those who are supposedly (and arduously and extensively)... read more
ICU Diary Impact on Patients and Families Wellbeing
The ICU-Diary study: prospective, multicenter comparative study of the impact of an ICU diary on the wellbeing of patients and families in French ICUs. This study will provide new insights on the impact of ICU diaries on... read more
Better Living Quality for Intensive Care
Aiming to bring "Better Living in Intensive Care" for both patients and caregivers, the French Intensive Care Society issued guidelines to promote quality of life for ICU. As the largest premier reference and teaching hospital... read more
Animal-assisted Activity in the ICU
Animals are being introduced into hospital settings in ever-increasing numbers. Emerging literature suggests that incorporating trained animals to assist with medical care and rehabilitation therapies can promote patient... read more
Understanding Adrenal Crisis
Approximately 5–17 cases of adrenal crisis (AC) occur per 100 patient years in patients with primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency (AI). The mortality rate is estimated to be between 0.5% and 2%. Norwegian data indicate... read more
Delirium in Hospitalized Older Adults
Delirium, an acute confusional state, is common among hospitalized elders and is associated with poor outcomes. All patients with delirium should be evaluated for reversible causes. Behavioral disturbances should be managed... read more
Active Noise Control Headphones to Reduce Patient’s Exposure to ICU Noise
The use of active noise cancellation, as delivered by noise-cancelling headphones, is associated with a significant reduction in noise exposure in our model of noise exposure in a cardiac ICU. This is the first study to look... read more
Sound and Light Levels Are Similarly Disruptive in ICU and non-ICU Wards
Quieter, non-ICU wards have as many SLCs as ICUs do, which has implications for quality improvement measurements. Efforts to further reduce average noise levels might be counterproductive. Light levels in the hospital (ICU... read more
The Business Case for Investing in Physician Well-being
Understanding the business case to reduce burnout and promote engagement as well as overcoming the misperception that nothing meaningful can be done are key steps for organizations to begin to take action. Evidence suggests... read more
Prehabilitation: Preparing Patients for Surgery
The impact of surgery leads to significant homeostatic disturbance.1 The surgical stress response is characterised by catabolism and increased oxygen demand. The extent and duration of the stress response is proportionate... read more
Don’t Just Do Something, Stand There!
An excellent analogy on how doing nothing can be the best option. Penalty kicks in soccer can make fans crumple with anguish or weep with elation. The kicker sends the ball rocketing toward the goal and goalkeepers lunge... read more
Technologic Distractions
Summary of Approaches to Manage Alert Quantity With Intent to Reduce Alert Fatigue and Suggestions for Alert Fatigue Metrics. Approaches for managing alert fatigue in the ICU are provided as a result of reviewing tested interventions... read more
Unplugged & Reconnected – Recovering from Burnout
Does your desk ever look like this? Mine does. WAY too often. Insert the piles of papers, books, journals and mail I need to get to on the side also. When I look at this photo, it seems absolutely ridiculous. Why on earth... read more
