Managed care credentialing of advanced practice nurses

The enormous and rapid changes taking place in health care delivery are forcing institutions, organizations, and individual providers of care to reexamine their relationships and create new methods of assuring both quality of care and safety for consumers. One result has been the emphasis on systematic methods of credentialing, privileging, and measuring and evaluating an individual's qualifications and actual performance. This article discusses the credentialing and privileging processes that are either in place or evolving for physicians in the managed care health care systems. With the continued evolution of managed care in this country, advanced practice nurses may need to expand their credentialing process. This article provides information on the evolutionary events leading to credentialing and privileging, current and anticipated credentialing measures, sources of measurements, medicolegal issues, and suggestions for expansion of nurse credentialing. A comprehensive credentialing system will provide additional evidence of the nursing profession's capacity to play a major role in the reformed health care system.     

The misuse of cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Over a 41-month period, 1,233 "Code Blues" were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-five codes on infants and children < 16 years of age were eliminated from the study group. The adult survivors of 1,208 codes numbered 243 (20.1%). Clinical chart review revealed that 49 (4.0%) did not involve cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or intubation and were "non-codes." Of the remaining 1,159 codes, there were 194 (16.7%) survivors. Of these survivors, 102 (52.5%) were patients with respiratory distress or failure and required intubation only. No CPR was needed. Thus, only the remaining 92 survivors of the 1,057 codes were cardiac cases for which CPR was appropriate (8.7% survival). Ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation, promptly defibrillated, was the most important rhythm factor for survival. Underlying ischemic heart disease (acute myocardial infarction and chronic ischemic heart disease with arrhythmia) was the most common underlying disease entity among the survivors. CPR performed in the group of patients unlikely to survive was expensive.     

Performance of advanced resuscitation skills by pediatric housestaff

OBJECTIVE: To describe pediatric housestaff resuscitation experience and their ability to perform key resuscitation skills. DESIGN: Cohort study of 63 pediatric residents in a university-based training program. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Investigators observed, scored, and timed resident performance on 4 key resuscitation skills. Cognitive ability was tested with 4 written scenarios. Housestaff provided self-reports of the number of months since their last American Heart Association Pediatric Advanced Life Support course, number of mock and actual codes attended, number of times skills were performed, and self-confidence with respect to resuscitation. RESULTS: A total of 45 pediatric residents (71%) participated. Median cognitive score was 5 (range, 1-5). Of all residents, 44 (97%) successfully bag mask-ventilated the mannequin; 24 (53%) and 36 (80%) used the correct bag and mask size, respectively. Thirty-nine residents (87%) placed a tube in the mannequin trachea, 12 (27%) checked that suction was working prior to intubation, and 30 (67%) chose the correct endotracheal tube size. Forty residents (89%) discharged the defibrillator, and 25 (56%) and 32 (71%) correctly chose asynchronous mode and infant paddles, respectively. Thirty-eight residents (84%) inserted an intraosseous line; 35 (78%) had correct placement. Median times for successful skill completion were 83 seconds for bag mask ventilation, 136 seconds for intubation, 149 seconds for defibrillation, and 68 seconds for intraosseous line placement. CONCLUSION: Pediatric housestaff previously trained in pediatric advanced life support were generally able to reach the end point of 4 key resuscitation skills but less frequently performed the specific subcomponents of each skill. This poor performance and the prolonged time to skill completion suggest the need for greater attention to detail during training.     

Follow-up of nurses who have finished the specialization courses in intensive care nursing

The purpose of this study was to analyse the contribution of the Extension Courses in the Intensive Care held at the Nursing School from USP, with the aim to: 1) Follow up nurses in their work at the ICU. 2) Evaluate the contribution offered by the course. The population was formed by 38 nurses, considering that 60.5% didn't work in the ICU anymore mainly because they assumed another function in the institution and had several private problems. Regarding the contribution offered by the course, the main evaluation was the acquirement of knowledge (91.7%). However, 74.2% of the nurses declared the course didn't contribute to the increase of their wage, what do not impair them from investing in their professional improvement.     

Accreditation of the professional competence of intensive care unit nurses and their education]

The healthcare system must be driven by the needs of patients and their families. Keeping in mind the current nursing education system in the United States, the AACN Certification Corporation has designed a new model to refocus patient care activities so they can be defined according to the needs of patients and families wherever they may be. This model also addresses the credentialing of nurses with specialized knowledge and skills and may be adaptable as the conceptual framework for a national nursing specialty credentialing system in other countries.     

Benefit of active compression-decompression cardiopulmonary resuscitation as a prehospital advanced cardiac life support. A randomized multicenter study

OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate the effects of intermittent transdermal nitroglycerin (TD-NTG) on the occurrence of ischemia during patch-off hours in patients with stable angina pectoris receiving a beta-adrenergic blocking agent or calcium antagonist, or both. BACKGROUND: The current recommendations for the use of intermittent TD-NTG may be associated with the occurrence of rebound ischemia. METHODS: This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial with three study periods. Tolerability to TD-NTG was assessed in Period I. Seventy-two patients were assigned to receive either double-blind transdermal placebo or maximally tolerated TD-NTG for 2 weeks (Period II) and were then crossed over to the alternative treatment for another 2 weeks (Period III). The patients were instructed to apply medication daily at 8 AM, to remove it at 10 PM and to note symptoms and sublingual nitroglycerin (SL-NTG) use in a diary. The occurrence of ischemia was assessed from patient-perceived angina, symptom-limited exercise treadmill test (ETT) and 48-h ambulatory electrocardiographic (AECG) monitoring. RESULTS: Transdermal NTG (0.2 to 0.4 mg/h) significantly reduced the magnitude of ST segment depression at angina onset during ETT compared with placebo. Total angina frequency was not significantly different between TD-NTG (mean [+/-SD] 3.2 +/- 4.2) and placebo (3.3 +/- 5.2). During patch-off hours, angina frequency increased with TD-NTG (1.1 +/- 2.1) compared with placebo (0.7 +/- 1.6) (p = 0.03). Similar trends for an increase in ischemia after TD-NTG were also observed from AECG analyses. Specifically, ischemia frequency tended to be lower during patch-off hours for placebo than with TD-NTG (0.05 +/- 0.09 vs. 0.08 +/- 0.20 episodes/h, respectively, p = 0.08), even though frequency of ischemia tended to be higher during patch-on hours for placebo than with TD-NTG (0.12 +/- 0.19 vs. 0.07 +/- 0.15 episodes/h, respectively, p = 0.11). During placebo, ischemia frequency decreased 58% (patch-on to patch-off, p = 0.01) compared with a 14% increase with TD-NTG. These changes attenuate the usual circadian variation in ischemia. CONCLUSIONS: An increase in ischemia frequency during patch-off hours after use of intermittent TD-NTG was perceived by patients, and this subjective finding was supported by a corresponding trend for AECG ischemia to increase during these same hours.     

The laryngeal mask airway in emergency medicine, neonatal resuscitation, and intensive care medicine

In assessing the potential role of the LMA outside the operating room, the risks of a less secure airway must be balanced against the benefits of ease of training, success and speed of insertion, no need for direct visualization of laryngeal structures, and lesser need for ancillary equipment. The LMA has a role as an alternative to FMV in CPR when personnel skilled in tracheal intubation are not available. When skilled intubators are present, it has an important role as an alternative airway when intubation has been impossible. These roles extend to the prehospital setting, with an additional specific indication for its use when access to a patient is limited making tracheal intubation impossible. The LMA is incorporated into advanced life support training and as such should be regarded as a device providing temporary airway support, rather than a replacement for a tracheal tube. The LMA, and possibly also the ILM, should be standard equipment carried by prehospital trauma teams and by all those attending victims in the field.     

Identification of rib cage's lower margin in cardiopulmonary resuscitation

The Guidelines of the American Heart Association (J Am Med Assoc 1992;268(16):2184-2198) and the European Resuscitation Council (Resuscitation 1992;24:103-110; Resuscitation 1998;37:67-80) for adult basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), suggest that the hands of the rescuer should be positioned on the sternum of the victim after identification of the lower margin of the rib cage, but how this identification is made is not described. Lay persons have problems with the identification of anatomical structures that they cannot actually see (Bahr et al., Resuscitation 1997;35:23-6). Although this does not present a problem for those familiar with human anatomy, we have noticed that lay persons have problems with the identification of the lower margin of the rib cage. In this report, we suggest a method for correct and rapid recognition of the costal margin.     

A prospective study on the behavior of pediatric intensive care unit nurses, concerning the care given to suicidal children

Pediatric intensive care units use sophisticated medical technology and are staffed by deeply committed nurses who are subjected to significant psychological stress. This stress varies with the type of patient and influences the style and quality of care. With this respect, children and adolescents admitted after a suicidal attempt are considered catalysts. However, there have been no systematic studies of how pediatric intensive care nurses respond emotionally to their interactions with these patients. This epidemiological study conducted in five Parisian Teaching Hospital pediatric intensive care units used a specially designed questionnaire to evaluate nurses' responses on the basis of style of care. Children under 16 years of age admitted after attempted suicide were studied comparatively with same age children admitted for status asthmaticus or encephalopathy with seizures. Results highlighted the differences in nurses' psychological responses to these situations and their difficulties in interacting with patients. This study provides strict methodological guidelines for investigating an issue often discussed emotionally or on the basis of anecdotal data.     

Building healthier communities in a managed care environment: opportunities for advanced practice nurses

Two paradigm shifts are occurring in health care: managed care and community partnerships. The distinct principles and trends of each paradigm are certain to determine the future practice of advanced practice nurses (APNs). The impact of managed care and community partnerships will affect the resource management, clinical decision making, and time management of APNs. Concomitantly, APNs will have opportunities to influence practice guidelines, individual and community decision making, cultural competence, and the cost-effectiveness of care in communities. Capitalizing on these opportunities will enhance the value of APNs to their managed care plan employer and their community.     

Prevention of sudden death and the countermeasures--emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation]

The aim of this study was to analyse inspiratory crackles in patients with Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) and Bronchiectasis (BE). One case of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) has also been included. The relationships between the time of occurrence of crackles (T) in the breath cycle and the corresponding flow at the mouth (F) and volume (V) have been investigated. The linear correlations between the flow, volume and time have been investigated by Pearson's R-test and the same variables have been analysed by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) in order to verify the effective dimension of these data. The results show a strong correlation between the time of occurrence and the volume in all the examined cases. PCA shows that in all cases F and V account for more than 90% of variation. These results suggest that placing crackles on the flow-volume plane does not cause loss of information.     

A phenomenological study of ethical decision-making experiences among senior intensive care nurses and doctors concerning withdrawal of treatment

Substantial evidence has recently accumulated showing domestic cats to be the principal reservoirs of Bartonella henselae, the aetiological agent of human diseases including cat-scratch disease, bacillary angiomatosis, bacillary peliosis and a febrile bacteraemia syndrome. To determine the prevalence of antibodies reactive with Bartonella henselae in cats from southern Africa, indirect fluorescent antibody assays were carried out on feline sera from South Africa and Zimbabwe. Overall, 23% (39/171) of cats had antibody titres > or = 1/64, with cats from Zimbabwe (24%; 28/119) having higher seroprevalences than those from South Africa (21%; 11/52) although this difference was not statistically significant. The implications of these findings for veterinarians in southern Africa are discussed.     

Predictors of outcome from critical illness. Shock and cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Many of our patients in ICUs suffer from shock, be it due to sepsis, trauma, arrest, or other causes. These patients continue to have a very high mortality rate in spite of very labor intensive and expensive treatment. The ability to identify patients who are likely to succumb to their illness is of utmost importance. Of the multitude of scoring systems published, the APACHE seems to accurately stratify shock patients according to severity of illness. However, these systems tend to be more useful for stratifying risk groups of patients than assessing the risk of death. Hemodynamic data can specifically assess the severity of the shock state in an individual patient. Those who maintain a relatively low cardiac index (< 4.5 L/m/M2) and oxygen delivery (< 15 mL/m/kg or 600 mL/m/M2) have persistent tissue hypoperfusion. Arterial lactate concentrations reflect the severity of this perfusion defect and correlate with outcome. Therefore, by restoring tissue perfusion, we can clearly improve mortality. CPP, although not generally obtainable during cardiac arrest, is the major physiologic determinant of outcome from CPR. ETCO2 monitoring during cardiac arrest in humans correlates with resuscitability, however, provides a rapid noninvasive monitor of cardiac output, and therefore has secured its role as an invaluable tool for assessing the effectiveness of CPR. An ETCO2 over 10 mm Hg is associated with effective CPR. A rapid rise in ETCO2 during CPR heralds recovery of spontaneous circulation. In conclusion, the use of prognostic indicators as predictors of outcome is supported as an important adjunct to the management of critically ill patients. These indicators serve as useful monitors to evaluate treatment and guide clinical management. Understanding the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms responsible for the wide variety of illnesses associated with circulatory failure is crucial in our concerted effort to reduce mortality in these patients. As knowledge is gained, we hopefully will be able to develop more accurate and specific predictors of outcome to prudently select patients most likely to benefit.