“
“Objective The aim of this article is to evaluate the accuracy, precision, and safety of transcutaneous carbon dioxide tension (TcPCO2) monitoring at different electrode temperatures in preterm infants in the early postnatal period. Study Design A total of 26 neonates with a median birth weight of 974 g (432-1,694 g) and gestational age of 28.0 weeks (26.1-31.3 weeks) were studied in the first 5 days of life. A total of 252 simultaneous pairs (TcPCO2 and arterial carbon dioxide tension [PaCO2]) were analyzed at 38, 39, and 40 degrees C at 26 and 27 weeks, and at 38, 39, 40, and 42 degrees C at 28 to 31 weeks. Results The mean difference

of TcPCO2 and PaCO2 (bias) increased from 3.93 mm Hg at 42 degrees C to 5.64 mm Hg at 40 degrees C, 6.58 mm Hg at 39 degrees C, and

6.07 mm Hg at 38 degrees C. Standard deviation (SD) of the bias increased from 4.17 MK-2206 cell line mm Hg at 42 degrees C to 4.76 mm Hg at 40 degrees C, 5.29 mm Hg at 39 degrees C, and 5.07 mm Hg at 38 degrees C. Adverse skin lesions selleckchem were not observed. Conclusion TcPCO2 measurements are the most accurate and precise at an electrode temperature of 42 degrees C. However, in premature babies, monitoring at 38, 39, and 40 degrees C is possible provided a bias correction of 6 mm Hg and SD of 5 mm Hg are applied.”
“AimTo determine the cost effectiveness of increasing nurse staffing or changing the nursing skill mix in adult medical and/or surgical patients? BackgroundResearch has demonstrated that nurse staffing levels and skill mix are associated with patient outcomes in acute care settings. If increased nurse staffing levels or richer skill mix can be shown to be cost-effective hospitals may be more likely to consider these aspects when making staffing decisions. DesignA systematic review of the literature

on economic evaluations of nurse staffing and patient outcomes was conducted to see KPT-8602 solubility dmso whether there is consensus that increasing nursing hours/skill mix is a cost-effective way of improving patient outcomes. We used the Cochrane Collaboration systematic review method incorporating economic evidence. Data sourcesThe MEDLINE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus and PsychINFO databases were searched in 2013 for published and unpublished studies in English with no date limits. Review methodsThe review focused on full economic evaluations where costs of increasing nursing hours or changing the skill mix were included and where consequences included nursing sensitive outcomes. ResultsFour-cost benefit and five-cost effectiveness analyses were identified. There were no cost-minimization or cost-utility studies identified in the review. A variety of methods to conceptualize and measure costs and consequences were used across the studies making it difficult to compare results.