Nursing resources and patient outcomes in intensive care units

摘要

Intensivecare units (ICUs) were not designed simply to carefor the mostseriously ill patients, but for thosefor whomsurvivalwas possible, but notcertain. During ICUadmission, patientsexperiencea variety of physicaland psychologicalstressors, whichmay result in psychological disorders including anxiety, depression,and post-traumaticstress disorder. [1,2] Over time, thesefactorscan also have detrimentalconsequences on other health outcomes, thereby affecting the patient's recovery. [3] Considering theICUasaspecialised unit for thecare ofseriously illand unstable patients, [4] increasing and maintaining nursing resource, which includes both directand indirect nursing care,areespecially important in the ICU. Furthermore, health care on ICUfocuses on the mostcritically ill patientsand consumesasignificant portion ofmedicalexpenses. Concerns about patientsafety and the quality ofcareare driving research on theclinicaland cost-effectiveness of health careinterventions, including the rationalallocation of nurseresources to maximizetheireffects.