Keeping up with the latest research can be challenging. But give Nicole L Kupchik, 75 minutes and she’ll do her best to make sure everyone is on the same page.
The session “Critical Care Studies You Should Know About: A Year in Review,” at 10 a.m. Tuesday highlights a handful of studies published in the last year that may have an impact on clinical practice.
Kupchik, an independent consultant with her own practice, said a new study may have the broadest impact if it finally determines the superior method for pad placement. “This is one of the first randomized control trials of its kind,” she said. Anterior/posterior pad place is more likely to result in a successful shock out and a higher overall survival rate, she said.
Another study, a systematic meta-analysis, compares the impact of antipsychotic medication on delirium.
New guidelines for transfusion thresholds may not seem that major since they largely affirm standard practice. But for patients with acute coronary syndrome, changes in guidelines may be warranted, she said. New research also looks at transfusion thresholds for neurology patients with traumatic brain injuries.
“I try to keep it super fresh. When I’m doing this, I try to think about what would impact every single nurse in that room.” That’s why she tries to make sure she has something for everyone, not just a heavy focus on cardiology or neurology.
Much of the groundbreaking research has widespread applications, such as a meta-analysis on fluid choice that found saline may not be favorable, except for neuro patients. The STICKY trial, which is nurse driven, evaluated liquid medical adhesive applied either before or with the dressing. That trial could have a major impact on central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), she said.
“One of the things I want to impress upon people is how important science is, unbiased science, that drives our practice. I want to make statistics a little less daunting for a nurse. I’d love for them to feel comfortable reading beyond the abstracts.”