PROCEDURES IN CRITICAL CARE
C. William Hanson III, ISBN-13: 9780071481816, $169.00/$135.20 through membership bookstores.
Procedures in Critical Care is introduced through its preface as an introductory text for critical care inventions as a reference for students and novice practitioners and for experts who want to understand more about those procedures outside their expertise.
The book is 157 pages in length, divided into 7 sections, and ends with a cumulative index. Section 1 begins with the "basics" through a clear description enhanced with photographs of what one can expect to see and hear in the critical care environment. Particularly important in this section is the attention given to the universal protocol, hand washing, informed consent, and procedural documentation, as all are considered necessary steps in providing safe and trusted patient care. Common occurrences such as procedural prepping and draping, transport, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and associated risks are reviewed and discussed so the reader is aware of environmental process as well as professional expectation.
The remaining sections provide up-to-date information regarding the most common procedures, interventions, and technology that one might see in the critical care environment and are divided into 6 remaining sections including neurological, thoracic/respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and extremity topics. Each section contains an introduction, definitions and terms, techniques, clinical pearls and pitfalls, and finally, suggestions for additional reading that further enhances or supports the section material. Each primary section contains detailed photographs that highlight the technique, procedure, and the anatomy discussed, which provide a very visual learning tool for the reader. Finally, there is a DVD that accompanies the text, which only serves to further enhance learning for the reader.
As a practicing nurse for more than 30 years and currently a clinical risk manager, I can say that this book as a reference has multiple uses. Most importantly, it serves as an educational reference tool for healthcare staff at the bedside; however, it also serves as a useful reference for risk management, as we review the steps and multiple complex processes involved in caring for our most critically ill patients. This book gives clear guidance on the standard of care and is supported by up-to-date reference literature. I highly recommend it as a library "must have" in the critical care environment.