Ocular care and complications in the critically ill

Eye Care Interventions in Critical/Surgical Patients in the Prone Position: Scoping Review

Objectives: This study aimed to map evidence of eye care interventions in managing critical or surgical patients submitted to prone positions. Materials and method: This scoping review was prepared according to the Joanna Briggs Institute’s methodology, following the PRISMA-ScR criteria. A search was conducted from July to August 2020 in the SCOPUS, Web of Science, Science Direct, PubMed Central, CINAHL, and COCHRANE databases. The following research question was delimited: “What are the strategies and interventions used for eye care in the management of critical patients or surgical patients submitted to the prone position?” The sample consisted of 24 studies after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Eye care interventions in managing critical/surgical patients submitted to the prone position were eye examination, use of lubricants/specific ophthalmic solution, reverse Trendelenburg positioning, and protection with adhesive tape. Conclusions: This review allowed the understanding of eye care for critical/surgical patients in a prone position. Among the care presented, a large part is related to nursing since it is closer to patient care. The findings emphasize the need to implement patient safety policies with eye care as a priority.

Development and validation of an eye care educational programme for intensive care unit nurses

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To develop and validate an eye care educational programme for intensive care unit nurses.

BACKGROUND

Eye care guidelines and protocols have been developed for increasing eye care implementation in intensive care units. However, the guidelines lack consistency in assessment or intervention methodology.

DESIGN

This was a one-sample pre/postprogramme evaluation study design for testing the effects of the eye care educational programme, developed for and applied to intensive care unit nurses, on their levels of knowledge and awareness.

METHODS

The eye care educational programme was developed based on literature review and survey of educational needs. Thirty intensive care unit nurses served as subjects for the study.

RESULTS

The levels of eye care-related knowledge, awareness and practice were enhanced following the implementation of the educational programme. Moreover, satisfaction with the educational programme was high.

CONCLUSION

It is necessary to intensify eye care education aimed at new nurses who are inexperienced in intensive care unit nursing and provide continuing education on the latest eye care methods and information to experienced nurses.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

The eye care educational programme developed in this study can be used as a strategy to periodically assess the eye status of patients and facilitate the appropriate eye care.

A bundle improves eye care in PICU

BACKGROUND

Intensive care patients are susceptible to developing painful corneal epithelial deficits. Provision of eye care to prevent deficits was limited in our paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) population.

INTERVENTIONS

A new eye care bundle was introduced, comprising a guideline for eye care, the addition of eye lubricants to the electronic prescribing order set for new admissions to PICU and staff education on the importance of eye care. Weekly examinations over a 2-month period following implementation of the bundle evaluated eye care provision and presence of corneal epithelial deficits on ophthalmic examination.

RESULTS

Provision of formal eye care improved from 19% to 96%. The incidence of deficits was lower than previously, simple eye ointment reduced the risk of deficits, even in incompletely closed eyes.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of an eye care bundle, together with a multidisciplinary team approach to eye care, improves the provision of eye care in PICU.

Intensive Care Nurses' Views and Practices for Eye Care: An International Comparison

Eye care is an important area of critical care. However, lack of eye care studies is a common issue across the globe. The aim of this study is to determine the views and practices of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses on eye care in Turkey and Palestine. This descriptive study was conducted using a self-administrated questionnaire. The data were collected from 111 nurses in nine kinds of ICUs in two education hospital. Normal saline (75.9%) was the most commonly reported solution for eye hygiene among the Palestinian nurses, and gauze soaked in normal saline or sterile water (64.3%) were the most frequently used supplies by the Turkish nurses. Although both Palestinian and Turkish ICU nurses took some precautions to prevent eye complications in critical patients, there were some gaps and insufficiencies in the eye care of ICU patients. There is a need for continuing training in this area.