Episode 208: From Survivor to Revolutionist- an ICU Nurse's Reflections on Both Sides of the ICU Bed

Episode 208: From Survivor to Revolutionist- an ICU Nurse’s Reflections on Both Sides of the ICU Bed

Erika Breivogel’s journey through the ICU as a patient forever changed her as a person as well as transformed the care she now gives as an ICU nurse. In this episode she inspires up with her reflections of ICU culture vs. patient reality and what moves her to keep fighting the ICU revolution. Episode Transcription

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Episode 207: Elevating ICU Culture, Practice, and Outcomes Through Verticalization Therapy

What does verticalization therapy look like at the bedside? What does it take to get the entire ICU team engaged in optimizing verticalization beds? Jessica Cafferty, OTR/L and Jennifer Babb, PT, DPT join us to share case studies and insights into verticalization therapy in their ICUs! Episode Transcription [00:00:00] This is the walking home from

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I am a nurse leader responsible for improving practices across the intensive care units of a large health system. As an experienced ICU nurse, I know the culture that most often exists in ICUs is one that promotes and accepts over-sedation that often causes unintended harm. While reviewing the literature to better align our liberation practices with the best evidence, one of our bedside nurses discovered Walking Home From The ICU. The combination of poignant stories from ICU survivors with the expertise of some of ICU Liberation’s leading experts became the impetus for a system-wide evidence-based practice improvement project aimed at changing analgesia and sedation management in our ICUs.

After initially being inspired by Kali’s podcast and the incredible stories it provides, we saw an opportunity for more. We brought Kali in to present a webinar to almost 100 of our critical care team members, including nurses, APPs, physicians, and respiratory therapists. Kali’s presentation struck a needed balance between evidence-based practice information and inspiring stories, highlighting real patients who benefited from a practice that is often very different from what occurs in most ICUs today. The webinar was very well-received by all who attended, and the lessons learned have continued to be referenced by our team members as we strive to create an Awake and Walking ICU culture.

Kali offers a refreshing perspective on critical care, and she supports it with a wealth of knowledge garnered from years as a bedside nurse and advanced practice provider. Kali knows how to speak to clinicians because she is one, and she’s still very connected to the daily lived experiences of those on the frontline of critical care. I believe anyone working in critical care will find inspiration in Walking Home From The ICU to change the harmful culture of sedation in their practice. I would even go so far as to recommend the podcast as required listening for all ICU team members, whether experienced clinicians or new residents and nurses. When additional support is needed, I encourage clinical leaders to utilize Kali’s expertise and experiences to further inspire and motivate their teams. Time spent working with Kali is an investment that will pay dividends in the positive impact it has on the lives of the patients we serve.

Patrick Bradley, MSN, RN, CCRN
Virginia, USA

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