Decontaminants Don’t Cut Bloodstream Infection Risk in Ventilated ICU Patients
The use of digestive and oral decontaminants in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) who are mechanically ventilated and who have moderate to high antibiotic resistance is not associated with a reduction in ICU-acquired... read more
New Sickle Cell Test Can Transform Screening
Sickle cell disease is common throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa. It affects up to 3% of births in some areas and is associated with very high mortality. Many cases go undiagnosed in regions where there are few resources,... read more
Something for the Pain: Compassion and Burnout in the ER
In this eye-opening account of life in the ER, Paul Austin recalls how the daily grind of long, erratic shifts and endless hordes of patients with sad stories sent him down a path of bitterness and cynicism. Gritty, powerful,... read more
Burnout How Can We Improve
The risk of burnout in intensive care is high, there is a great need to look after ourselves and each other to enable us to effectively care for our patients and to be part of not only an effective team but also an enjoyable... read more
Mapping the Brain’s Genetic Landscape
Scientists have taken a step toward building a computer model of the brain's genome, one that may help clarify the genetic roots of schizophrenia, autism and other disorders. For the past two decades, scientists have been... read more
Bedside Ultrasound Assessment of Lung Reaeration in Patients With Blunt Thoracic Injury Receiving High-Flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen Therapy
High-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy may be considered as an initial respiratory therapy for trauma patients with blunt chest injury. High-flow nasal cannula therapy could improve lung aeration as noted by the transthoracic... read more
Vitamin Treatment For Sepsis Is Put To The Test
Dr. Jonathan Sevransky was intrigued when he heard that a well-known physician in Virginia had reported remarkable results from a simple treatment for sepsis. Could the leading cause of death in hospitals really be treated... read more
Early Resumption of β Blockers Is Associated with Decreased Atrial Fibrillation after Noncardiothoracic and Nonvascular Surgery
Resuming β blockers in chronic users by the end of the first postoperative day may be associated with lower odds of in-hospital atrial fibrillation. However, there seems to be little advantage to restarting on the day of... read more
Antimicrobial Chemical Tied to Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Dust
Most people have heard about antibiotic-resistant germs. But how about antibiotic-resistant dust? A new Northwestern University study has found that an antimicrobial chemical called triclosan is abundant in dust — and linked... read more
Cast of the Right Bronchial Tree
A 36-year-old man was admitted to the intensive care unit with an acute exacerbation of chronic heart failure. His medical history included heart failure with an ejection fraction of 20%, bioprosthetic aortic-valve replacement... read more
Most Physicians Disenchanted With Their Profession
Seven out of ten physicians would not recommend their profession to their children or other family members, and more than half are thinking about retiring within the next five years, including one-third of those under the... read more
Against the Odds – When Statistics Fail the Patient
Do you want to cut the cord? the nurse asked. I watched my husband pick up the scissors, his hand trembling as he cautiously severed the lifeline that once connected our daughter, Anika, to me. The nurse wrapped her in a... read more
2018 AACN Elf on the Shelf Contest
There was an influx of elves admitted into the ICU last year, but our community of exceptional nurses cared for them! This year, we invite you to participate in our AACN Elf on the Shelf social media contest! Simply take... read more
Drone Doctors
Trials in Australia could be signalling the way ahead for a new role for remotely piloted aircraft in the air medical sphere, as James Paul Wallis reports. Drones have long since proved their worth as an aerial search tool... read more
Study Shows More Than 50% of Americans Have at Least 1 Chronic Health Condition, Mental Disorder, or Substance Use Issue
Overall, 18.4% of adults reported a mental illness in the past year, and 8.6% reported substance abuse/dependence during the same time. Nearly 40% had 1 or more chronic medical conditions in their lifetimes, and 14.7% were... read more
Epidemiology of Mechanically Ventilated Patients Treated in ICU and non-ICU Settings in Japan
A large proportion of Japanese patients on mechanical ventilation (MV) were treated in non-ICU settings. Analysis of administrative data indicated preliminary that hospital mortality rates in these patients were higher in... read more
Association of Driving Pressure With Mortality Among Ventilated Patients With ARDS
Our study confirmed an association between higher driving pressure and higher mortality in mechanically ventilated patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). These findings suggest a possible range of driving... read more
Nurse Staffing, Nursing Assistants and Hospital Mortality
Lower RN staffing and higher levels of admissions per RN are associated with increased risk of death during an admission to hospital. These findings highlight the possible consequences of reduced nurse staffing and do not... read more
The NeuroICU Book
An immediate classic, this groundbreaking text is based on the premise that neurointensivists must be trained to handle not only the brain, but the entire body. The NeuroICU Book, Second Edition does not limit coverage to... read more
The Effectiveness of Non-Pharmacological Interventions in Reducing the Incidence and Duration of Delirium in Critically Ill Patients
Current evidence does not support the use of non-pharmacological interventions in reducing incidence and duration of delirium in critically ill patients. Future research should consider well-designed and well-described multicomponent... read more
Would A Change in Nomenclature for ICUs Promote Less Aggressive Care?
The term "intensive care unit" (ICU) was originally meant to refer to the intensity of the resources allocated to patient care. Today, however, ICU refers more to the intensity of the interventions undergone by the patient.... read more
Reprint of Recovery Programme for ICU Survivors Has No Effect on Relatives’ Quality of Life
The recovery programme intended for intensive care survivors did not have an effect on the relatives. Future recovery programmes should be targeted to help both patient and family, and future research should be conducted... read more
