Inpatient antiviral treatment reduces ICU admissions among influenza patients
Administering inpatient antiviral influenza treatment may reduce admissions to the ICU among adults hospitalized with flu, according to a study presented at ID Week 2017, an infectious diseases meeting. While interventions... read more
The Relationship between Clinical Experience and Quality of Health Care
Physicians with more experience are generally believed to have accumulated knowledge and skills during years in practice and therefore to deliver high-quality care. However, evidence suggests that there is an inverse relationship... read more
Four in Five U.S. Physicians Have Been Affected by Cyberattacks
More than four in five U.S. physicians (83 percent) have experienced some form of a cybersecurity attack, according to new research released by Accenture and the American Medical Association (AMA). This, along with additional... read more
Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Critical Illness-Related Corticosteroid Insufficiency – Part I
Evidence-based recommendations for the use of corticosteroids in critically ill patients with sepsis and septic shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and major trauma have been developed by a multispecialty task force.... read more
Prevention of Hospital Infections by Intervention and Training (PROHIBIT)
Results of a pan-European cluster-randomized multicentre study to reduce central venous catheter-related bloodstream infections. This study demonstrates that multimodal prevention strategies aiming at improving CVC insertion... read more
The Effect of ICU Out-of-Hours Admission on Mortality
Adjusted risk of death for ICU admission was greater over the weekends compared with weekdays. The absence of a dedicated intensivist on-site overnight may be associated with increased mortality for acute admissions. These... read more
How Bacteria May Help Regulate Blood Pressure
While bacteria once had negative connotations, scientists are now saying it could be good for you. Smell receptors in kidneys sniff out signals from gut bacteria for cues to moderate blood pressure. Some years ago, when Jennifer... read more
We Need to Talk About Trauma
One of the most haunting images from my time as a junior doctor working in Hackney in the mid-1990s was in an A&E (emergency) department while we tried to resuscitate a man in his 40s. In the corner of the room stood two... read more
Hope is a Therapeutic Tool
Everyone who has been a patient, or accompanied a relative to see a doctor, recognises the importance of the doctor-patient relationship. At its heart is the patient's need to understand what is wrong, be understood, and... read more
Guiding Vascular Access Selection for Intensive Care
Determining appropriateness for vascular access devices limits the risk of complications in critically ill patients. Michigan Appropriateness Guide to Intravenous Catheters (MAGIC) establishes evidence-based indications as... read more
Recommendations for a Standardized Pulmonary Function Report
The American Thoracic Society committee on Proficiency Standards for Pulmonary Function Laboratories has recognized the need for a standardized reporting format for pulmonary function tests. Although prior documents have... read more
Eye Protection in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care
New guidelines on prevention of eye injuries during anaesthesia and intensive care have been developed by the French Society for Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine (SFAR), together with the French Ophthalmology Society... read more
Dying at Home – Our Grandfather’s Great Escape
Our 94-year-old grandfather's last journey was not a glorious affair, an inelegant denouement to a life marked by global travel and migration. Still, to us, as we pushed his wheelchair out of the hospital lobby, it felt like... read more
Hypovitaminosis C and vitamin C deficiency in critically ill patients despite recommended enteral and parenteral intakes
Critically ill patients have low vitamin C concentrations despite receiving standard ICU nutrition. Septic shock patients have significantly depleted vitamin C levels compared with non-septic patients, likely resulting from... read more
Implementation of a Goal-Directed Mechanical Ventilation Order Set Improves Compliance
Implementation of a Goal-Directed Mechanical Ventilation Order Set Driven by Respiratory Therapists Improves Compliance With Best Practices for Mechanical Ventilation. Data regarding best practices for ventilator management... read more
High Morning Cortisol Tied to Long-term Anxiety in Family Members of ICU Patients
A new study published in the journal Critical Care Medicine finds that a biomarker may help identify which family members will be most emotionally impacted by their loved one's ICU stay. In particular, family members who... read more
Alarm Reductions Don’t Improve ICU Response Times
It will take more than a reduction in alarms to address the issue of alarm fatigue in the ICU; a change in the ICU staff culture is needed, suggests new research. A program run at Dr. Kunadu's hospital showed that cutting... read more
New Guidance for Medication Safety in the ICU
Critically ill patients are a population at high risk for more frequent and more severe medication-related events. Critically ill patients receive twice the number of medications that non-critically ill, hospitalized patients... read more
Ethics in the NICU: Principles, Methods, and Application
Dr. Mark Mercurio gives a basic review of some of the fundamental principles and approaches relevant to decision-making in the NICU. Adequate fellowship training in ethics and professionalism is essential so that neonatologists... read more
Reduction in Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infections Correlated With the Introduction of a Novel Silver-Plated Dressing for Central Venous Catheters
Use of SDs is associated with a significant decrease in CLABSI rates in adult ICU patients compared to CHGIS dressings, with an estimated cost savings of US$4070 to US$39 600 per 1000 catheter days. A total of 3189 patient... read more
Guidelines for Point-of-Care Use of Transesophageal Echocardiography in Cardiac Arrest Resuscitation
In patients with cardiac arrest, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) may provide greater benefits than transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) for imaging, diagnosis, and prognosis, according to a review paper published in... read more
The Nurses: A Year of Secrets, Drama, and Miracles with the Heroes of the Hospital
Nurses is the compelling story of the year in the life of four nurses, and the drama, unsung heroism, and unique sisterhood of nursing—one of the world's most important professions (nurses save lives every day), and one... read more
