The combination of procalcitonin and C-reactive protein or presepsin alone improves the accuracy of diagnosis of neonatal sepsis
The combination of PCT and CRP or presepsin alone improves the accuracy of diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. However, further studies are required to confirm these findings. A total of 28 studies enrolling 2661 patients were... read more
Feasibility and Perceptions of PICU Diaries
The use of ICU diaries in the PICU setting is feasible and perceived as beneficial by families of critically ill children. Future studies are needed to better understand if PICU diaries may objectively improve psychologic... read more
Do State Regulations on Nurse Staffing Make a Difference in ICU Outcomes?
In the recent issue of Critical Care Medicine, Law and colleagues published an evaluation of the impact of changes in Massachusetts state regulations mandating that nurse staffing levels on critical care units be set at 1:1... read more
Pocket Medicine: The Massachusetts General Hospital Handbook of Internal Medicine
Under the direction of Marc S. Sabatine, MD, MPH, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Pocket Medicine provides the key information a clinician needs for the initial approach and management of the most common inpatient... read more
Dear NRA, I’m a doctor. My lane? I sit in this chair when I tell parents their kids are dead
Seems like a little thing, but I did this in response to a tweet by the National Rifle Association, asserting that doctors should "stay in our lane" instead of studying or making recommendations when it comes to gun violence.... read more
Burnout in Intensive Care: 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
Medical Device Rules Need Drastic Change To Protect Patients
Urgent and drastic changes to the rules around medical devices, such as pacemakers, are needed to protect patients, according to the Royal College of Surgeons. It wants a register of every device in every patient set up so... read more
Sedation and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in PICU
As little as 30 minutes of exposure to anesthetic and sedative agents may adversely affect the developing brain. Safe, humane management of critically ill infants requires the use of sedative agents, often for prolonged periods.... read more
Delirium in Critical Illness: Haloperidol vs Ziprasidone?
Delirium is defined as an acute disorder of consciousness which can occur in up to 80% of mechanically ventilated ICU patients. This acute cognitive dysfunction is associated with prolonged hospital stay, increased mortality,... read more
Discontinuing 5-ASA Safe Upon Anti-TNF Induction for Ulcerative Colitis
Patients with ulcerative colitis who discontinue 5-aminosalicylate therapy once they begin anti-TNF therapy do not appear at great risk for adverse clinical events, according to research published in Gut. Researchers analyzed... read more
Mortality of civilian patients with suspected traumatic hemorrhage receiving pre-hospital transfusion of packed red blood cells compared to pre-hospital crystalloid
In a single centre UK HEMS study, in patients with suspected traumatic hemorrhage who received a PRBC transfusion there was an observed, but non-significant, reduction in mortality at 6 h and 28 days, also reflected in... read more
Ketamine Continuous Infusion: A Reasonable Alternative to Traditional Sedatives and Analgesics?
Propofol, dexmedetomidine, and opioids are commonly used for patients requiring continuous sedation or analgesia, such as for those receiving mechanical ventilation. Although these medications are generally safe, some may... read more
Mortality and Morbidity in Acutely Ill Adults Treated with Liberal vs. Conservative Oxygen Therapy
In acutely ill adults, high-quality evidence shows that liberal oxygen therapy increases mortality without improving other patient-important outcomes. Supplemental oxygen might become unfavourable above an SpO2 range of 94-96%.... read more
