A Randomized Trial of a Family-Support Intervention in ICUs

Family-support intervention in ICUs increased patient comfort and reduced costs. Among critically ill patients and their surrogates, a family-support intervention delivered by the interprofessional ICU team did not significantly... read more

Temporal Biomarker Profiles and Their Association with ICU Acquired Delirium

While there are differences in markers (adiponectin and several brain proteins) between patients with and without delirium, the development of delirium is not preceded by a change in the biomarker profile of inflammatory... read more

A 10-year review of total hospital onset ICU bloodstream infections at an Academic Medical Center

Across all ICUs, the rates of primary BSIs progressively fell from 2.11/1000 patient days in FY05 to 0.32/1000 patient days in FY14; an 85.0% decrease (P<0.0001). Secondary BSIs also progressively decreased from 3.56/1000... read more

Cook County ICU: 30 Years of Unforgettable Patients and Odd Cases

An inside look at one of the nation's most famous public hospitals, Cook County, as seen through the eyes of its longtime Director of Intensive Care, Dr. Cory Franklin. Readers will be riveted by stories of strange medical... read more

Cook County ICU: 30 Years of Unforgettable Patients and Odd Cases

Muscle Weakness and 5-Year Survival in ARDS Survivors

At hospital discharge, >1/3 of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) survivors had muscle weakness. Greater strength at discharge and throughout follow-up was associated with improved 5-year survival. In patients with... read more

Dr. Ultrasound and Mr. Hyde: my confessions as an educator and ICU geek

I think most people in our field have had some or all of these thoughts. I feel guilty thinking them and certainly have a hard time verbalizing to other team members. Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) has swept the medical... read more

The use of echocardiographic indices in defining and assessing right ventricular systolic function in critical care research

TAPSE seemed to be the most popular index in the last 2–3 years. Many studies used combinations of indices but, apart from cor pulmonale, we could not find a consistent pattern of RV assessment and definition of RV dysfunction... read more

Medicaid Expansion Associated with Decline in ICU Stays

Medicaid expansion was associated with an early increase in insurance rates among hospitalized patients and a decline in ICU utilization rates among patients hospitalized with ACSCs. Further work is needed to explore whether... read more

Pushing Pressors in the Periphery

The mantra of the Broome Docs site is "bringing great care, out there." And today's topic goes right to the heart of that theme. It is one of my pet topics – so apologies in advance if the rant is too long or detailed.... read more

The burdens of survivorship: an approach to thinking about long-term outcomes after critical illness

Internationally accepted approaches to the study of functioning and disability can inform critical care practitioners and scholars in their study of functional limitations, disability, and quality of life after critical illness... read more

Genomics and Pharmacogenomics of Sepsis: So Close and Yet So Far

Sapru et al. show in this issue of Critical Care that variants of thrombomodulin and the endothelial protein C receptor, but not protein C, are associated with mortality and organ dysfunction (ventilation-free and organ failure-free... read more

Assessment of Clinical Criteria for Sepsis

The Third International Consensus Definitions Task Force defined sepsis as "life-threatening organ dysfunction due to a dysregulated host response to infection." The performance of clinical criteria for this sepsis definition... read more

Low-dose Corticosteroids for Adult Patients with Septic Shock

The results of this systematic review provide an evidence summary to inform clinicians regarding decisions to use corticosteroids in adult patients with septic shock. We found that assignment to treatment with corticosteroids... read more

Clinical Chronobiology: A Timely Consideration in Critical Care Medicine

Circadian rhythms are currently low on the list of physiological priorities during ICU ward rounds. We have argued that recognition of the influence of this universally important system, and adoption of chronobiological strategies,... read more

Diagnostic Workup, Etiologies and Management of Acute Right Ventricular Failure

Right Ventricular (RV) function evaluation is key in the critically-ill patients for hemodynamic management, as fluid optimization, vasopressor strategy and respiratory support. RV failure may be diagnosed by the association... read more

Listen to Our Intensive Care Nurses

My genuine hope with this podcast is to inspire and empower you to bring your best self to work and to consider adopting some of the habits and behaviours my guests give their perspectives on, with the ultimate purpose of... read more

Emory Cares for ICU Patients Remotely, Turning “Night into Day” from Australia

A partnership involving Emory Healthcare, Royal Perth Hospital in Australia, along with health technology company, Philips, will move night intensive care work in the Emory eICU Center into daylight hours, focusing on the... read more

Evaluating Muscle Mass in Survivors of ARDS

In the first year after acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), patients gained fat mass and maintained lean mass. We found no association of whole body percent lean mass with commonly hypothesized hospital risk factors.... read more

Delirium Prediction in the ICU

While both ICU delirium prediction models have moderate-to-good performance, the PRE-DELIRIC model predicts delirium better. However, ICU physicians rated the user convenience of E-PRE-DELIRIC superior to PRE-DELIRIC. In... read more

Limiting Sedation for Patients with ARDS

Current evidence supports the use of protocol-based, light-sedation strategies in critically ill patients with ARDS. Further research into sedation management specifically in ARDS populations is needed. Deep sedation strategies... read more

The Real Doctor Will See You Shortly: A Physician’s First Year

In medical school, Matt McCarthy dreamed of being a different kind of doctor—the sort of mythical, unflappable physician who could reach unreachable patients. But when a new admission to the critical care unit almost died... read more

The Real Doctor Will See You Shortly: A Physician’s First Year

Techniques for the Difficult Airway

A systematic approach to intubation that emphasizes planning and teamwork can reduce intubation complications. Early use of an EGA or cricothyroidotomy may reduce complications when oxygenation is inadequate. Use of a gum... read more