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

Acute kidney injury common in children, young adults in ICU

Among children and young adults admitted to intensive care, as many as 1 in 4 may have acute kidney injury and 1 in 10 may have severe acute kidney injury. Acute kidney injury is common in children and young adults admitted... read more

A Pilot Study of Eye-Tracking Devices in ICU

Eye-tracking devices have been suggested as a means of improving communication and psychosocial status among patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). This study was undertaken to explore the psychosocial impact and communication... read more

Words that Heal: ICU Journals at Penn Help Patients and Staff

After years of planning, Penn Presbyterian began offering the journals in January to help prevent post-intensive care syndrome or PICS, a set of physical and emotional problems gaining attention as more people survive an... read more

Epidemiology of Sepsis in Turkish ICUs

The prevalence and mortality of sepsis are largely unknown in Turkey, a country with high antibiotic resistance. A national, multicenter, point-prevalence study was conducted to determine the prevalence, causative microorganisms,... read more

Delirium in ICU Prevented With Nocturnal Administration of Dexmedetomidine

Low-dose dexmedetomidine administered at night to critically ill adults reduced the incidence of delirium during intensive care unit (ICU) stays and patient-reported sleep quality remained unchanged, according to a study... read more

Weaning from the Ventilator and Extubation in ICU

Current research is focusing on preventing extubation failure, especially in the most challenging cases. The use of weaning protocols – written or computerized – attempts to early identify patients who are able to breathe... read more

Comparing Effects Between Music Intervention and Aromatherapy on Anxiety of Patients Undergoing Mechanical Ventilation in the ICU

Music and aromatherapy interventions were both effective for ICU patients. The effects of music intervention were greater than that of aromatherapy; both interventions maintained the effects for at least 30 min. The Music... read more

Indicators of ICU Capacity Strain

We identified and characterized 16 indicators of strained ICU capacity across the spectrum of healthcare quality domains. Future work should aim to evaluate their implementation into practice and assess their value for evaluating... read more