Evaluation of Perioperative Medication Errors and Adverse Drug Events

One in 20 perioperative medication administrations included a medication error (ME) and/or adverse drug event (ADE). More than one third of the MEs led to observed ADEs, and the remaining two thirds had the potential for... read more

Failure of Non-invasive Ventilation in Patients with Acute Lung Injury

A high failure rate of the initial non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) therapy has been observed in medical critically ill patients with acute lung injury (ALI). Unless the underlying shock, metabolic acidosis... read more

Predicting Outcome in Patients with Moderate to Severe TBI Using Electroencephalography

Multifactorial Random Forest models using quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) features, clinical data, and radiological findings have potential to predict neurological outcome in patients with moderate to severe traumatic... read more

Assessment of Variability in End-of-Life Care Delivery in ICUs in the United States

This study suggests most decedents in the ICU avoid CPR at EOL, have family present at their bedside, and are closely assessed for pain. However, the delivery of EOL care varies widely among units in the United States, including... read more

Hypothermia and Cerebral Ischemia: Mechanisms and Clinical Applications

A comprehensive review of the scientific and clinical studies that have led to the resurgence of interest in hypothermia as a neuroprotective strategy in the treatment of stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Topics... read more

Hypothermia and Cerebral Ischemia: Mechanisms and Clinical Applications

Patient and Family Member-Led Research in the ICU

Patient and family member-led research is a novel research approach that is feasible to conduct and can be used to identify opportunities for improving care. Study participants described shared key experiences in the... read more

Ventilation Rates and Pediatric In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Survival Outcomes

In this multicenter cohort, ventilation rates exceeding guidelines were common. Among the range of rates delivered, higher rates were associated with improved survival to hospital discharge. Arterial blood pressure and... read more

5-year Study Shows Predominance of Non-Device-Associated Pneumonia

Among more than 160,000 patients admitted to University of North Carolina hospitals during a recent 5-year period, non-device-associated, or ND, pneumonia was implicated in three of every four nosocomial pneumonia cases,... read more

Critical Care Doctors Placed Humans in Suspended Animation For The First Time

Critical care doctors have placed humans in suspended animation for the first time, as part of a trial in the US that aims to make it possible to fix traumatic injuries that would otherwise cause death. Samuel Tisherman,... read more

Probiotics Linked to Bloodstream Infections in ICU Patients

People carry a community of microbes in and on our bodies, and they can have a powerful influence on our physiology in many ways. Probiotics, which are live microbes, are intended to improve human health, and they sometimes... read more

Pilot Study to Assess the Feasibility and Safety of Intermittent Enteral Feeding in Mechanically Ventilated Medical ICU Patients

With the advent of the feeding pump, default enteral nutrition schedules in many medical intensive care units has shifted from intermittent or bolus feeding to continuous feeds. Clinical studies suggest that each of these... read more

Snapshots of Hemodynamics

This new edition reviews recent developments in genetics and molecular biology and new noninvasive measurement techniques that have enabled vast improvements in the measurement and understanding of cardiovascular hemodynamics.... read more

Snapshots of Hemodynamics

High-Flow Nasal Cannula vs. Noninvasive Ventilation

High-flow conditioned oxygen therapy delivered through nasal cannulae and noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) may reduce the need for reintubation. Therefore, Hernández et al set out to test if high-flow conditioned... read more

Population Enrichment for Critical Care Trials

Enrichment reduces heterogeneity and will enhance the sensitivity of future trials. However, enrichment, even when it identifies more homogenous populations, may not be efficient to deploy in trials or clinical practice. Many... read more

When Patients Die in the ICU, Should Their Family Be Allowed to Watch?

In most ICUs, it's standard practice to send relatives out of the room when a patient codes, but a growing body of research—and one doctor's personal experience—suggests relatives should be allowed to witness the medical... read more

How To Prevent Brain-Sapping Delirium In The ICU

After an overwhelming infection sent O'Burke into five-organ failure, he also developed ICU delirium, perhaps related to heavy sedation. An ICU protocol developed at Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that getting... read more

Quality Metrics For The Evaluation of RRS

A consensus process was used to develop ten metrics for better understanding the course and care of deteriorating ward patients. Others are proposed for further development. Consensus emerged that core outcomes for... read more

Neuropharmacotherapy in Critical Illness

The field of research related to neurocritical care has grown significantly in recent years, and the clinical demands for current and dependable expertise has followed suit. It can be a challenge for the neurocritical practitioner... read more

Neuropharmacotherapy in Critical Illness

First Portable MRI Scanner for Neuro ICU

Health technology incubator Hyperfine Research and the Yale School of Medicine are testing out a first-of-its-kind, portable MRI scanner in the neuro intensive care unit (ICU). The point-of-care system, designed by Hyperfine,... read more

Effect of Organisational Factors on the Variation in Incidence of Delirium in ICU Patients

The mean incidence of delirium in the ICU was 29%. The organisational factors found including methods of delirium assessment, screening frequency, and hospital type were not related to the reported ICU delirium incidence. A... read more

Early Detection and Monitoring of Cerebral Ischemia Using Calcium-Responsive MRI Probes

The duration of cerebral ischemia is a key factor in determining the severity of brain damage and the course of action. Thus, an accurate and timely observation of the ischemic process is highly critical. Here we present... read more

Racial and Ethnic Differences in 30-Day Hospital Readmissions Among US Adults with Diabetes

In this study, black patients with diabetes had a significantly higher risk of readmission than members of other racial/ethnic groups. This increased risk was most pronounced among lower-income patients hospitalized in... read more