Tag: stress
Active Noise Control Headphones to Reduce Patient’s Exposure to ICU Noise
The use of active noise cancellation, as delivered by noise-cancelling headphones, is associated with a significant reduction in noise exposure in our model of noise exposure in a cardiac ICU. This is the first study to look... read more
Sound and Light Levels Are Similarly Disruptive in ICU and non-ICU Wards
Quieter, non-ICU wards have as many SLCs as ICUs do, which has implications for quality improvement measurements. Efforts to further reduce average noise levels might be counterproductive. Light levels in the hospital (ICU... read more
The Business Case for Investing in Physician Well-being
Understanding the business case to reduce burnout and promote engagement as well as overcoming the misperception that nothing meaningful can be done are key steps for organizations to begin to take action. Evidence suggests... read more
Prehabilitation: Preparing Patients for Surgery
The impact of surgery leads to significant homeostatic disturbance.1 The surgical stress response is characterised by catabolism and increased oxygen demand. The extent and duration of the stress response is proportionate... read more
Don’t Just Do Something, Stand There!
An excellent analogy on how doing nothing can be the best option. Penalty kicks in soccer can make fans crumple with anguish or weep with elation. The kicker sends the ball rocketing toward the goal and goalkeepers lunge... read more
Technologic Distractions
Summary of Approaches to Manage Alert Quantity With Intent to Reduce Alert Fatigue and Suggestions for Alert Fatigue Metrics. Approaches for managing alert fatigue in the ICU are provided as a result of reviewing tested interventions... read more
Unplugged & Reconnected – Recovering from Burnout
Does your desk ever look like this? Mine does. WAY too often. Insert the piles of papers, books, journals and mail I need to get to on the side also. When I look at this photo, it seems absolutely ridiculous. Why on earth... read more
Moral Distress in PICU and Neonatal ICU Practitioners
In this single-center, cross-sectional study, we found that moral distress is present in PICU and neonatal ICU health practitioners and is correlated with burnout, uncertainty, and feeling unsupported. The main outcome was... read more
An Alternative Consent Process for Minimal Risk Research in the ICU
Seeking consent for minimal risk research in the ICU poses challenges, especially when the research is time-sensitive. Our aim was to determine the extent to which ICU patients or surrogates support a deferred consent process... read more
Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis in the ICU (SUP-ICU)
Stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) is standard of care in the intensive care unit (ICU), however the quantity and quality of evidence is low and potential harm has been reported. The aim of the SUP-ICU trial is to asses the overall... read more
Double Mortality Risk for Depressed Heart Disease Patients
Among 24,000 patients with heart disease studied over many years, those who suffered from depression were at twice the risk of dying, according recently published findings from Intermountain Healthcare. A statistical analysis... read more
Where is the Love in Critical Care?
If we look at any critical care system there are several components that are required to drive quality, safety and ultimately success. The greatest driver of success is ultimately the staff. Staff who feel safe, valued and... read more
An Orthopedic Surgeon Explains: Diastolic Heart Failure
It seems that every now and then we have to deal with something other than the bones. As you can imagine, this is sub-optimal at best. Because bones. Anyhow, I’ve been asked to discuss one of those issues with you, and... read more
Psychological Burnout and the Intensive Care Practitioner
This review hopes to be practical and candid. Ultimately, whether burnout is present or not, these efforts can support a greater goal: to increase resilience, to aid retention, and to improve career guidance. Doctors are... read more
How to Beat Burnout
Burnout takes a toll on physicians, their patients, and their practices. Short visits, complicated patients, lack of control, electronic health record stress, and poor work-home balance can lead to physicians leaving practices... read more
