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

An Alternative Consent Process for Minimal Risk Research in the ICU

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

Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis in the ICU (SUP-ICU)

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

Double Mortality Risk for Depressed Heart Disease Patients

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

An Orthopedic Surgeon Explains: Diastolic Heart Failure

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

Psychological Burnout and the Intensive Care Practitioner

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

How to Beat Burnout

Why are doctors plagued by depression and suicide?

Suicide among medical students and doctors has been a largely unacknowledged phenomenon for decades, obscured by secrecy and shame. Now, it’s beginning to emerge from the shadows. More than 62,000 people, many of them medical... read more

NAM Goes Public with Efforts to Combat Burnout

The National Academy of Medicine called upon the public on Friday to help shape its ambitious plan to combat burnout among doctors, nurses and other health workers. At an open meeting at the organization's headquarters... read more

NAM Goes Public with Efforts to Combat Burnout

Patient Safety Concerns Over New 24-hour Shift Rule for First-year Doctors

On Saturday, 30,000 first-year medical residents begin work and new rules taking effect that same day could add eight or more hours to their shifts. Doctors fresh out of medical school will be able to work for up to 24 hours... read more

Patient Safety Concerns Over New 24-hour Shift Rule for First-year Doctors

An NIH-Kennedy Center Initiative to Explore Music and the Mind

Music is fundamental to the human species in ways that reach beyond entertainment or pastime. In Musicophilia, Oliver Sacks noted that music can "calm us, animate us, comfort us, thrill us, or serve to organize and synchronize... read more

An NIH-Kennedy Center Initiative to Explore Music and the Mind

Withholding Pantoprazole for Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis in Critically Ill Patients

A decreased frequency of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and a possible association of proton pump inhibitor use with Clostridium difficile and ventilator-associated pneumonia have raised concerns recently. The Reevaluating... read more

Why a stay in the ICU can leave patients worse off

Almost 6 million patients land in an intensive care unit every year, and for many, it marks a turning point in their lives. A substantial number of patients leave the ICU with newly acquired problems, from dementia to nerve... read more

Why a stay in the ICU can leave patients worse off

Simulation of a Novel Schedule for Intensivist Staffing to Improve Continuity of Patient Care and Reduce Physician Burnout

Despite widespread adoption of in-house call for ICU attendings, there is a paucity of research on optimal scheduling of intensivists to provide continuous on-site coverage. Overnight call duties have traditionally been added... read more

Simulation of a Novel Schedule for Intensivist Staffing to Improve Continuity of Patient Care and Reduce Physician Burnout

COPD can increase risk of developing sepsis

People with COPD have a higher than average risk of developing lung infections, such as pneumonia, which then puts them at higher risk for developing sepsis. Sepsis and septic shock can result from an infection anywhere in... read more

COPD can increase risk of developing sepsis

Burn Till You’re Out

When using the technical definition of burnout: "The reduction of a fuel to nothing", it clearly describes the state of being of the few people that I have met who are having a burnout. The problem is huge and almost... read more

Burn Till You’re Out

3 Reasons Many Nurses are Leaving the Profession

A 2017 study from RNnetwork, one of the largest, travel nursing companies in the country, shows nearly half of the nurses they surveyed are considering leaving the field altogether. RNnetwork provided an email poll to more... read more

3 Reasons Many Nurses are Leaving the Profession

What emotions are doctors allowed to feel?

As a medical professional, struggle between feeling too much and feeling too little is constant. Feelings are a double edged sword in medicine - many times they can shake you or beat you down. After two years, I know this:... read more

What emotions are doctors allowed to feel?

Nurses are burnt out. Here's how hospitals can help

Studies have found that overworked nurses lead to more errors and lower patient satisfaction. Nurses across the country are stressed, burnt out and thinking of leaving the profession. Surveys, polls and studies of all kinds... read more

Nurses are burnt out. Here's how hospitals can help

Using Clinically Accessible Tools to Measure Sound Levels and Sleep Disruption in the ICU

Ambient sound was measured for 1 minute using an application downloaded to a personal mobile device. Bedside nurses also recorded the total time and number of awakening for each patient overnight. Across a large number of... read more

Using Clinically Accessible Tools to Measure Sound Levels and Sleep Disruption in the ICU

Burnout Syndrome in Critical Care: A Call for Action

Burnout syndrome (BOS) is a work-related constellation of symptoms and signs that usually occurs in individuals with no history of psychological or psychiatric disorders. BOS is triggered by a discrepancy between the expectations... read more

Burnout Syndrome in Critical Care: A Call for Action

The Epidemic of Physician and Medical Student Suicide

In the past decade, numerous studies have shown that physicians and medical students have higher rates of suicide than the general population. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention reports that over 400 physicians... read more

The Epidemic of Physician and Medical Student Suicide