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Breast Surgery

Thursday 9 December 2010

Initiation of inappropriate antimicrobial therapy results in a fivefold reduction of survival in human septic shock

Initiation of inappropriate antimicrobial therapy results in a fivefold reduction of survival in human septic shock. Chest, 2009, Vol. 136(5), p. 1237-1248.

Kumar, A., et al.

http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/content/136/5/1237.full

To determine the impact of the initiation of inappropriate antimicrobial therapy on survival to hospital discharge of patients with septic shock.

Potential for response bias in family surveys about end-of-life care in the ICU

Potential for response bias in family surveys about end-of-life care in the ICU. Chest, 2009, Vol. 136(6), p. 1496-1502.

Kross, E.K., et al.

http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/content/136/6/1496.full

After-death surveys are an important source of information about the quality of end-of-life care, but response rates generally are low. Our goal was to understand the potential for nonresponse bias in survey studies of family members after a patient's death in the hospital ICU by identifying differences in patient demographics and delivery of palliative care between patients whose families respond to a survey about end-of-life care and those whose families do not.

Association between ICU admission during morning rounds and mortality

Association between ICU admission during morning rounds and mortality. Chest, 2009, Vol. 136(6), p. 1489 - 1495.

Afessa, B., et al.

http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/content/136/6/1489.full

No previous study has evaluated the association between admission to ICUs during round time and patient outcome. The objective of this study was to determine the association between round-time ICU admission and patient outcome.

The ICU 'golden hour' vs morning admissions

The ICU 'golden hour' vs morning admissions. Chest, 2009, vol. 136(6), p. 1449-1451.

Freire, AX and Yataco, JC.

http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/content/136/6/1449.full

The authors present a robust observation from a single academic institution identifying an association between ICU admissions during morning teaching rounds and increased severity-adjusted mortality.

Weaning from ventilation: Does a care bundle approach work?

Weaning from ventilation: Does a care bundle approach work? Intensive and critical care nursing, 2008, vol. 24(3), p. 180-186

Crocker, C. and Kinnear, W.

http://www.intensivecriticalcarenursing.com/article/S0964-3397(07)00120-6/abstract

A care bundle is a small but critical set of processes that when implemented together improve outcome. One critical care network has written a weaning care bundle. This is an example of a service improvement initiative the aim of which was to improve weaning from mechanical ventilation.

End of life decisions:Nurses' perceptions, feelings and experiences

End of life decisions: Nurses' perceptions, feelings and experiences. Intensive and critical care nursing, 2008, Vol 24(4), p. 251-59

McMillen, R.E.

http://www.intensivecriticalcarenursing.com/article/S0964-3397(07)00119-X/abstract

Decisions to withdraw treatment are made on a regular basis in intensive care units. While nurses play a central role in patient care, previous studies have found that they are not always involved in withdrawal decisions.