Other bulletins in this series include:

Breast Surgery

Tuesday 4 September 2012

Risk factors and outcomes for prolonged versus brief fever

Risk factors and outcomes for prolonged versus brief fever: a prospective cohort study. Critical care, August 2012, 16(4): R150

Seguin, P., et al.

http://ccforum.com/content/16/4/R150/abstract

Prolonged fever occurs with infectious and noninfectious diseases but is poorly studied in intensive care units. The aims of this prospective multicenter noninterventional study were to determine the incidence and etiologies of prolonged fever in critically ill patients and compare outcomes for prolonged fever and short-lasting fever.

Diacerhein attenuates the inflammatory response and improves survival in a model of severe sepsis

Diacerhein attenuates the inflammatory response and improves survival in a model of severe sepsis.  Critical care, August 2012, 16(4): R158

Calisto, K.L., et al.

http://ccforum.com/content/16/4/R158/abstract

Hyperglycemia and insulin resistance has been associated with a worse outcome in sepsis. Although tight glycaemic control through insulin therapy has been shown to reduce morbidity and mortality rates, the effect of intensive insulin therapy in patients with severe sepsis is controversial because of the increased risk of serious adverse events related to hypoglycemia.

Impact of surveillance of hospital-acquired infections on the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in intensive care units

Impact of surveillance of hospital-acquired infections on the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in intensive care units: a quasi-experimental study.  Critical Care, August 2012; 16(4): R161.

Benet, T., et al.

http://ccforum.com/content/16/4/R161/abstract

The preventive impact of hospital-acquired infection (HAI) surveillance is difficult to assess. Our objective was to investigate the effect of HAI surveillance disruption on ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) incidence.

Acute kidney injury patients have worse long-term outcomes

Acute kidney injury patients have worse long-term outcomes especially in the immediate post-ICU period. Critical care, August 2012, 16(4): 148.

Hoste, E.A.J. and De Corte, W.

http://ccforum.com/content/16/4/148/abstract

AKI is associated with worse outcome n the acute phase of acute illness, but also in the chronic phase. In a recent large Danish study, 1-year mortality was lower in AKI patients compared to non-AKI patients [1]. Mortality was most important during the first 50 days after ICU admission, while after 2 months the survival curves were similar in AKI and non-AKI patients. 

Serious adverse effects associated with the use of rituximab

Serious adverse effects associated with the use of rituximab: a critical care perspective. Critical care, August 2012; 16(4):231.

Kasi, P.M., et al.

http://ccforum.com/content/16/4/231/abstract

The purpose of this review is to focus on the severe complications associated with the use of rituximab that require critical care. Management and prevention strategies for the most common complications are also discussed along with some examples of its uses within the critical care setting.



An evaluation of the impact of antibiotic stewardship in reducing the use of high-risk antibiotics

An evaluation of the impact of antibiotic stewardship in reducing the use of  high-risk antibiotics and its effect on the incidence of Clostridium difficile infection in hospital settings. J.Antimicrob. Chemother., Aug 2012 [epub]

Aldeyab, M.A., et al.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22899806?dopt=Abstract

To evaluate the impact of a high-risk antibiotic stewardship programme on reducing antibiotic use and on hospital Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) incidence rates. A secondary objective was to present the possible utility of time-series analysis as an antibiotic risk classification tool.