Sedation and delirium in the intensive care unit

Sedation and delirium in the intensive care unit. Anaesthesia and intensive care medicine, 2013, 14:1

Porter, R. and McClure, J.

http://www.alfredicu.org.au/assets/Documents/Reserach-Docs/Full-Publications/2013-Publications/2013-PorterSedationAIC.PDF

Two decades of mortality trends among patients with severe sepsis

Two decades of mortality trends among patients with severe sepsis. Critical care medicine, March 2014, Vol. 42(3), p.625-31.

Stevenson, E.K., et al.

http://journals.lww.com/ccmjournal/Abstract/2014/03000/Two_Decades_of_Mortality_Trends_Among_Patients.16.aspx

We searched MEDLINE for multicenter randomized trials that enrolled patients with severe sepsis from 1991 to 2009. We calculated standardized mortality ratios for each trial from observed 28-day mortality of usual care participants and predicted mortality from severity-of-illness scores. To compare mortality trends from clinical trials to administrative data, we identified adult severe sepsis hospitalizations in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, 1993–2009, using two previously validated algorithms.

Prevalence, risk factors and mortality for ventilator-associated pneumonia in middle-aged, old and very old critically ill patients

Prevalence, risk factors and mortality for ventilator-associated pneumonia in middle-aged, old and very old critically ill patients. Critical care medicine, March 2014, Vol. 42(3), p.601-09.

Blot, S., et al.

http://journals.lww.com/ccmjournal/Abstract/2014/03000/Prevalence,_Risk_Factors,_and_Mortality_for.13.aspx

We investigated the epidemiology of ventilator-associated pneumonia in elderly ICU patients. More precisely, we assessed prevalence, risk factors, signs and symptoms, causative bacterial pathogens, and associated outcomes.

Central venous catheter placement by advanced practice nurses demonstrates low procedural complication and infection rates

Central venous catheter placement by advanced practice nurses demonstrates low procedural complication and infection rates: A report from 13 years of service. Critical care medicine, March 2014, Vol. 42(3), p.536-43.

Alexandrou, E., et al.

http://journals.lww.com/ccmjournal/Abstract/2014/03000/Central_Venous_Catheter_Placement_by_Advanced.6.aspx

To report procedural characteristics and outcomes from a central venous catheter placement service operated by advanced practice nurses.

Impact of compliance with infection management guidelines on outcome in patients with severe sepsis

Impact of compliance with infection management guidelines on outcome in patients with severe sepsis: A prospective observational multi-center study. Critical care, 2014 18: R42.

Bloos, F., et al.

http://ccforum.com/content/18/2/R42/abstract

Current sepsis guidelines recommend antimicrobial treatment (AT) within one hour after onset of sepsis-related organ dysfunction (OD) and surgical source control within 12 hours. The objective of this study was to explore the association between initial infection management according to sepsis treatment recommendations and patient outcome.

Early mobilization of patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Early mobilization of patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: A retrospective cohort study. Critical care, 2014 18: R38

Abrams, D., et al.

http://ccforum.com/content/18/1/R38/abstract

Critical illness is a well-recognized cause of neuromuscular weakness and impaired physical functioning. Physical therapy (PT) has been demonstrated to be safe and effective for critically ill patients. The impact of such an intervention on patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has not been well characterized. We describe the feasibility and impact of active PT on ECMO patients.

Development of a simple score to predict outcome for unresponsive wakefulness syndrome

Development of a simple score to predict outcome for unresponsive wakefulness syndrome. Critical care 2014, 18: R37.  

Kang, X., et al.

http://ccforum.com/content/18/1/R37/abstract

Accurate assessment of prognosis for patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS; formerly vegetative state) may help clinicians and families guide the type and intensity of therapy; however, there is no suitable and accurate means to predict the outcome so far. We aimed to develop a simple bedside scoring system to predict the likelihood of awareness recovery in patients with UWS.

Patients' survival after surgery

Listen to the Lancet: Patients' survival after surgery.  Lancet, Feb 2014 [podcast]

http://feedly.com/index.html#subscription%2Ffeed%2Fhttp%3A%2F%2Fpodcast.thelancet.com%2Flancet.xml


Linda Aiken discusses the results of a European study that links nurses' workload and education to patients' survival after surgery.