Other bulletins in this series include:

Breast Surgery

Thursday 26 March 2015

Systematic inflammatory response criteria in defining severe sepsis

Systematic inflammatory response criteria in defining severe sepsis. NEJM, March 2015.

Kaukonen, K.M., et al.

http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1415236#t=article

The consensus definition of severe sepsis requires suspected or proven infection, organ failure, and signs that meet two or more criteria for the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). We aimed to test the sensitivity, face validity, and construct validity of this approach.

Age of transfused blood in critically ill adults

Age of transfused blood in critically ill adults. NEJM, March 2015

Lacroix, J., et al.

http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1500704#t=article

Blood transfusions are administered frequently and may have unintended consequences in critically ill patients. Current regulations permit the storage of red cells for up to 42 days, but prolonged storage has been associated with changes that may render red cells ineffective as oxygen carriers and that lead to the accumulation of substances that have untoward biologic effects.

Trial of early, goal-directed resuscitation for septic shock

Trial of early, goal-directed resuscitation for septic shock. NEJM, March 2015

Mouncey, P.R., et al.

http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1500896#t=article

The incidence of severe sepsis and septic shock in adults is estimated to range from 56 to 91 per 100,000 population per year. Affected patients have high rates of death, complications, and resource utilization.

Strain echocardiography in septic shock

Strain echocardiography in septic shock - a comparison with systolic and diastolic function parameters cardiac biomarkers and outcome. Critical Care, 2015, 19: 122

De Geer, L., et al.

http://ccforum.com/content/19/1/122

Myocardial dysfunction is a well-known complication in septic shock but its characteristics and frequency remains elusive. Here, we evaluate global longitudinal peak strain (GLPS) of the left ventricle as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in septic shock.

Characteristics and outcomes of patients admitted to ICU following activation of the Medical Emergency Team

Characteristics and outcomes of patients admitted to ICU following activation of the Medical Emergency Team: Impact of introducing a two-tier response system. Critical Care Medicine, April 2015, Vol. 43(4), p.765-73.

Aneman, A., et al.

http://journals.lww.com/ccmjournal/Abstract/2015/04000/Characteristics_and_Outcomes_of_Patients_Admitted.6.aspx

To determine the impact of introducing a two-tier system for responding to deteriorating ward patients on ICU admissions after medical emergency team review.

A qualitative study exploring moral distress in the ICU team

A qualitative study exploring moral distress in the ICU team: The importance of Unit functionality and intrateam dynamics. Critical Care Medicine, April 2015, Vol. 43(4), p.823-31.

Bruce, C.R., et al.

http://journals.lww.com/ccmjournal/Abstract/2015/04000/A_Qualitative_Study_Exploring_Moral_Distress_in.13.aspx

 Our study objectives were to determine the key sources of moral distress in diverse critical care professionals and how they manage it in the context of team-based models.

Frequency, cost and risk factors of readmissions among severe sepsis survivors

Frequency, cost and risk factors of readmissions among severe sepsis survivors. Critical Care Medicine, April 2015, Vol. 43(4), p.738-46

Goodwin, A.J., et al.

http://journals.lww.com/ccmjournal/Fulltext/2015/04000/Frequency,_Cost,_and_Risk_Factors_of_Readmissions.3.aspx

To determine the frequency, mortality, cost, and risk factors associated with readmission after index hospitalization with severe sepsis.

Extracorporeal gas exchange for acute respiratory failure in adult patients

Extracorporeal gas exchange for acute respiratory failure in adult patients: A systematic review. Critical Care 2015, 19: 99

Schmidt, M., et al.

http://ccforum.com/content/19/1/99

Mechanical ventilation remains the cornerstone of respiratory support for patients with acute respiratory failure. However, high pressure and volume associated with tidal ventilation are known to aggravate lung injury in this setting. Furthermore, profound gas-exchange abnormalities threatening patients’ lives can occur in the most severe forms of the disease despite recourse to conventional salvage therapies. Extracorporeal gas exchange devices, i.e., venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCO2R), were developed more than 40 years ago to rescue these dying patients. 

Noninvasive ventilation and survival in acute care settings

Noninvasive ventilation and survival in acute care settings: A comprehensive systematic review and metanalysis of randomized controlled trials. Critical Care Medicine, April 2015, Vol. 43(4), p.880-88.

Cabrini, L., et al.

http://journals.lww.com/ccmjournal/Abstract/2015/04000/Noninvasive_Ventilation_and_Survival_in_Acute_Care.20.aspx

Noninvasive ventilation is increasingly applied to prevent or treat acute respiratory failure, but its benefit on survival is still controversial for many indications. We performed a metaanalysis of randomized controlled trials focused on the effect of noninvasive ventilation on mortality.

After critical care: Patient support after critical care

After critical care: Patient support after critical care. A mixed-method longitudinal study using email interviews and questionnaires. Intensive and Critical Care Nursing, March 2015 [in press]

Pattison, N., et al.

http://www.intensivecriticalcarenursing.com/article/S0964-3397(14)00126-8/abstract

To explore experiences and needs over time, of patients discharged from ICU using the Intensive Care Experience (ICE-q) questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and EuroQoL (EQ-5D), associated clinical predictors (APACHE II, TISS, Length of stay, RIKER scores) and in-depth email interviewing.

Nurses' experiences of caring for critically ill, non-sedated, mechanically ventilated patients in the Intensive Care Unit

Nurses' experiences of caring for critically ill, non-sedated, mechanically ventilated patients in the Intensive Care Unit: A qualitative study. Intensive and Critical Care Nursing, March 2015 [in press]

Laerkner, E., et al.

http://www.intensivecriticalcarenursing.com/article/S0964-3397(15)00007-5/abstract?rss=yes

The objective was to explore nurses’ experiences of caring for non-sedated, critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation.

Does intermediate care improve patient outcomes or reduce costs?

Does intermediate care improve patient outcomes or reduce costs? Critical Care 2015, 19: 89

Vincent, J-L and Rubenfeld, G.D.

http://ccforum.com/content/19/1/89

ICUs are an essential but expensive part of all modern hospitals. With increasingly limited healthcare funding, methods to reduce expenditure without negatively influencing patient outcomes are, therefore, of interest. One possible solution has been the development of ‘intermediate care units’, which provide more intensive monitoring and patient management with higher nurse:patient ratios than the general ward but less than is offered in the ICU. However, although such units have been introduced in many hospitals, there is relatively little published, especially prospective, evidence to support the benefits of this approach on costs or patient outcomes. We review the available data and suggest that, where possible, a larger unit with combined intermediate care and intensive care beds in one location may be preferable in terms of greater flexibility and efficiency.