A Comparison of the Quick Sequential (Sepsis-Related) Organ Failure Assessment Score and the National Early Warning Score in Non-ICU Patients With/Without Infection

A Comparison of the Quick Sequential (Sepsis-Related) Organ Failure Assessment Score and the National Early Warning Score in Non-ICU Patients With/Without Infection

 by Redfern, Oliver C.; Smith, Gary B.; Prytherch, David R.; Meredith, Paul; Inada-Kim, Matthew; Schmidt, Paul E.  

Critical Care Medicine: December 2018 - Volume 46 - Issue 12 - p 1923–1933

Objectives: The Sepsis-3 task force recommended the quick Sequential (Sepsis-Related) Organ Failure Assessment score for identifying patients with suspected infection who are at greater risk of poor outcomes, but many hospitals already use the National Early Warning Score to identify high-risk patients, irrespective of diagnosis. We sought to compare the performance of quick Sequential (Sepsis-Related) Organ Failure Assessment and National Early Warning Score in hospitalized, non-ICU patients with and without an infection. Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Large U.K. General Hospital. Patients: Adults hospitalized between January 1, 2010, and February 1, 2016. Interventions: None.

Measurements and Main Results: We applied the quick Sequential (Sepsis-Related) Organ Failure Assessment score and National Early Warning Score to 5,435,344 vital signs sets (241,996 hospital admissions). Patients were categorized as having no infection, primary infection, or secondary infection using International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition codes. National Early Warning Score was significantly better at discriminating in-hospital mortality, irrespective of infection status (no infection, National Early Warning Score 0.831 [0.825–0.838] vs quick Sequential [Sepsis-Related] Organ Failure Assessment 0.688 [0.680–0.695]; primary infection, National Early Warning Score 0.805 [0.799–0.812] vs quick Sequential [Sepsis-Related] Organ Failure Assessment 0.677 [0.670–0.685]). Similarly, National Early Warning Score performed significantly better in all patient groups (all admissions, emergency medicine admissions, and emergency surgery admissions) for all outcomes studied. Overall, quick Sequential (Sepsis-Related) Organ Failure Assessment performed no better, and often worse, in admissions with infection than without.

Conclusions: The National Early Warning Score outperforms the quick Sequential (Sepsis-Related) Organ Failure Assessment score, irrespective of infection status. These findings suggest that quick Sequential (Sepsis-Related) Organ Failure Assessment should be reevaluated as the system of choice for identifying non-ICU patients with suspected infection who are at greater risk of poor outcome.

Laryngeal Injury and Upper Airway Symptoms After Oral Endotracheal Intubation With Mechanical Ventilation During Critical Care: A Systematic Review*

Laryngeal Injury and Upper Airway Symptoms After Oral Endotracheal Intubation With Mechanical Ventilation During Critical Care: A Systematic Review*

by Brodsky, Martin B.; Levy, Matthew J.; Jedlanek, Erin; Pandian, Vinciya; Blackford, Brendan; Price, Carrie; Cole, Gai; Hillel, Alexander T.; Best, Simon R.; Akst, Lee M.  

Critical Care Medicine: December 2018 - Volume 46 - Issue 12 - p 2010–2017

Objectives: To systematically review the symptoms and types of laryngeal injuries resulting from endotracheal intubation in mechanically ventilated patients in the ICU.

Data Sources: PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library from database inception to September 2017. Study Selection: Studies of adult patients who were endotracheally intubated with mechanical ventilation in the ICU and completed postextubation laryngeal examinations with either direct or indirect visualization.

Data Extraction: Independent, double-data extraction and risk of bias assessment followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Risk of bias assessment followed the Cochrane Collaboration’s criteria.

Data Synthesis: Nine studies (seven cohorts, two cross-sectional) representing 775 patients met eligibility criteria. The mean (SD; 95% CI) duration of intubation was 8.2 days (6.0 d; 7.7–8.7 d). A high prevalence (83%) of laryngeal injury was found. Many of these were mild injuries, although moderate to severe injuries occurred in 13–31% of patients across studies. The most frequently occurring clinical symptoms reported post extubation were dysphonia (76%), pain (76%), hoarseness (63%), and dysphagia (49%) across studies.

Conclusions: Laryngeal injury from intubation is common in the ICU setting. Guidelines for laryngeal assessment and postextubation surveillance do not exist. A systematic approach to more robust investigations could increase knowledge of the association between particular injuries and corresponding functional impairments, improving understanding of both time course and prognosis for resolution of injury. Our findings identify targets for future research and highlight the long-known, but understudied, clinical outcomes from endotracheal intubation with mechanical ventilation in ICU.

Incidence and Prevalence of Delirium Subtypes in an Adult ICU: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis*

Incidence and Prevalence of Delirium Subtypes in an Adult ICU: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis*

by Krewulak, Karla D.; Stelfox, Henry T.; Leigh, Jeanna Parsons; Ely, E. Wesley; Fiest, Kirsten M.  

Critical Care Medicine: December 2018 - Volume 46 - Issue 12 - p 2029–2035

Objectives: Use systematic review and meta-analytic methodology to estimate the pooled incidence, prevalence, and proportion of delirium cases for each delirium subtype (hypoactive, hyperactive, and mixed) in an adult ICU population.

Data Sources: We conducted a search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and PsycINFO databases following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses standards from database inception until October 22, 2017, with no restrictions. Study Selection: We included original research conducted in adults admitted to any medical, surgical, or speciality ICU that reported incidence or prevalence estimates of delirium according to delirium subtype.

Data Extraction: Data were extracted on sample size, population demographics, condition information, and reported delirium estimates.

Data Synthesis: Forty-eight studies (27,342 patients; 4,550 with delirium) with an overall pooled prevalence of 31% (95% CI, 24–41; I2 = 99%) met inclusion criteria. The pooled incidence (n = 18 studies) of delirium subtypes were hyperactive (4% [95% CI, 2–6]; I2 = 92%]), hypoactive (11% [95% CI, 8–17; I2 = 97%]), and mixed (7% [95% CI, 4–11; I2 = 97%]). The pooled prevalence (n = 31 studies) of delirium subtypes were hyperactive (4% [95% CI, 3–6; I2 = 94%]), hypoactive (17% [95% CI, 13–22; I2 = 97%]), and mixed (10% [95% CI, 6–16; I2 = 99%]). The pooled prevalence of hypoactive delirium in study populations with a similarly high severity of illness or mechanically ventilated was higher (severity of illness: 29% [95% CI, 18–46%; I2 = 95%], 100% mechanically ventilated: 35% [95% CI, 23–55%; I2 = 93%]) compared with the pooled prevalence of hypoactive delirium.

Conclusions: Despite significant heterogeneity between studies, these data show the majority of delirious ICU patients to have hypoactive delirium, a finding with potential monitoring, management, and prognostic implications. The prevalence of hypoactive delirium varies between-study populations and is higher in patients with greater severity of illness.

Complication and Failures of Central Vascular Access Device in Adult Critical Care Settings*

Complication and Failures of Central Vascular Access Device in Adult Critical Care Settings*

 by Takashima, Mari; Schults, Jessica; Mihala, Gabor; Corley, Amanda; Ullman, Amanda  

Critical Care Medicine: December 2018 - Volume 46 - Issue 12 - p 1998–2009

Objectives: To examine the proportion and rate of central venous access device failure and complications across central venous access device types in adult intensive care.

Data Sources: A systematic search was undertaken in the electronic databases Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health in September 2017.

Study Selection: Included studies were of observational (prospective and retrospective) or interventional design and reported central venous access device failure and complications in adult ICU settings. Studies were excluded if they were published prior to November 2006 or not reported in English. Two reviewers independently screened articles, assessed eligibility, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias.

Data Extraction: Data were extracted on the primary outcome, central venous access device failure, and secondary outcomes: central venous access device complications (central line-associated bloodstream infection, catheter-related bloodstream infection, catheter-related thrombosis, occlusion, catheter removal due to suspected infection, dislodgement, breakage, and local infection). Patient and device data and study details to assess the study quality were also extracted. 

Data Synthesis: A total of 63 studies involving 50,000 central venous access devices (396,951 catheter days) were included. Central venous access device failure was 5% (95% CI, 3–6%), with the highest rates and proportion of failure in hemodialysis catheters. Overall central line-associated bloodstream infection rate was 4.59 per 1,000 catheter days (95% CI, 2.31–6.86), with the highest rate in nontunneled central venous access devices. Removal of central venous access device due to suspected infection was high (17%; 20.4 per 1,000 catheter days; 95% CI, 15.7–25.2).

Conclusions: Central venous access device complications and device failure is a prevalent and significant problem in the adult ICU, leading to substantial patient harm and increased healthcare costs. The high proportion of central venous access devices removed due to suspicion of infection, despite low overall central line-associated bloodstream infection and catheter-related bloodstream infection rates, indicates a need for robust practice guidelines to inform decision-making surrounding removal of central venous access devices suspected of infection.

Evaluation of Repeated Quick Sepsis-Related Organ Failure Assessment Measurements Among Patients With Suspected Infection*

Evaluation of Repeated Quick Sepsis-Related Organ Failure Assessment Measurements Among Patients With Suspected Infection*

by Kievlan, Daniel R.; Zhang, Li A.; Chang, Chung-Chou H.; Angus, Derek C.; Seymour, Christopher W.  

Critical Care Medicine: December 2018 - Volume 46 - Issue 12 - p 1906–1913

Objectives: Among patients with suspected infection, a single measurement of the quick Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment has good predictive validity for sepsis, yet the increase in validity from repeated measurements is unknown. We sought to determine the incremental predictive validity for sepsis of repeated quick Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment measurements over 48 hours compared with the initial measurement.

Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Twelve hospitals in southwestern Pennsylvania in 2012. Patients: All adult medical and surgical encounters in the emergency department, hospital ward, postanesthesia care unit, and ICU. Interventions: None.

Measurements and Main Results: Among 1.3 million adult encounters, we identified those with a first episode of suspected infection. Using the maximum quick Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment score in each 6-hour epoch from onset of suspected infection until 48 hours later, we characterized repeated quick Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment with: 1) summary measures (e.g., mean over 48 hr), 2) crude trajectory groups, and 3) group-based trajectory modeling. We measured the predictive validity of repeated quick Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment using incremental changes in the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for in-hospital mortality beyond that of baseline risk (age, sex, race/ethnicity, and comorbidity). Of 37,591 encounters with suspected infection, 1,769 (4.7%) died before discharge. Both the mean quick Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment at 48 hours (area under the receiver operating characteristic, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.85–0.86]) and crude trajectory groups (area under the receiver operating characteristic, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.83–0.83]) improved predictive validity compared with initial quick Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (area under the receiver operating characteristic, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.78–0.80]) (p < 0.001 for both). Group-based trajectory modeling found five trajectories (quick Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment always low, increasing, decreasing, moderate, and always high) with greater predictive validity than the initial measurement (area under the receiver operating characteristic, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.84–0.85]; p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Repeated measurements of quick Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment improve predictive validity for sepsis using in-hospital mortality compared with a single measurement of quick Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment at the time a clinician suspects infection.

Randomized Feasibility Trial of a Low Tidal Volume-Airway Pressure Release Ventilation Protocol Compared With Traditional Airway Pressure Release Ventilation and Volume Control Ventilation Protocols

Randomized Feasibility Trial of a Low Tidal Volume-Airway Pressure Release Ventilation Protocol Compared With Traditional Airway Pressure Release Ventilation and Volume Control Ventilation Protocols

Hirshberg, Eliotte L.; Lanspa, Michael J.; Peterson, Juhee; Carpenter, Lori; Wilson, Emily L.; Brown, Samuel M.; Dean, Nathan C.; Orme, James; Grissom, Colin K.

Critical Care Medicine: December 2018 - Volume 46 - Issue 12 - p 1943–1952

Objectives: Low tidal volume (= tidal volume ≤ 6 mL/kg, predicted body weight) ventilation using volume control benefits patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Airway pressure release ventilation is an alternative to low tidal volume-volume control ventilation, but the release breaths generated are variable and can exceed tidal volume breaths of low tidal volume-volume control. We evaluate the application of a low tidal volume-compatible airway pressure release ventilation protocol that manages release volumes on both clinical and feasibility endpoints.

Design: We designed a prospective randomized trial in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. We randomized patients to low tidal volume-volume control, low tidal volume-airway pressure release ventilation, and traditional airway pressure release ventilation with a planned enrollment of 246 patients. The study was stopped early because of low enrollment and inability to consistently achieve tidal volumes less than 6.5 mL/kg in the low tidal volume-airway pressure release ventilation arm. Although the primary clinical study endpoint was PaO2/FIO2 on study day 3, we highlight the feasibility outcomes related to tidal volumes in both arms. Setting: Four Intermountain Healthcare tertiary ICUs.

Patients: Adult ICU patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure anticipated to require prolonged mechanical ventilation. Interventions: Low tidal volume-volume control, airway pressure release ventilation, and low tidal volume-airway pressure release ventilation.

Measurements and Main Results: We observed wide variability and higher tidal (release for airway pressure release ventilation) volumes in both airway pressure release ventilation (8.6 mL/kg; 95% CI, 7.8–9.6) and low tidal volume-airway pressure release ventilation (8.0; 95% CI, 7.3–8.9) than volume control (6.8; 95% CI, 6.2–7.5; p = 0.005) with no difference between airway pressure release ventilation and low tidal volume-airway pressure release ventilation (p = 0.58). Recognizing the limitations of small sample size, we observed no difference in 52 patients in day 3 PaO2/ FIO2 (p = 0.92). We also observed no significant difference between arms in sedation, vasoactive medications, or occurrence of pneumothorax.

Conclusions: Airway pressure release ventilation resulted in release volumes often exceeding 12 mL/kg despite a protocol designed to target low tidal volume ventilation. Current airway pressure release ventilation protocols are unable to achieve consistent and reproducible delivery of low tidal volume ventilation goals. A large-scale efficacy trial of low tidal volume-airway pressure release ventilation is not feasible at this time in the absence of an explicit, generalizable, and reproducible low tidal volume-airway pressure release ventilation protocol.

ICU Management of Trauma Patients

ICU Management of Trauma Patients

By Tisherman, Samuel A.; Stein, Deborah M.  

Critical Care Medicine: December 2018 - Volume 46 - Issue 12 - p 1991–1997

Objectives: To describe the current state of the art regarding management of the critically ill trauma patient with an emphasis on initial management in the ICU.

Data Sources and Study Selection: A PubMed literature review was performed for relevant articles in English related to the management of adult humans with severe trauma. Specific topics included airway management, hemorrhagic shock, resuscitation, and specific injuries to the chest, abdomen, brain, and spinal cord.

Data Extraction and Data Synthesis: The basic principles of initial management of the critically ill trauma patients include rapid identification and management of life-threatening injuries with the goal of restoring tissue oxygenation and controlling hemorrhage as rapidly as possible. The initial assessment of the patient is often truncated for procedures to manage life-threatening injuries. Major, open surgical procedures have often been replaced by nonoperative or less-invasive approaches, even for critically ill patients. Consequently, much of the early management has been shifted to the ICU, where the goal is to continue resuscitation to restore homeostasis while completing the initial assessment of the patient and watching closely for failure of nonoperative management, complications of procedures, and missed injuries.

Conclusions: The initial management of critically ill trauma patients is complex. Multiple, sometimes competing, priorities need to be considered. Close collaboration between the intensivist and the surgical teams is critical for optimizing patient outcomes.

Evaluation of a Measurement System to Assess ICU Team Performance*

Evaluation of a Measurement System to Assess ICU Team Performance*

by Dietz, Aaron S.; Salas, Eduardo; Pronovost, Peter J.; Jentsch, Florian; Wyskiel, Rhonda; Mendez-Tellez, Pedro Alejandro; Dwyer, Cynthia; Rosen, Michael A.  

Critical Care Medicine: December 2018 - Volume 46 - Issue 12 - p 1898–1905

Objective: Measuring teamwork is essential in critical care, but limited observational measurement systems exist for this environment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of a behavioral marker system for measuring teamwork in ICUs.

 Design: Instances of teamwork were observed by two raters for three tasks: multidisciplinary rounds, nurse-to-nurse handoffs, and retrospective videos of medical students and instructors performing simulated codes. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to assess interrater reliability. Generalizability theory was applied to estimate systematic sources of variance for the three observed team tasks that were associated with instances of teamwork, rater effects, competency effects, and task effects.

Setting: A 15-bed surgical ICU at a large academic hospital.

Subjects: One hundred thirty-eight instances of teamwork were observed. Specifically, we observed 88 multidisciplinary rounds, 25 nurse-to-nurse handoffs, and 25 simulated code exercises. Interventions: No intervention was conducted for this study.

Measurements and Main Results: Rater reliability for each overall task ranged from good to excellent correlation (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.64–0.81), although there were seven cases where reliability was fair and one case where it was poor for specific competencies. Findings from generalizability studies provided evidence that the marker system dependably distinguished among teamwork competencies, providing evidence of construct validity.

Conclusions: Teamwork in critical care is complex, thereby complicating the judgment of behaviors. The marker system exhibited great potential for differentiating competencies, but findings also revealed that more context specific guidance may be needed to improve rater reliability.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Can Successfully Support Patients With Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Lieu of Mechanical Ventilation

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Can Successfully Support Patients With Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Lieu of Mechanical Ventilation

 by Kurihara, Chitaru; Walter, James M.; Singer, Benjamin D.; Cajigas, Hector; Shayan, Shahriar; Al-Qamari, Abbas; DeCamp, Malcolm M.; Wunderink, Rich; Budinger, GR Scott; Bharat, Ankit  

Critical Care Medicine: November 2018 - Volume 46 - Issue 11 - p e1070–e1073

Objectives: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is increasingly used in the management of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. With extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, select patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome can be managed without mechanical ventilation, sedation, or neuromuscular blockade. Published experience with this approach, specifically with attention to a patient’s respiratory drive following cannulation, is limited.

Design: We describe our experience with three consecutive patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome supported with right jugular-femoral configuration of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation without therapeutic anticoagulation as an alternative to lung-protective mechanical ventilation. Outcomes are reported including daily respiratory rate, vital capacities, and follow-up pulmonary function testing.

 Results: Following cannulation, patients were extubated within 24 hours. During extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support, all patients were able to maintain a normal respiratory rate and experienced steady improvements in vital capacities. Patients received oral nutrition and ambulated daily. At follow-up, no patients required supplemental oxygen.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation can provide a safe and effective alternative to lung-protective mechanical ventilation in carefully selected patients. This approach facilitates participation in physical therapy and avoids complications associated with mechanical ventilation.

Beyond Low Tidal Volume Ventilation: Treatment Adjuncts for Severe Respiratory Failure in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Beyond Low Tidal Volume Ventilation: Treatment Adjuncts for Severe Respiratory Failure in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

1 Critical Care Medicine - Most Popular Articles by Fielding-Singh, Vikram; Matthay, Michael A.; Calfee, Carolyn S.  /  7d //  keep unread  //  hide

Critical Care Medicine: November 2018 - Volume 46 - Issue 11 - p 1820–1831

Objectives: Despite decades of research, the acute respiratory distress syndrome remains associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This Concise Definitive Review provides a practical and evidence-based summary of treatments in addition to low tidal volume ventilation and their role in the management of severe respiratory failure in acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Data Sources: We searched the PubMed database for clinical trials, observational studies, and review articles describing treatment adjuncts in acute respiratory distress syndrome patients, including high positive end-expiratory pressure strategies, recruitment maneuvers, high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, neuromuscular blockade, prone positioning, inhaled pulmonary vasodilators, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, glucocorticoids, and renal replacement therapy.

Study Selection and Data Extraction: Results were reviewed by the primary author in depth. Disputed findings and conclusions were then reviewed with the other authors until consensus was achieved.

Data Synthesis: Severe respiratory failure in acute respiratory distress syndrome may present with refractory hypoxemia, severe respiratory acidosis, or elevated plateau airway pressures despite lung-protective ventilation according to acute respiratory distress syndrome Network protocol. For severe hypoxemia, first-line treatment adjuncts include high positive end-expiratory pressure strategies, recruitment maneuvers, neuromuscular blockade, and prone positioning. For refractory acidosis, we recommend initial modest liberalization of tidal volumes, followed by neuromuscular blockade and prone positioning. For elevated plateau airway pressures, we suggest first decreasing tidal volumes, followed by neuromuscular blockade, modification of positive end-expiratory pressure, and prone positioning. Therapies such as inhaled pulmonary vasodilators, glucocorticoids, and renal replacement therapy have significantly less evidence in favor of their use and should be considered second line. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation may be life-saving in selected patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome but should be used only when other alternatives have been applied.

Conclusions: Severe respiratory failure in acute respiratory distress syndrome often necessitates the use of treatment adjuncts. Evidence-based application of these therapies in acute respiratory distress syndrome remains a significant challenge. However, a rational stepwise approach with frequent monitoring for improvement or harm can be achieved.

Changes in Temperature Management of Cardiac Arrest Patients Following Publication of the Target Temperature Management Trial*

Changes in Temperature Management of Cardiac Arrest Patients Following Publication of the Target Temperature Management Trial*

by Salter, Ryan; Bailey, Michael; Bellomo, Rinaldo; Eastwood, Glenn; Goodwin, Andrew; Nielsen, Niklas; Pilcher, David; Nichol, Alistair; Saxena, Manoj; Shehabi, Yahya; Young, Paul; on behalf of the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Centre for Outcome and Resource Evaluation (ANZICS-CORE)  

Critical Care Medicine: November 2018 - Volume 46 - Issue 11 - p 1722–1730

Objectives: To evaluate knowledge translation after publication of the target temperature management 33°C versus 36°C after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest trial and associated patient outcomes. Our primary hypothesis was that target temperature management at 36°C was rapidly adopted in Australian and New Zealand ICUs. Secondary hypotheses were that temporal reductions in mortality would be seen and would have accelerated after publication of the target temperature management trial.

Design: Retrospective cohort study (January 2005 to December 2016). Setting: The Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Centre for Outcome and Resource Evaluation adult patient database containing greater than 2 million admission episodes from 186 Australian and New Zealand ICUs.

Patients: Sixteen-thousand two-hundred fifty-two adults from 140 hospitals admitted to ICU after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Interventions: The primary exposure of interest was admission before versus after publication of the target temperature management trial.

Measurements and Main Results: The primary outcome variable to evaluate changes in temperature management was lowest temperature in the first 24 hours in ICU. The primary clinical outcome variable of interest was inhospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included proportion of patients with fever in the first 24 hours in ICU. Mean ± SD lowest temperature in the first 24 hours in ICU in pre- and posttarget temperature management trial patients was 33.80 ± 1.71°C and 34.70 ± 1.39°C, respectively (absolute difference, 0.98°C [99% CI, 0.89–1.06°C]). Inhospital mortality rate decreased by 1.3 (99% CI, –1.8 to –0.9) percentage points per year from January 2005 until December 2013 and increased by 0.6 (99% CI, –1.4 to 2.6) percentage points per year from January 2014 until December 2016 (change in slope 1.9 percentage points per year [99% CI, –0.6 to 4.4]). Fever occurred in 568 (12.8%) of 4,450 pretarget temperature management trial patients and 853 (16.5%) of 5,184 posttarget temperature management trial patients (odds ratio, 1.35 [99% CI, 1.16–1.57]).

Conclusions: The average lowest temperature of postcardiac arrest patients in the first 24 hours in ICU rose after publication of the target temperature management trial. This change was associated with an increased frequency of fever not seen in the target temperature management trial.

Delirium Monitoring in Neurocritically Ill Patients: A Systematic Review*

Delirium Monitoring in Neurocritically Ill Patients: A Systematic Review*

by Patel, Mayur B.; Bednarik, Josef; Lee, Patricia; Shehabi, Yahya; Salluh, Jorge I.; Slooter, Arjen J.; Klein, Kate E.; Skrobik, Yoanna; Morandi, Alessandro; Spronk, Peter E.; Naidech, Andrew M.; Pun, Brenda T.; Bozza, Fernando A.; Marra, Annachiara; John, Sayona; Pandharipande, Pratik P.; Ely, E. Wesley  

Critical Care Medicine: November 2018 - Volume 46 - Issue 11 - p 1832–1841

Objectives: The Society of Critical Care Medicine recommends routine delirium monitoring, based on data in critically ill patients without primary neurologic injury. We sought to answer whether there are valid and reliable tools to monitor delirium in neurocritically ill patients and whether delirium is associated with relevant clinical outcomes (e.g., survival, length of stay, functional independence, cognition) in this population.

Data Sources: We systematically reviewed Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science, and PubMed. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Inclusion criteria allowed any study design investigating delirium monitoring in neurocritically ill patients (e.g., neurotrauma, ischemic, and/or hemorrhagic stroke) of any age. We extracted data relevant to delirium tool sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value, interrater reliability, and associated clinical outcomes.

Data Synthesis: Among seven prospective cohort studies and a total of 1,173 patients, delirium was assessed in neurocritically patients using validated delirium tools after considering primary neurologic diagnoses and associated complications, finding a pooled prevalence rate of 12–43%. When able to compare against a common reference standard, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, the test characteristics showed a sensitivity of 62–76%, specificity of 74–98%, positive predictive value of 63–91%, negative predictive value of 70–94%, and reliability kappa of 0.64–0.94. Among four studies reporting multivariable analyses, delirium in neurocritically patients was associated with increased hospital length of stay (n = 3) and ICU length of stay (n = 1), as well as worse functional independence (n = 1) and cognition (n = 2), but not survival.

Conclusions: These data from studies of neurocritically ill patients demonstrate that patients with primary neurologic diagnoses can meet diagnostic criteria for delirium and that delirious features may predict relevant untoward clinical outcomes. There is a need for ongoing investigations regarding delirium in these complicated neurocritically ill patients.

Handovers Among Staff Intensivists: A Study of Information Loss and Clinical Accuracy to Anticipate Events*

Handovers Among Staff Intensivists: A Study of Information Loss and Clinical Accuracy to Anticipate Events*

by Dutra, Mariana; Monteiro, Mariana V.; Ribeiro, Karina B.; Schettino, Guilherme P.; Kajdacsy-Balla Amaral, Andre Carlos  

Critical Care Medicine: November 2018 - Volume 46 - Issue 11 - p 1717–1721

Objectives: Handovers are associated with medical errors, and our primary objective is to identify missed diagnosis and goals immediately after a shift handover. Our secondary objective is to assess clinicians’ diagnostic accuracy in anticipating clinical events during the night shift.

Design: Single-center prospective observational cohort study. Setting: Thirty-bed tertiary ICU in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Patients: Three-hundred fifty-two patient encounters over 44 day-to-night handovers.

Interventions: None.

Measurements and Main Results: We used a multimethods approach to measure transmission of information among staff physicians on diagnoses and goals for the night shift. We surveyed clinicians immediately after a handover and identified clinical events through chart abstractions and interviews with clinicians the next morning. Nighttime clinicians correctly identified 454 of 857 diagnoses (53%; 95% CI 50–56) and 123 of 304 goals (40%; 95% CI, 35–46). Daytime clinicians were more sensitive (65% vs 46%; p < 0.01) but less specific (82% vs 91%; p < 0.01) than nighttime clinicians in anticipating clinical events at night, resulting in similar accuracy (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.68–0.79] vs 0.68 [95% CI 0.63–0.74]; p = 0.09). The positive predictive value of both daytime and nighttime clinicians was low (13% vs 17%; p = 0.2). Gaps in diagnosis and anticipation of events were more pronounced in neurologic diagnoses. Conclusions: Among staff intensivists, diagnoses and goals of treatment are either not conveyed or retained 50–60% of the cases immediately after a handover. Clinicians have limited ability to anticipate events, and the expectation that anticipatory guidance can inform handovers needs to be balanced against information overload. Handovers among staff intensivists showed more gaps in the identification of diagnostic uncertainty and for neurologic diagnoses, which could benefit from communication strategies such as cognitive checklists, prioritizing discussion of neurologic patients, and brief combined clinical examination at handover.

Evaluation of Effect of Probiotics on Cytokine Levels in Critically Ill Children With Severe Sepsis: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial*

Evaluation of Effect of Probiotics on Cytokine Levels in Critically Ill Children With Severe Sepsis: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial*

 by Angurana, Suresh K.; Bansal, Arun; Singhi, Sunit; Aggarwal, Ritu; Jayashree, Muralidharan; Salaria, Manila; Mangat, Navdeep K.  

Critical Care Medicine: October 2018 - Volume 46 - Issue 10 - p 1656–1664

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of probiotics on cytokines in children with severe sepsis.

Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Setting: ICU of a tertiary care teaching hospital in North India.

Patients: Children 3 months to 12 years old with severe sepsis. Interventions: Enrolled children were randomized to probiotic (n = 50) and placebo (n = 50) groups. Probiotic group received VSL#3 (Danisco-Dupont USA, Madison, WI) (Lactobacillus paracasei, L. plantarum, L. acidophilus, L. delbrueckii, Bifidobacterium longum, B. infantis, B. breve, Streptococcus salivarius; maltose and silicon dioxide), and placebo group received maltose and silicon dioxide. Dose was 1 sachet twice daily for 7 days. Blood was collected on days 1 and 7 for estimation of interleukin-6, interleukin-12p70, interleukin-17, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-10, and transforming growth factor -β1. “Primary outcome”: Change in cytokine levels in probiotic and placebo groups from day 1 to 7. “Secondary outcomes”: Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, healthcare-associated infections, ICU stay, and mortality.

Measurements and Main Results: On day 7, probiotic group had significantly lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 [80 vs 186 pg/mL, p = 0.001]; interleukin-12p70 [44 vs 79 pg/mL, p = 0.001]; interleukin-17 [217 vs 293 pg/mL, p = 0.01]; and tumor necrosis factor-α [192 vs 348 pg/mL, p = 0.01]) and higher levels of antiinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-10 [320 vs 240 pg/mL, p = 0.02] and transforming growth factor-β1 [311 vs 221 ng/mL, p = 0.01]) than placebo group. From day 1 to 7, probiotic group showed significant decrease in proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 [196–80 pg/mL, p = 0.001]; interleukin-12p70 [71–44 pg/mL, p = 0.01]; interleukin-17 [258–217 pg/mL, p = 0.01]; and tumor necrosis factor-α [347–192 pg/mL, p = 0.001]) and increase in antiinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-10 [198–320 pg/mL, p = 0.001] and transforming growth factor-β1 [216–311 ng/mL, p = 0.001]) as compared to placebo group. Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score on day 7 was significantly less in probiotic group (1 vs 3). There was a nonsignificant trend toward lower incidence of healthcare-associated infections (14% vs 20%) and duration of ICU stay (6.5 vs 9 d) in probiotic group. Mortality was similar in two groups.

Conclusions: Probiotics supplementation for 7 days resulted in significant decrease in proinflammatory and increase in antiinflammatory cytokines in children with severe sepsis.

Survival of Patients With Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium Bacteremia Treated With Conventional or High Doses of Daptomycin or Linezolid Is Associated With the Rate of Bacterial Clearance*

 by Chuang, Yu-Chung; Lin, Hsin-Yi; Chen, Pao-Yu; Lin, Chi-Ying; Chen, Yee-Chun; Wang, Jann-Tay; Chang, Shan-Chwen  

Critical Care Medicine: October 2018 - Volume 46 - Issue 10 - p 1634–1642

Objectives: Vancomycin-resistant enterococci are important pathogens for healthcare-associated infections. Although linezolid is bacteriostatic and daptomycin is rapidly bactericidal against vancomycin-resistant enterococci in vitro, it is not clear whether they differ in their effect on bacterial clearance in patients with vancomycin-resistant enterococci bloodstream infections. 

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: Two university hospitals and research laboratory. Patients: Patients with vancomycin-resistant enterococci bloodstream infection proven by blood cultures were prospectively enrolled from January 2010 to July 2015. Interventions: Sequential blood samples were collected. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to monitor bacterial loads.

Measurements and Main Results: One hundred eight patients with vancomycin-resistant enterococci bloodstream infection were enrolled. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays were performed on 465 blood isolates. We found this method to be closely correlated with colony-forming units and more sensitive than culture. Sixty-three patients (58.3%) received “conventional dose” daptomycin (6–9 mg/kg), 15 (13.9%) received high-dose daptomycin (≥ 9 mg/kg), and 30 (27.8%) were treated with linezolid (600 mg every 12 hr) as sole agents. The initial mean bacterial load was 1.03 log10 copies/mL and unrelated to survival. Survivors had a more rapid early bacterial clearance than nonsurvivors (Δ log10 copies/mL/d; –0.16 vs 0.31; p = 0.02). Multivariable logistic regression showed that a slower early bacterial clearance independently predicted increased mortality (odds ratio, 3.21; 95% CI, 1.03–10.02; p = 0.045). Conventional dose daptomycin was associated with a significantly slower rate of bacterial clearance than high-dose daptomycin (Δ log10 copies/mL/d; –0.04 vs –0.41; p < 0.001) and linezolid (–0.04 vs –0.56; p = 0.043). Conclusions: We found that survivors of vancomycin-resistant enterococci bloodstream infection had a significantly more rapid early bacterial clearance by quantitative polymerase chain reaction than nonsurvivors. High-dose daptomycin and linezolid were associated with more rapid bacterial clearance than conventional dose daptomycin. These results support recommendations that conventional dose daptomycin not be used for the treatment of patients with vancomycin-resistant enterococci bloodstream infection.