Intensive care medicine
-
Intensive care medicine · Nov 1996
Effectiveness of a continuous quality improvement program aiming to reduce unplanned extubation: a prospective study.
To evaluate the effectiveness of a continuous quality improvement (CQI) program in reducing the incidence of unplanned endotracheal extubation. ⋯ The implementation of a concerted CQI program is effective in reducing the overall incidence of unplanned endotracheal extubation.
-
Intensive care medicine · Nov 1996
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialOvernight sedation with midazolam or propofol in the ICU: effects on sleep quality, anxiety and depression.
To assess and compare the impact of overnight sedation with midazolam or propofol on anxiety and depression levels, as well as sleep quality, in non-intubated patients in intensive care. ⋯ These data show that half of the patients in the ICU experienced high levels of anxiety and depression during the first 5 post-operative or post-trauma days in the ICU. The beneficial effects of sedation on sleep quality were comparable for midazolam and propofol, regardless of a lack of improvement in anxiety and depression. However, an improved quality of sleep could help to re-establish a physiological night and day rhythm.
-
Intensive care medicine · Nov 1996
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialIncreased initial flow rate reduces inspiratory work of breathing during pressure support ventilation in patients with exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
To investigate whether the level of initial flow rate alters the work of breathing in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients ventilated in pressure support ventilation (PSV). ⋯ As the objective of PSV is to reduce the work of breathing, it seems logical to use the highest initial flow rate to induce the lowest possible work of breathing in COPD ventilated patients.
-
Intensive care medicine · Nov 1996
Nitric oxide (NO) production correlates with renal insufficiency and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in severe sepsis.
To investigate whether the production of nitric oxide (NO) relates to the development of renal insufficiency and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in patients with severe sepsis. ⋯ Our results indicate that the production of NO correlates with renal insufficiency and MODS in patients with severe sepsis and that this reactive nitrogen intermediate could be involved in the pathogenesis of organ failure in these critically ill patients.
-
Intensive care medicine · Nov 1996
Comparative Study Clinical TrialClinical evaluation of a continuous intra-arterial blood gas system in critically ill patients.
To evaluate the clinical performance of a new, continuous intra-arterial blood gas monitoring system (CIABG) in abnormal ranges of blood gases, and during episodes of low blood pressure, in critically ill patients. ⋯ In situations of severe hypoxemia, hypercapnia and acidosis, the agreement between CIABG and arterial blood sampling (ABS) is better for PaCO2 and pH than for PaO2, and is not influenced by episodes of low blood pressure.