Journal of intensive care medicine
-
J Intensive Care Med · May 2020
The Impact of Implementing an Intensivist Model With Nighttime In-Hospital Nocturnist and Effect on ICU Outcomes.
Various intensivist staffing models have been suggested, but the long-term sustainability and outcomes vary and may not be sustained. We examined the impact of implementing a high-intensity intensivist coverage model with a nighttime in-house nocturnist (non-intensivist) and its effect on intensive care unit (ICU) outcomes. ⋯ Implementing an intensivist service with nighttime nocturnist staffing in a high-intensity large teaching hospital is feasible and improved ICU outcomes in a sustained manner that persisted after the initial implementation phase. The model resulted in reduced and sustained observed-to-predicted length of ICU stay.
-
J Intensive Care Med · Apr 2020
Meta AnalysisAccuracy of Ultrasonographic Measurements of Inferior Vena Cava to Determine Fluid Responsiveness: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Fluid responsiveness is the ability to increase the cardiac output in response to a fluid challenge. Only about 50% of patients receiving fluid resuscitation for acute circulatory failure increase their stroke volume, but the other 50% may worsen their outcome. Therefore, predicting fluid responsiveness is needed. In this purpose, in recent years, the assessment of the inferior vena cava (IVC) through ultrasound (US) has become very popular. The aim of our work was to systematically review all the previously published studies assessing the accuracy of the diameter of IVC or its respiratory variations measured through US in predicting fluid responsiveness. ⋯ An extreme heterogeneity of included studies was highlighted. Ultrasound evaluation of the diameter of the IVC and its respiratory variations does not seem to be a reliable method to predict fluid responsiveness.
-
J Intensive Care Med · Apr 2020
Outcomes and Costs of Patients Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit Due to Accidental or Intentional Poisoning.
Acute poisoning represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality, and many of these patients are admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). However, little is known regarding ICU costs of acute poisoning. ⋯ In our cohort, we confirmed the long-held belief that patients admitted to the ICU with a primary diagnosis of poisoning have a lower mortality rate, ICU LOS, and overall cost per ICU admission than nonpoisoned patients. However, poisoned patients still accrue significant daily costs, with the highest costs attributed to xenobiotics with known antidotes, such as acetaminophen, toxic alcohols, and opioids.
-
J Intensive Care Med · Apr 2020
Safety, Efficacy, and Timeliness of Intravenous Potassium Chloride Replacement Protocols in a Pediatric Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit.
Hypokalemia in children following cardiac surgery occurs frequently, placing them at risk of life-threatening arrhythmias. However, renal insufficiency after cardiopulmonary bypass warrants careful administration of potassium (K+). Two different nurse-driven protocols (high dose and tiered dosing) were implemented to identify an optimal K+ replacement regimen, compared to an historical low-dose protocol. Our objective was to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and timeliness of these protocols. ⋯ The tiered-dosed, nurse-driven K+ replacement protocol was associated with decreased supplemental K+ doses without increased risk of hyperkalemia, administering doses faster than individually ordered doses; the protocol was effective, safe, and timely in the treatment of hypokalemia in pediatric patients after cardiac surgery.
-
J Intensive Care Med · Apr 2020
Novel Vasopressors in the Treatment of Vasodilatory Shock: A Systematic Review of Angiotensin II, Selepressin, and Terlipressin.
Vasodilatory shock is the most common type of shock. Catecholamine vasopressors are the cornerstone of hemodynamic therapy but carry risks. Angiotensin II (AT2) was recently approved, and other novel agents (selepressin and terlipressin) are under investigation and used outside the United States (terlipressin). We performed a systematic review to summarize the efficacy and safety of these novel vasopressors and to offer guidance on their appropriate use. ⋯ In this systematic review, controlled trials of novel vasopressors in treatment of vasodilatory shock were limited and of low quality. Angiotensin II, selepressin, and terlipressin appear to significantly increase MAP, but further study is required, particularly for selepressin, to determine their safety, efficacy, and role in treatment of vasodilatory shock.