Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2012
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyCritical care in Colombia: differences between teaching and nonteaching intensive care units. A prospective cohort observational study.
The aim of this study was to determine the differences in the efficacy and efficiency in providing critical care to hospitalized patients in teaching vs nonteaching intensive care units (ICUs) in Colombia. ⋯ Nonteaching ICUs discharge patients earlier than do teaching ICUs, but the effect of it remains to be clarified with further studies addressing questions as what happens after ICU discharge.
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To examine the performance and properties of the Revised Health Care System Distrust Scale among surrogates in the intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ Among surrogates in the ICU, the Health Care System Distrust Scale has high internal consistency and convergent validity. There was substantial variability in surrogates' trust in the health-care system.
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2012
Time spent in the emergency department and mortality rates in severely injured patients admitted to the intensive care unit: An observational study.
The aim of this study was to identify the determinants of a shorter emergency department time (EDt) in patients with severe trauma (STPs) admitted to the intensive care unit and determine whether EDt influences mortality. ⋯ Patients in the ED with indicators of high trauma severity have a reduced EDt but a higher mortality rate. Advanced age increases both mortality and EDt. With the factors included in the model, EDt was not an independent factor for mortality in STPs.
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2012
Ventilator-associated pneumonia is an important risk factor for mortality after major cardiac surgery.
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the main infectious complication in cardiac surgery patients and is associated with an important increase in morbidity and mortality. The aim of our study was to analyze the impact of VAP on mortality excluding other comorbidities and to study its etiology and the risk factors for its development. ⋯ The development of VAP after CPB is the most important independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality. Identification of effective strategies for the prevention of VAP is needed.
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2012
Peak postoperative troponin levels outperform preoperative cardiac risk indices as predictors of long-term mortality after vascular surgery Troponins and postoperative outcomes.
The utility of postoperative troponins as an independent predictor of long-term mortality after vascular surgery is unknown. ⋯ Among patients undergoing vascular surgery, an elevated postoperative troponin level provides incremental value in predicting long-term outcomes, when compared with standard preoperative cardiac and surgical risks.