Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2012
Comparative StudyEffect of 24-hour mandatory vs on-demand critical care specialist presence on long-term survival and quality of life of critically ill patients in the intensive care unit of a teaching hospital.
Mandatory compared with on-demand intensivist presence improves processes of care and decreases intensive care unit (ICU) complication rate and hospital length of stay. The effect of continuous mandatory intensivist coverage on long-term patient mortality and quality of life (QOL) is not known. ⋯ Introduction of an additional night shift to provide mandatory as opposed to on-demand 24-hour staff critical care specialist coverage did not affect long-term survival of medical ICU patients.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2012
The early phase of human sepsis is characterized by a combination of apoptosis and proliferation of T cells.
T cell activation as well as unresponsiveness has been described in separate studies in sepsis. Our aim was to establish the coexistence of both T cell fate in human sepsis. ⋯ Concomitant T cell proliferation and T cell apoptosis are observed in human sepsis, being related to a different pathway.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2012
What is the best method for estimating the burden of severe sepsis in the United States?
The aim of the study was to compare estimates of hospitalizations, outcomes, and costs produced by 2 approaches for defining severe sepsis. ⋯ An approach that requires a diagnosis code for septicemia and a diagnosis code for organ dysfunction yields estimates of disease burden and outcomes that are more consistent with chart-based studies.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2012
Perceived benefit of a telemedicine consultative service in a highly staffed intensive care unit.
The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a nocturnal telemedicine service improves culture, staff satisfaction, and perceptions of quality of care in a highly staffed university critical care system. ⋯ Telemedicine has the potential to improve staff satisfaction and communication in highly staffed ICUs.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2012
Charlson's weighted index of comorbidities is useful in assessing the risk of death in septic patients.
We investigated the efficiency of the Charlson's weighted index of comorbidities (WIC) in predicting the risk of death in septic patients. ⋯ In septic patients, WIC is predictive for hospital mortality, and the risk of death significantly depends on WIC.