Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2013
Multicenter StudyThe association between primary language spoken and all-cause mortality in critically ill patients.
The study objective was to investigate the association between primary language spoken and all-cause mortality in critically ill patients. ⋯ In a regional cohort, not speaking English as a primary language is associated with improved outcomes after critical care. Our observations may have clinical relevance and illustrate the intersection of several factors in critical illness outcome including severity of illness, comorbidity, and social and economic factors.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2013
Elevated asymmetric dimethylarginine levels predict short- and long-term mortality risk in critically ill patients.
Serum concentrations of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, may contribute to endothelial dysfunction and organ failure in sepsis. We aimed at investigating ADMA levels as a potential diagnostic or prognostic biomarker in critically ill patients. ⋯ Serum ADMA concentrations are significantly elevated in critically ill patients, associated with organ failure and related to short- and long-term mortality risk.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2013
Observational StudyCan we predict pneumococcal bacteremia in patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia?
This study aimed to evaluate the role of biomarkers as markers of pneumococcal bacteremia in severe community-acquired pneumonia (SCAP). ⋯ In this cohort, significantly higher PCT, BNP, lactate, and CRP levels were found in BPP, and PCT presented the best ability to identify pneumococcal bacteremia. A PCT serum level lower than 17 ng/mL could identify patients with SCAP unlikely to have pneumococcal bacteremia.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2013
Staff acceptance of a telemedicine intensive care unit program: A qualitative study.
We conducted an evaluation to identify factors related to intensive care unit (ICU) staff acceptance of a telemedicine ICU (Tele-ICU) program in preimplementation and postimplementation phases. ⋯ Telemedicine ICU implementation is complex. Time and resources should be allocated for local coordination, continuous needs assessment for Tele-ICU support, staff training, developing interpersonal relationships, and systems design and evaluation. Such efforts are likely to be rewarded with more rapid staff acceptance of this new technology.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2013
Observational StudyPlasma mitochondrial DNA levels in patients with trauma and severe sepsis: Time course and the association with clinical status.
This study aimed to investigate the serial changes in plasma levels of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in patients with trauma and severe sepsis and the mechanism of increase in mtDNA levels and the association between the levels and severity. ⋯ The levels of mtDNA were elevated during traumatic injury and severe sepsis, although time course and prognostic significance differed between the groups, suggesting that the mechanisms of mtDNA release into plasma differ.