Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2014
Accelerometer-based devices can be used to monitor sedation/agitation in the intensive care unit.
Monitoring sedation/agitation levels in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) are important to direct treatment and to improve outcomes. This study was designed to determine the potential use of accelerometer-based sensors/devices to objectively measure sedation/agitation in patients admitted to the ICU. ⋯ Accelerometer data correlate strongly with the sedation/agitation levels of patients in the ICUs, and appropriately designed accelerometer-based sensors/devices have the potential to be used for automating objective and continuous monitoring of sedation/agitation levels in patients in the ICU.
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2014
Respiratory rate at intensive care unit discharge after liver transplant is an independent risk factor for intensive care unit readmission within the same hospital stay: A nested case-control study.
Intensive care unit (ICU) readmission negatively impacts patients' outcomes. We aimed to characterize and determine risk factors for ICU readmission within the initial hospital stay after liver transplant (LT). ⋯ Intensive care unit readmission within the initial hospital stay after LT negatively impacts LT recipients' outcomes. Monitoring respiratory rate at discharge from the first ICU stay after LT is important to prevent readmission.
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2014
Drainage of pleural effusion in mechanically ventilated patients: Time to measure chest wall compliance?
Pleural effusion (PE) is commonly encountered in mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients and is generally addressed with evacuation or by fluid displacement using increased airway pressure (P(AW)). However, except when massive or infected, clear evidence is lacking to guide its management. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of recruitment maneuvers and drainage of unilateral PE on respiratory mechanics, gas exchange, and lung volume. ⋯ Drainage of a moderate-sized effusion should not be routinely performed in unselected population of critically ill patients. We suggest that measurement of C(CW) may help in the decision-making process.
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2014
Cost effectiveness of a benzodiazepine vs a nonbenzodiazepine-based sedation regimen for mechanically ventilated, critically ill adults.
Nonbenzodiazepine sedation (eg, dexmedetomidine or propofol) may be more cost effective than benzodiazepine (BZ) sedation despite its higher acquisition cost. ⋯ Among MV adults, non-BZ sedation has a more favorable CE ratio than BZ sedation over most cost estimates.