Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2014
ReviewA systematic review of teamwork in the intensive care unit: What do we know about teamwork, team tasks, and improvement strategies?
Teamwork is essential for ensuring the quality and safety of health care delivery in the intensive care unit (ICU). This article addresses what we know about teamwork, team tasks, and team improvement strategies in the ICU to identify the strengths and limitations of the existing knowledge base to guide future research. ⋯ Team research is burgeoning in the ICU, yet low-hanging fruit remains that can further advance the science of teams in the ICU if addressed. Constructs must be defined, and theoretical frameworks should be referenced. The functional characteristics of tasks should also be reported to help determine the extent to which study results might generalize to other contexts of work.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2014
Observational StudyFeasibility of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in critically ill patients.
Critically ill patients often develop intensive care unit-acquired weakness. Reduction in muscle mass and muscle strength occurs early after admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Although early active muscle training could attenuate this intensive care unit-acquired weakness, in the early phase of critical illness, a large proportion of patients are unable to participate in any active mobilization. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) could be an alternative strategy for muscle training. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and feasibility of NMES in critically ill patients. ⋯ Critically ill patients having sepsis, edema, or receiving vasopressors were less likely to respond to NMES with an adequate quadriceps contraction. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation is a safe intervention to be administered in the ICU.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2014
Is pressure-regulated volume control mode appropriate for severely obstructed patients?
Management of mechanical ventilation in severely obstructed patients remains controversial. Pressure-regulated volume control ventilation (PRVCV) has been suggested to be the best option, as it should ensure a prefixed tidal volume at the lowest peak inspiratory pressure. We sought to determine the accuracy of the delivered volume, compared with the programmed volume, when using PRVCV. ⋯ In high-resistance simulations, the delivered volume was lower when using PCV or PRVCV modes than VCV mode. Pressure control ventilation or PRVCV may fail to provide programmed TV, ultimately leading to hypoventilation of the patient.