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
Review Meta AnalysisProlonged vs intermittent infusion of piperacillin/tazobactam in critically ill patients: A narrative and systematic review.
The purpose of this study is to review the rationale of prolonged (ie, extended or continuous) infusion of piperacillin/tazobactam (PIP/TAZ) in critically ill patients and to perform a systematic review that compare the effectiveness of prolonged infusion with intermittent bolus of PIP/TAZ. ⋯ Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies provide a robust rationale to prefer prolonged above intermittent infusion of PIP/TAZ. However, although some studies suggest a better outcome in critically ill patients receiving prolonged infusion, the level of evidence is moderate.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2014
ReviewThe ketamine effect on intracranial pressure in nontraumatic neurological illness.
The purpose of the study was to perform a systematic review of the literature on the use of ketamine in nontraumatic neurological illness and its effects on intracranial pressure (ICP). ⋯ There exists Oxford level 2b, GRADE C evidence in adults and level 4, GRADE C in pediatrics to support that ketamine does not increase ICP in nontraumatic neurological illness when patients are sedated and ventilated, and in fact may lower it in selected cases.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2014
ReviewThe ketamine effect on intracranial pressure in nontraumatic neurological illness.
The purpose of the study was to perform a systematic review of the literature on the use of ketamine in nontraumatic neurological illness and its effects on intracranial pressure (ICP). ⋯ There exists Oxford level 2b, GRADE C evidence in adults and level 4, GRADE C in pediatrics to support that ketamine does not increase ICP in nontraumatic neurological illness when patients are sedated and ventilated, and in fact may lower it in selected cases.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2014
ReviewMitochondrial DNA neutrophil extracellular traps are formed after trauma and subsequent surgery.
Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have not been demonstrated after trauma and subsequent surgery. Neutrophil extracellular traps are formed from pure mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) under certain conditions, which is potently proinflammatory. We hypothesized that injury and orthopedic trauma surgery would induce NET production with mtDNA as a structural component. ⋯ Neutrophil extracellular traps formed after major trauma and subsequent surgery contain mtDNA and represent a novel marker of heightened innate immune activation. They could be considered when timing surgery after trauma to prevent systemic NET-induced inflammatory complications.