Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2014
Assessment of plasma and red cell trace element concentrations, disease severity, and outcome in patients with critical illness.
The purpose of the study is to examine the value of both plasma and red cell trace element measurements when assessing nutritional status in patients with critical illness. ⋯ The altered plasma concentrations of zinc, selenium, and copper in patients with critical illness were primarily due to the effects of the systemic inflammatory response and do not reliably indicate their status.
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2014
Characterizing critical care physician staffing in rural America: A description of Iowa intensive care unit staffing.
This study aimed to characterize intensive care unit (ICU) physician staffing patterns in a predominantly rural state. ⋯ Many Iowa hospitals have ICUs, and staffing patterns in Iowa ICUs mirror closely national staffing practices. Most ICUs are multispecialty, open ICUs in community hospitals. These factors should inform training and resource allocation for intensivists in rural states.
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2014
Comparative StudyComparison of circuit patency and exchange rates between 2 different continuous renal replacement therapy machines.
Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is an important tool in the care of critically ill patients. However, the impact of a specific CRRT machine type on the successful delivery of CRRT is unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of CRRT delivery with an intensive care unit (ICU) bedside nurse delivery model for CRRT while comparing circuit patency and circuit exchange rates in 2 Food and Drug Administration-approved CRRT devices. This article presents the data comparing circuit exchange rates for 2 different CRRT machines. ⋯ There was no demonstrable difference in circuit patency as defined by the rate of filter exchanges per day of CRRT therapy.