Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2015
Cardiac troponin I as a prognostic factor in critically ill pneumonia patients in the absence of acute coronary syndrome.
Elevated cardiac troponin (cTn) has been associated with worse outcomes in critically ill patients, but few studies have focused on whether these markers are related to outcomes in patients with severe pneumonia. We investigated the levels of cTnI in critically ill patients hospitalized for severe pneumonia and whether elevated levels of cTnI correlated with the clinical outcome of this patient group. ⋯ Increased levels of cTnI are an independent predictor of ICU mortality in patients hospitalized with severe pneumonia without evidence of acute coronary syndrome.
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2015
Reevaluation of the utilization of arterial blood gas analysis in the Intensive Care Unit: Effects on patient safety and patient outcome.
Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis is a useful tool to evaluate hypercapnia in the context of conditions and diseases affecting the lungs. Oftentimes, indications for ABG analysis are broad and nonspecific and lead to frequent testing without test results influencing patient management. ⋯ A significant decrease of ABGs obtained in the ICU does not negatively impact patient outcome and safety. A decrease in the number of ABGs per patient allows cost-efficient patient care with a lower risk for complications.
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2015
Effect of early mobilization on sedation practices in the neurosciences intensive care unit: A preimplementation and postimplementation evaluation.
The use of sedation and analgesia protocols, daily interruption of sedation, and early mobilization (EM) have been shown to decrease duration of mechanical ventilation and hospital length of stay (LOS). ⋯ After implementation of an EM program, an increase in opioid use and no significant change in other sedatives were observed. Despite an increase in the amount of physical therapy and occupational therapy provided to patients, there was no change in hospital and ICU LOS or duration of mechanical ventilation.
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2015
A two-site survey of clinicians to identify practices and preferences of intensive care unit transfers to general medical wards.
The transfer of patients from the intensive care unit (ICU) to the general medical ward is high risk for adverse events and health care provider dissatisfaction. We aimed to identify perceived practices, and what information is important to communicate during an ICU transfer. ⋯ Providers reported the current process of transferring patients from the ICU to the general medical ward as inadequate. We highlight data that physicians feel is important to communicate at the time of transfer.