Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2016
Developing triggers for the surgical intensive care unit for palliative care integration.
Despite the growing acceptance of palliative care as a component of high-quality care for patients with serious illness, it remains underutilized in the surgical critical care setting. This article provides insight into a model for palliative care integration into the surgical intensive care unit (SICU), using triggers. ⋯ A series of triggers can help identify patients who may benefit from palliative care consultation. This approach can be used in intensive care settings to facilitate palliative care integration.
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2016
ReviewHow is life support withdrawn in intensive care units: A narrative review.
Decisions to withdraw life-sustaining therapy (WDLS) are relatively common in intensive care units across Canada. As part of preliminary work to develop guidelines for WDLS, we performed a narrative review of the literature to identify published studies of WDLS. ⋯ This review describes current practices and opinions about WDLS, and also demonstrates the significant practice variation that currently exists. We believe that the development of guidelines to help increase transparency and standardize the process will be an important step to ensuring high quality care during WDLS.
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2016
Observational StudyRoutine delirium monitoring is independently associated with a reduction of hospital mortality in critically ill surgical patients: A prospective, observational cohort study.
Although delirium monitoring is recommended in international guidelines, there is lacking evidence for improved outcome due to it. We hypothesized that adherence to routine delirium monitoring would improve clinical outcome in adult critically ill patients. ⋯ Our data suggest an improved outcome for mechanically ventilated patients being screened for delirium in clinical routine.
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2016
Organ donation education initiatives: A report of the Donor Management Task Force.
It is essential that hospitals and health professionals establish systems to facilitate patients' organ donation wishes. Donation education has been neither standardized nor systematic, and resources related to donation processes have not been widely accessible. This report describes 2 free, publicly available educational resources about the organ donation process created to advance the mission of basic education and improve donation processes within hospitals and health care systems. ⋯ There is a need for more research and education about the process of organ donation as it relates to the medical and psychosocial care of patients and families before the end of life. The educational products described can help fill this critical need.