Journal of critical care
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There are 4 general economic analyses used in health care: cost minimization, cost-benefit, cost-effectiveness, and cost utility. In this review, we provide an overview of each of these analyses and examine their appropriateness and effectiveness in assessing critical care costs. In the intensive care unit setting, it is particularly important to consider the patients' quality of life following the treatment of critical illness and to adopt a societal perspective when conducting economic analyses. Therefore, of the 4 economic analyses we cover, we recommend the use of cost-effectiveness and cost utility analyses.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2016
Multicenter Study Observational StudyAssociation between acute gastrointestinal injury grading system and disease severity and prognosis in critically ill patients: A multicenter, prospective, observational study in China.
This prospective study investigated the association between disease severity and acute gastrointestinal injury (AGI) grade and between prognosis and AGI. ⋯ Differentiating AGI as gastrointestinal dysfunction or gastrointestinal failure appears to be more valid for predicting prognosis than the AGI 4-grade system.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2016
Comparative Study Observational StudyComparing average levels and peak occurrence of overnight sound in the medical intensive care unit on A-weighted and C-weighted decibel scales.
Sound levels in the intensive care unit (ICU) are universally elevated and are believed to contribute to sleep and circadian disruption. The purpose of this study is to compare overnight ICU sound levels and peak occurrence on A- vs C-weighted scales. ⋯ Sound levels in the medical ICU are high throughout the night. Patient factors were not associated with Leq or peak occurrence. Significant discordance between A- and C-weighted values suggests that low-frequency sound is a meaningful factor in the medical ICU environment.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2016
Observational StudyReduction in procalcitonin level and outcome in critically ill children with severe sepsis/septic shock-A pilot study.
To investigate if reduction in procalcitonin (PCT) provides useful information about 28-day mortality in children with severe sepsis or septic shock. ⋯ This small pilot study suggests that further studies are indicated to determine whether children with severe sepsis or septic shock are less likely to die if they have a reduction in PCT more than 50% in the first 4 days in intensive care.