Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2020
A real-world assessment of procalcitonin combined with antimicrobial stewardship in a community ICU.
We evaluated the feasibility and impact of PCT-guided antibiotic duration combined with an established antibiotic stewardship program (ASP) in a community hospital intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ In the context of an established ASP in a community hospital ICU, PCT monitoring was feasible and associated with an adjusted overall decrease of 27% in antibiotic use with no adverse impact on clinical outcomes. Incorporating PCT testing to guide antibiotic duration can be successful if integrated into workflow and paired with ASP guidance.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2020
Observational StudyPredictors of asynchronies during assisted ventilation and its impact on clinical outcomes: The EPISYNC cohort study.
To investigate if respiratory mechanics and other baseline characteristics are predictors of patient-ventilator asynchrony and to evaluate the relationship between asynchrony during assisted ventilation and clinical outcomes. ⋯ Predictors of high incidence of asynchrony were severity of illness and intrinsic PEEP. High incidence of asynchrony was associated with extubation failure, but not mortality.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2020
Effect of language and country of birth on the consent process and medical suitability of potential organ donors; a linked-data cohort study 2010-2015.
Australia has unmet need for transplantation. We sought to assess the impact of cultural and linguistic diversity (CALD) on family consent and medical suitability for organ donation. ⋯ Intervention to improve consent rates from CALD families may increase donation.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2020
Observational StudyCandida auris candidaemia in an intensive care unit - Prospective observational study to evaluate epidemiology, risk factors, and outcome.
To determine the prevalence of Candida auris candidaemia in our ICU patients and its molecular epidemiology. ⋯ Longer duration of central line days, prior antibiotic use, mechanical ventilation and prolonged ICU stay were important risk factors associated with C. auris candidaemia along with underlying respiratory or neurological disease. The isolates are non-clonal in origin, but they belong to a single clade.