Journal of critical care
-
Journal of critical care · Apr 2014
Multicenter StudyEffect of preadmission sunlight exposure on intensive care unit-acquired delirium: A multicenter study.
It is assumed that there is a relation between light exposure and delirium incidence. The aim of our study was to determine the effect of prehospital light exposure on the incidence of intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired delirium. ⋯ The incidence of delirium does not differ per season and prior sunlight exposure does not play a role of importance in the development of ICU-acquired delirium.
-
Journal of critical care · Apr 2014
Multicenter StudyTargeting occult heart failure in intensive care unit patients with acute chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation: Effect on outcome and quality of life.
To estimate the prevalence of previously undiagnosed heart failure in mechanically ventilated patients with severe exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to evaluate the impact of specific heart failure treatment on patients' outcome. ⋯ In mechanically ventilated patients with severe exacerbation of COPD, unrecognized left or right ventricular failure is common. Among patients with isolated left ventricular failure, the early detection and appropriate treatment improves long-term quality of life and may decrease the short- and 6-month morbidity and mortality.
-
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.
-
Journal of critical care · Apr 2014
ReviewA systematic review of goal directed fluid therapy: Rating of evidence for goals and monitoring methods.
To review the literature on goal directed fluid therapy and evaluate the quality of evidence for each combination of goal and monitoring method. ⋯ This review has highlighted the plethora of goals and methods for monitoring fluid therapy. Strikingly, there is scant high quality evidence, in particular for non-invasive G/M combinations in non-operative and non-intensive care settings. There is an urgent need to address this research gap, which will be helped by methodologies to compare utility of G/M combinations.
-
Journal of critical care · Apr 2014
Comparative StudyHealth insurance status and outcomes of critically ill obstetric patients: A prospective cohort study in Argentina.
In Argentina, uninsured patients receive public health care, and the insured receive private health care. Our aim was to compare different outcomes between critically ill obstetric patients from both sectors. ⋯ Uninsured critically ill obstetric patients (public sector) were more severely ill on admission and experienced worse outcomes than insured patients (private sector). Variables independently associated with MODS were APACHE II, shock, referral from another hospital, and lack of insurance.