Journal of critical care
-
Journal of critical care · Sep 2002
Multicenter StudySystemic candidiasis in intensive care units: a multicenter, matched-cohort study.
To determine the impact of systemic candidiasis on the mortality and length of hospital stay of intensive care unit (ICU) patients and the associated workload. ⋯ Systemic Candida infections increased mortality and morbidity in severely ill patients. Optimizing management of such infections is imperative.
-
Journal of critical care · Sep 2002
Multicenter StudyStudying communication about end-of-life care during the ICU family conference: development of a framework.
Family-clinician communication in the intensive care unit (ICU) about withholding and withdrawing life support occurs frequently, yet few data exist to guide clinicians in its conduct. The purpose of this study was to develop an understanding of the way this communication is currently conducted. ⋯ This article describes a qualitative methodology to understand clinician-family communication during the ICU family conference concerning end-of-life care and provides a frame of reference that may help guide clinicians who conduct these conferences. We also identify strategies clinicians use to improve communication and enhance the support provided. Further analyses and studies are needed to identify whether this framework or these strategies can improve family understanding or satisfaction or improve the quality care in the ICU.
-
Journal of critical care · Sep 2002
Multicenter StudyPrevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia: current practice in Canadian intensive care units.
To evaluate the current use of strategies to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and to identify interventions to target for quality-improvement initiatives. ⋯ Significant opportunities exist to improve VAP prevention practices in Canada. These strategies include decreasing the frequency of ventilator circuit changes, and increasing the use of non-invasive ventilation, subglottic secretion drainage endotracheal tubes, kinetic bed therapy, small bowel feedings, and elevation of the head of the bed.
-
Journal of critical care · Dec 2001
Multicenter StudyPrevention of venous thromboembolism in critically ill surgery patients: a cross-sectional study.
The risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) and the risk for bleeding among critically ill surgical patients are both important in the early postoperative period. ⋯ VTE prevention for surgical ICU patients within the first postoperative week appear to be individualized, and influenced by current and future risks of thrombosis and bleeding.
-
Journal of critical care · Sep 1999
Multicenter StudyEfficiency of inhaled nitric oxide as rescue therapy during severe ARDS: survival and factors associated with the first response.
The purpose of this study was to determine if the response to inhaled nitric oxide (NO) as salvage therapy is an independent factor for survival in adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients and to identify the factors that predict the response to inhaled NO during ARDS. ⋯ We conclude that (1) efficacy of inhaled NO in improving oxygenation was moderate and difficult to predict, (2) response to first NO inhalation was not associated with prognosis, and (3) treatment of the most severe ARDS patients with inhaled NO did not influenced their intensive care unit survival.