Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2012
The effect of body position changes on stroke volume variation in 66 mechanically ventilated patients with sepsis.
The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of body position changes on the stroke volume (SI) variation (SVV) in ventilated patients with sepsis. ⋯ Body position changes may affect the correlation of SVV with hemodynamic variables. The 30° head-up and prone positions increased SVV because of the associated decreased SV. The 30° left or right recumbent position does not affect SVV and SV.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2012
Comparative StudyEffect of 24-hour mandatory vs on-demand critical care specialist presence on long-term survival and quality of life of critically ill patients in the intensive care unit of a teaching hospital.
Mandatory compared with on-demand intensivist presence improves processes of care and decreases intensive care unit (ICU) complication rate and hospital length of stay. The effect of continuous mandatory intensivist coverage on long-term patient mortality and quality of life (QOL) is not known. ⋯ Introduction of an additional night shift to provide mandatory as opposed to on-demand 24-hour staff critical care specialist coverage did not affect long-term survival of medical ICU patients.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2012
Perceived benefit of a telemedicine consultative service in a highly staffed intensive care unit.
The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a nocturnal telemedicine service improves culture, staff satisfaction, and perceptions of quality of care in a highly staffed university critical care system. ⋯ Telemedicine has the potential to improve staff satisfaction and communication in highly staffed ICUs.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2012
What is the best method for estimating the burden of severe sepsis in the United States?
The aim of the study was to compare estimates of hospitalizations, outcomes, and costs produced by 2 approaches for defining severe sepsis. ⋯ An approach that requires a diagnosis code for septicemia and a diagnosis code for organ dysfunction yields estimates of disease burden and outcomes that are more consistent with chart-based studies.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2012
Survival and functional outcomes after cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the intensive care unit.
Comparatively less is known about the outcomes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) compared with those not in an ICU. In this study, we evaluated survival rates, functional status, and predictors of good outcomes after in-ICU CPR. ⋯ Only 1 of 6 adults receiving in-ICU CPR survives to hospital discharge, and less than 5% are discharged home with independent function. Among survivors, most show large decreases in functional status compared with hospital admission.