Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2012
Use of an abnormal laboratory value-drug combination alert to detect drug-induced thrombocytopenia in critically Ill patients.
The aim of this study was to assess the performance of a commercially available clinical decision support system (CDSS) drug-laboratory result alert in detecting drug-induced thrombocytopenia in critically ill patients. ⋯ A commercial CDSS drug-laboratory alert is effective at identifying drug-induced thrombocytopenia in the intensive care unit and may improve patient safety. Compared with previous studies, the combination alert performs better than alerts based exclusively on laboratory values and should be considered to reduce alert fatigue.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2012
Regional lung opening and closing pressures in patients with acute lung injury.
In acute lung injury (ALI), the application of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is known to prevent the alveoli from cyclic collapse and reopening and to homogenize ventilation. The setting of adequate PEEP could be optimized by the knowledge of regional lung opening and closing pressures at the bedside. The aim of our study was to determine regional opening and closing pressures in ventilated patients by electrical impedance tomography (EIT). ⋯ Regional lung opening and closing pressures can be assessed by EIT. This information may facilitate the setting of adequate PEEP levels in patients in future.
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2012
Feasibility and observed safety of interactive video games for physical rehabilitation in the intensive care unit: a case series.
Early rehabilitation in the intensive care unit (ICU) improves patients' physical function. Despite reports of using commercially available interactive video game systems for rehabilitation, there are few data evaluating feasibility and safety as part of routine in-patient rehabilitation, particularly in the ICU. ⋯ Novel use of interactive video games as part of routine PT in critically ill patients is feasible and appears safe in our case series. Video game therapy may complement existing rehabilitation techniques for ICU patients.