Journal of critical care
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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
Usefulness of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein in patients with severe sepsis.
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the value of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (hFABP) as a novel clinical biomarker in patients with severe sepsis. ⋯ Serum hFABP is frequently elevated among patients with severe sepsis and appears to be associated with SRMD. Elevated hFABP independently predicts 28-day mortality in severe sepsis.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2012
Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score for predicting outcome in critically ill medical patients with liver cirrhosis.
We hypothesized that the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score at admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) can predict in-hospital mortality for patients with liver cirrhosis. We also tested the MELD-natremia (Na) score and compared the predictive value of the 2 models. ⋯ The MELD scoring system provides useful prognostic information for critically ill patients with liver cirrhosis admitted to an ICU. The MELD and MELD-Na scores had similar predictive value.
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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.