Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Nov 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialEvaluation of a Computer-Based Educational Intervention to Improve Medical Teamwork and Performance During Simulated Patient Resuscitations.
To determine the impact of a low-resource-demand, easily disseminated computer-based teamwork process training intervention on teamwork behaviors and patient care performance in code teams. ⋯ Computer-based team training positively impacts teamwork and patient care during simulated patient resuscitations. This low-resource team training intervention may help to address the dissemination and sustainability issues associated with larger, more costly team training programs.
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Critical care medicine · Nov 2013
Perioperative Fluid Therapy With Tetrastarch and Gelatin in Cardiac Surgery-A Prospective Sequential Analysis.
To determine clinical outcomes of synthetic colloids, tetrastarch, and gelatin, used before and after cardiac surgery. ⋯ In cardiac surgery patients, fluid therapy with perioperative administration of synthetic colloids carries a high risk of renal replacement therapy and is not more effective than treating with only crystalloids.
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Critical care medicine · Nov 2013
Effects of Sitting Position and Applied Positive End-Expiratory Pressure on Respiratory Mechanics of Critically Ill Obese Patients Receiving Mechanical Ventilation.
To evaluate the extent to which sitting position and applied positive end-expiratory pressure improve respiratory mechanics of severely obese patients under mechanical ventilation. ⋯ In critically ill obese patients under mechanical ventilation, sitting position constantly and significantly relieved expiratory flow limitation and auto-positive end-expiratory pressure resulting in a dramatic drop in alveolar pressures. Combining sitting position and applied positive end-expiratory pressure provides the best strategy.
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Critical care medicine · Nov 2013
Developing a new, national approach to surveillance for ventilator-associated events*.
To develop and implement an objective, reliable approach to surveillance for ventilator-associated events in adult patients. ⋯ Ventilator-associated events surveillance was implemented in January 2013 in the CDC's National Healthcare Safety Network. Modifications to improve surveillance may be made as additional data become available and users gain experience with the new definitions.
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Critical care medicine · Nov 2013
Character and Temporal Evolution of Apoptosis in Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Liver Failure.
To evaluate the role of hepatocellular and extrahepatic apoptosis during the evolution of acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure. ⋯ Hepatocellular apoptosis occurs in the early phases of human acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure, peaking on day 1 of hospital admission, and correlates strongly with poor outcome. Hepatic regenerative/tissue repair responses prevail during the later stages of acute liver failure where elevated levels of M30 are likely to reflect epithelial cell death in extrahepatic organs.