Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Jul 2018
Meta Analysis Comparative StudyFlexible Versus Restrictive Visiting Policies in ICUs: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
To synthesize data on outcomes related to patients, family members, and ICU professionals by comparing flexible versus restrictive visiting policies in ICUs. ⋯ Flexible ICU visiting hours have the potential to reduce delirium and anxiety symptoms among patients and to improve family members' satisfaction. However, they may be associated with an increased risk of burnout among ICU professionals. These conclusions are based on few studies, with small samples and moderate risk of bias.
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Critical care medicine · Jul 2018
Meta AnalysisDiagnostic Accuracy of Chest Radiograph, and When Concomitantly Studied Lung Ultrasound, in Critically Ill Patients With Respiratory Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Chest radiograph is considered the first-line diagnostic imaging modality for patients presenting with pulmonary symptoms in the ICU. In this meta-analysis, we aim to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of chest radiograph, and when concomitantly studied lung ultrasound, in comparison with the gold-standard CT for adult critically ill patients with respiratory symptoms. ⋯ This meta-analysis demonstrates that chest radiograph has a low sensitivity and reasonable specificity compared with CT for detecting lung pathology in critically ill patients. The studies also investigating lung ultrasound, showed lung ultrasound to be clearly superior to chest radiograph in terms of sensitivity with similar specificity, thereby opting to be the first-line diagnostic tool in these patients.
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Critical care medicine · Jul 2018
Meta AnalysisVentilator Bundle and Its Effects on Mortality Among ICU Patients: A Meta-Analysis.
To assess the effectiveness of the ventilator bundle in the reduction of mortality in ICU patients. ⋯ Simple interventions in common clinical practice applied in a coordinated way as a part of a bundle care are effective in reducing mortality in ventilated ICU patients. More prospective controlled studies are needed to define the effect of ventilator bundles on survival outcomes.