Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Feb 1998
Comparative StudyA study of proactive ethics consultation for critically and terminally ill patients with extended lengths of stay.
To assess the effect of proactive ethics consultation on documented patient care communications and on decisions regarding high-risk intensive care unit (ICU) patients. ⋯ Proactive ethics consultation for high-risk patient populations offers a promising approach to improving decision-making and communication and reducing length of ICU stay for dying patients.
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Critical care medicine · Feb 1998
ReviewAcute lung injury and the acute respiratory distress syndrome.
To review acute lung injury (ALI) and the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in light of recent information about the definitions, epidemiology, pathophysiology, management, and outcome of these conditions. ⋯ ALI and ARDS are better defined and understood than ever before, and their outcome has improved for unclear reasons.
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Critical care medicine · Feb 1998
Comparative StudyWithdrawal and withholding of life support in the intensive care unit: a comparison of teaching and community hospitals. The Southwestern Ontario Critical Care Research Network.
To compare the incidence of withdrawal or withholding of life support (WD/WHLS), and to identify similarities and differences in the process of the withdrawal of life support (WDLS) between teaching and community hospitals' intensive care units (ICUs). ⋯ The incidence of WD/WHLS was similar in community hospitals and teaching hospitals; however, withholding of life support was more common in community hospitals. The process of WDLS appears to differ between community hospitals and teaching hospitals.
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Critical care medicine · Feb 1998
Measuring the ability to meet family needs in an intensive care unit.
To measure the ability to meet family needs in an intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ Communication by the same provider was important when measuring the ability of an ICU to meet family needs. Instrument scores and the ability to meet family needs differed depending on the gender and the relationship to the patient of the most significant family member. We speculate that this instrument may be a useful adjunct in assessing quality of critical care services provided.