Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Feb 2024
Observational StudyAssessment of the Readability of the Online Patient Education Materials of Intensive and Critical Care Societies.
This study aimed to evaluate the readability of patient education materials (PEMs) on websites of intensive and critical care societies. ⋯ Compared with the sixth-grade level recommended by the American Medical Association and the National Institutes of Health, the readability of PEMs in intensive and critical care societies is relatively high. PEMs in intensive and critical care societies should be prepared with attention to recommendations on readability.
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Critical care medicine · Feb 2024
Timely Cessation of Proton Pump Inhibitors in Critically Ill Patients Impacts Morbidity and Mortality: A Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Study.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the drugs most commonly used in critically ill patients. Although mainly applied temporarily for stress ulcer prophylaxis, their application is frequently not terminated. Potential adverse effects of PPI treatment could impact the outcome in case of unnecessary and, therefore, avoidable long-term continuation. We tested the hypotheses that nonindicated PPI therapy continued beyond hospital discharge is associated with increased morbidity, rehospitalization rate, and mortality. ⋯ These data demonstrate that an unnecessary continuation of PPI therapy after hospital discharge may significantly impact morbidity and mortality. To avoid potentially harmful overuse of a PPIs, intensivists should ensure timely cessation of a temporarily indicated PPI therapy.
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Critical care medicine · Feb 2024
Defining Intensivists: A Retrospective Analysis of the Published Studies in the United States, 2010-2020.
The Society of Critical Care Medicine last published an intensivist definition in 1992. Subsequently, there have been many publications relating to intensivists. Our purpose is to assess how contemporary studies define intensivist physicians. ⋯ There was no consistency of intensivist nomenclature or definitions in contemporary adult intensivist studies in the United States.
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Critical care medicine · Feb 2024
Echocardiography Does not Reduce Mortality in Sepsis: A Re-Evaluation Using the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV Dataset.
Echocardiography is commonly used for hemodynamic assessment in sepsis, but data regarding its association with outcome are conflicting. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between echocardiography and outcomes in patients with septic shock using the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV database. ⋯ Echocardiography in sepsis was not associated with a reduction in 28-day mortality based on observational data. These findings do not negate the utility of echo in cases of diagnostic uncertainty or inadequate response to initial treatment.