Medicina intensiva
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To assess compliance with hand hygiene (HH) in ICU workers before (P1) and after (P2) implementation of a HH promotion program and distribution of an alcoholic solution for HH, and to analyze factors independently associated to HH before and after patients care. ⋯ There was a significant increase in compliance with hand hygiene among the ICU personnel during the educational phase, both before and after patients care.
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Observational studies have reported a paradoxical inverse relationship between the use of an early invasive strategy (EIS) and the risk of events in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE ACS). The study objectives are: 1) to examine the association between baseline risk in patients with NSTE ACS and the use of EIS; and 2) to identify some of the factors independently associated to the use of EIS. ⋯ In 2010 there remained a lesser relative use of EIS in patients at high risk, due in part to an increased risk of bleeding in these patients.
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Urinary tract infections (UTIs) account for 20-50% of all hospital-acquired infections occurring in the intensive care unit (ICU). In some reports UTI was found to be more frequent than hospital-acquired pneumonia and intravascular device bacteremia, with a greater incidence in developing countries. The risk factors associated with the appearance of UTI include the severity of illness at the time of admission to the ICU, female status, prolonged urinary catheterization or a longer ICU stay and poor urinary catheter management - mainly disconnection of the closed system. about the present study offers data on the epidemiology of UTI in the ICU, the identified risk factors, etiology, diagnosis, impact upon morbidity and mortality, and the measures to prevent its appearance.
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The diagnosis of influenza A/H1N1 is mainly clinical, particularly during peak or seasonal flu outbreaks. A diagnostic test should be performed in all patients with fever and flu symptoms that require hospitalization. The respiratory sample (nasal or pharyngeal exudate or deeper sample in intubated patients) should be obtained as soon as possible, with the immediate start of empirical antiviral treatment. ⋯ Immunocompromised patients and the population at risk should receive one dose and another dose annually. The frequency of adverse effects of the vaccine against A/H1N1 flu is similar to that of seasonal flu. Chemoprophylaxis must always be considered a supplement to vaccination, and is indicated in people at high risk of complications, as well in healthcare personnel who have been exposed.