Medicina intensiva
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In recent years, several safety alerts have questioned or restricted the use of some pharmacological alternatives to allogeneic blood transfusion in established indications. In contrast, there seems to be a promotion of other alternatives, based on blood products and/or antifibrinolytic drugs, which lack a solid scientific basis. ⋯ A first version of the document was drafted, and subjected to 4 rounds of review and updating until consensus was reached (unanimously in most cases). We present the final version of the document, approved by all panel members, and hope it will be useful for our colleagues.
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Before deciding increases in the number or capacitance of Intensive Care Units (ICUs), or the regionalization of Units, it is essential to know their present effectiveness. ⋯ The mean occupancy rate of Catalonian ICUs may appear correct, but in some Units over-occupancy very often precludes early ICU treatment and even ICU admission for a significant number of critically ill patients.