American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Decrease in frequency of liquid stool in enterally fed critically ill patients given the multispecies probiotic VSL#3: a pilot trial.
Diarrhea has adverse consequences for critically ill patients, health care staff, and health care costs. ⋯ VSL#3 was effective in reducing the frequency of liquid stool in critically ill patients receiving enteral nutrition. Probiotics possibly can minimize diarrhea in critically ill tube-fed patients, but more controlled clinical trials are needed.