Enfermería intensiva
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Enfermería intensiva · Oct 2000
Comparative Study[Sample taking through central venous catheter for the control of partial thromboplastin time in patients with heparin sodium perfusion].
The need to systematically monitor activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) in patients undergoing continuous perfusion of heparin sodium (non-fractionated) in order to maintain therapeutic levels of anticoagulation leads to two questions: 1. can blood be withdrawn from the catheter through which the heparin solution is being perfused without altering APTT values? and 2. how much blood should be discarded so that APTT values remain unchanged? To obtain APTT values in these patients, two samples were extracted simultaneously: one through the central venous catheter through which the heparin was being perfused, after previously discarding 10 or 20 ml of blood according to the group to which the patient was assigned and the other through direct venous puncture or through the peripheral catheter inserted in the arm not being used for heparin perfusion. The values obtained by both methods were analyzed for statistical significance. ⋯ These differences were lower when 20 ml were discarded than when 10 ml were discarded. In conclusion, APPT monitoring should be performed whether the sample is obtained through direct venous puncture or through a peripheral catheter inserted in the arm not being used for heparin perfusion.
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Enfermería intensiva · Oct 2000
[Description of the "new" intensive care unit of the Valladolid Río Hortega Hospital].
The unit described herein forms part of the Rio Hortega Hospital in Valladolid (Spain) and is situated on the third floor. The building houses several medical and surgical specialities and has been renovated several times; the latest renovations have involved technical and structural renovation of the Intensive Care Unit. The new intensive care unit was inaugurated in February 1998 due to new technical and medical requirements. ⋯ The hospital has three catholic priests who periodically visit the patients. We also try to help when the patients profess other religious faith. The type of patients who are cared for in the unit as well as their distribution according to condition, severity, death, etc, is shown in figures: the data correspond to the period from January 1 1998 to August 1 1999.