Pediatr Crit Care Me
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Mar 2010
Impact of syringe size on the performance of infusion pumps at low flow rates.
To evaluate the impact of syringe size on start-up delay and the time to reach 50% and 90% of target flow rates, using two commercially available syringe infusion pumps at infusion rates of < or =1 mL/hr. ⋯ Our findings demonstrate a clinically relevant impact of syringe size on syringe infusion pump performance at low flow rates. The time to reach 50% and 90% of target flow are significantly longer, using the 50-mL syringe compared with the 10-mL syringe, and the time to reach 50% of target flow is independent of the longer start-up delay. Based on our findings, we speculate that smaller syringe sizes and higher infusion rates are preferable for continuous drug infusions, particularly when prompt establishment of the drug effect is critical.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Mar 2010
Intrahospital transport of children on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: indications, process, interventions, and effectiveness.
To evaluate indications, process, interventions, and effectiveness of patients undergoing intrahospital transport. Critically ill patients supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation are transported within the hospital to the radiology suite, cardiac catheterization suite, operating room, and from one intensive care unit to another. No studies to date have systematically evaluated intrahospital transport for patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. ⋯ Although transporting patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is labor intensive and requires extensive logistic support, it can be carried out safely in experienced hands and it can result in important therapeutic and diagnostic yields. To our knowledge, this is the first study designed to evaluate safety and efficacy of intrahospital transport for patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Mar 2010
Risk factors for healthcare-associated infection in a pediatric intensive care unit.
Identify risk factors for first-onset healthcare-associated infection (HAI) in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). ⋯ Efforts toward a reduction in the exposure to extrinsic risk factors should be made, as each of these factors separately explains 30% of the risk of HAI. Interventions directed at processes related to the use of a ventilator and limitations on its duration of use should be a priority in HAI control strategies, as each day of ventilator use increases the risk of HAI.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Mar 2010
Educational preparation and postgraduate training curriculum for pediatric critical care nurse practitioners.
Nurse practitioners (NPs) in pediatric intensive care units have increased dramatically over recent years. Although state regulations are changing pediatric nurse practitioner certification, licensure and credentialing requirements, available acute care, and critical care educational programs are limited. Thus, entry-level practitioners continue to have varied clinical experience and educational preparation. ⋯ The orientation curriculum presented here may serve as a resource for NPs and collaborating physicians who are developing a training program for entry-level practitioners.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Mar 2010
Case ReportsThe critically ill child with novel H1N1 influenza A: a case series.
To describe the presentation, course, and outcome of critically ill children with novel H1N1 influenza disease. ⋯ Underlying chronic illness (especially respiratory illness) seems associated with critical novel H1N1 influenza disease in children. Respiratory manifestations are highly variable among patients and within a single patient involving both bronchoconstriction and alveolar disease. Therapies must be individualized and rapidly adjusted. The duration of critical illness was not different between early and late treatment groups. Whether this is reflective of sample size or indicative of the importance of therapeutic intervention at any time early during infection in critically ill patients is unclear. Bacterial superinfection was more common than previously reported for seasonal influenza A. Moderate novel H1N1 influenza disease, including respiratory failure and hypotension, had 100% survival in our series.