Crit Care Resusc
-
To assess current practice in acute stress ulceration (ASU) prophylaxis in adult intensive care units in Victoria, Australia, in 1997 and 2005. ⋯ Use of ASU prophylaxis for patients admitted to Victorian ICUs increased significantly from 1997 to 2005, with an associated increase in the presence of protocols or guidelines for ASU prophylaxis. Although agents currently used for ASU prophylaxis in Victorian ICUs are consistent with available evidence, we are concerned that ASU prophylaxis is given to all patients admitted to the ICU rather than targeted to patients in high-risk categories.
-
To gauge use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in Australian and New Zealand intensive care units, to investigate attitudes to and experience with ECMO, and to assess interest in contributing to a national database of ECMO use. ⋯ ECMO use in Australian and New Zealand ICUs is limited, but there is support for its use among survey respondents. Lack of training and experience with ECMO may be restricting its use.
-
Development and validation of a critical care outcome prediction equation (COPE) using data that are collected routinely for administrative purposes. ⋯ The COPE model is a simple, robust, riskadjusted outcome prediction tool based on five fields from data that are routinely collected for administrative purposes.
-
The Fencl-Stewart approach to acid-base physiology allows detailed, quantitative insights into acid-base disorders. We tested the hypothesis that this type of analysis would reveal complex acid-base changes in patients after liver transplantation that differed from those in a general intensive care unit population. ⋯ The Fencl-Stewart approach allowed us to quantitatively assess the factors contributing to patients' acid-base status. We found complex acid-base changes in patients immediately after liver transplantation.