Crit Care Resusc
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Health care-associated infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in intensive care patients. The effect of daily washing with chlorhexidine on these infections is controversial. ⋯ In this real-world, long term ICU study, implementation of a unit-level policy of daily washing with chlorhexidine impregnated cloths was not associated with a reduction in the rates of ICU-associated clinically significant positive blood cultures, blood culture contamination, newly acquired MDRO isolates, and CDIs.
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Body temperature measurement methods and targets in Australian and New Zealand intensive care units.
In Australian and New Zealand (ANZ) intensive care units (ICUs), the preferred measurement methods and targets for temperature remain uncertain, but are crucial for future interventional studies. We aimed to investigate the reported use of temperature measurement methods and targets in ANZ ICUs. ⋯ In ANZ ICUs, preferred temperature measurement methods and targets are typically not governed by protocol, vary greatly and differ between doctors and nurses. Targeted temperature management after cardiac arrest is not fully established. Future studies of the comparative accuracy of non-invasive temperature measurements methods and practice in patients with cardiac arrest appear important.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Design and statistical analysis plan for a trial comparing a conservative fluid management strategy with usual care in patients after cardiac surgery: the FAB study.
Cardiac surgery is one of the most frequently performed major surgical procedures. Following surgery, haemodynamic instability and prevention of organ dysfunction may be treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) with intravenous fluid, inotropes and vasopressors. In other surgical groups, liberal intravenous fluid administration and a positive fluid balance have been associated with adverse outcomes and increased risk of morbidity and mortality. There is a paucity of evidence to guide intravenous fluid administration in cardiac surgery patients. We have previously shown that a protocol-guided strategy avoiding unnecessary fluid administration significantly reduces fluid loading. ⋯ This trial aims to determine whether a protocol-guided strategy that avoids unnecessary fluid administration reduces ICU length of stay and improves outcomes in higher-risk adults undergoing cardiac surgery.