Crit Care Resusc
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To quantify aerosol generation from respiratory interventions and the effectiveness of their removal by a personal ventilation hood. ⋯ In this human volunteer study, the administration of O2 15 L/min by face mask and 60 L/min nasal therapy did not increase aerosol generation beyond low levels. Non-invasive ventilation caused moderate aerosol generation and nebulisation therapy very high aerosol generation. The personal ventilation hood reduced the aerosol counts by at least 98%.
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Describe characteristics, daily care and outcomes of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ⋯ Despite multiple advanced critical care interventions, COVID-19 ARDS was associated with prolonged ventilation and high short term mortality. Older age and pre-admission hypertension were key mortality risk factors.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The cost-effectiveness of adjunctive corticosteroids for patients with septic shock.
To determine whether hydrocortisone is a cost-effective treatment for patients with septic shock. ⋯ Adjunctive hydrocortisone did not significantly affect longer term mortality, health-related quality of life, health care resource use or costs, and is unlikely to be cost-effective.
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The degree of sedation or agitation in critically ill patients is typically assessed with the Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale (RASS). However, this approach is intermittent and subject to unrecognised variation between assessments. High frequency accelerometry may assist in achieving a quantitative and continuous assessment of sedation while heralding imminent agitation. ⋯ We describe a novel approach to the analysis of wrist accelerometry data in critically ill patients. This technique not only appears to provide novel and continuous information about the depth of sedation or degree of agitation, it is also notable in its aptitude to anticipate impending transitions to higher RASS values.