Crit Care Resusc
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Observational Study
Oxygenation targets, monitoring in the critically ill: a point prevalence study of clinical practice in Australia and New Zealand.
Many critically ill patients require supplemental oxygen. However, the optimal oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry (SpO₂) in intensive care unit patients is unknown. ⋯ Our findings suggest a relatively low level of vigilance in relation to prevention of high SpO₂compared with low SpO₂for adult patients in Australian and New Zealand ICUs.
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To identify the characteristics of patients with "persistent critical illness" (PerCI), as perceived by Australian and New Zealand intensive care unit clinicians. Patients with PerCI were defined as those whose reason for being in the ICU was now more related to their ongoing critical illness than their original reason for admission to the ICU. ⋯ Patients with PerCI appear to be an identifiable group of ICU patients, with definable characteristics, substantial stress associated with their care, and poor perceived long-term outcomes.
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ICU registrars frequency encounter RRT calls associated with EOLC during their training. Interventions involving EOLC appear to be some of the commonest interventions performed during RRT review. Therefore, training about the assessment an management of such calls should be provided to registrars who participate in RRT calls. The approach outlined here provides a framework for such training.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study Observational Study
What do ICU doctors do? A multisite time and motion study of the clinical work patterns of registrars.
To quantify the time that intensive care unit registrars spend on different work tasks with other health professionals and patients and using information resources, and to compare them with those of clinicians in general wards and the emergency department (ED). ⋯ Face-to-face communication and information seeking consume a vast proportion of ICU registrars' time. Multitasking and handling frequent interruptions characterise their work, and such behaviours may create an increased risk of task errors. Electronic clinical information systems may be particularly beneficial in this information-rich environment.