Respiratory care
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The majority of prescriptions for supplemental oxygen are written when patients are discharged to home from the hospital and the evaluation of these patients is inconsistent. Respiratory Therapists receive training in the evaluation and management of patients needing oxygen. The primary goal of the study was to estimate the frequency with which respiratory therapists (RTs) evaluate the need for home oxygen in patients hospitalized for COPD exacerbations before discharge. ⋯ RTs do not consistently evaluate patients hospitalized for COPD exacerbations for home oxygen prior to discharge, and only a minority of RTs are involved in selecting home oxygen equipment.
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Test-retest reproducibility of the 6-min step test (6MST) is controversial in patients with COPD because the decision to perform a second test is influenced by interruptions, physiological overload, and the patient's exercise tolerance. The aim of this study was to analyze the reproducibility of performance on the 6MST (ie, number of steps climbed and interruptions) and physiological variables in subjects with COPD, with and without poor exercise tolerance, and with and without interruptions during the test. ⋯ Performance and physiological variables in the 6MST were reproducible, and a second test did not impose greater physiological overload. Two tests were essential for patients with poor exercise tolerance.
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The number of patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) is predicted to escalate due to an aging population. International studies on prevalence and resource utilization of this patient group exist, but data are lacking from Scandinavian ICUs, where there is a relatively low number of ICU beds in relation to population. The primary aim was to identify prevalence of admissions requiring mechanical ventilation ≥ 7-21 d and PMV > 21 d, and their use of ICU bed days in Sweden. Secondary aims were to describe patient characteristics and outcomes. ⋯ Admissions to Swedish ICUs who required mechanical ventilation ≥ 7-21 d and PMV > 21 d form a relatively small proportion of all ICU admissions, but consume a significant proportion of ICU beds days. Prevalence of admissions, ICU bed days, and ICU mortality were lower than reports from other countries, but the admissions were predominantly elderly and male, in accordance with other reports.
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Potentially pathogenic microorganisms are frequently isolated from tracheostomized children, although evidence for empirical therapy of respiratory exacerbation is limited. We aimed to describe upper airway microbiology as found on endotracheal aspirate (ETA) in tracheostomized children and to correlate it with lower airway microbiology through bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. ⋯ In children with tracheostomy, the predominant respiratory bacterial pathogens were S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, with MRSA being isolated less frequently than previously described. Multidrug-resistant organisms are isolated more frequently from ventilated children. ETA microbiology is a good screening modality, with negative ETA potentially ruling out lower airway S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. Adequately powered prospective studies with quantitative cultures could enhance understanding and guide therapy.
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A retrospective study was performed to evaluate factors associated with 30-d re-intubation following surgical aortic valve repair. We hypothesized a significant increase in the odds of re-intubation among patients with preoperative comorbidities. ⋯ Age, COPD, congestive heart failure, and bleeding disorder were associated with 30-d re-intubation in this surgical cohort. If surgical aortic valve repair is deemed non-emergent, patients should be optimized preoperatively and receive careful postoperative planning to reduce the risk of postoperative complications.