Revista Brasileira de terapia intensiva
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Rev Bras Ter Intensiva · Jun 2012
Prevalence and outcomes of infections in Brazilian ICUs: a subanalysis of EPIC II study.
To determine the prevalence of infections in Brazilian intensive care units and the associated mortality by analyzing the data obtained in the Extended Prevalence of Infection in Intensive Care (EPIC II) study. ⋯ The present study revealed a higher prevalence of infections in Brazilian ICUs than has been previously reported. There was a clear association between infection and mortality.
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Rev Bras Ter Intensiva · Jun 2012
Palliative care of elderly patients in intensive care units: a systematic review.
The use of interventionist medical technology in terminal elderly patients must be associated with palliative care as a measure of clinical support in intensive care units. Palliative care is an important component of end-of-life care, and the assistance provided by the healthcare team should be guided by decisions made by patients and their family members. Prolongation of life not accompanied by therapies aimed at relieving symptoms, such as pain and dyspnea, contributes to patient and family member stress suffering. The aim of the present study was to survey advances made in the application of palliative care in intensive care units. ⋯ Palliative care for elderly patients in intensive care units must be more thoroughly investigated to improve the relationships and communication among patients, their relatives, and the healthcare team. As greater numbers of elderly patients are admitted to intensive care units, the skills of health caregivers must improve to meet the challenges posed by the end-of-life care.
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Rev Bras Ter Intensiva · Jun 2012
Influence of early mobilization on respiratory and peripheral muscle strength in critically ill patients.
To evaluate the effects of an early mobilization protocol on respiratory and peripheral muscles in critically ill patients. ⋯ The early mobilization group showed gains in inspiratory and peripheral muscle strength.
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Rev Bras Ter Intensiva · Jun 2012
Use of a noninvasive ventilation device following tracheotomy: an alternative to facilitate ICU discharge?
We aimed to assess the use of noninvasive ventilation devices in patients with prolonged weaning following tracheotomy. ⋯ The use of noninvasive portable ventilators connected to the tracheotomy may represent an alternative for discontinuing ventilationand discharging tracheotomized patients with prolonged ventilatory weaning from intensive care unit.
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Rev Bras Ter Intensiva · Jun 2012
I Brazilian guidelines for respiratory physiotherapy in pediatric and neonatal intensive care units.
Developing guidelines for the role of the physiotherapist in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units is essential because these professionals are responsible for the rehabilitation of critically ill patients. Rehabilitation includes the evaluation and prevention of functional kinetic alterations, application of treatment interventions (respiratory and/or motor physiotherapy), control and application of medical gases, care of mechanical ventilation, weaning and extubation, tracheal gas insufflation, inflation/deflation of the endotracheal cuff protocol, and surfactant application, aiming to allow patients to have a full recovery and return to their functional activities. In this article, we present guidelines that are intended to guide the physiotherapist in some of the prevention/treatment interventions in respiratory therapy (airway clearance, lung expansion, position in bed, airway suction, drug inhalation, and cough assist), which help in the rehabilitation process of newborns and children in intensive care units during mechanical ventilation and up to 12 hours following extubation.