Articles: intensive-care-units.
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Transfusion of red blood cells continues to be an important therapy for treatment of anemia in intensive care settings. The critically ill are a population predisposed to the adverse outcomes of anemia and, as such, the risks imposed on them by transfusion therapy is one of great interest. ⋯ The Transfusion Requirements in Critical Care (TRICC) trial clearly established the safety of a restrictive transfusion strategy, suggesting that physicians could easily minimize exposure to allogeneic RBCs by lowering their transfusion threshold. Further research will add to the generalizability of this study as well as explore the possible mechanism to explain why red cell transfusions did not improve outcomes in the critically ill.
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A satisfaction study investigates whether a more liberal ICU visitation policy satisfactorily meets visitors' and nurses' needs and expectations.
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The patients' mortality with multiple organ failure (MOF) is very high and patients who consume the most resources are those with uncertain prognosis. In order to use the limited resources adequately, it is necessary to know the cost-benefit relationship of their treatment and in this study cost, mortality, quality of life (QOL) of survivors who developed MOF has been investigated. ⋯ A high proportion of resources were used by MOF patients, but patients who died and who remained with worst QOL consumed the highest part. Although the mortality after one year was high (72%), 80% of the survivors achieved an acceptable QOL and for this reason, treatment of these patients should not be limited if survival and QOL predictions are not 100% correct.
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Critical care medicine · Jan 2000
Accidental removal of endotracheal and nasogastric tubes and intravascular catheters.
To characterize the rates of accidental removal of endotracheal tubes, nasogastric tubes, central venous catheters, and arterial catheters. To assess the efficacy of corrective measures aimed at reducing the accidental removal of these devices. ⋯ The information provided by the rates of accidental removal expressed by patient-days is helpful to compare results obtained in populations with different times of follow-up. Education of medical personnel and limiting upper-extremity access to within 20 cm from any catheter or tube resulted in a significant reduction of patient-related removal of tubes and catheters.
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A total of 26 research studies on patients' experiences of being in an intensive care unit were reviewed. The studies were selected because they focused on experiences typical in intensive care units. Many patients recalled their time in the intensive care unit, sometimes in vivid detail. ⋯ Negative experiences included impaired cognitive functioning and discomforts such as problems with sleeping, pain, and anxiety. The review indicates steps critical care staff can take to develop better ways to understand patients' experiences. Meeting such challenges can improve the quality of patients' experiences and reduce anxiety and may offset potential adverse effects of being a patient in an intensive care unit.