Articles: intensive-care-units.
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Critical care clinics · Apr 1997
Review Historical ArticleCritical care in Japan and Korea. The market of excellence.
Medical services in general are well advanced in Japan and Korea. However, intensive and critical care medicine is still on its way to further developments. ⋯ In Korea, the estimated number of ICUs is 122 or more. In Japan, the number of ICUs is estimated to be between 229 and 944.
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Comparative Study
Do-not-resuscitate decisions in the medical ICU: comparing physician and nurse opinions.
To determine how soon after admission to a medical ICU physicians and nurses decide that attempts at resuscitation are inappropriate and how frequently physicians and nurses disagree about do-not-resuscitate (DNR) decisions. ⋯ At our institution, recognition of DNR appropriateness by nurses and physicians occurs over a similar time frame. However, physicians are more likely to recommend DNR in cases of disagreement between nurses and physicians.
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Am J Infect Control · Apr 1997
Cost analysis and clinical impact of weekly ventilator circuit changes in patients in intensive care unit.
The introduction of heated circuits and sealed, single-use humidifiers has prompted some investigators to question the traditional recommendations for changing ventilator circuits. We studied the clinical and cost impact of extending the circuit change interval from 72 hours to 7 days in our two intensive care units with 17 beds. ⋯ Weekly circuited changes in patients undergoing ventilation therapy in the intensive care unit are cost-effective and do not contribute to increased rates of nosocomial pneumonia.
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Critical care medicine · Apr 1997
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialA randomized, controlled trial of protocol-directed versus physician-directed weaning from mechanical ventilation.
To compare a practice of protocol-directed weaning from mechanical ventilation implemented by nurses and respiratory therapists with traditional physician-directed weaning. ⋯ Protocol-guided weaning of mechanical ventilation, as performed by nurses and respiratory therapists, is safe and led to extubation more rapidly than physician-directed weaning.