Articles: intensive-care-units.
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Ethical debate abounds in the literature relative to treatment decisions for the high risk neonate in the intensive care nursery. A systematic examination of the parents' perspective is missing. ⋯ This concept evolved through the parents' reflection on conflict naming, content of decision-making, context of decision-making, information sharing and perception of infant status. These concerns differ profoundly from those of health professionals, philosophers, theologians and others active in this debate who cite lower limits of viability, iatrogenic effects of treatment, use of multiple invasive procedures, and the role of paternalism as ethical issues.
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Critical care medicine · Jun 1990
Predictive equation for assessing energy expenditure in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients.
Traditional formulas, such as the Harris and Benedict equation (HBE), do not accurately predict energy expenditure (EE) in mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients (MVCIP). The purpose of this study was to develop a predictive EE equation to assess EE requirements in MVCIP. A portable metabolic cart was used to measure indirectly EE in 112 MVCIP. ⋯ The HBE underestimated measured EE by 34 +/- 19% and in 79 patients deviated greater than 15%. Using the new equation, only 15 patients' EE deviated greater than 15% from measured EE. The new predictive EE equation can accurately assess EE in MVCIP.