Articles: intensive-care-units.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2012
Review Meta AnalysisPrognostic value of extravascular lung water index in critically ill patients: a systematic review of the literature.
The prognostic value of extravascular lung water (EVLW) has been widely investigated; however, a wide range of its predictive accuracy has been reported. ⋯ The EVLWI appears to be a good predictor of mortality in critically ill patients.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · May 2012
Meta AnalysisUnplanned endotracheal extubations in the intensive care unit: systematic review, critical appraisal, and evidence-based recommendations.
In this study, we updated the state of knowledge on unplanned tracheal extubations in the intensive care unit. We focused on the following topics: incidence, risk factors, reintubation after unplanned extubation, outcomes, and prevention. Based on this review, recommendations were made for preventing unplanned extubations. ⋯ Despite numerous publications on unplanned extubation, few studies assess preventive strategies for adverse events, and few clinical trials have assessed unplanned extubations. Recommendations are proposed based on the currently available literature.
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Review Meta Analysis
Routine chest x-rays in intensive care units: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Chest x-rays (CXRs) are the most frequent radiological tests performed in the intensive care unit (ICU). However, the utility of performing daily routine CXRs is unclear. ⋯ This meta-analysis did not detect any harm associated with a restrictive chest radiograph strategy. However, confidence intervals were wide and harm was not rigorously assessed. Therefore, the safety of abandoning routine CXRs in patients admitted to the ICU remains uncertain.
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Review Meta Analysis
Probiotics' effects on the incidence of nosocomial pneumonia in critically ill patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
To evaluate the efficacy of probiotics in preventing nosocomial pneumonia in critically ill patients. ⋯ The use of probiotics was associated with a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of nosocomial pneumonia in critically ill patients. However, large, well-designed, randomized, multi-center trials are needed to confirm any effects of probiotics clinical endpoints such as mortality and length of ICU and hospital stay.
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Int J Evid Based Healthc · Dec 2011
Review Meta AnalysisA comprehensive systematic review of visitation models in adult critical care units within the context of patient- and family-centred care.
The aim of this review was to appraise and synthesise the best available evidence on visitation models used in adult intensive care units in acute care hospitals and to explicate their congruence with the core concepts of patient- and family-centred care (PFCC). ⋯ Flexible visiting policies provide the ability to incorporate the concepts of PFCC into practice. However, nurses believe that while visiting is beneficial to patients, open and/or flexible visiting hours are an impediment to practice and increase their workload. Recommendations for best practice were formulated based on the outcomes and include visiting hours should be used as guidelines, not rules, that allow flexibility dependent upon individual patient/family situation. With regard to congruence with PFCC, patient and family requests for information emerged as an unmet need that needs to be addressed.