Critical Care Medicine (critical + care_medicine)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


The Influence of Critical Care Medicine on the Development of the Specialty of Emergency Medicine: A Historical Perspective

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 9 2005
David Somand MD
Abstract Through their largely concurrent development, the specialties of emergency medicine and critical care medicine have exerted a great deal of influence on each other. In this article, the authors trace the commonalities that emergency medicine and critical care medicine have shared and report on the historical relationship between the two specialties. As issues between emergency medicine and critical care medicine continue to emerge, the authors hope to inform the current discussion by bringing to light the controversies and questions that have been debated in the past. [source]


On the Future of Reanimatology,

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 1 2000
Peter Safar MD
Abstract: This article is adapted from a presentation given at the 1999 SAEM annual meeting by Dr. Peter Safar. Dr. Safar has been involved in resuscitation research for 44 years, and is a distinguished professor and past initiating chairman of the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. He is the founder and director of the Safar Center for Resuscitation Research at the University of Pittsburgh, and has been the research mentor of many critical care and emergency medicine research fellows. Here he presents a brief history of past accomplishments, recent findings, and future potentials for resuscitation research. Additional advances in resuscitation, from acute terminal states and clinical death, will build upon the lessons learned from the history of reanimatology, including optimal delivery by emergency medical services of already documented cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation, basic-advanced,prolonged life support, and future scientific breakthroughs. Current controversies, such as how to best educate the public in life-supporting first aid, how to restore normotensive spontaneous circulation after cardiac arrest, how to rapidly induce mild hypothermia for cerebral protection, and how to minimize secondary insult after cerebral ischemia, are discussed, and must be resolved if advances are to be made. Dr. Safar also summarizes future technologies already under preliminary investigation, such as ultra-advanced life support for reversing prolonged cardiac arrest, extending the "golden hour" of shock tolerance, and suspended animation for delayed resuscitation. [source]


Current Practice, Demographics, and Trends of Critical Care Trained Emergency Physicians in the United States

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 3 2010
Julie A. Mayglothling MD
Abstract Objectives:, Critical care medicine (CCM) is of growing interest among emergency physicians (EPs), but the number of CCM-trained EPs and their postfellowship practice is unknown. This study's purpose was to conduct a descriptive census survey of EPs who have completed or are currently in a CCM fellowship. Methods:, The authors created a Web-based survey, and requests to participate were sent to EPs who have completed or are currently in a CCM fellowship. Responses were collected over a 12-month period. Physicians were located via multiple whom electronic mailing lists, including the Emergency Medicine Section of the Society of Critical Care Medicine, Critical Care Section of the American College of Emergency Physicians, and the Emergency Medicine Residents' Association. The authors also contacted CCM fellowship coordinators and used informal networking. Data were collected on emergency medicine (EM) and other residency training; discipline, duration, and year of CCM fellowship; current practice setting; and board certification status, including the European Diploma in Intensive Care (EDIC). Results:, A total of 104 physicians completed the survey (97% response rate), of whom 73 had completed fellowship at the time of participation, and 31 of whom were in fellowship training. Of those who completed fellowship, 36/73 (49%) practice both EM and CCM, and 45/73 (62%) practice in academic institutions. Multiple disciplines of fellowship were represented: multidisciplinary (39), surgical (28), internal medicine (16), anesthesia (14), and other (4). Together, the CCM fellowships at the University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center and the University of Pittsburgh have trained 42% of all EM-CCM physicians, with 38 other institutions training from one to four fellows each. The number of EPs completing CCM fellowships has risen: from 1974 to 1989, 12 EPs; from 1990 to 1999, 15 EPs; and from 2000 to 2007, 43 EPs. Conclusions:, Emergency physicians are entering CCM fellowships in increasing numbers. Almost half of these EPs practice both EM and CCM. ACADAEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:325,329 © 2010 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine [source]


The Critical Care Research Network: a partnership in community-based research and research transfer

JOURNAL OF EVALUATION IN CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 1 2000
.FRCPC, MSc(Epid), Sean P. Keenan MD
The objectives of this study were to present a short history of the Critical Care Research Network (CCR-Net), describe its approach to health services research and to summarize completed and current research projects. In doing this, we explored the question is this research network accomplishing its goals? We reviewed the medical literature to identify studies on similar types of Networks and also the evidence supporting the methodology used by CCR-Net to conduct research using MEDLINE, HEALTHSTAR, CINAHL and the keywords network and health care or healthcare, benchmarking and health care or healthcare, and research transfer or research utilization. We also reviewed the bibliographies of retrieved articles and our personal files. In addition, we summarized the results of studies conducted by CCR-Net and outlined those currently in progress. A review of the literature identified studies on two similar networks that appeared to be succeeding. In addition, the literature was also supportive of the general process used by CCR-Net, although the level of evidence varied. Finally, the studies conducted to date within CCR-Net follow the suggested methodology. At the time of this preliminary communication CCR-Net appears to have adopted a valid approach to health services research within the area of Critical Care Medicine. Further direct evidence is required and appropriate studies are planned. [source]


Trends in the management of severe acute pancreatitis: interventions and outcome

ANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 5 2004
Richard Flint
Background: Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) in the intensive care unit (ICU) is a complex and challenging problem. The aim of the present study was to identify trends in management of SAP patients admitted to a tertiary level ICU, and to relate these to changes in interventions and outcome. Methods: Patients admitted to the Department of Critical Care Medicine (DCCM), Auckland Public Hospital with SAP from 1988 to 2001 (inclusive) were identified from the DCCM prospective database, and data were extracted from several sources. Results: One hundred and twelve patients (men 69, women 43, mean age (±SD) 57.3 years ± 14.3) were admitted with SAP to DCCM in the 13-year period. Aetiology was gallstones (42%), alcohol (29%), or idiopathic (29%). At admission to DCCM the median duration of symptoms was 7 days (range 1,100) and the mean (±SD) Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score was 19.9 ± 8.2. Ninety-nine patients (88%) had respiratory failure and 79 (71%) had circulatory failure. The number of necrosectomies peaked between 1991 and 1995 (17/35 patients (49%) compared to 4/22 (18%) prior 1991; ,2 = 6.90, P = 0.032). Abdominal decompression, enteral nutrition, percutaneous tracheostomy, and the use of stents in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were introduced over the study period. The length of stay in DCCM did not alter (median 4 days, range 1,60) but there was a reduction in the length of hospital stay (median 36 days to 15 days; anova= 6.16, P = 0.046). The overall mortality was 31% (35/112) and did not alter over the study period. Conclusions: SAP remains a formidable disease with a high mortality despite a number of changes in intensive care and surgical management. [source]


Current Practice, Demographics, and Trends of Critical Care Trained Emergency Physicians in the United States

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 3 2010
Julie A. Mayglothling MD
Abstract Objectives:, Critical care medicine (CCM) is of growing interest among emergency physicians (EPs), but the number of CCM-trained EPs and their postfellowship practice is unknown. This study's purpose was to conduct a descriptive census survey of EPs who have completed or are currently in a CCM fellowship. Methods:, The authors created a Web-based survey, and requests to participate were sent to EPs who have completed or are currently in a CCM fellowship. Responses were collected over a 12-month period. Physicians were located via multiple whom electronic mailing lists, including the Emergency Medicine Section of the Society of Critical Care Medicine, Critical Care Section of the American College of Emergency Physicians, and the Emergency Medicine Residents' Association. The authors also contacted CCM fellowship coordinators and used informal networking. Data were collected on emergency medicine (EM) and other residency training; discipline, duration, and year of CCM fellowship; current practice setting; and board certification status, including the European Diploma in Intensive Care (EDIC). Results:, A total of 104 physicians completed the survey (97% response rate), of whom 73 had completed fellowship at the time of participation, and 31 of whom were in fellowship training. Of those who completed fellowship, 36/73 (49%) practice both EM and CCM, and 45/73 (62%) practice in academic institutions. Multiple disciplines of fellowship were represented: multidisciplinary (39), surgical (28), internal medicine (16), anesthesia (14), and other (4). Together, the CCM fellowships at the University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center and the University of Pittsburgh have trained 42% of all EM-CCM physicians, with 38 other institutions training from one to four fellows each. The number of EPs completing CCM fellowships has risen: from 1974 to 1989, 12 EPs; from 1990 to 1999, 15 EPs; and from 2000 to 2007, 43 EPs. Conclusions:, Emergency physicians are entering CCM fellowships in increasing numbers. Almost half of these EPs practice both EM and CCM. ACADAEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:325,329 © 2010 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine [source]


Evaluation of a Pediatric-sedation Service for Common Diagnostic Procedures

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 6 2006
Wendalyn K. King MD
Abstract Background: Pediatric patients often require sedation for diagnostic procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scanning. In October 2002, a dedicated sedation service was started at a tertiary care pediatric facility as a joint venture between pediatric emergency medicine and pediatric critical care medicine. Before this service, sedation was provided by the department of radiology by using a standard protocol, with high-risk patients and failed sedations referred for general anesthesia. Objectives: To describe the initial experience with a dedicated pediatric-sedation service. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of quality-assurance data collected on all sedations in the radiology department for 23-month periods before and after sedation-service implementation. Study variables were number and reasons for canceled or incomplete procedures, rates of referral for general anesthesia, rates of hypoxia, prolonged sedation, need for assisted ventilation, apnea, emesis, and paradoxical reaction to medication. Results are reported in odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results: Data from 5,444 sedations were analyzed; 2,148 before and 3,296 after sedation-service activation. Incomplete studies secondary to inadequate sedation decreased, from 2.7% before the service was created to 0.8% in the post,sedation-service period (OR, 0.29; 95% CI = 0.18 to 0.47). There also were decreases in cancellations caused by patient illness (3.8% vs. 0.6%; OR, 0.16; 95% CI = 0.10 to 0.27) and rates of hypoxia (8.8% vs. 4.6%; OR, 0.50; 95% CI = 0.40 to 0.63). There were no significant differences between the groups in rates of apnea, need for assisted ventilation, emesis, or prolonged sedation. The implementation of the sedation service also was associated with a decrease in both the number of patients referred to general anesthesia without a trial of sedation (from 2.1% to 0.1%; OR, 0.33; 95% CI = 0.06 to 1.46) and the total number of general anesthesia cases in the radiology department (from 7.5% to 4.4% of all patients requiring either sedation or anesthesia; OR, 0.56; 95% CI = 0.45 to 0.71). Conclusions: The implementation of a dedicated pediatric-sedation service resulted in fewer incomplete studies related to inadequate sedation, in fewer canceled studies secondary to patient illness, in fewer referrals for general anesthesia, and in fewer recorded instances of sedation-associated hypoxia. These findings have important implications in terms of patient safety and resource utilization. [source]


The Influence of Critical Care Medicine on the Development of the Specialty of Emergency Medicine: A Historical Perspective

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 9 2005
David Somand MD
Abstract Through their largely concurrent development, the specialties of emergency medicine and critical care medicine have exerted a great deal of influence on each other. In this article, the authors trace the commonalities that emergency medicine and critical care medicine have shared and report on the historical relationship between the two specialties. As issues between emergency medicine and critical care medicine continue to emerge, the authors hope to inform the current discussion by bringing to light the controversies and questions that have been debated in the past. [source]


Hospitalists and intensivists: Partners in caring for the critically ill,The time has come,

JOURNAL OF HOSPITAL MEDICINE, Issue 1 2010
Michael Heisler MD
Abstract A report by the Committee on Manpower for Pulmonary and Critical Care Societies (COMPACCS), published in 2000, predicted that beginning in 2007 a gap between the demand and availability of intensivists in the United States would become apparent and steadily increase to 22% by 2020 and to 35% by 2030. Subsequent reports have reiterated those projections including a report to congress in 2006 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/Health Resources and Services Administration. This "gap" has been called a health system "crisis" by multiple authors. Two important documents have published specific recommendations for how to resolve this crisis: the Framing Options for Critical Care in the United States (FOCCUS) Task Force Report in 2004 and the Prioritizing the Organization and Management of Intensive Care Services in the Unites States (PrOMIS) Conference Report in 2007. Since the initial COMPACCS report and since these 2 additional reports were published, a new opportunity to take a major step in resolving this crisis has emerged: the growing number of hospitalists providing critical care services at secondary and tertiary care facilities. According to the 2005/2006 Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM) National Survey, that number has increased to 75%. Since the number of intensivists is unlikely to change significantly over the next 25 years, the question is no longer "if" hospitalists should be in the intensive care unit (ICU); rather the question is how to assure quality and improved clinical outcomes through enhanced collaboration between hospital medicine and critical care medicine. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010;5:1,3. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine. [source]


Nosocomial infections and antimicrobial resistance in critical care medicine

JOURNAL OF VETERINARY EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE, Issue 1 2006
Jennifer S. Ogeer-Gyles DVM
Abstract Objective: To review the human and companion animal veterinary literature on nosocomial infections and antimicrobial drug resistance as they pertain to the critically ill patient. Data sources: Data from human and veterinary sources were reviewed using PubMed and CAB. Human data synthesis: There is a large amount of published data on nosocomially-acquired bloodstream infections, pneumonia, urinary tract infections and surgical site infections, and strategies to minimize the frequency of these infections, in human medicine. Nosocomial infections caused by multi-drug-resistant (MDR) pathogens are a leading cause of increased patient morbidity and mortality, medical treatment costs, and prolonged hospital stay. Epidemiology and risk factor analyses have shown that the major risk factor for the development of antimicrobial resistance in critically ill human patients is heavy antibiotic usage. Veterinary data synthesis: There is a paucity of information on the development of antimicrobial drug resistance and nosocomially-acquired infections in critically ill small animal veterinary patients. Mechanisms of antimicrobial drug resistance are universal, although the selection effects created by antibiotic usage may be less significant in veterinary patients. Future studies on the development of antimicrobial drug resistance in critically ill animals may benefit from research that has been conducted in humans. Conclusions: Antimicrobial use in critically ill patients selects for antimicrobial drug resistance and MDR nosocomial pathogens. The choice of antimicrobials should be prudent and based on regular surveillance studies and accurate microbiological diagnostics. Antimicrobial drug resistance is becoming an increasing problem in veterinary medicine, particularly in the critical care setting, and institution-specific strategies should be developed to prevent the emergence of MDR infections. The collation of data from tertiary-care veterinary hospitals may identify trends in antimicrobial drug resistance patterns in nosocomial pathogens and aid in formulating guidelines for antimicrobial use. [source]


Executive Summary: The Institute of Medicine Report and the Future of Academic Emergency Medicine: The Society for Academic Emergency Medicine and Association of Academic Chairs in Emergency Medicine Panel: Association of American Medical Colleges Annual Meeting, October 28, 2006

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 3 2007
Daniel A. Handel MD
The findings in the Institute of Medicine's Future of Emergency Care reports, released in June 2006, emphasize that emergency physicians work in a fragmented system of emergency care with limited interhospital and out-of-hospital care coordination, too few on-call specialists, minimal disaster readiness, strained inpatient resources, and inadequate pediatric emergency services. Areas warranting special attention at academic medical centers (AMCs), both those included within the report and others warranting further attention, were reviewed by a distinguished panel and include the following: 1) opportunities to strengthen and leverage the educational environment within the AMC emergency department; 2) research opportunities created by emergency medicine (EM) serving as an interdisciplinary bridge in the area of clinical and translational research; 3) enhancement of federal guidelines for observational and interventional emergency care research; 4) recognition of the importance of EM residency training, the role of academic departments of EM, and EM subspecialty development in critical care medicine and out-of-hospital and disaster medicine; 5) further assessment of the impact of a regional emergency care model on patient outcomes and exploration of the role of AMCs in the development of such a model (e.g., geriatric and pediatric centers of EM excellence); 6) t e opportunity to use educational loan forgiveness to encourage rural EM practice and the development of innovative EM educational programs linked to rural hospitals; and 7) the need to address AMC emergency department crowding and its adverse effect on quality of care and patient safety. Strategic plans should be developed on a local level in conjunction with support from national EM organizations, allied health care, specialty organizations, and consumer groups to help implement the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine report. The report recommendations and other related recommendations brought forward during the panel discussions should be addressed through innovative programs and policy development at the regional and federal levels. [source]