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Intensive Care Patients (intensive + care_patient)
Selected AbstractsPatient ethnicity and three psychiatric intensive care units compared: the Tompkins Acute Ward StudyJOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC & MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 3 2008L. BOWERS rmn phd Psychiatric care units provide care to disturbed patients in a context of higher security and staffing levels. Although such units are numerous, few systematic comparisons have been made, and there are indications that ethnic minority groups may be over-represented. The aim of this study was to compare the rates of adverse incidents and patterns of usage of three psychiatric intensive care units. The study used a triangulation or multi-method design, bringing together data from official statistics, local audit and interviews conducted with staff. Intensive care patients were more likely to be young, male and suffering a psychotic disorder, as compared with general acute ward patients. Caribbean patients were twice as likely, and Asian patients half as likely, to receive intensive care (age, gender and diagnosis controlled). There were large differences in service levels, staffing, team functioning and adverse incidents between the three units. Various aspects of physical security were important in preventing absconds. More evaluative research is required in order to define effective service levels, and to explore the nature of the interaction between ethnicity and inpatient care provision during acute illness. [source] Airway fire due to diathermy during tracheostomy in an intensive care patientANAESTHESIA, Issue 5 2001S. A. Rogers We describe a case of airway fire in an 83-year-old, critically ill patient. The fire occurred during a surgical tracheostomy under general anaesthesia, following ignition of the tracheal tube by diathermy. After debridement of the burnt tissue and treatment with intravenous antibiotics and glucocorticoids, the patient's respiratory function worsened initially. The patient eventually recovered without long-term sequelae and was discharged from the intensive care unit. The circumstances of this and other similar incidents are reviewed, as are the suggested methods for preventing this frightening occurrence. [source] Continuous monitoring of interface pressure distribution in intensive care patients for pressure ulcer preventionJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 4 2009Kozue Sakai Abstract Title.,Continuous monitoring of interface pressure distribution in intensive care patients for pressure ulcer prevention. Aim., This paper is a report of a study conducted to examine whether continuous interface pressure monitoring of postoperative patients in an intensive care unit is feasible in clinical practice. Background., The interface pressure between skin and surfaces is generally evaluated for pressure ulcer prevention. However, the intensity and duration of interface pressure necessary for pressure ulcer development remains unclear because the conventional interface pressure sensors are unsuitable for continuous monitoring in clinical settings. Methods., A total of 30 postoperative patients in an intensive care unit participated in this study in 2006,2007. A sensor was built into a thermoelastic polymer mattress. The whole-body interface pressure was recorded for up to 48 hours. Pressure ulcer development was observed during the morning bed-bath. For analysis, the intensity and duration of the maximal interface pressure was evaluated. Findings., The mean age of the study group was 62·0 ± 15·4 years. Two participants developed stage I pressure ulcer and blanchable redness at the sacrum. The longest duration of pressures greater than 100 mmHg were 487·0, 273·5 and 275·7 minutes in the pressure ulcer, blanchable redness and no redness groups respectively. Conclusion., Continuous monitoring of the intensity and duration of whole-body interface pressure using the KINOTEX sensor is feasible in intensive care patients. [source] Emotional outcome after intensive care: literature reviewJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 1 2008Janice E. Rattray Abstract Title., Emotional outcome after intensive care: literature review. Aim., This paper is a report of a literature review to identify (a) the prevalence of emotional and psychological problems after intensive care, (b) associated factors and (c) interventions that might improve this aspect of recovery. Background., Being a patient in intensive care has been linked to both short- and long-term emotional and psychological consequences. Data sources., The literature search was conducted during 2006. Relevant journals and databases were searched, i.e. Medline and CINAHL, between the years 1995 and 2006. Review methods., The search terms were ,anxiety', ,depression', posttraumatic stress', ,posttraumatic stress disorder' and ,intensive care'. Results., Fifteen papers were reviewed representing research studies of anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress, and seven that represented intensive care follow-up clinics and patient diaries. Being in intensive care can result in significant emotional and psychological problems for a number of patients. For the majority of patients, symptoms of distress will decrease over time but for a number these will endure for some years. Current evidence indicates that emotional problems after intensive care are related to both subjective and objective indicators of a patient's intensive care experience. Evidence suggests some benefit in an early rehabilitation programme, daily sedation withdrawal and the use of patient diaries. However, additional research is required to support such findings. Conclusion., Our understanding of the consequences of intensive care is improving. Psychological care for intensive care patients has lagged behind care for physical problems. We now need to focus on developing and evaluating appropriate interventions to improve psychological outcome in this patient group. [source] The outcome of tactile touch on oxytocin in intensive care patients: a randomised controlled trialJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 19 2008Maria Henricson Aim., To explore the effects of five-day tactile touch intervention on oxytocin in intensive care patients. The hypotheses were that tactile touch increases the levels of oxytocin after intervention and over a six-day period. Background., Research on both humans and animals shows a correlation between touch and increased levels of oxytocin which inspired us to measure the levels of oxytocin in arterial blood to obtain information about the physiological effect of tactile touch. Design., Randomised controlled trial. Method., Forty-four patients from two general intensive care units, were randomly assigned to either tactile touch (n = 21) or standard treatment , an hour of rest (n = 23). Arterial blood was drawn for measurement of oxytocin, before and after both treatments. Results., No significant mean changes in oxytocin levels were found from day 1 to day 6 in the intervention group (mean ,3·0 pM, SD 16·8). In the control group, there was a significant (p = 0·01) decrease in oxytocin levels from day 1 to day 6, mean 26·4 pM (SD 74·1). There were no significant differences in changes between day 1 and day 6 when comparing the intervention group and control group, mean 23·4 pM (95% CI ,20·2,67·0). Conclusion., Our hypothesis that tactile touch increases the levels of oxytocin in patients at intensive care units was not confirmed. An interesting observation was the decrease levels of oxytocin over the six-day period in the control group, which was not observed in the intervention group. Relevance to clinical practice., Tactile touch seemed to reduce the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. Further and larger studies are needed in intensive care units to confirm/evaluate tactile touch as a complementary caring act for critically ill patients. [source] Temperature measurement: comparison of non-invasive methods used in adult critical careJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 5 2005Sarah Farnell BSc Aims and objectives., To assess accuracy and reliability of two non-invasive methods, the chemical (Tempa.DOTTM) and tympanic thermometer (GeniusTM First Temp M3000A), against the gold standard pulmonary artery catheter, and to determine the clinical significance of any temperature discrepancy using an expert panel. Background., There is continued debate surrounding the use of tympanic thermometry in clinical practice. Design., Prospective study. Methods., A total of 160 temperature sets were obtained from 25 adult intensive care patients over a 6-month period. Results., About 75.2% (n = 115) of chemical and 50.9% (n = 78) of tympanic readings were within a ±0.0,0.4 °C range of the pulmonary artery catheter. Both the chemical and tympanic thermometers were significantly correlated with temperatures derived from the pulmonary artery catheter (r = 0.81, P < 0.0001 and r = 0.59, P < 0.0001) and limits of agreement were ,0.5,0.9 °C and ,1.2,1.2 °C respectively. The chemical thermometer was associated with a mean temperature difference of 0.2 °C, which increased 0.4 °C when used in conjunction with a warming blanket. With regard to clinical significance 15.3% (n = 26) of chemical and 21.1% (n = 35) of tympanic readings might have resulted in patients receiving delayed interventions. Conversely 28.8% (n = 44) of chemical and 37.8% (n = 58) of tympanic readings might have resulted in patients receiving unnecessary interventions. Conclusions., The chemical thermometer was more accurate, reliable and associated with fewer clinically significant temperature differences compared with the tympanic thermometer. However, compared with the pulmonary artery catheter both methods were associated with erroneous readings. In the light of these findings and previous research evidence, it is becoming increasingly difficult to defend the continued use of tympanic thermometry in clinical practice. However, as chemical thermometers are not without their limitations, further research needs to be undertaken to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of other non-invasive methods. Relevance to clinical practice., Chemical and tympanic thermometers are used in both adults and children in a wide variety of settings ranging from community to intensive care. As such these findings have significant implications for patients, users and budget holders. [source] Signs of critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy can be seen early in the ICU courseACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 6 2009K. AHLBECK Background: Critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy (CIPNM) is recognized as a common condition that develops in the intensive care unit (ICU). It may lead to a prolonged hospital stay with subsequent increased ICU and hospital costs. Knowledge of predisposing factors is insufficient and the temporal pattern of CIPNM has not been well described earlier. This study investigated patients with critical illness in need of prolonged mechanical ventilation, describing comprehensively the time course of changes in muscle and nerve neurophysiology, histology and mitochondrial oxidative function. Methods: Ten intensive care patients were investigated 4, 14 and 28 days after the start of mechanical ventilation. Laboratory tests, neurophysiological examination, muscle biopsies and clinical examinations were performed. Neurophysiological criteria for CIPNM were noted and measurements for mitochondrial content, mitochondrial respiratory enzymes and markers of oxidative stress were performed. Results: While all patients showed pathologic changes in neurophysiologic measurements, only patients with sepsis and steroid treatment (5/5) fulfilled the CIPNM criteria. The presence of CIPNM did not affect the outcome, and the temporal pattern of CIPNM was not uniform. All CIP changes occurred early in ICU care, while myopathy changes appeared somewhat later. Citrate synthase was decreased between days 4 and 14, and mitochondrial superoxide dismutase was increased. Conclusion: With comprehensive examination over time, signs of CIPNM can be seen early in ICU course, and appear more likely to occur in patients with sepsis and corticosteroid treatment. [source] Pressure ulcer prevention in intensive care patients: guidelines and practiceJOURNAL OF EVALUATION IN CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 2 2009Eman S. M. Shahin BSc MSc RN PhD Abstract Background, Pressure ulcers are a potential problem in intensive care patients, and their prevention is a major issue in nursing care. This study aims to assess the allocation of preventive measures for patients at risk for pressure ulcers in intensive care and the evidence of applied pressure ulcer preventive measures in intensive care settings in respect to the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP) and Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) guidelines for pressure ulcer prevention. Design, The design of this study was a cross-sectional study (point prevalence). Setting, The study setting was intensive care units. The sample consisted of 169 patients , 60 patients from surgical wards, 59 from interdisciplinary wards and 50 from medical intensive care wards. Results, The study results revealed that pressure reducing devices like mattresses (alternating pressure air, low air loss and foam) are applied for 58 (36.5%) patients, and all of these patients are at risk for pressure ulcer development. Most patients receive more than one nursing intervention, especially patients at risk. Nursing interventions applied are skin inspection, massage with moisture cream, nutrition and mobility (81.8%, 80.5%, 68.6% and 56.6%) respectively. Moreover, all applied pressure ulcer preventive measures in this study are in line with the guidelines of the EPUAP and AHCPR except massage which is applied to 8.8% of all patients. Conclusions, The use of pressure reducing devices and nursing interventions in intensive care patients are in line with international pressure ulcer guidelines. Only massage, which is also being used, should be avoided according to the recommendation of national and international guidelines. [source] Gastrointestinal symptoms in intensive care patientsACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 3 2009A. REINTAM Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) problems are not uniformly assessed in intensive care unit (ICU) patients and respective data in available literature are insufficient. We aimed to describe the prevalence, risk factors and importance of different GI symptoms. Methods: We prospectively studied all patients hospitalized to the General ICU of Tartu University Hospital in 2004,2007. Results: Of 1374 patients, 62 were excluded due to missing data. Seven hundred and seventy-five (59.1%) patients had at least one GI symptom at least during 1 day of their stay, while 475 (36.2%) suffered from more than one symptom. Absent or abnormal bowel sounds were documented in 542 patients (41.3%), vomiting/regurgitation in 501 (38.2%), high gastric aspirate volume in 298 (22.7%), diarrhoea in 184 (14.0%), bowel distension in 139 (10.6%) and GI bleeding in 97 (7.4%) patients during their ICU stay. Absent or abnormal bowel sounds and GI bleeding were associated with significantly higher mortality. The number of simultaneous GI symptoms was an independent risk factor for ICU mortality. The ICU length of stay and mortality of patients who had two or more GI symptoms simultaneously were significantly higher than in patients with a maximum of one GI symptom. Conclusion:, GI symptoms occur frequently in ICU patients. Absence of bowel sounds and GI bleeding are associated with impaired outcome. Prevalence of GI symptoms at the first day in ICU predicts the mortality of the patients. [source] Middle ear effusion in intubated intensive care patientsACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 3 2009K. Skaansar No abstract is available for this article. [source] Value choices and considerations when limiting intensive care treatment: a qualitative studyACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 1 2009K. HALVORSEN Background: To shed light on the values and considerations that affect the decision-making processes and the decisions to limit intensive care treatment. Method: Qualitative methodology with participant observation and in-depth interviews, with an emphasis on eliciting the underlying rationale of the clinicians' actions and choices when limiting treatment. Results: Informants perceived over-treatment in intensive care medicine as a dilemma. One explanation was that the decision-making base was somewhat uncertain, complex and difficult. The informants claimed that those responsible for taking decisions from the admitting ward prolonged futile treatment because they may bear guilt or responsibility for something that had gone wrong during the course of treatment. The assessments of the patient's situation made by physicians from the admitting ward were often more organ-oriented and the expectations were less realistic than those of clinicians in the intensive care unit who frequently had a more balanced and overall perspective. Aspects such as the personality and the speciality of those involved, the culture of the unit and the degree of interdisciplinary cooperation were important issues in the decision-making processes. Conclusion: Under-communicated considerations jeopardise the principle of equal treatment. If intensive care patients are to be ensured equal treatment, strategies for interdisciplinary, transparent and appropriate decision-making processes must be developed in which open and hidden values are rendered visible, power structures disclosed, employees respected and the various perspectives of the treatment given their legitimate place. [source] Severe hypoglycemia during intensive insulin therapyACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 1 2009K.-M. KAUKONEN Background: Tight glycemic control reduces mortality in surgical intensive care patients and in long-term medical intensive care patients. A large study on intensive insulin therapy was prematurely discontinued due to safety issues. As the safety of intensive insulin therapy has been questioned, we screened all patients during a 17-month period to reveal the incidence of hypoglycemia and its effects on the outcome of the patients. Methods: All patients treated between February 2005 and June 2006 in two intensive care units (ICUs) of a tertiary care teaching hospital were included in the study. A nurse-driven intensive insulin therapy with a target blood glucose level of 4,6 mmol/l had been introduced earlier. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of severe hypoglycemia (,2.2 mmol/l). Results: One thousand two hundred and twenty-four patients (1124 treatment periods) were included. During the study period, 61,203 blood glucose measurements were performed, 2.6% of which were below and 52.6% above the target range. Severe hypoglycemia (glucose ,2.2 mmol/l) occurred in 25 patients (36 measurements). The incidence was 0.06% of the measurements and 2.3% of the patients. The median age, sex, Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation II, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, diagnosis category, ICU or hospital length of stay did not differ between the groups. The hospital mortalities were 25% and 15% in patients with or without severe hypoglycemia, respectively (P=0.16). Conclusion: Severe hypoglycemia during intensive insulin therapy is rare in clinical practice compared with previous clinical trials. [source] Arterial oxygen tension increase 2,3 h after hyperbaric oxygen therapy: a prospective observational studyACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 1 2007B. Ratzenhofer-Komenda Background:, Inhalation of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) has been reported to decrease arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) in the early period after exposure. The current investigation aimed at evaluating whether and to what extent arterial blood gases were affected in mechanically ventilated intensive care patients within 6 h after HBO treatment. Methods:, Arterial blood gases were measured in 11 ventilated subjects [nine males, two females, synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV) mode] undergoing HBO therapy for necrotizing soft tissue infection (seven patients), burn injury (two patients), crush injury (one patient) and major abdominal surgery (one patient). Blood gases were obtained with the patients in the supine position under continuous analgesia and sedation before the hyperbaric session (baseline), during isopression, after decompression, after each transport, and 1, 2, 3 and 6 h after exposure. Heart rates and blood pressures were recorded. Intensive care unit (ICU) ventilator settings remained unchanged. Transport and chamber ventilator settings were adjusted to baseline with maintenance of tidal volumes and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) levels. The hyperbaric protocol consisted of 222.9 kPa (2.2 absolute atmospheres) and a 50-min isopression phase. The paired Wilcoxon's test was used. Results:, Major findings (median values, 25%/75% quantiles) as per cent change of baseline: PaO2 values decreased by 19.7% (7.0/31.7, P < 0.01) after 1 h and were elevated over baseline by 9.3% (1.5/13.7, P < 0.05) after 3 h. SaO2, alveolar-arterial oxygen tension difference and PaO2/FiO2 ratio behaved concomitantly. Acid-base status and carbon dioxide tension were unaffected. Conclusion:, Arterial oxygen tension declines transiently after HBO and subsequently improves over baseline in intensive care patients on volume-controlled mechanical ventilation. The effectiveness of other ventilation modes or a standardized recruitment manoeuvre has yet to be evaluated. [source] A single dose of intravenous esomeprazole decreases gastric secretion in healthy volunteersALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 10 2009C. NICHITA Summary Background, Data suggest that esomeprazole decreases gastric secretion. Aims, To assess the effect of a single i.v. esomeprazole dose on gastric secretion volume 3 h after drug administration, as a primary endpoint, and to evaluate, as secondary endpoints, the reduction 1 and 5 h after dosing; time when the gastric pH was <2.5 and esomeprazole's safety. Methods, In all, 23 healthy Helicobacter pylori -negative volunteers (10 men, 13 women, mean age 28.2 ± 6) participated in this single-centre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-way, single-dose cross-over study. In different sessions, volunteers received i.v. either esomeprazole 40 mg or placebo. An inserted double-lumen nasogastric tube perfused and aspirated gastric liquid. Mechanical fractioned aspiration measured secretion volume; aliquot spectrophotometry assessed gastric secretion volume lost to the duodenum. Results, Three hours post-i.v. esomeprazole, average gastric secretion decreased by 77.6% (vs. baseline) compared to placebo. Values 1 and 5 h after dosing were 73.5% and 74.5%. Five hours after esomeprazole, the gastric pH was <2.5 3.9% of the time and 73.3% after placebo (P < 0.002). Esomeprazole was well-tolerated. No serious adverse events occurred. Conclusions, Intravenous esomeprazole decreases gastric secretions. The potential clinical impact in averting bronchoaspiration during anaesthesia induction and in intensive care patients should be investigated in further studies. [source] Treatment of invasive candidiasis with echinocandinsMYCOSES, Issue 6 2009Andreas Glöckner Summary Blood stream infections by Candida spp. represent the majority of invasive fungal infections in intensive care patients. The high crude mortality of invasive candidiasis remained essentially unchanged during the last two decades despite new treatment options that became available. The echinocandins, the latest class of antifungals introduced since 2001, exhibit potent activity against clinically relevant fungi including most Candida spp. In several randomised multicentre phase III trials, anidulafungin, caspofungin and micafungin showed convincing efficacy when compared with standard treatment regimens. In all trials, echinocandins were at least non-inferior to standard treatments. Anidulafungin was shown to be superior to fluconazole. Echinocandins have a favourable tolerability profile and exhibit a minimal potential for drug interactions since their pharmacokinetics is independent of renal and , largely , hepatic function. As a result of these properties, echinocandins are appropriate drugs of choice for invasive candidiasis in intensive care where many patients experience organ failure and receive multiple drugs with complex interactions. [source] Oesophageal candidosis in intensive care patients Ösophagus-Candidose bei intensivmedizinisch betreuten PatientenMYCOSES, Issue 11-12 2000J. Bernhardt Candidose; Ösophagus; Intensivmedizin Summary., We conducted upper intestinoscopies in 124 intensive care patients, six of whom had oesophageal candidosis. Of these, two also had Candida plaque in the stomach. The patients at the intensive care unit (ICU) had a mean Apache-II score of 26.7; whereas the score was 29.5 in patients with Candida oesophagitis. A significant increase of Candida antibodies was found in 59 of 124 patients (47.6%), including all patients with oesophageal candidosis. Presumably, mycotic infections of other sites were present. The severity by which mucous membranes were affected correlated well with microscopically evident invasiveness. Zusammenfassung., Bei 124 Patienten der Intensivmedizinstationen wurde eine obere Intestinoskopie durchgeführt. Eine Candida -Ösophagitis konnte 6× nachgewiesen werden, 2× fand sich ein gastraler Candida -Befall. Der Apache II Score aller Patienten lag im Mittel bei 26,7, bei den Patienten mit Candida -Befall bei 29,5. Einen signifikanten Anstieg der Candida -Antikörpertiter wiesen 59 der 124 Patienten (47,6%) auf, darunter alle Patienten mit Candida -Ösophagitis. Vermutlich lagen hier auch Mykosen anderer Lokalisation vor. Es fand sich eine Korrelation des Schweregrades des Mukosabefalls mit mikroskopischen Invasivitätszeichen. [source] Commentary: Brunker C. (2006).NURSING IN CRITICAL CARE, Issue 2 2008Assessment of sedated head-injured patients using the Glasgow Coma Scale: an audit The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is widely used to assess head-injured patients. However, patients with acute severe head injury are typically managed with varying doses of sedative drugs that may interfere with GCS assessments. There is a question as to whether GCS assessments are useful and justified when the patient is sedated. The limited literature available is briefly reviewed. The aim of the audit described in this paper was to gain an overview of current practice among the neuroscience intensive care units in the UK, in search of any consensus. Thirty questionnaires were distributed and 23 returned (a 77% response). The results show considerable variations in practice and, in particular, differences between those units that treat only neuroscience patients and those that manage general intensive care patients as well. This audit demonstrates a lack of clear consensus and highlights the need for more research. Abstract reprinted from the British Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, volume 2, Brunker C, ,Assessment of sedated head-injured patients using the Glasgow Coma Scale: an Audit.', pages 276,280. © 2006, reproduced with permission from MA Healthcare Limited. [source] SPC with Applications to Churn ManagementQUALITY AND RELIABILITY ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL, Issue 5 2004Magnus Pettersson Abstract The process of a customer replacing one provider of a service or merchandise for another is called a churn. In competitive business environments, such as telecommunications, insurance, banking, hotels and mail order, customers can easily leave one company,and they really do. Since the cost of recruiting new customers is higher than the cost of retaining them, it is crucial for companies in these trades to monitor their customer population in order to keep churn rates low. Statistical process control (SPC) methods are developed to cover the needs of monitoring industrial processes and intensive care patients. They are based on procedures where data are analysed automatically and on-line. When results indicate that the process is out of control, an alarm alerts an engineer or physician, who can take corrective action in order to get the process back under control. This paper discusses the use of SPC methods as a means to enhance precision in detecting increasing churn rates. We show that SPC methods can give market analysts a powerful tool for tracking customer movements and churn. An early warning system (EWS), based on the same ideas as used in process industries, will give foresight and a longer time to react against churn, hence providing an advantage over competitors. In the examples discussed in this paper we monitor usage in order to detect decreasing volumes that indicate churn. Data were extracted from internal databases, and analysed and reported on-line. We conclude that the potential improvement by using SPC methods in churn management is high. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Inadvertent hypothermia and mortality in postoperative intensive care patients: retrospective audit of 5050 patientsANAESTHESIA, Issue 9 2009D. Karalapillai Summary We proposed that many Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients would be hypothermic in the early postoperative period and that hypothermia would be associated with increased mortality. We retrospectively reviewed patients admitted to ICU after surgery. We recorded the lowest temperature in the first 24 h after surgery using tympanic membrane thermometers. We defined hypothermia as < 36 °C, and severe hypothermia as < 35 °C. We studied 5050 consecutive patients: 35% were hypothermic and 6% were severely hypothermic. In-hospital mortality was 5.6% for normothermic patients, 8.9% for all hypothermic patients (p < 0.001), and 14.7% for severely hypothermic patients (p < 0.001). Hypothermia was associated with in-hospital mortality: OR 1.83 for each degree Celsius (°C) decrease (95% CI: 1.2,2.60, p < 0.001). Given the evidence for improved outcome associated with active patient warming during surgery we suggest conducting prospective studies of active warming of patients admitted to ICU after surgery. [source] A simple measure to reduce the incidence of heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) in cardiac intensive care patients , a retrospective observational analysisANAESTHESIA, Issue 1 2009C. R. Evans No abstract is available for this article. [source] Antibiotic-treated infections in intensive care patients in the UKANAESTHESIA, Issue 9 2004B. H. Cuthbertson Summary The purpose of this audit was to study reasons for starting antibiotic therapy, duration of antibiotic treatment, reasons for changing antibiotics and the agreement between clinical suspicion and microbiological results in intensive care practice. We conducted a multicentre observational audit of 316 patients. Data on demographic details, site, treatment and nature of infection were collected. The median duration of antibiotic therapy was 7 days. Infections were community-acquired in 160 patients (55%). Antibiotics were started on clinical suspicion of infection in 237 patients (75%). Pulmonary infections were the most common, representing 52% of all proven infections. Gram-negative organisms were the most common cause of proven infections (n = 90 (50%)). The antibiotic spectrum was narrowed in light of microbiology results in 78 patients (43%) and changed due to antibiotic resistance in 38 patients (21%). We conclude that the mean duration of treatment contrasts with existing published guidelines, highlighting the need for further studies on duration and efficacy of treatment in intensive care. [source] Low serum ,-tocopherol and selenium are associated with accelerated apoptosis in severe sepsisBIOFACTORS, Issue 2 2008Stefan U. Weber Abstract During sepsis, a severe systemic disorder, micronutrients often are decreased. Apoptosis is regarded as an important mechanism in the development of often significant immunosuppression in the course of the disease. This study aimed to investigate a -tocopherol and selenium in reference to apoptosis in patients with sepsis. 16 patients were enrolled as soon as they fulfilled the criteria of severe sepsis. 10 intensive care patients without sepsis and 11 healthy volunteers served as controls. a -Tocopherol, selenium and nucleosomes were measured in serum. Phosphatidylserine externalization and Bcl-2 expression were analyzed in T-cells by flow cytometry. Serum ,-tocopherol and selenium were decreased in severe sepsis but not in non-septic critically ill patients (p < 0.05). Conversely, markers of apoptosis were increased in sepsis but not in critically ill control patients: Nucleosomes were found to be elevated 3 fold in serum (p < 0.05) and phosphatidylserine was externalized on an expanded subpopulation of T-cells (p < 0.05) while Bcl-2 was expressed at lower levels (p < 0.05). The decrease of micronutrients correlated with markers of accelerated apoptosis. Accelerated apoptosis in sepsis is associated with low ,-tocopherol and selenium. The results support the investigation of micronutrient supplementation strategies in severe sepsis. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||