Anaesthesia and intensive care
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Aug 2007
Multicenter StudyAfter-hours discharge from intensive care increases the risk of readmission and death.
Despite reports showing night discharge from an intensive care unit (ICU) is associated with increased mortality, it is unknown if this has resulted in changes in practice in recent years. Our aim was to determine prevalence, trends and effect on patient outcome of discharge timing from ICU throughout Australia and New Zealand. Two datasets from the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Adult Patient Database (ANZICS APD) were examined: (1) All submissions to the APD from 1.1.2003 to 31.12.2004 to determine contemporary practices. (2) Forty hospitals which had submitted continuous data between 1.1.2000 and 31.12.2004 to determine trends in practice over time. ⋯ After-hours discharge from ICU is associated with increased risk of death and readmission to ICU. It has become more frequent. The risk of death increases as more after-hours discharges occur.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Aug 2007
Multicenter StudyAirway management equipment in a metropolitan region: an audit.
Difficult airway equipment containers are commonly found in operating rooms, but the availability of airway equipment beyond that environment is unknown. Using the Difficult Airway Society (U. K.) and American Society of Anesthesiologists' guidelines, we conducted an inspection audit of airway equipment at all anaesthetic sites in our region. ⋯ One third of the items with an expiry date were expired. Quality control and implementation of airway guidelines could rectify these deficiencies. Anaesthesia organisations should be encouraged to publish detailed equipment guidelines.