Anaesthesia and intensive care
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Aug 2006
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyHighly conservative phlebotomy in adult intensive care--a prospective randomized controlled trial.
Anaemia in critically ill patients is common and phlebotomy associated blood loss may contribute towards this anaemia. The aims of this study were twofold. Firstly, a survey was conducted to provide a summary of current phlebotomy practices within Australian intensive care units. ⋯ Using our highly conservative protocol, median phlebotomy-associated blood loss was reduced by over 80% (40 ml vs 8 ml P<0.001). Mean haemoglobin fell from 13.7 g/dl to 11.7 g/dl in controls (P=0.002) and from 12.7 g/dl to 11.5 g/dl (P=0.074) in our study group. We conclude that highly conservative phlebotomy is feasible in a critical care unit and is associated with a reduction in blood loss.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Aug 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyRecovery from bispectral index-guided anaesthesia in a large randomized controlled trial of patients at high risk of awareness.
Electroencephalographic monitors of anaesthetic depth are reported to assist anaesthetists in reducing recovery times. We explored the effect of bispectral index (BIS) monitoring on recovery times in a double-blind, randomized controlled trial of 2,463 patients at high risk of awareness. Patients were randomized to BIS-guided anaesthesia or routine care. ⋯ In multivariate models, BIS monitoring, female gender, lower American Society of Anesthesiologists' physical status and shorter duration of anaesthesia predicted faster time to eye-opening after anaesthesia, and faster time to post-anaesthesia care unit discharge. BIS monitoring did not affect times to tracheal extubation among patients admitted to the intensive care unit. We conclude that BIS monitoring has statistically significant, but clinically modest, effects on recovery times in high risk surgical patients.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Feb 2005
Multicenter StudyDisease risk and mortality prediction in intensive care patients with pneumonia. Australian and New Zealand practice in intensive care (ANZPIC II).
This study of ventilated patients investigated pneumonia risk factors and outcome predictors in 476 episodes of pneumonia (48% community-acquired pneumonia, 24% hospital-acquired pneumonia, 28% ventilator-associated pneumonia) using a prospective survey in 14 intensive care units within Australia and New Zealand. For community acquired pneumonia, mortality increased with immunosuppression (OR 5.32, CI 95% 1.58-1799, P<0.01), clinical signs of consolidation (OR 2.43, CI 95% 1.09-5.44, P=0.03) and Sepsis-Related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores (OR 1.19, CI 95% 1.08-1.30, P<0.001) but improved if appropriate antibiotic changes were made within three days of intensive care unit admission (OR 0.42, CI 95% 0.20-0.86, P=0.02). For hospital-acquired pneumonia, immunosuppression (OR 6.98, CI 95% 1.16-42.2, P=0.03) and non-metastatic cancer (OR 3.78, CI 95% 1.20-11.93, P=0.02) were the principal mortality predictors. ⋯ A history of alcoholism is a major risk factor for mortality in ventilator-associated pneumonia, greater in magnitude than the mortality effect of immunosuppression in hospital-acquired pneumonia or community-acquired pneumonia. Non-invasive ventilation is associated with reduced ICU mortality. Clinical signs of consolidation worsen, while rationalising antibiotic therapy within three days of ICU admission improves mortality for community-acquired pneumonia patients.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Feb 2005
Multicenter StudyThe spectrum of practice in the diagnosis and management of pneumonia in patients requiring mechanical ventilation. Australian and New Zealand practice in intensive care (ANZPIC II).
This study of ventilated patients investigated current clinical practice in 476 episodes of pneumonia (48% community-acquired pneumonia, 24% hospital-acquired pneumonia, 28% ventilator-associated pneumonia) using a prospective survey in 14 intensive care units (ICUs) within Australia and New Zealand. Diagnostic methods and confidence, disease severity, microbiology and antibiotic use were assessed. All pneumonia types had similar mortality (community-acquired pneumonia 33%, hospital-acquired pneumonia 37% and ventilator-associated pneumonia 24%, P=0.15) with no inter-hospital differences (P=0.08-0.91). ⋯ Third generation cephalosporins were less frequently used for mild infections (OR 0.38, CI 95% 0.16-0.90, P=0.03), hospital-acquired pneumonia (OR 0.40, CI 95% 0.23-0.72, P<0.01), ventilator-associated pneumonia (OR 0.04, CI 95% 0.02-0.13, P<0.001), suspected aspiration (OR 0.20, CI 95% 0.04-0.92, P=0.04), in one regional (OR 0.26, CI95% 0.07-0.97, P=0.05) and one tertiary hospital (OR 0.14, CI 95% 0.03-0. 73, P=0.02) but were more commonly used in older patients (OR 1.02, CI 95% 1.01-1.03, P=0.01). There is practice variability in bronchoscopy and antibiotic use for pneumonia in Australian and New Zealand ICUs without significant impact on patient outcome, as the prevalence of inappropriate antibiotic prescription is low. There are opportunities for improving microbiological diagnostic work-up for isolation of aetiological pathogens.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Oct 2004
Multicenter StudyMetropolitan audit of appropriate referrals refused admission to intensive care.
We undertook a three-month prospective cohort study of critically ill adult patients referred to the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) of public hospitals in metropolitan Melbourne and Geelong, Victoria. The aim was to ascertain the prevalence and immediate consequences of "refused" admission amongst patients appropriately referred to the ICU of first choice. Between August 1 and October 31, 1999, 10 (out of 12) public hospitals collected data. ⋯ The reasons for "refusal" were limited staffing (52%) and shortage of beds (46%.) Acute inter-hospital transfer (1.7 per day) was the most common immediate triage outcome (57%). These rates are higher than previously reported figures. We conclude that refused admission to the ICU of first choice, and acute inter-hospital transfer in this region and time period, were common events.