Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Sep 2005
Meta AnalysisCost-effectiveness of immunoglobulin M-enriched immunoglobulin (Pentaglobin) in the treatment of severe sepsis and septic shock.
To measure the cost-effectiveness of a specific polyclonal intravenous immune globulin preparation (Pentaglobin) in adult patients treated for severe sepsis and septic shock. ⋯ Pentaglobin is a promising adjuvant therapy both clinically and economically for treatment of adults with severe sepsis and septic shock.
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Journal of critical care · Sep 2005
Readiness to change problematic drinking assessed in the emergency department as a predictor of change.
The goal of this study was to determine if baseline readiness to change the drinking behavior (pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, and action stages) was predictive of change in drinking after unrelated emergency department (ED) visit and screening and interviewing for alcohol problems. ⋯ Stages of change at baseline appeared to be significant predictors of change in alcohol intake, harm, and dependency symptoms among young adult ED patients.
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Journal of critical care · Sep 2005
Barriers to communication regarding end-of-life care: perspectives of care providers.
Communication regarding end-of-life care is frequently perceived as suboptimal, despite the intent of both health care providers and patients. We interviewed health care providers to determine their perspective regarding these barriers to communication. ⋯ Attending physicians, residents, and nurses perceive the recipients of their care, and the system within which they provide this care, to be the major source of barriers to communication regarding end-of-life care. This finding may impact on the effectiveness of quality-improvement initiatives in end-of-life care.
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Journal of critical care · Sep 2005
"Futile" care: do we provide it? Why? A semistructured, Canada-wide survey of intensive care unit doctors and nurses.
To qualitatively explore the process of the provision of futile care in Canadian intensive care units (ICUs). ⋯ Caregivers voice the opinion that provision of futile care occurs, for multiple reasons, not the least of which is provider-driven. Nurses and physicians of Canadian ICUs perceive the need for increased availability of more ICU-directed and ethically trained resources to help them in providing end-of-life care.