Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2012
Charlson's weighted index of comorbidities is useful in assessing the risk of death in septic patients.
We investigated the efficiency of the Charlson's weighted index of comorbidities (WIC) in predicting the risk of death in septic patients. ⋯ In septic patients, WIC is predictive for hospital mortality, and the risk of death significantly depends on WIC.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2012
Prognostic models based on administrative data alone inadequately predict the survival outcomes for critically ill patients at 180 days post-hospital discharge.
There is interest in evaluating the quality of critical care by auditing patient outcomes after hospital discharge. Risk adjustment using acuity of illness scores, such as Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE III) scores, derived from clinical databases is commonly performed for in-hospital mortality outcome measures. However, these clinical databases do not routinely track patient outcomes after hospital discharge. Linkage of clinical databases to administrative data sets that maintain records on patient survival after discharge can allow for the measurement of survival outcomes of critical care patients after hospital discharge while using validated risk adjustment methods. ⋯ The addition of APACHE III scores to administrative data substantially improved model performance to the level of the clinical model. Although linking data systems requires some investment, having the ability to evaluate case ascertainment and accurately risk adjust outcomes of intensive care patients after discharge will add valuable insights into clinical audit and decision-making processes.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2012
Survival and functional outcomes after cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the intensive care unit.
Comparatively less is known about the outcomes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) compared with those not in an ICU. In this study, we evaluated survival rates, functional status, and predictors of good outcomes after in-ICU CPR. ⋯ Only 1 of 6 adults receiving in-ICU CPR survives to hospital discharge, and less than 5% are discharged home with independent function. Among survivors, most show large decreases in functional status compared with hospital admission.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2012
Influence of full-time intensivist and the nurse-to-patient ratio on the implementation of severe sepsis bundles in Korean intensive care units.
The reported actual compliance for severe sepsis bundles was very low, suggesting the presence of barriers to their implementation. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of full-time intensivist and nurse-to-patient ratio in Korean intensive care units (ICUs) on the implementation of the severe sepsis bundles and clinical outcome. ⋯ The full-time intensivist and the nurse-to-patient ratio had a substantial influence on the implementation of severe sepsis bundles and the mortalities of patients with severe sepsis.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2012
Factors associated with acute lung injury in combat casualties receiving massive blood transfusions: a retrospective analysis.
We sought to determine if use of warm fresh whole blood (WFWB), rather than blood component therapy, alters rates of acute lung injury (ALI) in patients with trauma. ⋯ Warm fresh whole blood may be associated with an increased risk of ALI, but this is confounded by increased injury and crystalloid use in patients receiving WFWB.