Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2013
Intensive care unit-acquired hypernatremia is an independent predictor of increased mortality and length of stay.
The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of hypernatremia acquired after intensive care unit (ICU) admission on mortality and length of stay (LOS). ⋯ Hypernatremia developed following ICU admission in 4.3% of patients. Hypernatremia was independently associated with a 40% increase in risk for hospital mortality and a 28% increase in ICU LOS. Severity, but not duration of ICU-acquired hypernatremia was associated with hospital mortality.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2013
Low-tidal volume mechanical ventilation in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by pandemic influenza A/H1N1 infection.
Low-tidal volume (TV) mechanical ventilation is an important manipulation in managing patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, there is no definite evidence to support the use of this intervention in patients with viral etiologies. ⋯ Low-TV mechanical ventilation still benefits patients with ARDS caused by viral pneumonia.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialMusic and biological stress dampening in mechanically-ventilated patients at the intensive care unit ward-a prospective interventional randomized crossover trial.
To evaluate the impact of slow-tempo music listening periods in mechanically ventilated intensive care unit patients. ⋯ In the present trial, music listening is a more sensitive stress-reliever in terms of biological vs clinical response. The hypothalamus-pituitary adrenal axis stress axis is a quick sensor of music listening in responding mechanically ventilated intensive care unit patients, through a rapid reduction in blood cortisol.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2013
ReviewEffects of team coordination during cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a systematic review of the literature.
The purpose of this study is to identify and evaluate to what extent the literature on team coordination during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) empirically confirms its positive effect on clinically relevant medical outcome. ⋯ Planning is an essential element of leadership behavior and is primarily accomplished by a designated team leader. Communication affects medical performance, serving as the vehicle for the transmission of information and directions between team members. Our findings also suggest teams providing CPR must continuously verbalize their coordination plan in order to effectively structure allocation of subtasks and optimize success.