Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2014
Consistency of communication among intensive care unit staff as perceived by family members of patients surviving to discharge.
We hypothesize that intensive care unit (ICU) families frequently perceive that they have received inconsistent information from staff about their relatives and that these inconsistencies influence abilities to make medical decisions, as well as satisfaction. ⋯ Episodes involving inconsistent information from staff as perceived by families may be quite prevalent and may influence decision-making abilities and satisfaction.
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2014
Outcome of hypotensive ward patients who re-deteriorate after initial stabilization by the Medical Emergency Team.
We evaluated the outcome of hypotensive ward patients who re-deteriorated after initial stabilization by the Medical Emergency Team (MET) in our hospital, due to limited data in this regard. ⋯ Hypotensive ward patients who re-deteriorate after initial stabilization have higher mortality. METs should consider implementing at least an 8-hour follow-up in patients who are deemed stable to remain on the wards after hypotensive episodes.
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2014
Does high-dose vasopressor therapy in medical intensive care patients indicate what we already suspect?
This study was conducted to determine the association between vasopressor requirement and outcome in medical intensive care patients in an environment where treatment is not withdrawn. ⋯ The requirement for high-dose vasopressor therapy at any time during ICU admission was associated with a very high mortality rate in the ICU and the hospital.
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2014
Effect of type II diabetes mellitus on outcomes in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.
The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening condition, whereas the presence of diabetes has been shown to be protective in its development. We undertook this study to assess the association of type II diabetes mellitus with clinical outcomes in patients with ARDS. ⋯ The presence of type II diabetes mellitus is not associated with clinical outcomes in ARDS, even when its presence is adjusted by body mass index.
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2014
Ventilator settings and monitoring parameter targets for initiation of continuous mandatory ventilation: A questionnaire study.
To inform development of educational tools, we sought to identify initial ventilator settings and monitoring targets for 3 scenarios. ⋯ Lung protective ventilation was favored, yet distinct differences in ventilator settings were evident. Monitoring targets suggested relatively conservative practices for Fio2 reduction but an understanding of permissive hypercapnia.