Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2014
Multicenter StudyTargeting occult heart failure in intensive care unit patients with acute chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation: Effect on outcome and quality of life.
To estimate the prevalence of previously undiagnosed heart failure in mechanically ventilated patients with severe exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to evaluate the impact of specific heart failure treatment on patients' outcome. ⋯ In mechanically ventilated patients with severe exacerbation of COPD, unrecognized left or right ventricular failure is common. Among patients with isolated left ventricular failure, the early detection and appropriate treatment improves long-term quality of life and may decrease the short- and 6-month morbidity and mortality.
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2014
Characterizing critical care physician staffing in rural America: A description of Iowa intensive care unit staffing.
This study aimed to characterize intensive care unit (ICU) physician staffing patterns in a predominantly rural state. ⋯ Many Iowa hospitals have ICUs, and staffing patterns in Iowa ICUs mirror closely national staffing practices. Most ICUs are multispecialty, open ICUs in community hospitals. These factors should inform training and resource allocation for intensivists in rural states.
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2014
Comparative StudyHealth insurance status and outcomes of critically ill obstetric patients: A prospective cohort study in Argentina.
In Argentina, uninsured patients receive public health care, and the insured receive private health care. Our aim was to compare different outcomes between critically ill obstetric patients from both sectors. ⋯ Uninsured critically ill obstetric patients (public sector) were more severely ill on admission and experienced worse outcomes than insured patients (private sector). Variables independently associated with MODS were APACHE II, shock, referral from another hospital, and lack of insurance.
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2014
Case ReportsHypotensive resuscitation in a head-injured multi-trauma patient.
The concept of permissive hypotension is a controversial topic in trauma care. While driving blood pressure to "normal" levels with large volume crystalloid infusions is not appropriate, definitive data on the target blood pressure for hypotensive resuscitation are lacking. ⋯ The controversies highlighted herein call attention to the role of the intensivist in managing a continuing resuscitation while coordinating the care of other physicians whose therapies can run at cross-purposes to one another. The challenges of the practice of critical care in the 21st century are no more apparent than in the care of a complex trauma patient.
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2014
Comparative StudyComparative evaluation of the content and structure of communication using two handoff tools: Implications for patient safety.
Handoffs vary in their structure and content, raising concerns regarding standardization. We conducted a comparative evaluation of the nature and patterns of communication on 2 functionally similar but conceptually different handoff tools: Subjective, Objective, Assessment and Plan, based on a patient problem-based format, and Handoff Intervention Tool (HAND-IT), based on a body system-based format. ⋯ The HAND-IT's body system-based structure afforded physicians the ability to better organize and comprehend patient information and led to an interactive and streamlined communication, with limited external input. Our results also emphasize the importance of information organization using a medical knowledge hierarchical format for fostering effective communication.