Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2012
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyImpact of a multidimensional approach on ventilator-associated pneumonia rates in a hospital of Shanghai: findings of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium.
The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of a multidimensional infection control approach on the reduction of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in intensive care units (ICUs) patients of one hospital in China. ⋯ Implementing a multidimensional infection control intervention for VAP was associated with a significant cumulative reduction in the VAP rate in our ICUs.
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2012
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialPrehospital amiodarone may increase the incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome among patients at risk.
Amiodarone has been implicated as a risk factor for acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) when used in the hospital. This study aims to estimate whether prehospital amiodarone also increases the risk of ALI/ARDS. ⋯ Prehospital use of amiodarone may independently increase the risk for ARDS in patients who have at least 1 predisposing condition for ALI.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2012
Multicenter StudyEvolution of neutrophil apoptosis in septic shock survivors and nonsurvivors.
The aims were to analyze the temporal evolution of neutrophil apoptosis, to determine the differences in neutrophil apoptosis among 28-day survivors and nonsurvivors, and to evaluate the use of neutrophil apoptosis as a predictor of mortality in patients with septic shock. ⋯ During the first 12 days of septic shock development, the level of neutrophil apoptosis decreases and does not recover normal values. No differences were observed between surviving and nonsurviving patients.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2012
Multicenter StudyUS practitioner opinions and prescribing practices regarding corticosteroid therapy for severe sepsis and septic shock.
The aim of this study was to examine opinions and practices of US critical care practitioners (USCCPs) toward corticosteroid therapy in adult patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. ⋯ Corticosteroids are commonly used by USCCPs in adult patients with septic shock; however, criteria used to initiate therapy and opinions regarding their impact vary.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2012
Multicenter StudyRisk factors for underuse of lung-protective ventilation in acute lung injury.
We assessed factors associated with underuse of lung-protective ventilation (LPV) in patients with acute lung injury (ALI). ⋯ Simple interventions could substantially improve adherence with LPV among patients with ALI and warrant prospective study.