Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2014
ReviewImproving patient care through the prism of psychology: Application of Maslow's hierarchy to sedation, delirium, and early mobility in the intensive care unit.
The intensive care unit (ICU) is not only a place where lives are saved; it is also a site of harm and iatrogenic injury for millions of people treated in this setting globally every year. Increasingly, hospitals admit only the sickest patients, and although the overall number of hospital beds remains stable in the United States, the percentage of that total devoted to ICU beds is rising. These 2 realities engender a demographic imperative to address patient safety in the critical care setting. ⋯ Although there is currently much research and quality improvement in this area, most of what we know from these data and published guidelines has not become reality in the day-to-day management of ICU patients. This article is not intended to provide a comprehensive review of the literature but rather a framework to rethink our currently outdated culture of critical care by employing Maslow's hierarchy of needs, along with a few novel analogies. Application of Maslow's hierarchy will help propel health care professionals toward comprehensive care of the whole person not merely for survival but toward restoration of pre-illness function of mind, body, and spirit.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2014
ReviewPrognosis of emergency department patients with suspected infection and intermediate lactate levels: A systematic review.
Previous studies have shown a correlation between blood lactate greater than 4.0 mmol/L and mortality in patients with suspected infection in the emergency department (ED), but data are more limited regarding the prognosis of intermediate blood lactate (2.0-3.9 mmol/L), particularly in the absence of hemodynamic instability. We sought to quantify the prognostic significance of intermediate blood lactate levels in ED patients with suspected infection, emphasizing patients without hypotension. ⋯ This systematic review found that among ED patients with suspected infection, intermediate lactate elevation is associated with a moderate to high risk of mortality, even among patients without hypotension. Physicians should consider close monitoring and aggressive treatment for such patients.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2014
Multicenter Study Observational StudyDelirium and coma evaluated in mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit in Japan: A multi-institutional prospective observational study.
The object of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and effects of delirium on 28-day mortality in critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation in Japan. ⋯ Further study is needed to investigate the discrepancy between these and previous data.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialAssociation between sympathoadrenal activation, fibrinolysis, and endothelial damage in septic patients: A prospective study.
The purpose of this study is to investigate potential associations between sympathoadrenal activation and/or vasopressor/inotropic therapy and endothelial activation, damage, and coagulopathy in septic patients. ⋯ In septic patients, endogenous noradrenaline was independently associated with biomarkers of endothelial activation, damage, fibrinolysis and mortality, comparable with findings in trauma and myocardial infarction patients. The catecholamine surge in critical illness may contribute to balance endothelial damage and procoagulation with hypocoagulability and hyperfibrinolysis in the circulating blood.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialCycling-off modes during pressure support ventilation: Effects on breathing pattern, patient effort, and comfort.
Expiratory asynchrony during pressure support ventilation (PSV) has been recognized as a cause of patient discomfort, increased workload, and impaired weaning process. We evaluated breathing pattern, patient comfort, and patient effort during PSV comparing 2 flow termination criteria: fixed at 5% of peak inspiratory flow vs automatic, real-time, breath-by-breath adjustment within the range of 5% to 55%. ⋯ When compared with a fixed termination criterion, the use of a variable, real-time-adjusted termination criterion improved some indices of patient-ventilator synchrony, producing better breathing pattern, less discomfort, and slightly lower patient effort during PSV.