Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyProphylaxis of Thromboembolism in Critical Care (PROTECT) Trial: a pilot study.
There is no randomized trial comparing low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and unfractionated heparin (UFH) for thromboprophylaxis in medical-surgical ICU patients. The primary objective of this randomized pilot study on LMWH vs UFH was to assess the feasibility of conducting a large randomized trial with respect to timely enrollment and blinded study drug administration, practicality of twice-weekly lower limb ultrasounds to screen for deep venous thrombosis, LMWH bioaccumulation and dose adjustment in renal insufficiency, and recruitment rates for a future trial in medical-surgical intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Its additional goals were to evaluate the suitability of the exclusion criteria and to document the range of research activities that precede accrual of patients into a trial to plan multisite management. ⋯ This pilot study suggests that a multicenter randomized clinical trial comparing LMWH with UFH in critically ill medical-surgical patients is feasible. Pilot studies can improve the design of larger trials and may enhance successful timely completion.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2005
Multicenter StudyBurden of illness in venous thromboembolism in critical care: a multicenter observational study.
The frequency of clinically diagnosed venous thromboembolism (VTE) including deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in medical-surgical critically ill patients is unclear. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence and incidence of radiologically confirmed DVT and PE in medical-surgical intensive care unit (ICU) patients and to determine the impact of prophylaxis on the frequency of these events. ⋯ Venous thromboembolism appears to be an apparently infrequent, but likely underdiagnosed problem, occurring among patients receiving prophylaxis. Findings suggest the need for increased suspicion among clinicians, renewed efforts at thromboprophylaxis, and evaluation of superior prevention strategies.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2005
Multicenter StudyThromboprophylaxis for intensive care patients in Australia and New Zealand: a brief survey report.
Internationally, there is practice variation concerning optimal thromboprophylaxis for patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). The current practice in Australia and New Zealand is unknown. ⋯ Routine thromboprophylaxis for ICU patients in Australia and New Zealand is similar to Canada but different to France. Optimal thromboprophylaxis for ICU patients is currently unclear in the absence of randomized trial data.
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Journal of critical care · Sep 2005
Multicenter StudyThe reliability and validity of the therapeutic activity index.
To assess the psychometric properties of the Simplified Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (TISS 28) scale. ⋯ Although the findings supported the validity and reliability of the TISS 28, there were limitations of the TISS 28 in measuring nursing workload in ICUs. Hence, continued amendment and validation of the TISS 28 on larger samples in different ICUs would be required so as to provide clinical nurses with a valid and reliable assessment of nursing workload.
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Journal of critical care · Sep 2005
Multicenter StudyPrognosis factors and outcome of community-acquired pneumonia needing mechanical ventilation.
To evaluate the variables associated with mortality of patients with community-acquired pneumonia who require mechanical ventilation and to determine the attributable morbidity and intensive care unit (ICU) mortality of community-acquired pneumonia. ⋯ Community-acquired pneumonia needing mechanical ventilation is not a disease associated with higher mortality. The main determinants of patient outcome were initial severity of illness and the development of shock and/or acute renal failure.