Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Aug 2014
Multicenter Study Observational StudyInitial Lactate and Lactate Change in Post-Cardiac Arrest: A Multicenter Validation Study.
Rate of lactate change is associated with in-hospital mortality in post-cardiac arrest patients. This association has not been validated in a prospective multicenter study. The objective of the current study was to determine the association between percent lactate change and outcomes in post-cardiac arrest patients. ⋯ Lower lactate levels at 0, 12, and 24 hours and greater percent decrease in lactate over the first 12 hours post cardiac arrest are associated with survival and good neurologic outcome.
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Critical care medicine · Aug 2014
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyGuideline Bundles Adherence and Mortality in Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock.
Surviving Sepsis Campaign bundles have been associated with reduced mortality in severe sepsis and septic shock patients. Case-mix adjusted mortality evaluations have not been performed to compare hospitals participating in sepsis bundle programs with those not participating. We aimed to achieve an individual bundle target adherence more than 80% and a relative mortality reduction of at least 15% (absolute mortality reduction 5.2%) at the end of 2012. ⋯ Implementation of a national sepsis program resulted in improved adherence to sepsis bundles in severe sepsis and septic shock patients and was associated with reduced adjusted in-hospital mortality only in participating ICUs, suggesting direct impact of sepsis screening and bundle application on in-hospital mortality.
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Critical care medicine · Aug 2014
Comparative StudyEmpiric Antibiotic Treatment Reduces Mortality in Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock From the First Hour: Results From a Guideline-Based Performance Improvement Program.
Compelling evidence has shown that aggressive resuscitation bundles, adequate source control, appropriate antibiotic therapy, and organ support are cornerstone for the success in the treatment of patients with sepsis. Delay in the initiation of appropriate antibiotic therapy has been recognized as a risk factor for mortality. To perform a retrospective analysis on the Surviving Sepsis Campaign database to evaluate the relationship between timing of antibiotic administration and mortality. ⋯ The results of the analysis of this large population of patients with severe sepsis and septic shock demonstrate that delay in first antibiotic administration was associated with increased in-hospital mortality. In addition, there was a linear increase in the risk of mortality for each hour delay in antibiotic administration. These results underscore the importance of early identification and treatment of septic patients in the hospital setting.