Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Jul 2008
Multicenter StudyCharacteristics and long-term outcome of acute exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: an analysis of cases in the Swedish Intensive Care Registry during 2002-2006.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) represents a major and growing health problem. The purpose of this work was to examine characteristics, resource use and long-term survival in patients with an acute exacerbation of COPD that were admitted to Swedish intensive care units (ICU). ⋯ Short (30 days) and long-term survival is poor in acute COPD. Readmissions are frequent reflecting the severity of this chronic illness. Patients are less likely to be readmitted with increasing age which may be due to withholding of further intensive care.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Apr 2008
Multicenter Study Comparative Study Controlled Clinical TrialMonitoring of fluid absorption with nitrous oxide during transurethral resection of the prostate.
The fluid absorption that occurs during transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) can be indicated and quantified by the ethanol method. Recently, nitrous oxide (N(2)O) was tested in animals and volunteers and seemed to be more accurate and safe. The present study compared these two methods in surgical patients. ⋯ The N(2)O method does not require forced breath sampling and was successfully apply clinically. However, there was a dose-dependent difference in result between the ethanol and N(2)O methods, which markedly separated the limits of agreement for a wider range of fluid absorption events.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Mar 2008
Multicenter StudyKeeping the spirit high: why trauma team training is (sometimes) implemented.
Systematic and multiprofessional trauma team training using simulation was introduced in Norway in 1997. The concept was developed out of necessity in two district general hospitals and one university hospital but gradually spread to 45 of Norway's 50 acute-care hospitals over the next decade. Implementation in the hospitals has varied from being a single training experience to becoming a regular training and part of quality improvement. The aim of this study was to better understand why only some hospitals achieved implementation of regular trauma team training, despite the intentions of all hospitals to do so. ⋯ Committed health professionals planning to implement new methods for training and preparedness in hospitals should have one or more enthusiasts, secure support at the administrative level, and plan the implementation taking all stakeholders into consideration.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Jan 2008
Multicenter StudyClinical practice and routines for day surgery in Sweden: results from a nation-wide survey.
Day surgery has expanded considerably during the last decades. Routines and standards have developed but differ between and within countries. ⋯ In Sweden, a high degree of standardised regime for day surgical practice was found. Post-operative pain is the most common complaint after discharge.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Jan 2008
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialChoice reaction time in patients with post-operative cognitive dysfunction.
Post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is detected by administration of a neuropsychological test battery. Reaction time testing is at present not included as a standard test. Choice reaction time (CRT) data from the first International Study of Post-operative Cognitive Dysfunction study were collected, but the association between POCD and reaction time has not been presented before. We hypothesized that CRT could be used as a screening tool for POCD. ⋯ Post-operative cognitive dysfunction is associated with impaired performance in the CRT test but the test is a poor predictor of POCD.