Anästhesiologie, Intensivmedizin, Notfallmedizin, Schmerztherapie : AINS
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The demand for donor organs continues to exceed the number of organs available for transplantation. The assistance to the family members of a potential donor in forefront of transplantation is as much important as to maintain donor organ function. Caring for a brain dead potential organ donor is therefore major challenge for nurses and physicians. ⋯ The management of potential organ donors is similar to the management of patients with severe sepsis. The main goal of that treatment is to achieve hemodynamic stability as well as the normalization of endocrine and metabolic disturbances. Donor optimization leads to increased organ procurement and contributes to improved organ function in the recipient.
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Anasthesiol Intensivmed Notfallmed Schmerzther · Mar 2012
[End-of-life decisions - what is important for our routine duties in critical care medicine?].
End-of-life decisions (EOLD) are frequently used in patients who die in the intensive care unit. The decision to limit life support and the extent of limitation depends on the nature of the disease, its progress and the presumed prognosis and, equally important, the patient's preferences. These preferences should be stated by the patient if he or she is able to do so. ⋯ Withdrawing life-sustaining treatment and changing to palliative care should be considered if intensive care medicine is futile because of the severity of the patient's condition. It is vital to find an interdisciplinary consensus about EOLD within the medical team as well as with the patient/surrogate decision maker. The agreement is documented in the patient's chart.
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Anasthesiol Intensivmed Notfallmed Schmerzther · Mar 2012
[Mental disorders in intensive care medicine - part 1: Principles and diagnostics].
This two-part article on mental disorders in intensive care medicine aims to provide an understanding of the most frequent mental disorders in critical care medicine. Part 1 highlights the basic principles, disturbances and diagnostics and part 2 deals with prevention and therapeutic approaches. ⋯ The consequences thereof include increased morbidity, mortality, and duration of hospitalization. The early participation of a psychiatrist in the diagnostic process is to be recommended.