Medicina intensiva
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Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support is indicated in patients who are refractory to treatment, those with cardiogenic shock or respiratory failure and those with exacerbations eligible for heart and lung transplantation. Physician experience and quantity of necessary resources are reasons why regionalization could benefit patients of this kind, establishing ECMO reference centers and integrating a transportation network specialized in ECMO. This type of transportation is a challenge for healthcare systems and physicians, given its greater complexity, requiring a multidisciplinary and inter-territorial approach. ⋯ Air transfer with ECMO is an increasingly frequent option. Although there are data on its safety, there are none on the physiology of patients undergoing ECMO at high altitudes. Such information could be of help in the indication and management of this type of transportation.
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Lower respiratory tract infections in the intubated patient constitute a serious health problem due to their associated morbidity and mortality. Microaspiration of the buccopharyngeal secretions is the main physiopathological mechanism underlying the development of pneumonia and tracheobronchitis in intubated patients. All care bundles designed to prevent these infections include the use of antiseptics to reduce buccopharyngeal colonization. ⋯ However, 2meta-analyses have warned of a possible increase in mortality when chlorhexidine is used as an oral antiseptic. We therefore recommend its use but with extreme caution during application in order to avoid aspiration of the antiseptic. This article is part of a supplement entitled "Antisepsis in the critical patient", which is sponsored by Becton Dickinson.
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Hygiene and skin care of patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) are part of basic care. For some years there has been evidence of skin colonization by multiresistant gramnegative and grampositive pathogens. ⋯ This article reviews the current situation of this strategy, as well as the positioning of the authors in relation to the spreading of its use in ICUs. This article is part of a supplement entitled "Antisepsis in the critical patient", which is sponsored by Becton Dickinson.
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Catheter-related urinary tract infections are very common both in the community and in the acute hospital care setting, particularly in the critical care environment. In order to minimize this problem, it is essential to adopt a correct approach from insertion to withdrawal of the urinary catheter, and always perform proper antisepsis. ⋯ The entire process is complemented with considerations on how to secure proper management of the indwelling urinary catheter. This article is part of a supplement entitled "Antisepsis in the critical patient", which is sponsored by Becton Dickinson.
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Surgical wound infection is one of the main complications of patients undergoing surgery and has significant clinical and economical consequences, especially when it affects prosthetic implants or is caused by multidrug resistant bacteria. Cutaneous preparation is one of the main preventive measures. ⋯ Regarding preparation of the incision area and surrounding zone, the use of an alcohol-based antiseptic is generally advised, preferably alcoholic chlorhexidine, due to its high antibacterial activity and prolonged residual effect, respecting the evaporation drying time. This article is part of a supplement entitled "Antisepsis in the critical patient", which is sponsored by Becton Dickinson.