Medicina intensiva
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Falls from heights are a major preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in children. The aims of this study are to describe the evolution and long-term prognosis of such patients, to identify the pediatric population at greatest risk of falling from heights in our setting, and to define the variables at admission capable of predicting mortality. ⋯ Falls from heights occur mainly in unsupervised preschool children and teenagers attempting suicide. These patients have a high number of injuries, a high mortality rate, and important care needs. Most survivors are able to lead an independent life over the long term. Preventive measures should be implemented in risk populations.
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Mechanical ventilation in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) implies an increase in alveolar and transpulmonary pressure, giving rise to major alterations in pulmonary circulation and causing right ventricular functional overload that can lead to ventricular failure and thus to acute cor pulmonale. The condition is echocardiographically characterized by dilatation of the right ventricle and paradoxical movement of the interventricular septum, with the added alteration of left ventricular systolic function. It is important to take lung mechanical and hemodynamic monitoring into account when defining the ventilation strategy in such patients, optimizing lung recruitment without producing pulmonary over-distension phenomena that may lead to greater deterioration of right ventricle function. This approach is known as a right ventricle protective ventilation strategy.
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To assess compliance with hand hygiene (HH) in ICU workers before (P1) and after (P2) implementation of a HH promotion program and distribution of an alcoholic solution for HH, and to analyze factors independently associated to HH before and after patients care. ⋯ There was a significant increase in compliance with hand hygiene among the ICU personnel during the educational phase, both before and after patients care.