American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
-
Anisocoria (unequal pupil size) has been defined using cut points ranging from greater than 0.3 mm to greater than 2.0 mm for absolute difference in pupil size. This study explored different pupil diameter cut points for assessing anisocoria as measured by quantitative pupillometry before and after light stimulus. ⋯ The profound difference in the number of patients adjudicated as having anisocoria using different cut points reinforces the need to develop a universal definition for anisocoria.
-
Health care professionals (HCPs) performing tracheostomies in patients with COVID-19 may be at increased risk of infection. ⋯ Performing tracheostomy was not associated with COVID-19 infection, suggesting that tracheostomies can be safely performed in infected patients with appropriate precautions. However, HCPs in LMICs may face increased infection risk.
-
Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) affects 25% to 50% of adults who survive an intensive care unit (ICU) stay. Although the compounding of PICS impairments (cognitive, physical, and psychological) could intensify the syndrome, research on relationships among impairments is limited, particularly in patients with delirium. ⋯ The findings suggest a moderate correlation between cognitive and physical impairments. This relationship should be explored further; ICU survivors with undiagnosed cognitive impairment may have delayed physical recovery and greater risk for injury.