Current opinion in critical care
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This review intends to summarize the recent findings regarding the presence of increased oxidative stress in critically ill patients and its potential pathophysiologic role, as well as the results of recent clinical trials of antioxidant therapies. ⋯ Patients at risk of organ failure could benefit from the early adjunction of antioxidant treatment, including vitamins and glutamine.
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The demand for high-quality care is increasing. A variety of therapies have been shown to improve patient outcomes in critical care. Nevertheless, relatively little research has focused on identifying how to deliver those therapies effectively and efficiently. As a result, the most cost-effective opportunity to improve patient outcomes will likely come not from discovering new therapies but from discovering how to deliver therapies that are known to be effective. ⋯ Because quality is a multidimensional construct, it is unlikely that a single approach will be effective. ICU physicians and hospital leaders must assume a leadership role, implementing a combination of different approaches and developing appropriate systems for patient care.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Jun 2003
ReviewCardiopulmonary Resuscitation Guidelines 2000 update: what's happened since?
To examine the literature for new resuscitation science since the publication of the Guidelines 2000 for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiac Care. ⋯ In this report, we review these new studies and discuss how they corroborate or alter the published 2000 guidelines.