Pediatr Crit Care Me
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Mar 2010
Comparative StudyConnecting multiple low-flow intravenous infusions in the newborn: problems and possible solutions.
To compare the efficiency of a stopcock system and a newly designed device to titrate low-flow infusions to critically ill infants. ⋯ When using the conventional stopcock array to titrate low-rate infusions, significant delays were observed. A device designed specifically for infusions in infants may substantially improve this system.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Mar 2010
Educational preparation and postgraduate training curriculum for pediatric critical care nurse practitioners.
Nurse practitioners (NPs) in pediatric intensive care units have increased dramatically over recent years. Although state regulations are changing pediatric nurse practitioner certification, licensure and credentialing requirements, available acute care, and critical care educational programs are limited. Thus, entry-level practitioners continue to have varied clinical experience and educational preparation. ⋯ The orientation curriculum presented here may serve as a resource for NPs and collaborating physicians who are developing a training program for entry-level practitioners.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Mar 2010
Risk factors for healthcare-associated infection in a pediatric intensive care unit.
Identify risk factors for first-onset healthcare-associated infection (HAI) in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). ⋯ Efforts toward a reduction in the exposure to extrinsic risk factors should be made, as each of these factors separately explains 30% of the risk of HAI. Interventions directed at processes related to the use of a ventilator and limitations on its duration of use should be a priority in HAI control strategies, as each day of ventilator use increases the risk of HAI.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Mar 2010
Vasoactive-inotropic score as a predictor of morbidity and mortality in infants after cardiopulmonary bypass.
Inotrope score has been proposed as a marker of illness severity after pediatric cardiac surgery despite a lack of data to support its use as such. The goal of this study was to determine the association between inotropic/vasoactive support and clinical outcome in infants after cardiac surgery. ⋯ The amount of cardiovascular support in the first 48 hrs after congenital heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass predicts eventual morbidity and mortality in young infants. The degree of support is best characterized by a maximum vasoactive-inotropic score obtained during this period. The usefulness of vasoactive-inotropic score as an independent predictor of clinical outcome in infants after cardiac surgery may have important implications for future cardiothoracic intensive care unit research.
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To assess the adequacy of preparedness planning for an influenza pandemic by modeling the pediatric surge capacity of healthcare facility and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) requirements over time. Governments and Public Health authorities have planned preparedness activities and training for a flu pandemic. PICU facilities will be the limiting factor in healthcare provision for children but detailed analyses for needs and demands in PICU care have not been published. ⋯ We recommend that a model, with assumptions that can be adapted with new information obtained during early stages of the pandemic that is evolving, be an integral part of a preparedness plan for a pandemic influenza with new human transmissible agent like influenza A virus.