Crit Care Resusc
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Most studies of the rapid response team (RRT) investigate the effect of introducing an RRT on outcomes of all hospitalised patients. Less information exists on RRT patient epidemiology, or changes in RRT call numbers with time. ⋯ Annual RRT calls are increasing in many Australian hospitals, and now affect more than 14 700 patients annually. Inhospital mortality of RRT patients is about 25%, and about 20% of patients who die in hospital are reviewed by the RRT. Further research is needed to understand the reason for the high inhospital mortality of RRT patients.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Oxygen therapy in non-intubated adult intensive care patients: a point prevalence study.
Oxygen is commonly administered to intensive care unit patients. Although there is knowledge of how oxygen is administered to mechanically ventilated patients, there are few data about its use in non-intubated ICU patients. ⋯ Oxygen therapy is commonly administered to non-intubated adult patients in New Zealand and Australian ICUs. Most patients received oxygen by simple nasal cannulae, and oxygen therapy prescriptions were often absent or incomplete. We advise continuing education to ensure that oxygen is prescribed, administered and documented correctly.
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Multicenter Study
Sodium administration in critically ill patients in Australia and New Zealand: a multicentre point prevalence study.
Inadvertent sodium administration in excess of recommended daily requirements has been reported during routine care of critically ill patients. ⋯ This point prevalence study suggests that sodium administration in excess of recommended daily requirements may be common in Australia and New Zealand ICUs. The main sodium source was IV maintenance fluids, followed by fluid boluses and drug boluses.