Crit Care Resusc
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
A brief review of recent trends in Victorian intensive care, 2000-2011.
Review of resource use and patient outcomes of intensive care unit services over time provides insights into service delivery and safety. ⋯ There was an increase in ICU resource availability and evidence of improvement in hospital survival, suggesting improved quality of care. These evaluation methods may be useful in monitoring statewide capacity, service delivery and patient safety.
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The medical emergency team (MET) is now common in many hospitals. Apart from early identification and management of patients who are potentially unwell on the ward, the MET may also be involved in end-of-life (EOL) care. It is not known how often METs perform EOL interventions. ⋯ We show that EOL care is commonly delivered during MET calls, and should be emphasised in training for MET members.
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Comparative Study
Invasive blood pressure recording comparing nursing charts with an electronic monitor: a technical report.
Blood pressure management (assessed using nursing charts) in the early phase of septic shock may have an effect on renal outcomes. Assessment of mean arterial pressure (MAP) values as recorded on nursing charts may be inaccurate. ⋯ With multiple measurements over time, mean blood pressure as recorded on nursing charts reasonably approximates mean blood pressure recorded on the monitor.
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In critically ill patients, glycaemic variability (GV) was reported as a better predictor of mortality than mean blood glucose level (BGL). We compared the ability of different GV indices and mean BGLs to predict mortality and intensive care unit-acquired infections in a population of ICU patients. ⋯ High GV is associated with higher risk of ICUCrit acquired infection and mortality.
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Comparative Study
Measuring visceral fat, subcutaneous fat and skeletal muscle area changes by computed tomography in acute pancreatitis: a retrospective, single-centre study.
To show that body composition of intensive care unit patients can be analysed with existing computed tomography (CT) images. We planned to describe changes in visceral fat area (VFA), subcutaneous fat area (SFA) and muscle area (MA) on analysis of specific CT images during acute pancreatitis requiring an ICU admission. ⋯ The body composition of ICU patients can be analysed through existing CT images. Pancreatitis requiring ICU admission causes a 12% decrease in VFA.