Crit Care Resusc
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Multicenter Study
The association between early arterial oxygenation and mortality in ventilated patients with acute ischaemic stroke.
There are conflicting data that suggest that hyperoxia may be associated with either worse or better outcomes in patients suffering a stroke. ⋯ We found no association between worst arterial oxygen tension in the first 24 hours in ICU and outcome in ventilated patients with ischaemic stroke.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Fever and fever management among intensive care patients with known or suspected infection: a multicentre prospective cohort study.
To describe the duration of fever, fever management, and outcomes among intensive care patients with fever and known or suspected infection. ⋯ We have described the typical time course of fever in an easily identified cohort of patients with known or suspected infection and have determined that these patients have significant morbidity and mortality. This information is vital to the design of interventional studies for the treatment of fever in ICU.
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Multicenter Study
A survey of the use of ventilator hyperinflation in Australian tertiary intensive care units.
To ascertain the prevalence of use of ventilator hyperinflation (VHI) by physiotherapists practising in tertiary Australian intensive care units in the management of artificially ventilated patients, and whether standard protocols are in place in these facilities. ⋯ Our survey provides information on the nature and the extent of VHI utilisation by physiotherapists in Australian tertiary ICUs. These data can now be pooled to develop standardised evidence-based VHI protocols for both spontaneous and controlled ventilation modes.
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Multicenter Study
Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in the critically ill: a point prevalence survey of current practice in Australian and New Zealand intensive care units.
Critically ill patients are at high risk of morbidity and mortality caused by venous thromboembolism (VTE). In addition to premorbid predisposing conditions, critically ill patients may be exposed to prolonged immobility, invasive intravascular catheters and frequent operative procedures, and further may have contraindications to pharmaceutical prophylactic measures designed to attenuate VTE risk. There are limited data describing current VTE prophylaxis regimens in Australia and New Zealand. ⋯ We observed a high prevalence of VTE prophylaxis, with many critically ill patients receiving two or more modalities of prophylaxis. These results show that the potential risk of VTE in critically ill patients is recognised in Australia and New Zealand, and strategies to mitigate this serious complication are widely implemented.
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Multicenter Study
Withholding and withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies in intensive care: an Australian experience.
Withholding and withdrawal of treatment in intensive care is currently widely accepted, but little has been published about Australian practice. ⋯ In this population of critically ill patients, most deaths occurred after discussion of end-of-life decisions and withholding or withdrawal of treatment.