Resp Care
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Hallway versus treadmill 6-minute-walk tests in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The 6-min-walk test is widely used for functional evaluation of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but the test requires a 30-m unobstructed hallway, which is not available in all institutions. A treadmill 6-min walk test might be more practical. ⋯ The hallway and treadmill walk tests are not interchangeable. We need further study and standardization of the treadmill 6-min walk test.
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To determine whether outcomes (mortality and need for intensive care unit [ICU] readmission) of patients undergoing tracheostomy in the ICU can be predicted by common clinical or historical criteria. ⋯ These findings suggest that it is difficult to predict outcomes of patients who undergo tracheostomy in the ICU. Larger and prospective studies may help elucidate this matter.
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Nutritional support is frequently neglected in a busy intensive care unit (ICU) with overworked staff. There is a paucity of investigations on ICU nutrition from India. ⋯ Calorie and protein delivery to critically ill patients remains less than the recommended values. Inadequate calorie delivery is associated with higher odds of mortality.
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To measure the delivered fractional oxygen concentration (F(DO(2))) from preterm-size Laerdal silicone resuscitators (PLSR) without a reservoir. ⋯ The F(DO(2)) measured during this study did not differ from PLSR specifications. The F(DO(2)) did, however, differ from information contained in the North American Neonatal Resuscitation Program manual regarding use of a self-inflating bag without a reservoir. Care should be taken when selecting a self-inflating resuscitation device to provide blended air and oxygen, as high concentrations of oxygen may be delivered by these devices even when the reservoir is removed. American and Canadian recommendations for the provision of supplemental oxygen with self-inflating bags require reevaluation.
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Editorial Comment
Toward leaner tracheostomy care: first observe, then improve.