Aust Crit Care
-
Multicenter Study Observational Study
Mechanical ventilation and mortality among 223 critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019: A multicentric study in Germany.
There are large uncertainties with regard to the outcome of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and mechanical ventilation (MV). High mortality (50-97%) was proposed by some groups, leading to considerable uncertainties with regard to outcomes of critically ill patients with COVID-19. ⋯ In this multicentre observational study of 223 critically ill patients with COVID-19, the survival to ICU discharge was 65%, and it was 56% among patients requiring MV. Patients showed high rate of septic complications during their ICU stay.
-
Critically ill patients in an intensive care setting often require arterial catheters for blood pressure monitoring and arterial blood collection. Arterial catheter failure, which manifests in both mechanical and infective forms, remains common. Dressing and securement inadequacies may impact this failure; however, the best method for dressing and securing arterial catheters is yet to be determined. ⋯ Findings indicate a larger study is feasible, with minor alterations to recruitment methods required. Arterial catheter failure remains unacceptably common; further research to determine optimal dressing/securement practices is urgently needed.
-
Acute severe brain injury is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Patients and their families need accurate information regarding expected outcomes. Few studies have reported the long-term functional outcome of patients with acute severe brain injury treated in an Australian neurocritical care unit. ⋯ In this selected population, admission to a neurocritical care unit was associated with significant resource use. At 12 months after admission, almost half of those admitted to an Australian neurocritical unit with traumatic brain injury, subarachnoid haemorrhage and intracerebral haemorrhage report a good functional outcome.
-
Intensive care follow-up clinics (ICFCs) have been implemented internationally with the aim to address the growing number of patients living with sequalae of critical illness and intensive care. However, data on Australian intensive care follow-up practice are rare. ⋯ In Australia, only two ICUs operated an ICFC. Only one outpatient follow-up service received dedicated funding, and financial constraints were the main reason given for units not offering outpatient follow-up services.