Annals of the American Thoracic Society
-
Comparative Study
An empiric antibiotic protocol using risk stratification improves antibiotic selection and timing in critically ill children.
Timely and appropriate empiric antibiotics can improve outcomes in critically ill patients with infection. Evidence and guidelines to guide empiric antibiotic decisions are lacking for critically ill children. ⋯ An empiric antibiotic protocol in the pediatric intensive care unit incorporating risk stratification for healthcare-associated infections resulted in increased appropriateness of empiric antibiotics and in decreased time to appropriate antibiotics in critically ill children with infection.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Optimum insufflation capacity and peak cough flow in neuromuscular disorders.
For patients with neuromuscular disorders, lung insufflation with positive pressure is an accepted technique to increase inspiratory volume over VC to improve peak cough flow (PCF). ⋯ A submaximal insufflation is ideal for generating the best individual PCF even in patients with severely reduced compliance of the respiratory system. Optimum insufflation capacity can be achieved using IPPB or LIAM with moderate pressures. Both techniques are equally effective and considered safe.