Articles: mechanical-ventilation.
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Management of critically ill patients in austere environments is a logistic challenge. Availability of oxygen cylinders for the mechanically ventilated patient may be difficult in such a context. A solution is to use a ventilator able to function with an oxygen concentrator. ⋯ The ability of an oxygen concentrator to deliver high FiO2 when used with a turbine ventilator makes this method of oxygen delivery a viable alternative to cylinders in austere environments when used with a turbine ventilator. However, FiO2 has to be monitored continuously because delivered FiO2 decreases when minute ventilation is increased.
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The Journal of infection · Sep 2014
Multicenter StudyAspergillus in the lower respiratory tract of immunocompetent critically ill patients.
To shed light on the meaning of Aspergillus-positive lower-respiratory-tract samples in non immunocompromized critically ill patients. ⋯ In critically ill immunocompetent patients, risk factors for presence of Aspergillus in lower respiratory tract specimens are steroid therapy (either chronic or initiated in the ICU), ARDS, and high severity of the acute illness. Prospective studies are warranted to further examine these risk factors and to investigate immune functions as well as the impact of antifungal therapy on patient outcomes.
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The objective of this project was to reduce the number of failed extubations in the pediatric intensive care unit. This article describes extubation failures in the pediatric intensive care unit and the development and implementation of an extubation readiness protocol using the Iowa Model for Evidence-based Practice as a guideline. The Iowa Model consists of processes for implementing evidence into practice, such as critiquing and synthesizing the literature, identifying stakeholders, and recognizing triggers. The extubation protocol was developed excluding children with previous lung injury and/or neuromuscular conditions, which contribute to an increased risk and complexity of planned extubations.
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Weaning is the process of withdrawing mechanical ventilation which starts with the first spontaneous breathing trial (SBT). Based on the degree of difficulty and duration, weaning is classified as simple, difficult and prolonged. Prolonged weaning, which includes patients who fail 3 SBTs or are still on mechanical ventilation 7 days after the first SBT, affects a relatively small fraction of mechanically ventilated ICU patients but these, however, requires disproportionate resources. ⋯ Proper staffing, well defined short-term and long-term goals, attention to psychological and social problems represent key determinants of SWU success. Some patients cannot be weaned, either partly or entirely, and may require long-term home mechanical ventilation. In these cases the logistics relating to caregivers and the equipment must be carefully considered and addressed.
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Nursing in critical care · Sep 2014
Critical care nurses management of prolonged weaning: an interview study.
For most critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU) weaning is uncomplicated. For the remainder, weaning is a challenge and may result in further complications and increased risk of mortality. Critical care nurses (CCNs) require substantial knowledge and experience to manage patients experiencing prolonged weaning. ⋯ Closeness to the patient and a key role in management of the mechanical ventilated patient in ICU gives the CCN unique potential to develop and create models and tools for prolonged weaning. These tools, specially designed for patients undergoing prolonged weaning, would give focus on continuous planning, collaborating, managing and evaluation in the process of liberating patients from mechanical ventilation.