Articles: adult.
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Dimens Crit Care Nurs · Jul 2014
ReviewOpen intensive care units: a global challenge for patients, relatives, and critical care teams.
The aims of this study were to describe the current status of intensive care unit (ICU) visiting hours policies internationally and to explore the influence of ICUs' open visiting policies on patients', visitors', and staff perceptions, as well as on patients' outcomes. ⋯ The percentages of open ICUs are very different among countries. It can be due to local factors, cultural differences, and lack of legislation or hospital policy. There is a need for more studies about the impact of open ICUs programs on patients' mortality, length of stay, infections' risk, and the mental health of patients and their relatives.
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Advances in therapy · Jul 2014
ReviewBreakthrough cancer pain (BTcP): a synthesis of taxonomy, pathogenesis, therapy, and good clinical practice in adult patients in Italy.
Pain presents in 80% of patients with advanced cancer, and 30% have periods of increased pain due to fluctuating intensity, known as breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP). BTcP is high-intensity, short-duration pain occurring in several episodes per day and is non-responsive to treatment. The clinical approach to BTcP is variable. ⋯ Importantly, before choosing a rapid-onset opioid (ROO), it is essential to deeply understand the status of patient and the characteristics of their family unit/caregivers, taking into account the patient's progressive loss of autonomy and/or cognitive-relational functionality. When BTcP therapy is initiated or changed, special attention must be paid to training the patient and family members/caregivers, providing clear instructions regarding the timing of drug administration. The patient must already be treated effectively with opioids before introducing ROOs for control of BTcP.
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Review Meta Analysis
The epidemiology and burden of COPD in Latin America and the Caribbean: systematic review and meta-analysis.
Abstract Background: In the developing world, COPD continues to be an under studied, diagnosed and treated disorder. In the present study, we analyzed the prevalence, mortality and resource utilization of COPD in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) in order to guide future research and public policies. ⋯ COPD burden in LAC is high, especially for men and older persons; however few persons had severe disease. COPD patients often received inappropriate treatment and had high exacerbation and hospitalization rates leading to high economic costs.
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Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol · Jun 2014
ReviewPsychiatric agents and implications for perioperative analgesia.
The use of antidepressants, anxiolytics, mood stabilizers, anticonvulsants, and major tranquilizers introduces neurochemical, behavioral, cognitive, and emotional factors that increase the complexity of medical and surgical tasks. Increasingly, various classes of psychotropic medications are being prescribed in the perioperative setting for their analgesic properties in patients with or without a psychiatric diagnosis. ⋯ This review focuses on various classes of psychotropic agents, which are addressed individually, with particular focus on their analgesic properties. The latest published research is summarized, deficiencies in our current collective knowledge are discussed, and evidence-based recommendations are made for clinical practice.
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Review Meta Analysis
Extracorporeal life support for acute respiratory failure. A systematic review and metaanalysis.
Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) for acute respiratory failure has increased as a result of technological advancements and promising results from recent studies as compared with historical trials. ⋯ ECLS was not associated with a mortality benefit in patients with acute respiratory failure. However, a significant mortality benefit was seen when restricted to higher-quality studies of venovenous ECLS. Patients with H1N1-acute respiratory distress syndrome represent a subgroup that may benefit from ECLS. Future studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of ECLS as well as the optimal configuration, indications, and timing for adult patients with respiratory failure.