Articles: pandemics.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Oct 2022
ReviewCOVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis: an underdiagnosed or overtreated infection?
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) may concern up to one third of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. The purpose of this review is to discuss the diagnostic criteria, the pathogenesis, the risk factors, the incidence, the impact on outcome, and the diagnostic and therapeutic management of CAPA in critically ill patients. ⋯ Further studies are needed to validate CAPA case definitions, to determine the accurate incidence of CAPA in comparison to adequate controls, and its evolution during the pandemic. A pro-active diagnostic strategy, based on risk stratification, clinical assessment, and bronchoalveolar lavage could be recommended to provide early antifungal treatment in patients with high probability of CAPA and clinical deterioration.
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Supplemental oxygen is an essential medication in critical care. The optimal oxygen dose delivery system remains unclear, however. ⋯ Regrettably, LMICS often experience significant inequities in oxygen supply and demand, with major impacts on preventable mortality. These inequities have become particularly prominent during the global COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for additional investment and research into the best methods to utilize supplemental oxygen and ensure stable access to medical oxygen.
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Health care policymaking during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has questioned the precedent of restricting hospital visitors. We aimed to synthesize available data describing the resulting impact on patient, family/visitor, and health care provider well-being. We systematically reviewed articles from the World Health Organization COVID-19 Global Literature on Coronavirus Disease Database published between December 2019 through April 2021. ⋯ Critically ill patients were the most represented (12 out of 26 studies). Blanket hospital visitor policies were associated with failure to address the unique needs of patients, their visitors, and health care providers in various clinical environments. Overall, a patient-centered, thoughtful, and nuanced approach to hospital visitor policies is likely to benefit all stakeholders while minimizing potential harms.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Oct 2022
Admission Code Status and End-of-life Care for Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted variability in intensity of care. We aimed to characterize intensity of care among hospitalized patients with COVID-19. ⋯ In this international cohort of patients with COVID-19, Full Code was the initial code status in the majority, and more likely among patients who were Black or Asian race, Hispanic ethnicity or male. These results provide direction for future studies to improve these disparities in care.
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals did not allow caregiver visitation. Little is known about how caregivers' absence affected patients' care. ⋯ Hospital visitor restrictions significantly reduced caregivers' communication with patients' medical team, causing caregivers and patients emotional distress. Protocols that facilitate communication between caregivers and care teams may benefit caregivers who cannot be physically present at care facilities, including distance caregivers.