Articles: intensive-care-units.
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Probiotics are living microorganisms that, when ingested in adequate amounts, provide benefits to the host. The benefits include either a shortened duration of infections or decreased susceptibility to pathogens. Proposed mechanisms of beneficial effects include improving gastrointestinal barrier function, modification of the gut flora by inducing host cell antimicrobial peptides and/or local release of probiotic antimicrobial factors, competition for epithelial adherence, and immunomodulation. ⋯ However, probiotic research will likely be hindered in the future given a recent ruling by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Apr 2012
Strengthening handover communication in pediatric cardiac intensive care.
To evaluate knowledge transfer and perceptions using a structured handover process for the postoperative pediatric cardiac patient being admitted to intensive care. The hypothesis being that knowledge transfer could be optimized by the implementation of this handover structure. ⋯ Communication between the operating room and intensive care staff, regarding postoperative pediatric cardiac patients, significantly improved with the implementation of a structured handover.
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To determine the association of a central-line maintenance team on the incidence of central-line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). ⋯ A line team provided for standardized, consistent central-line maintenance care leading to a significant, sustained decrease in CLABSI in a NICU.
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Non-invasive mechanical ventilation is the preferred method for the treatment of acute respiratory failure in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Primary contraindications and stopping criteria must be regarded to avoid delaying endotracheal intubation. The primary interface is usually a nasal-oral mask. ⋯ COPD patients can also benefit from preventive non-invasive ventilation in order to avoid re-intubation after a planned extubation. Domiciliary nocturnal non-invasive ventilation is an option for some patients with COPD in chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure. This treatment should be established in a specialised unit.
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2012
The association of mean glucose level and glucose variability with intensive care unit mortality in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.
The objective of this study was to retrospectively analyze the association of mean glucose level (MGL) and glycemic lability index (GLI; as a measure of glucose variability) with intensive care unit (ICU) mortality in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). ⋯ We observed that GLI was a better predictor of ICU and hospital mortality than was MGL. Together with the second 24-hour APACHE II score and the number of organ failures upon ICU admission, GLI is an independent predictor of mortality in patients with SAP.