Articles: cations.
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Trauma center benchmarking has become standard practice for assessing quality. The American College of Surgeons adult trauma center verification standards do not specifically require participation in a pediatric-specific benchmarking program. Centers that treat adults and children may therefore rely solely on adult benchmarking metrics as a surrogate for pediatric quality. This study assessed discordance between adult and pediatric mortality within mixed trauma centers to determine the need to independently report pediatric-specific quality metrics. ⋯ Adult mortality is not a reliable surrogate for pediatric mortality in mixed trauma centers. Incorporation of pediatric-specific benchmarks should be required for centers that admit children.
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Heightened risks of dependence, addiction, anxiolytic effects, or prescription overdose death due to long-term use of pain medication have increased awareness about extended pain medication use in chronic pain populations. The goal of this study was to evaluate the incidence and prevalence of pain medication prescriptions from 2012 to 2022 in common pathologies with a potential for chronic pain. ⋯ During the last 11 yr, an increase in incidence of NSAIDs and acetaminophen, opioids, neuropathic agents, and muscle relaxants was observed. Only prescriptions of benzodiazepines significantly decreased over time in specific cohorts. Overall, patients with PSPS type 2 and complex regional pain syndrome (both types) consume a broad variety of pain medication classes.
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Critical care medicine · Mar 2024
ReviewPost-Cardiac Arrest Care in Adult Patients After Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.
Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) serves as a lifesaving intervention for patients experiencing refractory cardiac arrest. With its expanding usage, there is a burgeoning focus on improving patient outcomes through optimal management in the acute phase after cannulation. This review explores systematic post-cardiac arrest management strategies, associated complications, and prognostication in ECPR patients. ⋯ Effective post-cardiac arrest care during the acute phase of ECPR is paramount in optimizing patient outcomes. However, a dearth of evidence to guide specific management strategies remains, indicating the necessity for future research in this field.
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Whole blood transfusion is associated with benefits including improved survival, coagulopathy, and decreased transfusion requirements. The majority of whole blood transfusion is in the form of low-titer O-positive whole blood (LTOWB). Practice at many trauma centers withholds the use of LTOWB in women of childbearing potential due to concerns of alloimmunization. The purpose of this article is to review the evidence for LTOWB transfusion in female trauma patients and generate guidelines for its application. ⋯ The use of whole blood resuscitation in trauma is associated with benefits in the resuscitation of severely injured patients. The rate at which severely injured, Rh-negative patients develop anti-D antibodies is low. Treatments for alloimmunized pregnancies have advanced, with excellent results. Fears of alloimmunization in female patients are likely overstated and may not warrant the withholding of whole blood resuscitation. The benefits of whole blood resuscitation likely outweigh the risks of alloimmunization.
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Critical care medicine · Mar 2024
ReviewManagement of Heat-Related Illness and Injury in the Intensive Care Unit: A Concise Definitive Review.
The increasing frequency of extreme heat events has led to a growing number of heat-related injuries and illnesses in ICUs. The objective of this review was to summarize and critically appraise evidence for the management of heat-related illnesses and injuries for critical care multiprofessionals. ⋯ The prevalence of heat-related illness and injury is increasing, and rapid initiation of appropriate therapies is necessary to optimize outcomes. Additional research is needed to identify effective methods and strategies to achieve rapid cooling, the role of immunomodulators and anticoagulant medications, the use of biomarkers to identify organ failure, and the role of artificial intelligence and precision medicine.