Articles: critical-illness.
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Critical care medicine · Dec 2022
Variation in Bed-to-Physician Ratios During Weekday Daytime Hours in ICUs in Australia and New Zealand.
To determine common "bed-to-physician" ratios during weekday hours across ICUs and assess factors associated with variability in this ratio. ⋯ Weekday bed-to-physician ratios in Australia/New Zealand ICUs are lower than the bed-to-intensivist ratios and have a relatively fixed ratio of less than 3 for units taking care of patients with a higher average severity of illness. These relationships may be different in other countries or healthcare systems.
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Critical illness may lead to activation of the sympathetic system. The sympathetic stimulation may be further increased by exogenous catecholamines, such as vasopressors and inotropes. Excessive adrenergic stress has been associated with organ dysfunction and higher mortality. β-Blockers may reduce the adrenergic burden, but they may also compromise perfusion to vital organs thus worsening organ dysfunction. To assess the effect of treatment with β-blockers in critically ill adults, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. ⋯ In this systematic review we found that β-blocker treatment reduced mortality in critical illness. Use of β-blockers in critical illness thus appears safe after initial hemodynamic stabilization. High-quality RCT's are needed to answer the questions concerning optimal target group of patients, timing of β-blocker treatment, choice of β-blocker, and choice of physiological and hemodynamic parameters to target during β-blocker treatment in critical illness.KEY MESSAGESA potential outcome benefit of β-blocker treatment in critical illness exists according to the current review and meta-analysis. Administration of β-blockers to resuscitated patients in the ICU seems safe in terms of hemodynamic stability and outcome, even during concomitant vasopressor administration. However, further studies, preferably large RCTs on β-blocker treatment in the critically ill are needed to answer the questions concerning timing and choice of β-blocker, patient selection, and optimal hemodynamic targets.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2022
Co-designed and consensus based development of a quality improvement checklist of patient and family-centered actionable processes of care for adults with persistent critical illness.
Few quality improvement tools specific to patients with persistent or chronic critical illness exist to aid delivery of high-quality care. Using experience-based co-design methods, we sought consensus from key stakeholders on the most important actionable processes of care for inclusion in a quality improvement checklist. ⋯ Using a highly collaborative and methodologically rigorous process, we generated a quality improvement checklist of actionable processes to improve patient and family-centred care considered important by key stakeholders. Future research is needed to understand optimal implementation strategies and impact on outcomes and experience.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2022
Randomized Controlled TrialMuscle size, strength, and physical function in response to augmented calorie delivery: A TARGET sub-study.
Augmented calories may attenuate muscle loss experienced in critical illness. This exploratory sub-study assessed the effect of augmented calorie delivery on muscle mass, strength, and function. ⋯ Augmented calorie delivery may not attenuate muscle loss or recovery of strength or function 6-months post-ICU, but this requires exploration in a larger trial.