Management of patients with acute hemorrhage requires addressing the source of bleeding,replenishing blood volume,and addressing any coagulopathy that may be present.Assessing coagulopathy and predicting blood require...Management of patients with acute hemorrhage requires addressing the source of bleeding,replenishing blood volume,and addressing any coagulopathy that may be present.Assessing coagulopathy and predicting blood requirements in real-time in patients experiencing ongoing bleeding can pose substantial challenges.In these patients,transfusion concepts based on ratios do not effectively address coagulopathy or reduce mortality.Moreover,ratio-based concepts do not stop bleeding;instead,they just give physicians more time to identify the bleeding source and plan management strategies.In clinical practice,standard laboratory coagulation tests(SLCT)are frequently used to assess various aspects of blood clotting.However,these tests may not always offer a comprehensive under-standing of clinically significant coagulopathy and the severity of blood loss.Furthermore,the SLCT have a considerable turnaround time,which may not be ideal for making prompt clinical decisions.In recent years,there has been a growing interest in point-of-care viscoelastic assays like rotational thromboelast-ometry,which provide real-time,dynamic information about clot formation and dissolution.展开更多
Objectives:Nurses working in critical care units may encounter substantial work-related strain,and elevated levels of stress can lead to burnout,ultimately impacting both the quality of nursing care and their overall ...Objectives:Nurses working in critical care units may encounter substantial work-related strain,and elevated levels of stress can lead to burnout,ultimately impacting both the quality of nursing care and their overall working experience.This study aimed to assess job burnout and determine the factors that contribute to it among critical care nurses in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.Methods:This study employed a descriptive,exploratory,cross-sectional research design.A total of 220 nurses employed in the critical care units of 5 private hospitals in the eastern region were selected for participation in this study using a convenience sample method.An electronic survey was distributed to critical care nurses in the Eastern Province who satisfied the specified inclusion criteria.The job burnout questionnaire utilized in this study was derived from previously conducted research,which has been established as a reliable and valid survey instrument.The process of data analysis was conducted utilizing the SPSS program.The scientific research conducted on human subjects adhered rigorously to all ethical considerations.Results:The highest percentage of nurses at the critical care units reported experiencing moderate levels of job burnout.Nurses exhibiting greater levels of professional experience demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in overall burnout scores when compared to their less experienced counterparts.Furthermore,within the realm of sociodemographic factors,it was found that the only significant independent predictor for job burnout was the level of experience among critical care nurses.Conclusions:The prevalence of burnout among nurses in critical care settings was found to be significant,with most participants reporting moderate levels of burnout which can yield significant ramifications for nurses and healthcare professionals.Consequently,healthcare organizations must accord primacy to the welfare of their staff and adopt proactive strategies to mitigate job burnout.展开更多
Adolescence and the journey to adulthood involves exciting opportunities as well as psychosocial stress for young people growing up.These normal experiences are potentially magnified for teenagers living with chronic ...Adolescence and the journey to adulthood involves exciting opportunities as well as psychosocial stress for young people growing up.These normal experiences are potentially magnified for teenagers living with chronic illness or disability and their families.Advances in care have improved survival for children with a variety of serious chronic medical conditions such that many who may once have died in childhood now survive well into adulthood with ongoing morbidity.For those with highly complex needs,care is often provided at major paediatric hospitals with expertise,specially trained personnel,and resources to support young people and their families for the first decades of life.At the end of adolescence,however,it is generally appropriate and necessary for young adults and their caregivers to transition to the care of clinicians trained in the care of adults at general hospitals.While there are some well-managed models to support this journey of transition,these are often specific to certain conditions and usually do not involve intensive care.Many patients may encounter considerable challenges during this period.Difficulties may include the loss of established therapeutic relationships,a perception of austerity and reduced amenity in facilities oriented to caring for adult patients,and care by clinicians with less experience with more common paediatric conditions.In addition,there is a risk of potential conflict between clinicians and families regarding goals of care in the event of a critical illness when it occurs in a young adult with major disability and long-term health issues.These challenges present genuine opportunities to better understand the transition from paediatric to adult-based care and to improve processes that assist clinicians who support patients and families as they shift between healthcare settings.展开更多
Electrolyte disorders are pivotal determinants of morbidity and mortality in neurocritical care and exacerbated by acute brain injury,neuroendocrine dysfunction,and therapeutic interventions.This narrative review synt...Electrolyte disorders are pivotal determinants of morbidity and mortality in neurocritical care and exacerbated by acute brain injury,neuroendocrine dysfunction,and therapeutic interventions.This narrative review synthesized contemporary evidence on the pathophysiology,diagnosis,and management of hydroelectrolytic disturbances in neuroanesthesia and neurocritical populations.Dysnatremias(hyponatremia and hypernatremia)are prevalent with emerging data challenging historical correction paradigms:Rapid sodium normalization may reduce mortality without increasing complications.Distinct strategies are required for syndromes of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion(fluid restriction,vaptans)vs cerebral salt wasting(volume resuscitation).Chloride dysregulation,driven by cation-chloride cotransporter imbalances,exacerbates cytotoxic edema and seizures,warranting trials of bumetanide and balanced crystalloids.Hypokalemia,prevalent in traumatic brain injury,demands proactive surveillance to prevent arrhythmias while hyperkalemia management prioritizes membrane stabilization and renal clearance.Hypocalcemia correlates with adverse outcomes in subarachnoid hemorrhage,necessitating timely replacement.Magnesium disorders lack consistent prognostic associations in neurocritical cohorts,contrasting with general critical care.Current evidence underscores the need for individualized,pathophysiology-driven correction,integrating endocrine and neurological principles.Innovations such as point-of-care testing and targeted therapies(e.g.,acetate-buffered hypertonic saline)show promise,yet reliance on observational data and preclinical models highlights the urgency for randomized controlled trials.This review advocated for protocolized monitoring,dynamic assessments,and research to define optimal correction thresholds and validate emerging interventions in this high-risk population.展开更多
BACKGROUND Analgesia and sedation are commonly prescribed therapies within the intensive care unit(ICU)for patients receiving mechanical ventilation.Current guidelines recommend utilizing an analgesia-first approach t...BACKGROUND Analgesia and sedation are commonly prescribed therapies within the intensive care unit(ICU)for patients receiving mechanical ventilation.Current guidelines recommend utilizing an analgesia-first approach to initially reach appropriate pain control,while potentially achieving sedation goals concurrently.Our system employs a guideline-based ICU sedation order-set that features an electronic medical record(EMR)integrated ICU checklist that combines analgesia and sedation.AIM To identify systems-based factors that are associated with the use of continuous midazolam infusion administration in mechanically ventilated patients.METHODS We extracted EMR data from patients who received mechanical ventilation between January 1,2021,and December 31,2023.Subjects included were 18 years or older who received mechanical ventilation.“R”version 4.3.2 was used for data processing and statistical analysis.We performed a multivariable regression analysis to predict the administration of a continuous midazolam infusion with modified Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score,Charlson comorbidity index,and critical care medicine(CCM)primary service.RESULTS Of 3805 patients that underwent mechanical ventilation,62%were male,with a mean age of 66.9 years.3429 patients were treated by a provider team with a CCM attending,and 376 patients were managed by a non-CCM primary team with CCM consultative services.A midazolam infusion was used in 187 of 3429(5%)patients with CCM as primary and in 166 of 376(56%)patients with non-CCM primary(χ2598.23,P<0.001).Of the patients who received continuous midazolam,117(21%)died vs 236(7%)survived hospitalization.Continuous midazolam was associated with more days with coma and more days with delirium(P<0.0001).CONCLUSION Continuous midazolam infusion was more likely in patients admitted to the ICU under an open unit with a non-CCM physician with an intensivist consult available,despite guided order-sets and checklists integrated into the EMR.展开更多
BACKGROUND Understanding a patient's clinical status and setting priorities for their care are two aspects of the constantly changing process of clinical decision-making.One analytical technique that can be helpfu...BACKGROUND Understanding a patient's clinical status and setting priorities for their care are two aspects of the constantly changing process of clinical decision-making.One analytical technique that can be helpful in uncertain situations is clinical judgment.Clinicians must deal with contradictory information,lack of time to make decisions,and long-term factors when emergencies occur.AIM To examine the ethical issues healthcare professionals faced during the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic and the factors affecting clinical decision-making.METHODS This pilot study,which means it was a preliminary investigation to gather information and test the feasibility of a larger investigation was conducted over 6 months and we invited responses from clinicians worldwide who managed patients with COVID-19.The survey focused on topics related to their professional roles and personal relationships.We examined five core areas influencing critical care decision-making:Patients'personal factors,family-related factors,informed consent,communication and media,and hospital administrative policies on clinical decision-making.The collected data were analyzed using the χ^(2) test for categorical variables.RESULTS A total of 102 clinicians from 23 specialties and 17 countries responded to the survey.Age was a significant factor in treatment planning(n=88)and ventilator access(n=78).Sex had no bearing on how decisions were made.Most doctors reported maintaining patient confidentiality regarding privacy and informed consent.Approximately 50%of clinicians reported a moderate influence of clinical work,with many citing it as one of the most important factors affecting their health and relationships.Clinicians from developing countries had a significantly higher score for considering a patient's financial status when creating a treatment plan than their counterparts from developed countries.Regarding personal experiences,some respondents noted that treatment plans and preferences changed from wave to wave,and that there was a rapid turnover of studies and evidence.Hospital and government policies also played a role in critical decision-making.Rather than assessing the appropriateness of treatment,some doctors observed that hospital policies regarding medications were driven by patient demand.CONCLUSION Factors other than medical considerations frequently affect management choices.The disparity in treatment choices,became more apparent during the pandemic.We highlight the difficulties and contradictions between moral standards and the realities physicians encountered during this medical emergency.False information,large patient populations,and limited resources caused problems for clinicians.These factors impacted decision-making,which,in turn,affected patient care and healthcare staff well-being.展开更多
Ivabradine,a selective inhibitor of the funny current in the sinoatrial node,has emerged as a promising agent for heart rate modulation in acute and critical care settings.Unlike beta-blockers,ivabradine reduces heart...Ivabradine,a selective inhibitor of the funny current in the sinoatrial node,has emerged as a promising agent for heart rate modulation in acute and critical care settings.Unlike beta-blockers,ivabradine reduces heart rate without affecting myocardial contractility,making it a valuable option for patients contraindicated for traditional therapies.This review examines its mechanism of action,clinical applications,comparative efficacy,and safety profile.It incorporates recent literature to assess its expanding role in managing acute coronary syndrome,acute decompensated heart failure,and sepsis-induced tachycardia.展开更多
Glycemic control among critically-ill patients has been a topic of considerable attention for the past 15 years. An initial focus on the potentially deleterious effects of hyperglycemia led to a series of investigatio...Glycemic control among critically-ill patients has been a topic of considerable attention for the past 15 years. An initial focus on the potentially deleterious effects of hyperglycemia led to a series of investigations regarding intensive insulin therapy strategies that targeted tight glycemic control. As knowledge accumulated, the pursuit of tight glycemic control among critically-ill patients came to be seen as counterproductive, and moderate glycemic control came to dominate as the standard practice in intensive care units. In recent years, there has been increased focus on the importance of hypoglycemic episodes, glycemic variability, and premorbid diabetic status as factors that contribute to outcomes among critically-ill patients. This review provides a survey of key studies on glucose control in critical care, and aims to deliver perspective regarding glycemic management among critically-ill patients.展开更多
Thrombocytopenia is a common complication of critical care patients.The rates of bleeding events and mortality are also significantly increased in critical care patients with thrombocytopenia.Therefore,the Critical Ca...Thrombocytopenia is a common complication of critical care patients.The rates of bleeding events and mortality are also significantly increased in critical care patients with thrombocytopenia.Therefore,the Critical Care Medicine Committee of Chinese People’s Liberation Army(PLA)worked with Chinese Society of Laboratory Medicine,Chinese Medical Association to develop this consensus to provide guidance for clinical practice.The consensus includes five sections and 27 items:the definition of thrombocytopenia,etiology and pathophysiology,diagnosis and differential diagnosis,treatment and prevention.展开更多
Patients with heart failure(HF)may be at a higher risk of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)infection and may have a worse outcome due to their comorbid conditions and advanced age.In this narrative review,we aim to s...Patients with heart failure(HF)may be at a higher risk of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)infection and may have a worse outcome due to their comorbid conditions and advanced age.In this narrative review,we aim to study the interaction between COVID-19 and HF from a critical care perspective.We performed a systematic search for studies that reported HF and critical carerelated outcomes in COVID-19 patients in the PubMed and Medline databases.From a total of 1050 papers,we identified 26 that satisfied the eligibility criteria for our review.Data such as patient demographics,HF,intensive care unit(ICU)admission,management,and outcome were extracted from these studies and analyzed.We reported outcomes in heart-transplant patients with COVID-19 separately.In hospitalized patients with COVID-19,the prevalence of HF varied between 4%and 21%.The requirement for ICU admission was between 8%and 33%.HF patients with COVID-19 had an overall mortality rate between 20%and 40%.We identified that HF is an independent predictor of mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients,and patients with HF were more likely to require ventilation,ICU admission and develop complications.Patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction did worse than those with HF with midrange ejection fraction,and HF with preserved ejection fraction.COVID-19 patients with HF should be identified early and managed aggressively in an attempt to improve outcomes in this cohort of patients.展开更多
Artificial intelligence(AI)and digital twin models of various systems have long been used in industry to test products quickly and efficiently.Use of digital twins in clinical medicine caught attention with the develo...Artificial intelligence(AI)and digital twin models of various systems have long been used in industry to test products quickly and efficiently.Use of digital twins in clinical medicine caught attention with the development of Archimedes,an AI model of diabetes,in 2003.More recently,AI models have been applied to the fields of cardiology,endocrinology,and undergraduate medical education.The use of digital twins and AI thus far has focused mainly on chronic disease management,their application in the field of critical care medicine remains much less explored.In neurocritical care,current AI technology focuses on interpreting electroencephalography,monitoring intracranial pressure,and prognosticating outcomes.AI models have been developed to interpret electroencephalograms by helping to annotate the tracings,detecting seizures,and identifying brain activation in unresponsive patients.In this mini-review we describe the challenges and opportunities in building an actionable AI model pertinent to neurocritical care that can be used to educate the newer generation of clinicians and augment clinical decision making.展开更多
BACKGROUND A diverse country like India may have variable intensive care units(ICUs)practices at state and city levels.AIM To gain insight into clinical services and processes of care in ICUs in India,this would help ...BACKGROUND A diverse country like India may have variable intensive care units(ICUs)practices at state and city levels.AIM To gain insight into clinical services and processes of care in ICUs in India,this would help plan for potential educational and quality improvement interventions.METHODS The Indian ICU needs assessment research group of diverse-skilled individuals was formed.A pan-India survey"Indian National ICU Needs"assessment(ININ 2018-I)was designed on google forms and deployed from July 23rd-August 25th,2018.The survey was sent to select distribution lists of ICU providers from all 29 states and 7 union territories(UTs).In addition to emails and phone calls,social medial applications-WhatsApp™,Facebook™and LinkedIn™were used to remind and motivate providers.By completing and submitting the survey,providers gave their consent for research purposes.This study was deemed eligible for category-2 Institutional Review Board exempt status.RESULTS There were total 134 adult/adult-pediatrics ICU responses from 24(83%out of 29)states,and two(28%out of 7)UTs in 61 cities.They had median(IQR)16(10-25)beds and most,were mixed medical-surgical,111(83%),with 108(81%)being adult-only ICUs.Representative responders were young,median(IQR),38(32-44)years age and majority,n=108(81%)were males.The consultants were,n=101(75%).A total of 77(57%)reported to have 24 h in-house intensivist.A total of 68(51%)ICUs reported to have either 2:1 or 2≥:1 patient:nurse ratio.More than 80%of the ICUs were open,and mixed type.Protocols followed regularly by the ICUs included sepsis care,ventilator-associated pneumonia(83%each);nutrition(82%),deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis(87%),stress ulcer prophylaxis(88%)and glycemic control(92%).Digital infrastructure was found to be poor,with only 46%of the ICUs reporting high-speed internet availability.CONCLUSION In this large,national,semi-structured,need-assessment survey,the need for improved manpower including;in-house intensivists,and decreasing patient-tonurse ratios was evident.Sepsis was the most common diagnosis and quality and research initiatives to decrease sepsis mortality and ICU length of stay could be prioritized.Additionally,subsequent surveys can focus on digital infrastructure for standardized care and efficient resource utilization and enhancing compliance with existing protocols.展开更多
BACKGROUND Critically ill patients are at risk of developing stress cardiomyopathy(SC)but can be under-recognized.AIM To describe a case series of patients with SC admitted to critical care units.METHODS We conducted ...BACKGROUND Critically ill patients are at risk of developing stress cardiomyopathy(SC)but can be under-recognized.AIM To describe a case series of patients with SC admitted to critical care units.METHODS We conducted a retrospective observational study at a tertiary care teaching hospital.All adult(≥18 years old)patients admitted to the critical care units with stress cardiomyopathy over 5 years were included.RESULTS Of 24279 admissions to the critical care units[19139 to medical-surgical intensive care units(MSICUs)and 5140 in coronary care units(CCUs)],109 patients with SC were identified.Sixty(55%)were admitted to the coronary care units(CCUs)and forty-nine(45%)to the medical-surgical units(MSICUs).The overall incidence of SC was 0.44%,incidence in CCU and MSICU was 1.16%and 0.25%respectively.Sixty-two(57%)had confirmed SC and underwent cardiac catheterization whereas 47(43%)had clinical SC,and did not undergo cardiac catheterization.Forty-three(72%)patients in the CCUs were diagnosed with primary SC,whereas all(100%)patients in MSICUs developed secondary SC.Acute respiratory failure that required invasive mechanical ventilation and shock developed in twenty-nine(59%)MSICU patients.There were no statistically significant differences in intensive care unit(ICU)mortality,in-hospital mortality,use of inotropic or mechanical circulatory support based on type of unit or anatomical variant.CONCLUSION Stress cardiomyopathy can be under-recognized in the critical care setting.Intensivists should have a high index of suspicion for SC in patients who develop sudden or worsening unexplained hemodynamic instability,arrhythmias or respiratory failure in ICU.展开更多
Background: The importance of the acute phase in hospitals has been increasing. While administering high-level critical care, the working styles of critical care nurses, the types of clinical care they provide, and th...Background: The importance of the acute phase in hospitals has been increasing. While administering high-level critical care, the working styles of critical care nurses, the types of clinical care they provide, and the way in which they prioritize tasks, remain unclear. Aim of this study was to elucidate the characteristic duties of critical care nurses through a comparison with neurological ward nurses. Methods: We recorded the duties of critical care nurses and neurology ward nurses (10 each) using a time-study design. Duties were measured separately by action, classified using a classification table, and differences between the two groups were compared. Results: No differences in the number of actions were observed between the two groups. The top five items that required the most time for critical care nurses were, “Movement”, “Administration and oxygen management”, “Handover process/Doctor’s rounds”, “Preparation for entry and exit management of patients”, and “Bed bathing (for bedbound patients)”. Of the 195 items, significant differences between the groups were noted for 34 items, while the duties of critical care nurses were best characterized by bed bathing (for bedbound patients), changing position, confirmation of infusion tubes, handover process/doctor’s rounds, and preparation for entry and exit management of patients. Conclusion: A characteristic of critical care nurses is that they must remain near patients and perform tasks while moving only a short distance. Moreover, the promotion of tasks while communicating with physicians is presumed to play a role in the promotion of team medicine. Furthermore, much time was spent caring for patients in bed, and a lot of time was devoted to the preparation and finalizing of treatments and care, suggesting the possibility that more time can be spent on caring for patients through a revision of duties.展开更多
Background Patients undergoing intensive care are exposed to risk factors for hearing impairment.This study assessed the worse changes in pure tone average(PTA)thresholds after intensive care and identified the factor...Background Patients undergoing intensive care are exposed to risk factors for hearing impairment.This study assessed the worse changes in pure tone average(PTA)thresholds after intensive care and identified the factors associated with worse hearing function.Methods We conducted a single-centre retrospective study,and included adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit(ICU)of Kurashiki Central Hospital between January 2014 and September 2019,who had regular pure tone audiometry performed before and after ICU admission.Correlations between changes in PTA threshold and patient characteristics,were evaluated.The included ears were classified as those with worse hearing(>10 dB increase in the PTA threshold)and those without worse hearing,and the baseline characteristics were compared.Results During the study period,125 ears of 71 patients(male:female ratio,35:36;mean age,72.5±12.3 years)met the eligibility criteria.Age,sex,and the use of furosemide were not correlated with changes in PTA threshold.Univariate analysis showed that ears with worse hearing were associated with a lower serum platelet count than ears without worse hearing(153±85×10^(9)/L vs.206±85×10^(9)/L,respectively;P=0.010),and the rate of planned ICU admission(elective surgery)was higher in the worse hearing group(57.1% vs.28.8%,respectively;p=0.011).Conclusions Age,sex,and the use of furosemide did not have adversely affect hearing function.Low serum platelet count and planned admission appear to be risk factors for worse hearing.展开更多
The growing utilization of critical care echocardiography(CCE) by clinicians necessitates a meticulous review of clinical conditions in critically ill patients, both before and during the examination. The reviewing pr...The growing utilization of critical care echocardiography(CCE) by clinicians necessitates a meticulous review of clinical conditions in critically ill patients, both before and during the examination. The reviewing process of clinical conditions minimizes the risk of overlooking or misinterpreting crucial findings. This article proposes a comprehensive strategy, namely BILL strategy, to integrate into the CCE protocol, where "B" represents baseline respiratory and hemodynamic support, "I" signifies information gleaned from invasive monitoring, including central venous pressure and thermodilution-derived cardiac output, the first "L" denotes laboratory results such as central venous oxygen saturation, troponin, and brain natriuretic peptide, and the second "L" refers to lung ultrasound data. Combining the BILL strategy with CCE can enhance comprehensive understanding of critical conditions, potentially leading to improved diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.展开更多
Mortality is a well-established patient-important outcome in critical care studies.In contrast,morbidity is less uniformly reported(given the myriad of critical care illnesses and complications of each)but may have a ...Mortality is a well-established patient-important outcome in critical care studies.In contrast,morbidity is less uniformly reported(given the myriad of critical care illnesses and complications of each)but may have a common end-impact on a patient’s functional capacity and health-related quality-of-life(HRQoL).Survival with a poor quality-of-life may not be acceptable depending on individual patient values and preferences.Hence,as mortality decreases within critical care,it becomes increasingly important to measure intensive care unit(ICU)survivor HRQoL.HRQoL measurements with a preference-based scoring algorithm can be converted into health utilities on a scale anchored at 0(representing death)and 1(representing full health).They can be combined with survival to calculate quality-adjusted life-years(QALY),which are one of the most widely used methods of combining morbidity and mortality into a composite outcome.Although QALYs have been use for health-technology assessment decision-making,an emerging and novel role would be to inform clinical decision-making for patients,families and healthcare providers about what expected HRQoL may be during and after ICU care.Critical care randomized control trials(RCTs)have not routinely measured or reported HRQoL(until more recently),likely due to incapacity of some patients to participate in patient-reported outcome measures.Further differences in HRQoL measurement tools can lead to non-comparable values.To this end,we propose the validation of a gold-standard HRQoL tool in critical care,specifically the EQ-5D-5L.Both combined health-utility and mortality(disaggregated)and QALYs(aggregated)can be reported,with disaggregation allowing for determination of which components are the main drivers of the QALY outcome.Increased use of HRQoL,health-utility,and QALYs in critical care RCTs has the potential to:(1)Increase the likelihood of finding important effects if they exist;(2)improve research efficiency;and(3)help inform optimal management of critically ill patients allowing for decision-making about their HRQoL,in additional to traditional health-technology assessments.展开更多
Diagnostic errors are prevalent in critical care practice and are associated with patient harm and costs for providers and the healthcare system.Patient complexity,illness severity,and the urgency in initiating proper...Diagnostic errors are prevalent in critical care practice and are associated with patient harm and costs for providers and the healthcare system.Patient complexity,illness severity,and the urgency in initiating proper treatment all contribute to decision-making errors.Clinician-related factors such as fatigue,cognitive overload,and inexperience further interfere with effective decision-making.Cognitive science has provided insight into the clinical decision-making process that can be used to reduce error.This evidence-based review discusses ten common misconceptions regarding critical care decision-making.By understanding how practitioners make clinical decisions and examining how errors occur,strategies may be developed and implemented to decrease errors in Decision-making and improve patient outcomes.展开更多
primarily driven by advancements in technology,changes in healthcare delivery,and a deeper understanding of disease processes.Advancements in technology have revolutionized patient monitoring,diagnosis,and treatment i...primarily driven by advancements in technology,changes in healthcare delivery,and a deeper understanding of disease processes.Advancements in technology have revolutionized patient monitoring,diagnosis,and treatment in the critical care setting.From minimally invasive procedures to advances imaging techniques,clinicians now have access to a wide array of tools to assess and manage critically ill patients more effectively.In this editorial we comment on the review article published by Padte S et al wherein they concisely describe the latest developments in critical care medicine.展开更多
BACKGROUND There is variability in intensive care unit(ICU)resources and staffing worldwide.This may reflect variation in practice and outcomes across all health systems.AIM To improve research and quality improvement...BACKGROUND There is variability in intensive care unit(ICU)resources and staffing worldwide.This may reflect variation in practice and outcomes across all health systems.AIM To improve research and quality improvement measures administrative leaders can create long-term strategies by understanding the nature of ICU practices on a global scale.METHODS The Global ICU Needs Assessment Research Group was formed on the basis of diversified skill sets.We aimed to survey sites regarding ICU type,availability of staffing,and adherence to critical care protocols.An international survey‘Global ICU Needs Assessment’was created using Google Forms,and this was distributed from February 17^(th),2020 till September 23^(rd),2020.The survey was shared with ICU providers in 34 countries.Various approaches to motivating healthcare providers were implemented in securing submissions,including use of emails,phone calls,social media applications,and WhatsApp^(TM).By completing this survey,providers gave their consent for research purposes.This study was deemed eligible for category-2 Institutional Review Board exempt status.RESULTS There were a total 121 adult/adult-pediatrics ICU responses from 34 countries in 76 cities.A majority of the ICUs were mixed medical-surgical[92(76%)].108(89%)were adult-only ICUs.Total 36 respondents(29.8%)were 31-40 years of age,with 79(65%)male and 41(35%)female participants.89 were consultants(74%).A total of 71(59%)respondents reported having a 24-h inhouse intensivist.A total of 87(72%)ICUs were reported to have either a 2:1 or≥2:1 patient/nurse ratio.About 44%of the ICUs were open and 76%were mixed type(medical-surgical).Protocols followed regularly by the ICUs included sepsis care(82%),ventilator-associated pneumonia(79%);nutrition(76%),deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis(84%),stress ulcer prophylaxis(84%),and glycemic control(89%).CONCLUSION Based on the findings of this international,multi-dimensional,needs-assessment survey,there is a need for increased recruitment and staffing in critical care facilities,along with improved patientto-nurse ratios.Future research is warranted in this field with focus on implementing appropriate health standards,protocols and resources for optimal efficiency in critical care worldwide.展开更多
文摘Management of patients with acute hemorrhage requires addressing the source of bleeding,replenishing blood volume,and addressing any coagulopathy that may be present.Assessing coagulopathy and predicting blood requirements in real-time in patients experiencing ongoing bleeding can pose substantial challenges.In these patients,transfusion concepts based on ratios do not effectively address coagulopathy or reduce mortality.Moreover,ratio-based concepts do not stop bleeding;instead,they just give physicians more time to identify the bleeding source and plan management strategies.In clinical practice,standard laboratory coagulation tests(SLCT)are frequently used to assess various aspects of blood clotting.However,these tests may not always offer a comprehensive under-standing of clinically significant coagulopathy and the severity of blood loss.Furthermore,the SLCT have a considerable turnaround time,which may not be ideal for making prompt clinical decisions.In recent years,there has been a growing interest in point-of-care viscoelastic assays like rotational thromboelast-ometry,which provide real-time,dynamic information about clot formation and dissolution.
文摘Objectives:Nurses working in critical care units may encounter substantial work-related strain,and elevated levels of stress can lead to burnout,ultimately impacting both the quality of nursing care and their overall working experience.This study aimed to assess job burnout and determine the factors that contribute to it among critical care nurses in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.Methods:This study employed a descriptive,exploratory,cross-sectional research design.A total of 220 nurses employed in the critical care units of 5 private hospitals in the eastern region were selected for participation in this study using a convenience sample method.An electronic survey was distributed to critical care nurses in the Eastern Province who satisfied the specified inclusion criteria.The job burnout questionnaire utilized in this study was derived from previously conducted research,which has been established as a reliable and valid survey instrument.The process of data analysis was conducted utilizing the SPSS program.The scientific research conducted on human subjects adhered rigorously to all ethical considerations.Results:The highest percentage of nurses at the critical care units reported experiencing moderate levels of job burnout.Nurses exhibiting greater levels of professional experience demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in overall burnout scores when compared to their less experienced counterparts.Furthermore,within the realm of sociodemographic factors,it was found that the only significant independent predictor for job burnout was the level of experience among critical care nurses.Conclusions:The prevalence of burnout among nurses in critical care settings was found to be significant,with most participants reporting moderate levels of burnout which can yield significant ramifications for nurses and healthcare professionals.Consequently,healthcare organizations must accord primacy to the welfare of their staff and adopt proactive strategies to mitigate job burnout.
文摘Adolescence and the journey to adulthood involves exciting opportunities as well as psychosocial stress for young people growing up.These normal experiences are potentially magnified for teenagers living with chronic illness or disability and their families.Advances in care have improved survival for children with a variety of serious chronic medical conditions such that many who may once have died in childhood now survive well into adulthood with ongoing morbidity.For those with highly complex needs,care is often provided at major paediatric hospitals with expertise,specially trained personnel,and resources to support young people and their families for the first decades of life.At the end of adolescence,however,it is generally appropriate and necessary for young adults and their caregivers to transition to the care of clinicians trained in the care of adults at general hospitals.While there are some well-managed models to support this journey of transition,these are often specific to certain conditions and usually do not involve intensive care.Many patients may encounter considerable challenges during this period.Difficulties may include the loss of established therapeutic relationships,a perception of austerity and reduced amenity in facilities oriented to caring for adult patients,and care by clinicians with less experience with more common paediatric conditions.In addition,there is a risk of potential conflict between clinicians and families regarding goals of care in the event of a critical illness when it occurs in a young adult with major disability and long-term health issues.These challenges present genuine opportunities to better understand the transition from paediatric to adult-based care and to improve processes that assist clinicians who support patients and families as they shift between healthcare settings.
文摘Electrolyte disorders are pivotal determinants of morbidity and mortality in neurocritical care and exacerbated by acute brain injury,neuroendocrine dysfunction,and therapeutic interventions.This narrative review synthesized contemporary evidence on the pathophysiology,diagnosis,and management of hydroelectrolytic disturbances in neuroanesthesia and neurocritical populations.Dysnatremias(hyponatremia and hypernatremia)are prevalent with emerging data challenging historical correction paradigms:Rapid sodium normalization may reduce mortality without increasing complications.Distinct strategies are required for syndromes of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion(fluid restriction,vaptans)vs cerebral salt wasting(volume resuscitation).Chloride dysregulation,driven by cation-chloride cotransporter imbalances,exacerbates cytotoxic edema and seizures,warranting trials of bumetanide and balanced crystalloids.Hypokalemia,prevalent in traumatic brain injury,demands proactive surveillance to prevent arrhythmias while hyperkalemia management prioritizes membrane stabilization and renal clearance.Hypocalcemia correlates with adverse outcomes in subarachnoid hemorrhage,necessitating timely replacement.Magnesium disorders lack consistent prognostic associations in neurocritical cohorts,contrasting with general critical care.Current evidence underscores the need for individualized,pathophysiology-driven correction,integrating endocrine and neurological principles.Innovations such as point-of-care testing and targeted therapies(e.g.,acetate-buffered hypertonic saline)show promise,yet reliance on observational data and preclinical models highlights the urgency for randomized controlled trials.This review advocated for protocolized monitoring,dynamic assessments,and research to define optimal correction thresholds and validate emerging interventions in this high-risk population.
文摘BACKGROUND Analgesia and sedation are commonly prescribed therapies within the intensive care unit(ICU)for patients receiving mechanical ventilation.Current guidelines recommend utilizing an analgesia-first approach to initially reach appropriate pain control,while potentially achieving sedation goals concurrently.Our system employs a guideline-based ICU sedation order-set that features an electronic medical record(EMR)integrated ICU checklist that combines analgesia and sedation.AIM To identify systems-based factors that are associated with the use of continuous midazolam infusion administration in mechanically ventilated patients.METHODS We extracted EMR data from patients who received mechanical ventilation between January 1,2021,and December 31,2023.Subjects included were 18 years or older who received mechanical ventilation.“R”version 4.3.2 was used for data processing and statistical analysis.We performed a multivariable regression analysis to predict the administration of a continuous midazolam infusion with modified Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score,Charlson comorbidity index,and critical care medicine(CCM)primary service.RESULTS Of 3805 patients that underwent mechanical ventilation,62%were male,with a mean age of 66.9 years.3429 patients were treated by a provider team with a CCM attending,and 376 patients were managed by a non-CCM primary team with CCM consultative services.A midazolam infusion was used in 187 of 3429(5%)patients with CCM as primary and in 166 of 376(56%)patients with non-CCM primary(χ2598.23,P<0.001).Of the patients who received continuous midazolam,117(21%)died vs 236(7%)survived hospitalization.Continuous midazolam was associated with more days with coma and more days with delirium(P<0.0001).CONCLUSION Continuous midazolam infusion was more likely in patients admitted to the ICU under an open unit with a non-CCM physician with an intensivist consult available,despite guided order-sets and checklists integrated into the EMR.
文摘BACKGROUND Understanding a patient's clinical status and setting priorities for their care are two aspects of the constantly changing process of clinical decision-making.One analytical technique that can be helpful in uncertain situations is clinical judgment.Clinicians must deal with contradictory information,lack of time to make decisions,and long-term factors when emergencies occur.AIM To examine the ethical issues healthcare professionals faced during the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic and the factors affecting clinical decision-making.METHODS This pilot study,which means it was a preliminary investigation to gather information and test the feasibility of a larger investigation was conducted over 6 months and we invited responses from clinicians worldwide who managed patients with COVID-19.The survey focused on topics related to their professional roles and personal relationships.We examined five core areas influencing critical care decision-making:Patients'personal factors,family-related factors,informed consent,communication and media,and hospital administrative policies on clinical decision-making.The collected data were analyzed using the χ^(2) test for categorical variables.RESULTS A total of 102 clinicians from 23 specialties and 17 countries responded to the survey.Age was a significant factor in treatment planning(n=88)and ventilator access(n=78).Sex had no bearing on how decisions were made.Most doctors reported maintaining patient confidentiality regarding privacy and informed consent.Approximately 50%of clinicians reported a moderate influence of clinical work,with many citing it as one of the most important factors affecting their health and relationships.Clinicians from developing countries had a significantly higher score for considering a patient's financial status when creating a treatment plan than their counterparts from developed countries.Regarding personal experiences,some respondents noted that treatment plans and preferences changed from wave to wave,and that there was a rapid turnover of studies and evidence.Hospital and government policies also played a role in critical decision-making.Rather than assessing the appropriateness of treatment,some doctors observed that hospital policies regarding medications were driven by patient demand.CONCLUSION Factors other than medical considerations frequently affect management choices.The disparity in treatment choices,became more apparent during the pandemic.We highlight the difficulties and contradictions between moral standards and the realities physicians encountered during this medical emergency.False information,large patient populations,and limited resources caused problems for clinicians.These factors impacted decision-making,which,in turn,affected patient care and healthcare staff well-being.
文摘Ivabradine,a selective inhibitor of the funny current in the sinoatrial node,has emerged as a promising agent for heart rate modulation in acute and critical care settings.Unlike beta-blockers,ivabradine reduces heart rate without affecting myocardial contractility,making it a valuable option for patients contraindicated for traditional therapies.This review examines its mechanism of action,clinical applications,comparative efficacy,and safety profile.It incorporates recent literature to assess its expanding role in managing acute coronary syndrome,acute decompensated heart failure,and sepsis-induced tachycardia.
文摘Glycemic control among critically-ill patients has been a topic of considerable attention for the past 15 years. An initial focus on the potentially deleterious effects of hyperglycemia led to a series of investigations regarding intensive insulin therapy strategies that targeted tight glycemic control. As knowledge accumulated, the pursuit of tight glycemic control among critically-ill patients came to be seen as counterproductive, and moderate glycemic control came to dominate as the standard practice in intensive care units. In recent years, there has been increased focus on the importance of hypoglycemic episodes, glycemic variability, and premorbid diabetic status as factors that contribute to outcomes among critically-ill patients. This review provides a survey of key studies on glucose control in critical care, and aims to deliver perspective regarding glycemic management among critically-ill patients.
文摘Thrombocytopenia is a common complication of critical care patients.The rates of bleeding events and mortality are also significantly increased in critical care patients with thrombocytopenia.Therefore,the Critical Care Medicine Committee of Chinese People’s Liberation Army(PLA)worked with Chinese Society of Laboratory Medicine,Chinese Medical Association to develop this consensus to provide guidance for clinical practice.The consensus includes five sections and 27 items:the definition of thrombocytopenia,etiology and pathophysiology,diagnosis and differential diagnosis,treatment and prevention.
文摘Patients with heart failure(HF)may be at a higher risk of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)infection and may have a worse outcome due to their comorbid conditions and advanced age.In this narrative review,we aim to study the interaction between COVID-19 and HF from a critical care perspective.We performed a systematic search for studies that reported HF and critical carerelated outcomes in COVID-19 patients in the PubMed and Medline databases.From a total of 1050 papers,we identified 26 that satisfied the eligibility criteria for our review.Data such as patient demographics,HF,intensive care unit(ICU)admission,management,and outcome were extracted from these studies and analyzed.We reported outcomes in heart-transplant patients with COVID-19 separately.In hospitalized patients with COVID-19,the prevalence of HF varied between 4%and 21%.The requirement for ICU admission was between 8%and 33%.HF patients with COVID-19 had an overall mortality rate between 20%and 40%.We identified that HF is an independent predictor of mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients,and patients with HF were more likely to require ventilation,ICU admission and develop complications.Patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction did worse than those with HF with midrange ejection fraction,and HF with preserved ejection fraction.COVID-19 patients with HF should be identified early and managed aggressively in an attempt to improve outcomes in this cohort of patients.
基金Supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences,No.UL1 TR002377.
文摘Artificial intelligence(AI)and digital twin models of various systems have long been used in industry to test products quickly and efficiently.Use of digital twins in clinical medicine caught attention with the development of Archimedes,an AI model of diabetes,in 2003.More recently,AI models have been applied to the fields of cardiology,endocrinology,and undergraduate medical education.The use of digital twins and AI thus far has focused mainly on chronic disease management,their application in the field of critical care medicine remains much less explored.In neurocritical care,current AI technology focuses on interpreting electroencephalography,monitoring intracranial pressure,and prognosticating outcomes.AI models have been developed to interpret electroencephalograms by helping to annotate the tracings,detecting seizures,and identifying brain activation in unresponsive patients.In this mini-review we describe the challenges and opportunities in building an actionable AI model pertinent to neurocritical care that can be used to educate the newer generation of clinicians and augment clinical decision making.
基金This study was deemed eligible for category-2 Institutional Review Board exempt status from Mayo Clinic IRB,Mayo Clinic,Rochester,MN,55905,United States.
文摘BACKGROUND A diverse country like India may have variable intensive care units(ICUs)practices at state and city levels.AIM To gain insight into clinical services and processes of care in ICUs in India,this would help plan for potential educational and quality improvement interventions.METHODS The Indian ICU needs assessment research group of diverse-skilled individuals was formed.A pan-India survey"Indian National ICU Needs"assessment(ININ 2018-I)was designed on google forms and deployed from July 23rd-August 25th,2018.The survey was sent to select distribution lists of ICU providers from all 29 states and 7 union territories(UTs).In addition to emails and phone calls,social medial applications-WhatsApp™,Facebook™and LinkedIn™were used to remind and motivate providers.By completing and submitting the survey,providers gave their consent for research purposes.This study was deemed eligible for category-2 Institutional Review Board exempt status.RESULTS There were total 134 adult/adult-pediatrics ICU responses from 24(83%out of 29)states,and two(28%out of 7)UTs in 61 cities.They had median(IQR)16(10-25)beds and most,were mixed medical-surgical,111(83%),with 108(81%)being adult-only ICUs.Representative responders were young,median(IQR),38(32-44)years age and majority,n=108(81%)were males.The consultants were,n=101(75%).A total of 77(57%)reported to have 24 h in-house intensivist.A total of 68(51%)ICUs reported to have either 2:1 or 2≥:1 patient:nurse ratio.More than 80%of the ICUs were open,and mixed type.Protocols followed regularly by the ICUs included sepsis care,ventilator-associated pneumonia(83%each);nutrition(82%),deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis(87%),stress ulcer prophylaxis(88%)and glycemic control(92%).Digital infrastructure was found to be poor,with only 46%of the ICUs reporting high-speed internet availability.CONCLUSION In this large,national,semi-structured,need-assessment survey,the need for improved manpower including;in-house intensivists,and decreasing patient-tonurse ratios was evident.Sepsis was the most common diagnosis and quality and research initiatives to decrease sepsis mortality and ICU length of stay could be prioritized.Additionally,subsequent surveys can focus on digital infrastructure for standardized care and efficient resource utilization and enhancing compliance with existing protocols.
文摘BACKGROUND Critically ill patients are at risk of developing stress cardiomyopathy(SC)but can be under-recognized.AIM To describe a case series of patients with SC admitted to critical care units.METHODS We conducted a retrospective observational study at a tertiary care teaching hospital.All adult(≥18 years old)patients admitted to the critical care units with stress cardiomyopathy over 5 years were included.RESULTS Of 24279 admissions to the critical care units[19139 to medical-surgical intensive care units(MSICUs)and 5140 in coronary care units(CCUs)],109 patients with SC were identified.Sixty(55%)were admitted to the coronary care units(CCUs)and forty-nine(45%)to the medical-surgical units(MSICUs).The overall incidence of SC was 0.44%,incidence in CCU and MSICU was 1.16%and 0.25%respectively.Sixty-two(57%)had confirmed SC and underwent cardiac catheterization whereas 47(43%)had clinical SC,and did not undergo cardiac catheterization.Forty-three(72%)patients in the CCUs were diagnosed with primary SC,whereas all(100%)patients in MSICUs developed secondary SC.Acute respiratory failure that required invasive mechanical ventilation and shock developed in twenty-nine(59%)MSICU patients.There were no statistically significant differences in intensive care unit(ICU)mortality,in-hospital mortality,use of inotropic or mechanical circulatory support based on type of unit or anatomical variant.CONCLUSION Stress cardiomyopathy can be under-recognized in the critical care setting.Intensivists should have a high index of suspicion for SC in patients who develop sudden or worsening unexplained hemodynamic instability,arrhythmias or respiratory failure in ICU.
文摘Background: The importance of the acute phase in hospitals has been increasing. While administering high-level critical care, the working styles of critical care nurses, the types of clinical care they provide, and the way in which they prioritize tasks, remain unclear. Aim of this study was to elucidate the characteristic duties of critical care nurses through a comparison with neurological ward nurses. Methods: We recorded the duties of critical care nurses and neurology ward nurses (10 each) using a time-study design. Duties were measured separately by action, classified using a classification table, and differences between the two groups were compared. Results: No differences in the number of actions were observed between the two groups. The top five items that required the most time for critical care nurses were, “Movement”, “Administration and oxygen management”, “Handover process/Doctor’s rounds”, “Preparation for entry and exit management of patients”, and “Bed bathing (for bedbound patients)”. Of the 195 items, significant differences between the groups were noted for 34 items, while the duties of critical care nurses were best characterized by bed bathing (for bedbound patients), changing position, confirmation of infusion tubes, handover process/doctor’s rounds, and preparation for entry and exit management of patients. Conclusion: A characteristic of critical care nurses is that they must remain near patients and perform tasks while moving only a short distance. Moreover, the promotion of tasks while communicating with physicians is presumed to play a role in the promotion of team medicine. Furthermore, much time was spent caring for patients in bed, and a lot of time was devoted to the preparation and finalizing of treatments and care, suggesting the possibility that more time can be spent on caring for patients through a revision of duties.
文摘Background Patients undergoing intensive care are exposed to risk factors for hearing impairment.This study assessed the worse changes in pure tone average(PTA)thresholds after intensive care and identified the factors associated with worse hearing function.Methods We conducted a single-centre retrospective study,and included adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit(ICU)of Kurashiki Central Hospital between January 2014 and September 2019,who had regular pure tone audiometry performed before and after ICU admission.Correlations between changes in PTA threshold and patient characteristics,were evaluated.The included ears were classified as those with worse hearing(>10 dB increase in the PTA threshold)and those without worse hearing,and the baseline characteristics were compared.Results During the study period,125 ears of 71 patients(male:female ratio,35:36;mean age,72.5±12.3 years)met the eligibility criteria.Age,sex,and the use of furosemide were not correlated with changes in PTA threshold.Univariate analysis showed that ears with worse hearing were associated with a lower serum platelet count than ears without worse hearing(153±85×10^(9)/L vs.206±85×10^(9)/L,respectively;P=0.010),and the rate of planned ICU admission(elective surgery)was higher in the worse hearing group(57.1% vs.28.8%,respectively;p=0.011).Conclusions Age,sex,and the use of furosemide did not have adversely affect hearing function.Low serum platelet count and planned admission appear to be risk factors for worse hearing.
文摘The growing utilization of critical care echocardiography(CCE) by clinicians necessitates a meticulous review of clinical conditions in critically ill patients, both before and during the examination. The reviewing process of clinical conditions minimizes the risk of overlooking or misinterpreting crucial findings. This article proposes a comprehensive strategy, namely BILL strategy, to integrate into the CCE protocol, where "B" represents baseline respiratory and hemodynamic support, "I" signifies information gleaned from invasive monitoring, including central venous pressure and thermodilution-derived cardiac output, the first "L" denotes laboratory results such as central venous oxygen saturation, troponin, and brain natriuretic peptide, and the second "L" refers to lung ultrasound data. Combining the BILL strategy with CCE can enhance comprehensive understanding of critical conditions, potentially leading to improved diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.
基金Supported by the EuroQol Research Foundation,No. 299-RA
文摘Mortality is a well-established patient-important outcome in critical care studies.In contrast,morbidity is less uniformly reported(given the myriad of critical care illnesses and complications of each)but may have a common end-impact on a patient’s functional capacity and health-related quality-of-life(HRQoL).Survival with a poor quality-of-life may not be acceptable depending on individual patient values and preferences.Hence,as mortality decreases within critical care,it becomes increasingly important to measure intensive care unit(ICU)survivor HRQoL.HRQoL measurements with a preference-based scoring algorithm can be converted into health utilities on a scale anchored at 0(representing death)and 1(representing full health).They can be combined with survival to calculate quality-adjusted life-years(QALY),which are one of the most widely used methods of combining morbidity and mortality into a composite outcome.Although QALYs have been use for health-technology assessment decision-making,an emerging and novel role would be to inform clinical decision-making for patients,families and healthcare providers about what expected HRQoL may be during and after ICU care.Critical care randomized control trials(RCTs)have not routinely measured or reported HRQoL(until more recently),likely due to incapacity of some patients to participate in patient-reported outcome measures.Further differences in HRQoL measurement tools can lead to non-comparable values.To this end,we propose the validation of a gold-standard HRQoL tool in critical care,specifically the EQ-5D-5L.Both combined health-utility and mortality(disaggregated)and QALYs(aggregated)can be reported,with disaggregation allowing for determination of which components are the main drivers of the QALY outcome.Increased use of HRQoL,health-utility,and QALYs in critical care RCTs has the potential to:(1)Increase the likelihood of finding important effects if they exist;(2)improve research efficiency;and(3)help inform optimal management of critically ill patients allowing for decision-making about their HRQoL,in additional to traditional health-technology assessments.
文摘Diagnostic errors are prevalent in critical care practice and are associated with patient harm and costs for providers and the healthcare system.Patient complexity,illness severity,and the urgency in initiating proper treatment all contribute to decision-making errors.Clinician-related factors such as fatigue,cognitive overload,and inexperience further interfere with effective decision-making.Cognitive science has provided insight into the clinical decision-making process that can be used to reduce error.This evidence-based review discusses ten common misconceptions regarding critical care decision-making.By understanding how practitioners make clinical decisions and examining how errors occur,strategies may be developed and implemented to decrease errors in Decision-making and improve patient outcomes.
文摘primarily driven by advancements in technology,changes in healthcare delivery,and a deeper understanding of disease processes.Advancements in technology have revolutionized patient monitoring,diagnosis,and treatment in the critical care setting.From minimally invasive procedures to advances imaging techniques,clinicians now have access to a wide array of tools to assess and manage critically ill patients more effectively.In this editorial we comment on the review article published by Padte S et al wherein they concisely describe the latest developments in critical care medicine.
文摘BACKGROUND There is variability in intensive care unit(ICU)resources and staffing worldwide.This may reflect variation in practice and outcomes across all health systems.AIM To improve research and quality improvement measures administrative leaders can create long-term strategies by understanding the nature of ICU practices on a global scale.METHODS The Global ICU Needs Assessment Research Group was formed on the basis of diversified skill sets.We aimed to survey sites regarding ICU type,availability of staffing,and adherence to critical care protocols.An international survey‘Global ICU Needs Assessment’was created using Google Forms,and this was distributed from February 17^(th),2020 till September 23^(rd),2020.The survey was shared with ICU providers in 34 countries.Various approaches to motivating healthcare providers were implemented in securing submissions,including use of emails,phone calls,social media applications,and WhatsApp^(TM).By completing this survey,providers gave their consent for research purposes.This study was deemed eligible for category-2 Institutional Review Board exempt status.RESULTS There were a total 121 adult/adult-pediatrics ICU responses from 34 countries in 76 cities.A majority of the ICUs were mixed medical-surgical[92(76%)].108(89%)were adult-only ICUs.Total 36 respondents(29.8%)were 31-40 years of age,with 79(65%)male and 41(35%)female participants.89 were consultants(74%).A total of 71(59%)respondents reported having a 24-h inhouse intensivist.A total of 87(72%)ICUs were reported to have either a 2:1 or≥2:1 patient/nurse ratio.About 44%of the ICUs were open and 76%were mixed type(medical-surgical).Protocols followed regularly by the ICUs included sepsis care(82%),ventilator-associated pneumonia(79%);nutrition(76%),deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis(84%),stress ulcer prophylaxis(84%),and glycemic control(89%).CONCLUSION Based on the findings of this international,multi-dimensional,needs-assessment survey,there is a need for increased recruitment and staffing in critical care facilities,along with improved patientto-nurse ratios.Future research is warranted in this field with focus on implementing appropriate health standards,protocols and resources for optimal efficiency in critical care worldwide.
