Critical Care Alert – April 1, 2015
April 1, 2015
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Post-ICU Stress Symptoms Are Associated with Increased Acute Care Service Utilization for at Least One Year
In this prospective, longitudinal study of adult medical-surgical ICU patients, in-hospital substantial acute stress symptoms were associated with a greater risk of rehospitalization within 1 year post-ICU discharge; those with substantial post traumatic stress disorder symptoms at 3 months post-ICU also had a greater risk of future emergency department visits within the year.
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Nasal Screening for MRSA: The New Basis for De-escalation of Empiric Antibiotics?
The high negative predictive value of a negative nasal screen for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus suggests these patients do not have lower respiratory tract infections caused by the organism.
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Multiple Factors Contribute to Recovery of Physical Function After Critical Illness
Physical function after critical illness is influenced by clinical, physiological, and psychological factors that suggest a need for comprehensive interventions to promote recovery and quality of life.
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Survival in ARDS Can Be Predicted By Driving Pressure
Statistical models were applied to several large trials of ARDS patients undergoing lung protective ventilation strategies and found that decreases in driving pressure, or Δ P, were strongly associated with increased survival.
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A Guide to When and How to Stop CPR
In cardiopulmonary arrest situations, the mnemonic CEASE (Clinical features, Effectiveness, Ask, Stop, Explain), provides a guide for clinicians on how to discontinue resuscitative efforts and effectively communicate with other clinicians and families.