News
Elderly Patients with Pneumonia Benefit from ICU Care
November 18, 2015
NEW YORK - Elderly patients with pneumonia whose need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission is uncertain actually fare better in the ICU than on the general medical ward, a new study suggests. "Although our results should be confirmed with a randomized trial, clinicians should be aware that man
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Easing the Grieving Process for Families of Patients Dying in the ICU
October 29, 2015
Clinical question: Can we dignify death in the ICU and ease the grieving process by soliciting wishes from patients, families, and care team members? Background: The death of the critically ill patient in the ICU can be dehumanizing and overwhelming for the patient’s family and friends, leading t
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Vasoactive Medications Safe in ICU via Peripheral Intravenous Access
September 9, 2015
Clinical question: Can vasoactive medications be safely given in the ICU via peripheral intravenous (PIV) access instead of central venous access? Background: Vasoactive medications are given to a variety of patients in shock to maintain hemodynamic function.
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Novel Rapid Response Team Can Decrease Non-ICU Cardiopulmonary Arrests, Mortality
July 1, 2015
Clinical question: Can novel configured rapid response teams (RRTs) improve non-ICU cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) and overall hospital mortality rate? Background: RRTs are primarily executed in hospital settings to avert non-ICU CPA through early detection and intervention.
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ICU Delirium: Little Attributable Mortality after Adjustment
April 3, 2015
Does delirium contribute to higher mortality risk for ICU patients?
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Little Progress Made Training Hospitalists to Stem Shortage of Intensivists
March 3, 2015
What would the status be for a hospitalist who could train for one year to become a critical care intensivist to address the shortage of intensivists?
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Procalcitonin-Based Algorithm Does Not Reduce Antibiotic Use in the ICU
February 10, 2015
Clinical question Can a procalcitonin-based algorithm reduce antibiotic use in critically ill patients? Bottom line A procalcitonin-based algorithm using a 0.1 ng/mL cutoff does not significantly decrease the duration of antibiotic treatment in critically ill patients nor does it reduce length
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Arterial Catheter Use in ICU Doesn’t Improve Hospital Mortality
February 2, 2015
Clinical question: Does the use of arterial catheters (AC) improve hospital mortality in ICU patients requiring mechanical ventilation? Background: AC are used in 40% of ICU patients, mostly to facilitate diagnostic phlebotomy (including arterial blood gases) and improve hemodynamic monitoring.
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ICU Pressures Improve Transfers to the Floor
October 27, 2014
Clinical question: Does ICU strain negatively affect the outcomes of patients transferred to the floor? Background: With healthcare costs increasing and critical care staff shortages projected, ICUs will have to operate under increasing strain.
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Decreased ICU Duty Hours Does Not Affect Patient Mortality
October 27, 2014
Clinical question: Does the reduction in work hours for residents affect mortality in medical and surgical ICUs? Background: A reduction in work hours for residents was enforced in July 2003.
