Critical Care
From the Journals
HFNC bests conventional O2 therapy
In patients with acute respiratory failure, high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is more reliable than is conventional oxygen therapy at reducing rates...
From the Journals
In ICU, pair MRSA testing method with isolation protocol
An ICU’s method of testing for MRSA should be paired with its patient isolation policy.
Conference Coverage
Incompatible Type A plasma found safe for initial resuscitation of trauma patients
Incompatible Type A plasma appears to be a safe and effective part of an initial resuscitation protocol for trauma patients who need a massive...
From the Journals
57% drop in central venous catheter–related infections after QI interventions
Quality improvement (QI) interventions related to the use of central venous catheters (CVCs) were, on average, associated with 57% fewer...
From the Journals
Ultrashort course antibiotics may be enough in stable VAP
Ultrashort antibiotic courses yielded outcomes that were similar to those with longer courses in patients with suspected ventilator-associated...
From the Journals
SOFA score may be best to identify sepsis in the ICU
Among critically ill patients admitted to the ICU with a suspected infection, defining sepsis by an increase of two or more points in the...
From the Journals
Early procalcitonin testing reduced ICU costs for sepsis patients
Procalcitonin (PCT) testing on the first day of ICU admission for adult patients with sepsis is associated with reduced length of stay, less...
Commentary
When to discontinue contact precautions for patients with MRSA
In the absence of a positive active surveillance culture it may be reasonable to discontinue contact precautions for patients with MRSA infection...
Conference Coverage
Aspirin use linked to increased ICH in trauma patients
WAIKOLOA, HAWAII – Among a group of anticoagulated trauma patients, those on aspirin had the highest rate and risk of intracranial hemorrhage,...
Conference Coverage
VIDEO: Hepato-adrenal syndrome is an under-recognized source of ICU morbidity
BOSTON – Patients with serious liver disease who also had hepato-adrenal syndrome had significantly longer hospital stays; these patients had...
Conference Coverage
Recovery path complicated for trauma patients with VTE
Patients who develop a VTE following severe hemorrhage are more susceptible to complications, compared with their counterparts who do not. They...