BACKGROUND Patients with a prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay account for a disproportionate amount of resource use. Early identification of patients at risk for a prolonged length of stay can lead to quality enhancements that reduce ICU stay. This study developed and validated a model that identifies patients at risk for a prolonged ICU stay. METHODS We performed a retrospect...

illness, as far as quantitative and qualitative sleep depriva tion can have negative consequences on a physiologic function, particularly the immune mechanism, as well as psychological well-being [1]. Patients’ perception of intensive care is very diff erent depending on the study. To illustrate, Simini reported frequent feelings such as ‘pain, noise, sleep deprivation, thirst, hunger, fear, an...

Methods We developed a survey asking the family members about their ICU experience, which evaluated the 3 major outcomes: (1)understanding of general information on ICU, (2)understanding of medical status of ICU patient, and (3)satisfaction of information received. The mean score of three outcomes, which represent overall family satisfaction with the ICU care, was calculated for each variable. ...

Background Many intensive care unit (ICU) survivors develop psychological problems and cognitive impairment. The relation between sepsis, delirium, and later cognitive problems is not fully elucidated, and the impact of psychological symptoms on cognitive function is poorly studied in ICU survivors. The primary aim of this study was to examine the relationship between sepsis, ICU delirium, and ...

BACKGROUND The relation between older age and nosocomial infection and mortality in the intensive care unit (ICU) is still a controversial issue. METHODS The authors prospectively studied 406 patients admitted to a surgical ICU, 106 of whom were more than 75 yr old. Information concerning ICU-acquired nosocomial infections, severity of illness, therapeutic activity, and hospital outcome was c...

BACKGROUND Outcomes for very old patients (≥ 80 years) referred but not admitted to an intensive care unit have not been described in Australia and New Zealand. OBJECTIVE To ascertain long-term (12-month) outcomes for very old patients urgently referred for ICU support at a tertiary referral hospital. DESIGN, SETTING AND PATIENTS A retrospective, medical record review of 1240 very old patie...

BACKGROUND Intensive care unit (ICU) patients often need blood transfusion, but no reliable predictors of transfusion requirements are available at ICU admission. The authors hypothesized that ICU patients with functional iron deficiency may be at higher risk for developing anemia, requiring blood transfusion. Their objective was to determine whether low reticulocyte hemoglobin content (CHr) wa...

UNLABELLED BACKGROUND The impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in HIV-infected patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) remains controversial. We evaluate impact of HAART prescription in HIV-infected patients admitted to the ICU of Tourcoing Hospital from January 2000 to December 2009. RESULTS There were 91 admissions concerning 85 HIV-infected patients. Reasons...

INTRODUCTION The transfer of patient care between the intensive care unit (ICU) and the hospital ward is associated with increased risk of medical error and adverse events. This study will describe patient transfer from ICU to hospital ward by documenting (1) patient, family and provider experiences related to ICU transfer, (2) communication between stakeholders involved in ICU transfer, (3) ad...

INTRODUCTION Many intensive care unit (ICU) survivors suffer from physical disability for months after ICU stay. There is no structured method to identify patients at risk for such problems. The purpose of the study was to develop a method for early in-ICU prediction of the patient's individual risk for new-onset physical disability two months after ICU stay. METHODS In total, 23 potential pr...