ICU admissions: Consequences after discharge

The intensive care department may seem a long way from the GP's consulting room, but every year tens of thousands of critically ill patients are admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) across the UK. Patients are often left with long term sequelae that may require GP input. Physical weakness, psychiatric disturbance and cognitive decline are not uncommon after an illness that requires a stay in an ICU. These hinder a patient’s return to their previous level of function and impact caregivers after discharge. This article aims to highlight the chronic symptoms patients can acquire during ICU admission that may come to the attention of GPs for their advice and treatment.

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Cystatin C predicts long term mortality better than creatinine in a nationwide study of intensive care patients

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-85370-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Johanna Helmersson-Karlqvist ◽

Miklos Lipcsey ◽

Johan Ärnlöv ◽

Max Bell ◽

Bo Ravn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care ◽

Critically Ill ◽

Risk Prediction ◽

Cystatin C ◽

Mortality Risk ◽

Critically Ill Patients ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Sample Tube ◽

Long Term Mortality

AbstractDecreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is linked to poor survival. The predictive value of creatinine estimated GFR (eGFR) and cystatin C eGFR in critically ill patients may differ substantially, but has been less studied. This study compares long-term mortality risk prediction by eGFR using a creatinine equation (CKD-EPI), a cystatin C equation (CAPA) and a combined creatinine/cystatin C equation (CKD-EPI), in 22,488 patients treated in intensive care at three University Hospitals in Sweden, between 2004 and 2015. Patients were analysed for both creatinine and cystatin C on the same blood sample tube at admission, using accredited laboratory methods. During follow-up (median 5.1 years) 8401 (37%) patients died. Reduced eGFR was significantly associated with death by all eGFR-equations in Cox regression models. However, patients reclassified to a lower GFR-category by using the cystatin C-based equation, as compared to the creatinine-based equation, had significantly higher mortality risk compared to the referent patients not reclassified. The cystatin C equation increased C-statistics for death prediction (p < 0.001 vs. creatinine, p = 0.013 vs. combined equation). In conclusion, this data favours the sole cystatin C equation rather than the creatinine or combined equations when estimating GFR for risk prediction purposes in critically ill patients.

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Effect of applying nurses driven electrolyte repletion protocol on electrolyte disturbances control among critically ill patients

Journal of Nursing Education and Practice ◽

10.5430/jnep.v10n4p72 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 72

Author(s):

Mohamed E. Abdelgawad ◽

Nadia T. Ahmed ◽

Ahmed M. Elmenshawy

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care ◽

Intensive Care Units ◽

Critically Ill ◽

Critically Ill Patients ◽

Improve Patient Care ◽

University Hospital ◽

Treatment Modalities ◽

Control Group ◽

Electrolyte Disturbances ◽

Electrolyte Loss

Background and objective: Electrolyte disturbances remain a common lifesaving issue in the intensive care units. They are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. They are mostly resulted secondary to critical illness itself or associated treatment modalities. Therefore, electrolytes repletion should be done effectively and timely. This could be ensured using nurse driven protocols rather than traditional methods of repletion. These protocols are nurse initiated and collaboratively developed. They have been shown to improve patient care outcomes through the provision of high quality care. They are increasingly being used in the critical care setting. Objective: Determine the effect of applying nurses driven electrolytes repletion protocol on electrolytes disturbance control among critically ill patients.Methods: Quasi experimental research design was used. Sixty two critically ill patients with electrolytes loss were enrolled in the study at Alexandria Main University Hospital intensive care units, Egypt. All episodes of electrolyte loss were evaluated. Repletion of electrolyte loss was done according to unit routine for the control group and nurses driven electrolytes repletion protocol for the study group. Episodes of electrolyte disturbances, adverse events and timing of repletion were evaluated.Results: Neurological disorders represent the most encountered diagnosis. The most common cause of electrolyte loss in was the use of diuretics. Furthermore, there was a highly statistical difference between the two groups as regard electrolytes levels, effectiveness and timing of replacement.Conclusions: Application of nurses driven electrolyte repletion protocol resulted in improvements in the effectiveness and timeliness of electrolyte replacement.

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Kinetic Patterns of Candida albicans Germ Tube Antibody in Critically Ill Patients: Influence on Mortality

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology ◽

10.1128/cvi.00183-09 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 16 (10) ◽

pp. 1527-1528 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Rafael Zaragoza ◽

Javier Pemán ◽

Guillermo Quindós ◽

Jose R. Iruretagoyena ◽

María S. Cuétara ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Candida Albicans ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Intensive Care Units ◽

Critically Ill ◽

Critically Ill Patients ◽

Germ Tube ◽

Antifungal Agents ◽

Mortality Rates ◽

Antifungal Treatment ◽

Lower Mortality

ABSTRACT The influence of kinetic patterns of Candida albicans germ tube antibodies (CAGTA) on mortality was analyzed in six intensive care units. Statistically significant lower mortality rates were found in patients with patterns of increasing CAGTA titers who had been treated with antifungal agents. Thus, antifungal treatment should be considered when CAGTA titers are increasing in critically ill patients.

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