scholarly journals Longitudinal Outcomes in Octogenarian Critically Ill Patients with a Focus on Frailty and Cardiac Surgery

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Aileen Hill ◽  
Daren K. Heyland ◽  
Rolf Rossaint ◽  
Rakesh C. Arora ◽  
Daniel T. Engelman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Surgery ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
P Value ◽  
Clinical Frailty Scale ◽  
Icu Patients ◽  
Subdistribution Hazard ◽  
Discharge Home ◽  
Surgical Icu

Cardiac surgery (CSX) can be lifesaving in elderly patients (age ≥ 80 years) but may still be associated with complications and functional decline. Frailty represents a determinant to outcomes in critically ill patients, but little is known about its influence on elderly CSX-patients. This is a secondary exploratory analysis of a multi-center, prospective observational cohort study of 610 elderly patients admitted to the ICU and followed for one year to document long-term outcomes. CSX-ICU-patients (n = 49) were compared to surgical ICU patients (n = 184) with regard to demographics, frailty, and outcomes. Of all surgical patients, 102 (43%) were considered vulnerable or frail. The subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) of time to discharge home (TTDH) for vulnerable/frail vs. fit/well patients was 0.54 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.34, 0.86, p = 0.007). The p-value for effect modification between surgery group (CSX vs. surgical ICU patients) and Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) group was not significant (p = 0.37) suggesting that the observed difference in the CFS effect between the CSX and surgical ICU patients is consistent with random error. A further subgroup analysis shows that among surgical ICU patients, the SHR of time to discharge home (TTDH) for vulnerable/frail vs. fit/well patients was 0.49 (95% CI, 0.29, 0.83) while the corresponding SHR for CSX patients was 0.77 (0.32–1.88). In conclusion, preoperative frailty reduced the rate of discharge to home in both surgical and CSX patients, but a larger sample of CSX patients is needed to adequately address this question in this patient group.

scholarly journals Copeptin and Arginine Vasopressin Concentrations in Critically Ill Patients

2006 ◽  
Vol 91 (11) ◽  
pp. 4381-4386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Jochberger ◽  
Nils G. Morgenthaler ◽  
Viktoria D. Mayr ◽  
Günter Luckner ◽  
Volker Wenzel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Surgery ◽  
Healthy Volunteers ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Arginine Vasopressin ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
Surgical Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Surgical Intensive Care ◽  
Icu Patients

Abstract Context: Determination of arginine vasopressin (AVP) concentrations may be helpful to guide therapy in critically ill patients. A new assay analyzing copeptin, a stable peptide derived from the AVP precursor, has been introduced. Objective: Our objective was to determine plasma copeptin concentrations. Design: We conducted a post hoc analysis of plasma samples and data from a prospective study. Setting: The setting was a 12-bed general and surgical intensive care unit (ICU) in a tertiary university teaching hospital. Patients: Our subjects were 70 healthy volunteers and 157 ICU patients with sepsis, with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and after cardiac surgery. Interventions: There were no interventions. Main Outcome Measures: Copeptin plasma concentrations, demographic data, AVP plasma concentrations, and a multiple organ dysfunction syndrome score were documented 24 h after ICU admission. Results: AVP (P < 0.001) and copeptin (P < 0.001) concentrations were significantly higher in ICU patients than in controls. Patients after cardiac surgery had higher AVP (P = 0.003) and copeptin (P = 0.003) concentrations than patients with sepsis or SIRS. Independent of critical illness, copeptin and AVP correlated highly significantly with each other. Critically ill patients with sepsis and SIRS exhibited a significantly higher ratio of copeptin/AVP plasma concentrations than patients after cardiac surgery (P = 0.012). The American Society of Anesthesiologists’ classification (P = 0.046) and C-reactive protein concentrations (P = 0.006) were significantly correlated with the copeptin/AVP ratio. Conclusions: Plasma concentrations of copeptin and AVP in healthy volunteers and critically ill patients correlate significantly with each other. The ratio of copeptin/AVP plasma concentrations is increased in patients with sepsis and SIRS, suggesting that copeptin may overestimate AVP plasma concentrations in these patients.

scholarly journals Commercial vs. Natural Food-based Tube Feeding on Diarrhea Incidence in Critically Ill Cardiac Surgery Patients (P12-030-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dario Gregori ◽  
Adam Fabiani ◽  
Gianfranco Sanson ◽  
Giulia Lorenzoni
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Surgery ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Tube Feeding ◽  
Primary Study ◽  
Natural Food ◽  
P Value ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Gastrointestinal Complications ◽  
Diarrhea Incidence

Abstract Objectives Diarrhea has negative consequences on health outcomes of critically ill patients administered with enteral feeding. Diarrhea pathogenesis in these patients is associated with several factors, including the administration of commercial enteral formulas providing nutrients and food without the natural food matrix. However, the potential benefits of natural food-based tube feeding on gastrointestinal complications have not been well established yet. The present study aimed at examining the effect of natural-based tube feeding on diarrhea incidence in critically ill cardiac surgery patients. Methods Retrospective medical chart review of adult patients admitted postoperatively to a Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit and administered with tube feeding. Two cohorts of patients were identified, one administered with blenderized natural food (BNF) and the other one with standard commercial formula (SCF). In the study setting, there was a switch from SCF to BNF starting from 01/01/2015. The two cohorts were identified according to such a time criterion. Time to the first event of diarrhea, defined as the presence of loose or watery stool - at least 3-time per day - according to the Bristol Stool Chart type, was the primary study outcome. A crude comparison of the time to the first event of diarrhea between SCF and BNF cohorts was carried out using Kaplan-Meier curves. Differences in survival rates between groups were assessed with the Log-Rank test. The adjusted comparison was performed by fitting a multivariable Cox Proportional-Hazards (PH) model. Results Two-hundred and ten patients were considered in the study (99 in the BNF cohort). No significant differences were identified in patients’ baseline characteristics. At crude analysis, the likelihood of diarrhea occurrence was significantly lower for subjects in the BNF compared to those in the SCF cohort (p-value 0.017). At adjusted analysis, BNF almost halved the risk of experiencing diarrhea (Hazard Ration of diarrhea in BNF patients compared to SCF ones of 0.554, 95% CI: 0.327–0.938, p-value 0.02). Conclusions In a population of postoperative cardiac surgery patients, a BNF diet was found to reduce the risk of diarrhea significantly. The present study provides new insights into the nutritional management of critically ill patients. Funding Sources Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.

scholarly journals Frailty status among older critically ill patients with severe acute kidney injury

Critical Care ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
William Beaubien-Souligny ◽  
Alan Yang ◽  
Gerald Lebovic ◽  
Ron Wald ◽  
Sean M. Bagshaw
Keyword(s):  
Acute Kidney Injury ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Multivariable Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Clinical Frailty Scale ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Frailty Status ◽  
Physiological Variables

Abstract Background Frailty status among critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) is not well described despite its importance for prognostication and informed decision-making on life-sustaining therapies. In this study, we aim to describe the epidemiology of frailty in a cohort of older critically ill patients with severe AKI, the outcomes of patients with pre-existing frailty before AKI and the factors associated with a worsening frailty status among survivors. Methods This was a secondary analysis of a prospective multicentre observational study that enrolled older (age > 65 years) critically ill patients with AKI. The clinical frailty scale (CFS) score was captured at baseline, at 6 months and at 12 months among survivors. Frailty was defined as a CFS score of ≥ 5. Demographic, clinical and physiological variables associated with frailty as baseline were described. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were constructed to describe the association between frailty and 90-day mortality. Demographic and clinical factors associated with worsening frailty status at 6 months and 12 months were described using multivariable logistic regression analysis and multistate models. Results Among the 462 patients in our cohort, median (IQR) baseline CFS score was 4 (3–5), with 141 (31%) patients considered frail. Pre-existing frailty was associated with greater hazard of 90-day mortality (59% (n = 83) for frail vs. 31% (n = 100) for non-frail; adjusted hazards ratio [HR] 1.49; 95% CI 1.11–2.01, p = 0.008). At 6 months, 68 patients (28% of survivors) were frail. Of these, 57% (n = 39) were not classified as frail at baseline. Between 6 and 12 months of follow-up, 9 (4% of survivors) patients transitioned from a frail to a not frail status while 10 (4% of survivors) patients became frail and 11 (5% of survivors) patients died. In multivariable analysis, age was independently associated with worsening CFS score from baseline to 6 months (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.08; 95% CI 1.03–1.13, p = 0.003). Conclusions Pre-existing frailty is an independent risk factor for mortality among older critically ill patients with severe AKI. A substantial proportion of survivors experience declining function and worsened frailty status within one year.

scholarly journals ASSOCIATION OF ACID-BASE PARAMETERS WITH LACTATE LEVEL IN CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS WITH METABOLIC ACIDOSIS

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 141
Author(s):  
Donaliazarti Donaliazarti ◽  
Rismawati Yaswir ◽  
Hanifah Maani ◽  
Efrida Efrida
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Acidosis ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Lactate Level ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
P Value ◽  
Acid Base Balance ◽  
Acid Base ◽  
Base Parameters ◽  
Base Balance

Metabolic acidosis is prevalent among critically ill patients and the common cause of metabolic acidosis in ICU is lactic acidosis. However, not all ICUs can provide lactate measurement. The traditional method that uses Henderson-Hasselbach equation (completed with BE and AG) and alternative method consisting of Stewart and its modification (BDEgap and SIG), are acid-base balance parameters commonly used by clinicians to determine metabolic acidosis in critically ill patients. The objective of this study was to discover the association between acid-base parameters (BE, AGobserved, AGcalculated, SIG, BDEgap) with lactate level in critically ill patients with metabolic acidosis. This was an analytical study with a cross-sectional design. Eighty-four critically ill patients hospitalized in the ICU department Dr. M. Djamil Padang Hospital were recruited in this study from January to September 2016. Blood gas analysis and lactate measurement were performed by potentiometric and amperometric method while electrolytes and albumin measurement were done by ISE and colorimetric method (BCG). Linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between acid-base parameters with lactate level based on p-value less than 0.05. Fourty five (54%) were females and thirty-nine (46%) were males with participant’s ages ranged from 18 to 81 years old. Postoperative was the most reason for ICU admission (88%). Linear regression analysis showed that p-value for BE, AGobserved, AGcalculated, SIG and BDEgap were 119; 0.967; 0.001; 0.001; 0.689, respectively. Acid-base balance parameters which were mostly associated with lactate level in critically ill patients with metabolic acidosis were AGcalculated and SIG. 

scholarly journals Early Versus Late Use of Dexamethasone in Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19: A Multicenter, Prospective Cohort Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khalid Al Sulaiman ◽  
Alaa Alhubaishi ◽  
Ohoud Al Juhani ◽  
Khalid Eljaaly ◽  
Omar Al Harbi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Early Initiation ◽  
P Value ◽  
Icu Mortality ◽  
Icu Admission ◽  
Icu Length Of Stay ◽  
Beta Coefficient ◽  
Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract Background: Corticosteroids, especially dexamethasone, showed a survival benefit in critically ill COVID 19 patients. However, it is unclear whether the timing of dexamethasone initiation is associated with positive outcomes. The aim of this study is to evaluate the timing of dexamethasone initiation and 30-day ICU mortality in critically ill patients with COVID19. Methods: A multicenter, non-interventional, prospective study for all adult COVID19 admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) who received systemic dexamethasone between March 01 to December 31, 2020. Patients were divided into two groups based on the timing for dexamethasone initiation (early vs. late). Early use defined as the initiation of dexamethasone within three days of ICU admission. Multivariate logistic and generalized linear regression were used. We considered a P value of < 0.05 statistically significant. Results: A total of 475 patients were included in the study; dexamethasone was initiated early within three days of ICU admission in 433 patients. Early initiation of dexamethasone was associated with lower 30-day ICU mortality (OR [95%CI]: 0.43 [0.23, 0.81], p-value = 0.01), and acute kidney injury during ICU stay, (OR [95%CI]: 0.45 [0.21, 0.94], p-value = 0.03). Additionally, among survivors, early initiation was associated with shorter MV duration (beta coefficient [95% CI]: -0.94 [-1.477, -0.395], p-value = 0.0001), ICU length of stay (LOS) (beta coefficient [95%CI]: -0.73 [-0.9971, -0.469], p-value = 0.0001), and hospital LOS (beta coefficient [95%CI]: -0.68 [-0.913, -0.452], p-value = 0.0001). Conclusion: Early initiation of dexamethasone within three days of ICU admission in COVID-19 critically ill patients was associated with a mortality benefit. Additionally, it was associated with shorter MV duration, hospital, and ICU LOS.

scholarly journals Time-Limited Trials Among Critically Ill Patients With Advanced Medical Illnesses to Reduce Nonbeneficial Intensive Care Unit Treatments: Protocol for a Multicenter Quality Improvement Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong Chang ◽  
Jennifer Parrish ◽  
Nader Kamangar ◽  
Janice Liebler ◽  
May Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Improvement Strategy ◽  
Icu Patients ◽  
Family Meetings ◽  
Planning Approach ◽  
Icu Physicians

BACKGROUND Invasive intensive care unit (ICU) treatments for patients with advanced medical illnesses and poor prognoses may prolong suffering with minimal benefit. Unfortunately, the quality of care planning and communication between clinicians and critically ill patients and their families in these situations are highly variable, frequently leading to overutilization of invasive ICU treatments. Time-limited trials (TLTs) are agreements between the clinicians and the patients and decision makers to use certain medical therapies over defined periods of time and to evaluate whether patients improve or worsen according to predetermined clinical parameters. For patients with advanced medical illnesses receiving aggressive ICU treatments, TLTs can promote effective dialogue, develop consensus in decision making, and set rational boundaries to treatments based on patients’ goals of care. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study will be to examine whether a multicomponent quality-improvement strategy that uses protocoled TLTs as the default ICU care-planning approach for critically ill patients with advanced medical illnesses will decrease duration and intensity of nonbeneficial ICU care without changing hospital mortality. METHODS This study will be conducted in medical ICUs of three public teaching hospitals in Los Angeles County. In Aim 1, we will conduct focus groups and semistructured interviews with key stakeholders to identify facilitators and barriers to implementing TLTs among ICU patients with advanced medical illnesses. In Aim 2, we will train clinicians to use protocol-enhanced TLTs as the default communication and care-planning approach in patients with advanced medical illnesses who receive invasive ICU treatments. Eligible patients will be those who the treating ICU physicians consider to be at high risk for nonbeneficial treatments according to guidelines from the Society of Critical Care Medicine. ICU physicians will be trained to use the TLT protocol through a curriculum of didactic lectures, case discussions, and simulations utilizing actors as family members in role-playing scenarios. Family meetings will be scheduled by trained care managers. The improvement strategy will be implemented sequentially in the three participating hospitals, and outcomes will be evaluated using a before-and-after study design. Key process outcomes will include frequency, timing, and content of family meetings. The primary clinical outcome will be ICU length of stay. Secondary outcomes will include hospital length of stay, days receiving life-sustaining treatments (eg, mechanical ventilation, vasopressors, and renal replacement therapy), number of attempts at cardiopulmonary resuscitation, frequency of invasive ICU procedures, and disposition from hospitalization. RESULTS The study began in August 2017. The implementation of interventions and data collection were completed at two of the three hospitals. As of September 2019, the study was at the postintervention stage at the third hospital. We have completed focus groups with physicians at each medical center (N=29) and interviews of family members and surrogate decision makers (N=18). The study is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2020, and results are expected to be available in mid-2020. CONCLUSIONS The successful completion of the aims in this proposal may identify a systematic approach to improve communication and shared decision making and to reduce nonbeneficial invasive treatments for ICU patients with advanced medical illnesses. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/16301

scholarly journals Low albumin levels are associated with poorer outcomes in a case series of COVID-19 patients in Spain: a retrospective cohort study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto de la Rica ◽  
Marcio Borges ◽  
María Aranda ◽  
Alberto del Castillo ◽  
Antonia Socias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Severity ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Hospitalized Patients ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Icu Patients ◽  
Epidemiological Features ◽  
Initial Symptoms

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVETo describe the clinical characteristics and epidemiological features of severe (non-ICU) and critically patients (ICU) with COVID-19 at triage, prior hospitalization, in one of the main hospitals in The Balearic Islands health care system.DESIGNRetrospective observational studySETTINGSon Llatzer University Hospital in Palma de Mallorca (Spain)PARTICIPANTSAmong a cohort of 52 hospitalized patients as of 31 March 2020, 48 with complete demographic information and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) positive test, were analyzed. Data were collected between March 15th, 2020, and March 31th 2020, inclusive of these dates.MAIN OUTCOMESClinical, vital signs and routine laboratory outcomes at the time of hospitalization, including symptoms reported prior to hospitalization. Demographics and baseline comorbidities were also collected. Mortality was reported at the end of the study.RESULTS48 patients (27 non-ICU and 21 ICU) resident in Mallorca, Spain (mean age, 66 years, [range, 33-88 years]; 67% males) with positive SARS-CoV-2 infection were analyzed. There were no differences in age or sex among groups (p >.05). Initial symptoms included fever (100%), coughing (85%), dyspnea (76%), diarrhea (42%) and asthenia (21%). The majority of patients in this case series were hospitalized because of low SpO2 (SpO2 below 90%) and presentation of bilateral pneumonia (94%) at triage. ICU patients had a higher prevalence of dyspnea compared to non-ICU patients (95% vs 61%, p = .022). Acute respiratory syndrome (ARDS) was presented in 100% of the ICU-patients. All the patients included in the study required oxygen therapy. ICU-patients had lymphopenia as well as hypoalbuminemia. Inflammatory markers such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin were significantly higher in ICU patients compared to non-ICU (p < .001).Lower albumin levels were associated with poor prognosis measured as longer hospital length (r= −0.472, p <.001) and mortality (r= −0.424, p=.003). Interestingly we also found, that MCV was lower among of those patients who died (p=.0002). As of April 28, 2020, 10 patients (8 ICU and 2 non-ICU) had died (21% mortality) and while 100% of the non-ICU patients had been discharged, 33% of ICU patients still remained hospitalized (5 in ICU and 2 had been transferred to ward).CONCLUSIONCritically ill patients with COVID-19 present lymphopenia, hypoalbuminemia as well high levels of inflammation. Lower levels of albumin were associated with poorer outcomes in COVID-19 patients. Albumin might be of importance because of its association with disease severity in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2.WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN IN THIS TOPICSpain has been hit particularly hard by the pandemic. By the time that this manuscript was written more than 25.000 deaths related to COVID-19 have been confirmed. There is limited information available describing the clinical and epidemiological features of Spanish patients requiring hospitalization for COVID-19. Also, it is important to know the characteristics of the hospitalized patients who become critically illWHAT THIS STUDY ADDSThis small case series provides the first steps towards a comprehensive clinical characterization of severe and critical COVID-19 adult patients in Spain. The overall mortality in our patients was 21%. To our knowledge this is the first report with reporting these features in Spain. At triage the majority of patients had lower SpO2 (<90%) and bilateral pneumonia. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (70%), dyslipidemia (62%) and cardiovascular disease (30%). Critically ill patients present hypoalbuminemia and lymphopenia, as well as higher levels of inflammation. Albumin might be of importance because of its association with disease severity and mortality in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2.

scholarly journals Discomforts in Critically ill Patients: Our Experience in Intensive Care Unit of a Tertiary Care Hospital in India

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reetu Verma ◽  
Sasmita Panda ◽  
Rajeev Kumar Nishad
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Nursing Care ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Tertiary Care Hospital ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Icu Patients ◽  
Common Cause

Introduction: Patients admitted in the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) experiences various discomforts which may be recognised or unrecognised. These discomforts may arise from the environment, may be related to the ICU care and discomfort related to the health status of the patient and critical care interventions. Aim: To identify the various discomforts in ICU patients, to classify them with respective causes, identify the most common cause among them and whether ICU sedation helps in reducing discomforts. Materials and Methods: This observational study was conducted from 15th July to 15th October 2018 on 120 mixed ICU patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital in India. Patients who were admitted to ICU for more than 24 hours, aged 18 years and above, those who gave written informed consent were observed and enquired for any discomfort. Discomforts have been identified and recorded by a fulltime intensivist by direct observation, by interacting with the patients and asking the family members and others (indirect approach). Through this study discomforts of critically ill patients were broadly classified into four categories 1. Due to existing illness, 2. Due to ICU interventions, 3. Due to improper nursing care and 4. Due to environmental factors. Results: Out of 120 patients studied, 84 patients (70%) reported some kind of discomfort during their ICU stay. Existing illness was the most common cause of discomfort, 80 patients (66.6%) suffered due to it. ICU interventions was the second most common cause, 71 patients (59.1%) had discomfort due to interventions. Thirty five patients (29.1%) suffered due to improper nursing care and 25 patients (20.8%) suffered due to the environmental factors. In this study, it was observed that sedation reduces all kind of discomforts. conclusion: In this study 70% of patients, who were admitted to ICU due to various illness reported some kind of discomfort. The most common cause of ICU discomforts was existing illness followed by ICU interventions. In this study it was observed that sedation reduces all kind of discomforts. Sedated patients tolerate the endotracheal tube better and they had less environmental and procedure related discomforts. With the present study observation it can be suggested that ICU charts of nurses and doctors can carry a separate column for mentioning discomforts in different duty shifts. However, with the use of appropriate analgesia and sedation discomfort can be reduced.

Abstract 13704: Simulation-based Uptraining Improves Provider Comfort in the Management of Critically Ill Patients With Covid-19

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
James M Horowitz ◽  
Eugene Yuriditsky ◽  
Sunil Nair ◽  
Brian S Kaufman
Keyword(s):  
Critically Ill ◽  
Nurse Practitioners ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Simulation Training ◽  
Icu Patients ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Simulation Based ◽  
Critical Care Ultrasound ◽  
Simulation Session ◽  
Icu Physicians

Introduction: The COVID-19 surge at our institution required deployment of large numbers of non-intensive care unit (ICU) physicians and advanced practice providers to assist in the management of the critically ill. A 3-hour “uptraining” simulation session was offered to these providers that focused on various aspects of ICU care. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that following a 3-hour simulation session, providers would feel more comfortable in managing critically-ill patients with COVID-19. Methods: One hundred and seventy-five providers underwent a 3-hour simulation-based session focused on management of shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and critical care ultrasound. All participants were sent surveys to assess their comfort with various aspects of ICU care following return to their usual work environments. Results: One hundred and eight providers of 175 (62%) completed the surveys. Cardiology fellows and faculty accounted for 36% of the responders, acute care nurse practitioners (NPs) accounted for 16%, while other NPs, residents, and fellows accounted for the remainder. Prior to simulation training, 31% regularly managed patients in the ICU and 28% occasionally managed ICU patients. Following training, 71% of participants were deployed to a COVID-19 ICU as part of their workflow. Overall, 104/108 responders (96%) felt training either significantly or somewhat improved their knowledge in the management of ICU patients. Ninety-four participants (91%) felt training impacted their care of critically ill patients with COVID-19. Table 1 is a display of specific ICU skillsets taught in the session and if the participants felt better equipped to utilize what was covered post deployment. Conclusions: Simulation-based training improved provider comfort in the management of critically ill patients with COVID-19. Table 1: Participants response to “if they felt better equipped to utilize ICU skills following simulation training”

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