Managing agitation in critically ill patients

1996 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
MA Harvey
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Clinical Applications ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Pharmacologic Agents

Managing agitation in critically ill patients is challenging and complex. Advances in the field of critical care impose strains on patients that can lead to disorientation and agitation, especially as more severe illnesses are treated successfully. Although the adverse effects of agitation are well-known, their impact on morbidity, mortality, length of stay, and cost are only beginning to be addressed. Meeting these challenges requires an understanding of the potential adverse effects of agitation, its causes and contributing factors, the advantages and limitations of available pharmacologic agents, and the role of nonpharmacologic interventions. This article reviews each of these issues, with a focus on clinical applications and strategies.

scholarly journals Optimal Role of the Nephrologist in the Intensive Care Unit

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 68-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.J. Askenazi ◽  
Michael Heung ◽  
Michael J. Connor Jr. ◽  
Rajit K. Basu ◽  
Jorge Cerdá ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Health Care Team ◽  
Quality Initiatives ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Delivery Of Care ◽  
Multi Disciplinary Team

As advances in Critical Care Medicine continue, critically ill patients are surviving despite the severity of their illness. The incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) has increased, and its impact on clinical outcomes as well as medical expenditures has been established. The role, indications and technological advancements of renal replacement therapy (RRT) have evolved, allowing more effective therapies with less complications. With these changes, Critical Care Nephrology has become an established specialty, and ongoing collaborations between critical care physicians and nephrologist have improved education of multi-disciplinary team members and patient care in the ICU. Multidisciplinary programs to support these changes have been stablished in some hospitals to maximize the delivery of care, while other programs have continue to struggle in their ability to acquire the necessary resources to maximize outcomes, educate their staff, and develop quality initiatives to evaluate and drive improvements. Clearly, the role of the nephrologist in the ICU has evolved, and varies widely among institutions. This special article will provide insights that will hopefully optimize the role of the nephrologist as the leader of the acute care nephrology program, as clinician for critically ill patients, and as teacher for all members of the health care team.

Recombinant Human Erythropoietin Use in Intensive Care

2002 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 1068-1074 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Darveau ◽  
Éric Notebaert ◽  
André Y Denault ◽  
Sylvain Bélisle
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Recombinant Human Erythropoietin ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Optimal Dosage ◽  
Human Erythropoietin ◽  
The Impact

OBJECTIVE: To review the literature concerning the role of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) in reducing the need for transfusion in critically ill patients. DATA SOURCES: Articles were obtained through searches of the MEDLINE database (from 1990 to June 2001) using the key words erythropoietin, epoetin alfa, anemia, reticulocytes, hemoglobin, critical care, intensive care, critical illness, and blood transfusion. Additional references were found in the bibliographies of the articles cited. The Cochrane library was also consulted. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Controlled, prospective, and randomized studies on the use of rHuEPO in critically ill adults were selected. DATA SYNTHESIS: Anemia is a common complication in patients requiring intensive care. It is caused, in part, by abnormally low concentrations of endogenous erythropoietin and is mainly seen in patients with sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, in whom inflammation mediator concentrations are often elevated. High doses of rHuEPO produce a rapid response in these patients, despite elevated cytokine concentrations. There have been 3 studies on rHuEPO administration in intensive care and 1 trial in acutely burned patients. Only 2 of these studies looked at the impact of rHuEPO administration on the need for transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: Few randomized, controlled trials explore the role of rHuEPO in critical care. Only 1 was a large, randomized clinical trial, but it presents many limitations. Future outcome and safety studies comparing rHuEPO with placebo must include clinical endpoints such as end-organ morbidity, mortality, transfusion criteria, and pharmacoeconomic analysis. rHuEPO appears to provide an erythropoietic response. Optimal dosage and the real impact of rHuEPO on the need for transfusion in intensive care remain to be determined. Currently, based on the evidence available from the literature, rHuEPO cannot be recommended to reduce the need for red blood cell transfusions in anemic, critically ill patients.

scholarly journals Characteristics of Critically-Ill Patients at Two Tertiary Care Hospitals in Sudan

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hagir Sulieman ◽  
Wael El-Mahdi ◽  
Mohannad Awadelkareem ◽  
Lama Nazer
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Apache Ii ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Tertiary Care Hospitals

Objectives: Knowledge of intensive care unit (ICU) admission patterns and characteristics is necessary for the development of critical care services, particularly in low-resource settings. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of critically-ill patients admitted to ICUs in Sudan. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted between February and May 2017 in the ICUs of two government tertiary care hospitals inKhartoum, Sudan. A total of 100 consecutive adult patients admitted to the ICUs were included in the study. The patients’ demographic and clinical characteristics and Acute Physiologic Assessment and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) scores upon admission were recorded, as well as the reason for admission, presence of any underlying comorbidities, interventional requirements like mechanical ventilation or haemodialysis, length of stay in the ICU and patient outcome. Results: Of the sample, 58% were female and 42% were male. The mean age was 47.4 ± 18.3 years old. Upon admission, the mean APACHE II score was 14.2 ± 9.6. In total, 54% of the patients had no known underlying comorbidities. The most common reasons for ICU admission were neurological diseases (27%), sepsis or infectious diseases (19%) and postoperative management (12%). Mechanical ventilation and haemodialysis were required by 35% and 11% of the patients, respectively. The average length of stay was 10.0 ± 7.2 days and the mortality rate was 24%. Conclusion: Most of the patients admitted to the ICUs were middle-aged females with no known underlying comorbidities. Larger studies are necessary to provide a comprehensive understanding of the critical care needs of Sudanese hospitals.Keywords: Intensive Care Units; Patient Admission, trends; Critical Care Outcomes; Developing Countries; Sudan.

scholarly journals The effect of opioids on gastrointestinal function in the ICU

Critical Care ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Yan ◽  
Yu Chen ◽  
Xijing Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Potential Risk ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Care Setting ◽  
Critical Care Setting ◽  
Gastrointestinal Function ◽  
Opioid Antagonists

AbstractGastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction is common in the critical care setting and is highly associated with clinical outcomes. Opioids increase the risk for GI dysfunction and are frequently prescribed to reduce pain in critically ill patients. However, the role of opioids in GI function remains uncertain in the ICU. This review aims to describe the effect of opioids on GI motility, their potential risk of increasing infection and the treatment of GI dysmotility with opioid antagonists in the ICU setting.

How Safe Are Intramuscular Injections?

1994 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline C. Beecroft ◽  
Sylvia R. Kongelbeck
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Case History ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Intramuscular Route ◽  
Intramuscular Injections ◽  
Critical Care Patients

The authors present an overview of adverse effects associated with intramuscular injections and factors contributing to these effects. Guidelines for both general and critical care patients are proposed after evaluating available research and case history literature. Recommendations include re-evaluating the appropriateness of the intramuscular route for administration of drugs to critical care patients. Avoidance of this route for most critically ill patients is suggested

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