According to researchers, combining data from two standard diagnostic tests commonly obtained in children evaluated for abdominal pain can help physicians to identify those patients who need surgery for appendicitis; those who may be admitted for observation; and those who may safely be discharged home. The findings ar

A commission in the European Union is working on a joint curriculum for intensive care medical training across Europe. The Multiple Joint Committee of Intensive Care Medicine (MJC ICM) has come up with general guidelines for harmonisation of ICM training in Europe, which the member states are now expected to ratify. "U

A new study published in JAMA shows that the use of the corticosteroid methylprednisolone compared with placebo reduced treatment failure for patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia and high initial inflammatory response. "If replicated, these findings would support the use of corticosteroids as adjunctive tr

Infections due to multidrug resistant gram negative bacilli (RGNB) in critically ill patients have been reported to be associated with increased morbidity and healthcare costs. A recent study conducted by researchers in Singapore has highlighted the heavy economic burden of RGNB infections to both the patient and hospi

A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal shows that shorter duty hours for medical residents, although slightly better for residents themselves, may result in worse patient care. The finding is based on a randomised trial assessing resident duty hour schedules in the intensive care unit (ICU)."

Although an increasing number of older adults are surviving visits to hospital intensive care units (ICUs), many emerge with disabilities such as impaired walking and poor overall function. Interestingly, a Yale School of Medicine study has shown that that the level of disability the year before an ICU visit can predic

A Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)-led study has shown that a set of characteristics, including differences in gene expression, may indicate which patients recovering from severe burns are at greatest risk for repeat infections. The finding is published online in Annals of Surgery."Our approach is the first to enab

Researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital have launched an investigation of the effects of general anaesthesia on infants’ brains that could help to improve clinical outcomes. Based on previous studies, infants exposed to general anaesthesia in early life have significantly increased risk of developmental del

A retrospective cohort study has shown that the use of arterial catheters (ACs) is not associated with improvements in hospital mortality in intensive care unit ICU patients requiring mechanical ventilation. The finding is published online in JAMA.ACs are used in 40 percent of ICU patients, mostly to facilitate diagnos

A novel eye-tracking device has enabled researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center to effectively measure the severity of concussion or brain injury in patients following head trauma. They say this unique, simple and objective diagnostic tool for concussion can be utilised in the emergency room or, one day, on the sidel