Pain is frequently encountered in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Several studies have shown that improved pain management is associated with improved patient outcomes. However, pain management continues to be a significant challenge in the ICU setting. Effective pain relief is one of the most important priorities in the ICU. The goal...
READ MOREThis narrative paper reports the practical assessment of pain in critically ill (ICU) patients, based on current evidence and guidelines. Introduction Pain is one of the top stressful symptoms experienced by critically ill patients hospitalised in intensive care units (ICU) (Chanques et al. 2015). This is because critical pathologies...
READ MOREAn overview of a discussion on sepsis and the Pancreatic Stone Protein (PSP) biomarker by Dr João Pereira, Hospital De Vila Franca De Xira, Portugal and how it can be used for early diagnosis of sepsis and facilitate decision-making regarding the administration of antibiotics. The discussion was chaired by Prof Pedro Póvoa, coordinator of...
READ MOREAn overview of nutritional targets and their impact on critically ill patients and the need to use a systematic approach to nutritional support for optimal patient outcomes. Critically ill patients are often hypermetabolic and catabolic and are at a higher risk of underfeeding. Nutritional support for these patients can prevent energy...
READ MOREAn overview of the most common mistakes in decision making and the practice of early mobilisation in the intensive care unit. Introduction Early mobilisation (EM) is a therapeutic strategy implemented to avoid and overcome impairments developed due to critical illness and ICU stay. Several benefits have been described throughout the...
READ MOREAn overview of evidence supporting perioperative haemodynamic optimisation in high-risk surgery patients and strategies to facilitate its implementation and adoption to improve patient outcomes. A million surgical procedures performed every year worldwide are at risk of complications that can be attributed to the nature of the surgery and/or...
READ MOREICU sepsis is associated with a mortality rate >25%, with nosocomial infection most lethal, and community acquired infection more common. Optimal management requires identification of the site of infection (lung, abdomen and blood stream most commonly), a focus on the likely pathogens based on risk factors for resistance, and provision of timely and...
READ MOREIn this article, the author provides the alphabet review of sepsis and septic shock based on personal clinical experience and choice. Sepsis and septic shock have been defined in 2016 (Singer et al. 2016) and the management of patients is framed by the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines with its renewed version in 2021 (Evans et al. 2021)....
READ MOREAn overview of the haemodynamic management of patients in septic shock and strategies for detection of haemodynamic changes and appropriate therapeutic action to improve the prognosis of these patients. Introduction Sepsis is one of the main causes of admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). It is defined as a life-threatening organ...
READ MOREAPRIL 12 ICU Management & Practice DigiConf Sepsis in Critical Care Virtual Event https://iii.hm/1exj 18-21 51st Critical Care Congress SCCM 2022 Virtual event https://iii.hm/1egu 23-26 32nd ECCMID Lisbon, Portugal https://iii.hm/1egv 27-29 ANZICS/ACCCN Annual Scientific Meeting 2022...
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