• How ICU diaries can help patients and families

    I work in a small intensive care unit (ICU) where we have been writing diaries since 1992. Initially, they were just little black books with notes by staff and families on how patients were doing during their ICU stay. In 1999, we began taking photos of the patients to illustrate their critically ill period, to help them understand and see what happened....

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  • Survey: Models of critical care outreach systems

    Critical care outreach teams (CCOTs) were introduced in an attempt to reduce morbidity and mortality through the earlier detection and resuscitation of acutely deteriorating patients.  However, there are many different models of critical care outreach systems across the UK and internationally. This online survey aims to take a cross-sectional...

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  • From code cart to comfort cart in the ICU

    In the ICU we see our fair share of loss, most the result of unplanned tragedy both for the patients and their families. As healthcare providers we work as part of a high functioning team always working to provide exemplary patient-centred care. We maintain a calm cool demeanor, approachable and open to suggestions and feedback from families,...

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  • A glimpse into the life of an ICU nurse - 2: Mr. Reed

    A week later, Mr. 'Reed’ came into our ICU at 5 am. The sun was already up and was shining softly into the room. Earlier that night, Mr. Reed was hospitalised in the emergency room. They couldn't get an infusion in because his veins were destroyed by chemotherapy. He was in the palliative state of cancer and now suffering with a variceal bleed....

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  • Listen and learn: the podcast movement

    As experienced critical care providers, we are overly familiar with the concept of continuing education. For many years, the only avenues available for obtaining this knowledge were via textbook, medical journal or formal classroom setting. Whether fulfilling a certification requirement or going above and beyond to expand our knowledge of patient...

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  • Survey: ICU inter-professional rounding practices

      Please see below details of an online survey which is being supported by the World Federation of Societies of Intensive and Critical Care Medicine . The survey has been distributed to national societies for dissemination to their members. We encourage you to participate and thank you very much in advance of your assistance in generating a good response....

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  • Tell the WSACS why you leave the abdomen open in trauma and acute care surgery

    You are being asked to complete a survey as part of a study about “why we leave the abdomen open in trauma and acute care surgery”. The aim of this survey is to help simplify the utilization of the open abdomen through a pragmatic approach. Your participation in this study is entirely voluntary. Your name and other identifying information will never...

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  • Stories from critical care: You can stop humming now

    Who should read You Can Stop Humming Now ?   Everyone and anyone! These are the stories of what comes after the medical miracles, when the sirens and flashing lights have gone quiet, behind curtains and closed doors. In this book, you will meet those whose lives have been extended by days, months or years as a result of our treatments...

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  • If you had a magic wand, what is one thing you would change about healthcare and why?

    Nurses leading through innovation The one thing I would change to improve our healthcare system won’t take magic —it’s achievable today. I would empower all direct care nurses as bedside leaders, innovators and catalysts for change.   Why? Because empowering our clinicians at the front line of care results in better patient...

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  • International survey of the structure and organisation of ICUs (ISOREA)

    Intensive care is an essential part of any health system. Developing a strategy to improve the efficacy of critical health care services requires a precise knowledge of the structural and organisational capacities of such units. Data on the structure and organisation of intensive care units (ICU) worldwide are scarce, especially in intermediate-...

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