Pain Monitoring and Management in Intensive Care Unit: A Narrative Review
2024 17 May
Pain is defined as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience. Among patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), severe untreated pain is associated with an increase in mortality, length of hospital stays and worsening in everyday quality of life after hospital discharge. Pain in critically ill patients is more difficult to monitor...Read more
How and Why We Should Monitor Dyspnoea in Mechanically Ventilated Patients
2024 17 May
Dyspnoea is among the worst suffering that a human being can experience. Because mechanically ventilated patients are strongly exposed to high dyspnoea intensity, it is important that clinicians monitor dyspnoea in this population. Relieving dyspnoea in patients is a human right. Suffocating, not getting enough air or the feeling...Read more
The Hazards of Monitoring – Alarm Fatigue in the ICU
2024 17 May
Alarm fatigue is a pressing clinical problem in our post-pandemic ICUs and can adversely impact patient outcomes. Its root causes can be classified by patient, device and organisation related. We believe it can be mitigated and we propose interventions through attention to policy, education and the creation of a meaningful culture of safety....Read more
Critical Care Monitoring: Time for Hospital-Wide Monitoring and Response Capabilities?
2024 17 May
Physiological monitoring has a rich 200-year history. In this article, the authors look into the components of an ideal monitoring system and highlight how advancements in modern technology could enable the development of an effective continuous monitoring and response system. The continuous monitoring of patient vital signs is a required...Read more
Perioperative Cardiac Output Monitoring: From Yellow Catheters to Green Algorithms
2024 17 May
We discuss the economic and environmental advantages of green pulse wave analysis (PWA) techniques and the integration of PWA algorithms into standard bedside monitors that will likely contribute to democratisation of perioperative cardiac output monitoring. Haemodynamic instability frequently manifests during the perioperative course...Read more
Technical Alarms During Continuous ECG Monitoring in the Intensive Care Unit
2024 17 May
An analysis of technical alarms to guide hospital-based alarm management strategies and inform monitoring manufacturers on needed improvements to technical alarm algorithms used in bedside ECG monitors. Introduction Hospital-based electrocardiographic (ECG) monitors are configured to alarm for a number of different types of arrhythmias,...Read more
Mitral Systolic Anterior Motion: Beyond Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery
2024 17 May
Haemodynamic instability and shock are a potential everyday challenge for intensivists and anaesthesiologists. Understanding the underlying cause is pivotal for an appropriate and successful treatment. Systolic motion of the anterior mitral valve leaflet towards the left ventricular outflow tract (SAM) is a possible insidious mechanism of low...Read more
Taking Care of the Lung Donor: A Task For Every Hospital
2024 17 May
Every hospital can contribute to adequate lung donation. Learning and understanding the management of potential donors will allow them to receive proper care and be referred to save a life. Introduction Organ transplants are, in many cases, the only therapeutic option for patients with terminal diseases in different organs (Westphal...Read more
Evidence of Ultrasonographic Monitoring in the ICU Patient
2024 17 May
Ultrasound serves as a tool to enhance diagnostic precision for decision-making in life-threatening situations in the ICU. This article will delve into the evidence of ultrasound monitoring across different scenarios. Introduction In the contemporary landscape of medical diagnostics, ultrasonography stands out as a pivotal...Read more
Intravenous Landiolol: Rate Control in Supraventricular Tachyarrhythmias in Patients with LVD
2024 17 May
Athina Nasoufidou Second Department of Cardiology Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Hippokration General Hospital Thessaloniki, Greece A systematic review investigating landiolol's efficacy in non-septic or post-operated SVT patients with concomitant left ventricular dysfunction. Managing Supraventricular Tachyarrhythmias...Read more
Upcoming Events/Congresses
2024 17 May
MAY 19-22 NTI 2024 AACN - American Association Critical Care Nurses Denver, U.S.A https://iii.hm/1pzb 23 – 26 61st ERA Congress 2024 Stockholm, Sweden & Virtual https://iii.hm/1pzc 25-27 Euroanaesthesia 2024 Munich, Germany https://iii.hm/1pzd 29-31 35th Smart Meeting Anesthesia Resuscitation Intensive...Read more
Patient Monitoring
2024 17 May
Patient monitoring in the ICU is critical for providing high-quality medical care. Monitoring involves continuous surveillance of physiological parameters to assess patient condition and detect signs of deterioration promptly. This includes monitoring vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature; continuous...Read more
Dealing With Uncertainty in ICU Decision-Making: A Practical Guide
2024 19 Apr
When the stakes are high, and the path ahead is uncertain, the decisions made, especially if a patient continues to worsen, can be sources of self-torment and can haunt us for a long time. Our goal is to suggest ways to steer decision-making for intensivists in the face of uncertainty by proposing a clear, practical, stepwise approach through...Read more
The Least Bad Decision: Crisis Standards of Care After the Pandemic
2024 19 Apr
COVID-19 was an emergency that lasted for years and left few regions of the world untouched. The pandemic shone a spotlight on both the strengths and weaknesses of our disaster planning. What worked, what did not, and how can we better plan for future emergencies? The COVID-19 pandemic forced hospitals and health systems around the world...Read more
Decision-Making in the PICU: Ethical Aspects in Paediatric Critical Patients
2024 19 Apr
This article highlights some particularities to be considered when making decisions in paediatric ICUs and the role of parents (or legal guardians) and the physician in the dilemma involved in paediatric decision-making. In these times, an ill individual is believed to be an autonomous moral agent to make decisions regarding...Read more
Decision-Making in Uncertainty: Time-Limited Trials
2024 19 Apr
An overview of time-limited trials (TLT), collaborative agreements between the treating team and the patient to apply life-sustaining therapies to help reduce prognostic uncertainty and foster trust between teams and patients and/or patient surrogates. Introduction Medical indication and a patient's consent form the basis of every diagnostic...Read more
Patient and Family Partnerships in the ICU: History, Benefits, and Strategies for the Future
2024 19 Apr
The seamless integration of patient- and family-centred care in the critical care setting remains elusive. This review discusses the history and benefits of patient- and family-centred care, plus strategies for partnering with patients and families in the critical care setting. Introduction Patient and family partnerships in the...Read more
When Hospitals Shrink: Preventing Loss of Hospital Beds Through Effective Bed Management
2024 19 Apr
With an ageing population and more sophisticated treatments, hospitals must become more bed-efficient or risk contracting. Strategic management is needed since ineffective bed management can reduce bed availability. Introduction There are multiple challenges for healthcare institutions in the coming decades. Important demographic changes...Read more
Beyond the Monitors: Redefining Connection in Intensive Care Family Meetings
2024 19 Apr
Family dynamics in ICU meetings are complex and often affected by emotions, stress, and differing perspectives. Effective communication and collaboration amid family members and healthcare professionals are crucial for steering these dynamics, facilitating shared decision-making, and assuring the best feasible patient’s care . Introduction...Read more
Anti-Inflammatory Therapies for Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia
2024 19 Apr
Emerging evidence highlights the potential advantages of employing anti-inflammatory therapies like macrolide antibiotics and corticosteroids in managing severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Although their use remains a subject of debate, recent findings indicate improved clinical outcomes, and support the adoption of a tailored approach...Read more
Errors in Nursing Interventions in Critically Ill Patients: Less is More
2024 19 Apr
In the treatment of critically ill patients, evidence-based nursing practices are essential, highlighting the need for precision in procedural management. This discussion identifies nine common errors encountered in clinical practice. Introduction Patient care is the essence of the nursing profession, focusing on the preservation, restoration,...Read more
Upcoming Events/Congresses
2024 19 Apr
APRIL 24-27 12th EuroELSO Congress 2024 Krakow, Poland https://iii.hm/1pcp 25-26 20th Annual Critical Care Symposium Manchester, United Kingdom https://iii.hm/1pcq 25-26 13th Ultrasound In Acute Care 2024 Manchester, United Kingdom https://iii.hm/1pcr 25-27 Urgent Care Updates...Read more
Decision-Making in the ICU
2024 19 Apr
Decision-making in the ICU is a multifaceted process that involves clinical assessment, collaboration among multidisciplinary teams, ethical considerations, evidence-based practice, communication, and continuous adaptation to evolving clinical scenarios. Balancing the complex factors requires expertise, teamwork, and a patient-centred approach....Read more
Defining Medicines Optimisation in the Intensive Care Unit
2024 12 Mar
Complex polypharmacy and pathophysiology are common in the intensive care unit (ICU). Medicines optimisation is essential to deliver safe, effective, and individualised pharmacotherapy. This is ideally performed by a specialised ICU pharmacist. Introduction Medicines are the most common intervention in healthcare and are a central...Read more
Critical Care Pharmacists Save Lives
2024 12 Mar
The purpose of this review is to discuss the role of critical care pharmacists on the interprofessional healthcare team in the care of critically ill patients and explore current gaps in the provision of comprehensive medication management. Introduction “The patient’s neurological exam was concerning, new fixed and dilated pupils...Read more
Clinical Pharmacists in Intensive Care in Europe: From Basement to Bedside
2024 12 Mar
Evidence regarding the impact of the ICU pharmacist demonstrates improved outcomes in ICU patients, with a significant impact on the cost of care. This evidence comes from multiple studies performed in different countries. What happens in Europe at the moment? This article describes clinical pharmacy services in a number of Intensive Care Units...Read more
The Multiple Roles of the Critical Care Pharmacist
2024 12 Mar
Critical care pharmacists use their specialist knowledge to optimise medication for their patients. This article looks at the various roles of the critical care pharmacist within the multidisciplinary team. Introduction The pharmacist's role in critical care is well-developed in the United Kingdom (UK), USA, Australia, New Zealand,...Read more
Critical Care Pharmacists Contribute to Patient and Economic Outcomes Worldwide
2024 12 Mar
Critical care pharmacists have grown in numbers and effectiveness, but their need exceeds availability. Their contributions, role, and benefits are discussed with how to justify adding these highly trained practitioners to your critical care team. Introduction I was asked recently what the most important change I had seen during the...Read more
Haemoadsorption in Critically Ill Patients: The New Frontier
2024 12 Mar
Haemoadsorption may represent the new frontier in extracorporeal blood purification. Haemoadsorption has demonstrated effective extraction of a variety of toxins and drugs during episodes of sepsis, acute kidney injury or intoxication. Selective haemoadsorption can be performed by endotoxin-binding polymyxin B functionalised polystyrene fibres....Read more
Corticosteroids in the Intensive Care Unit: Evidence-Based Recommendations
2024 12 Mar
Corticosteroids are commonly used drugs in multiple diseases and conditions of critically ill patients. In this article, we review the pharmacology of corticosteroids and provide recommendations for their use in the ICU based on the best available evidence. Corticosteroids: Pharmacology and General Aspects Corticosteroids are...Read more
